Not really with you on this one paul,

Anyone can as far as I know become a VIP member, it costs 30 quid for life, the price off a few chinese takeaways, so there isn't anything  EXCLUSIVE about it. pay the money and get the benefits, I don't think that any VIP members can get any images removed, thats the job of the moderators, Funny thing is that there are many who compliment new comers and standard members, as for keeping it friendly, I think on the whole it has been kept friendly, until of late anyway,

its probably because most folk are polite that they prefer to say nothing about an image, rather than lie, some people can't take constructive critique so its better to say nothing.

tim 

Hi Paul.

Yes I did see the image, good on you for removing it when asked by those involved.

I'm not that aware of many clicks, I for one interact will many people on the forum,  If being friends with people that you have worked and met with in the past makes it a click, then I suppose Folio32 has many clicks, of which you will be in one too.

The style of Photography you choose to do is your choice, some will like it and some won't, same as everything in life, as stated a few times already by yourself  quote 'I cant do standard contrived ballance lighting in studio,I choose not to be restricted' again your choice, though the big majority of Models/Togs prefer this style. I'm not saying its the best, its a style and most like it.

As you said, you Choose to be a standard Member, so why do you think VIP members are better or have more say, the fact is, of the website sites that I know off, there are different levels of membership, usually standard, which is free and you don't get many benefits, you pay some money and you get more access, I am a member of different sites, most of them I choose not to pay for membership as I feel they are of little benefit to me, as they are uk or worldwide, but I accept their limitations, I certainly don't think the paid up members are VIP's they are just paid up members.

I do think that new models should be able to upload phone style images to get them started, but I feel 3 or 4 images are really enough, its my thoughts, some will agree and some won't, I have shot my fair share of newbie models to help them out, and to produce the best images i can, they usually are contrived balance lighting in studio, they are not always the best images in the world, there are many better togs than me, but hopefully it gets them started off.

obviously because I have replied it means I'm not friendly either though I don't believe this, Forums and Blogs don't work without replies, because without replies they are just statements.

have a good one.

Tim

I presume you meant to say "cliques". A click is something I usually do with my mouse .

I think it's sad that someone has to go on the offensive to justify their work. If you believe in your work then you will let your work speak for itself and take criticism on the chin like and self-respecting photographer that I know, would. After all, it's just somebody else's opinion - it's not the be-all and end-all. I've learned a tremendous amount from the critique I've received and it has helped make me a better photographer. Throughout the years I've also had people make silly remarks on my work and I just smile quietly to myself because they haven't a clue what they are talking about.

As a photographer, my work should please me first and foremost. If you are a professional, then you obviously have to please your client as well, although I would like to think that a professional is hired because someone likes their work. If models and other photographers like my work, then that's a bonus, if they don't I don't go on some raving rant about it and neither do I lose any sleep about it. Funnily enough, I've always found that most people like my work more than I like it! 

Many thanks for the replies.

It looks like the thread took a turn where one particular photographer felt victimised. This was absolutely not the intention. The reason I brought up a specific was example was to illustrate the point that it does not make sense for a non-approved (and even removed) image to appear on the homepage.

I deliberately did not mention any photographer or image. I do not know how many images are removed daily.

A good point was made about the fact that no pics appear on the homepage unless a member is registered. However it is easy to register, and once registered, the member has no option to filter the images, and so will simply see the most recently added images.

I do not think is this an issue with cliques or VIP members. I don't know why VIP was mentioned. Personally, I never notice who is VIP or not, and this is clearly not an indication of the experience or talents of the photographer/MUA/model.