My first thread

[Antonio Correia]

Hello everyone,

I apologise if this isn't quite the ideal initial topic to start with here, but I have a question that seems pertinent to me and which I'd like to share with you.
I've been exploring the forum settings for some time, but I couldn't find an option to change the background from white to black (or dark mode). The white background causes me some visual discomfort, especially during longer periods of use, and I know I'm not the only one experiencing this difficulty.
My question is simple: is there any way to activate a dark theme or change the background to black? If so, where can I find this option?
I understand that visual preferences vary from person to person, but a dark mode would be a much appreciated feature, not only for visual comfort reasons, but also for:

• Reducing eye strain, especially in low-light environments
• Saving battery on devices with OLED/AMOLED screens
• Providing a more comfortable experience for light-sensitive users

I would appreciate any clarification or suggestions you might have. If other users share this need, it would be interesting to hear your opinions.
Thank you for your attention and help !

 

[Pete Askew]

Welcome to RPF, Antonio. I will see if there a way of adding an option for a ‘dark mode'

Kind Regards,

Pete

 

[Pete Askew]

I don’t see an option, but I will check also with XenForo support.

 

[Antonio Correia]

Pete, I cannot help but express my warmest thanks for all the attention shown. It is comforting to find a space where we feel so well received.
Indeed, dark mode is considerably more restful for the eyes, especially during prolonged periods of use. Although there are divergent opinions on this matter, for me this option represents a true blessing, allowing me to concentrate on content without eye strain.

I seek here in this forum a genuine alternative to another digital environment where I have been participating, but which unfortunately finds itself moribund. It is disheartening to see communities once vibrant slowly withering away.
I feel particular gratitude for having discovered this welcoming and functional space. Your dedication in creating a positive experience does not go unnoticed.
Thank you very much.

 

[Gary Ayala]

Antonio Correla ... welcome to RPF ...

 

[Gary R. Smith]

I seek here in this forum a genuine alternative to another digital environment where I have been participating, but which unfortunately finds itself moribund.

It's great to see you here Antonio.

Don't get your hopes up too much, this forum seems to be running on fumes lately.

 

[Gianluca Drago]

Hello everyone,

I apologise if this isn't quite the ideal initial topic to start with here, but I have a question that seems pertinent to me and which I'd like to share with you.
I've been exploring the forum settings for some time, but I couldn't find an option to change the background from white to black (or dark mode). The white background causes me some visual discomfort, especially during longer periods of use, and I know I'm not the only one experiencing this difficulty.
My question is simple: is there any way to activate a dark theme or change the background to black? If so, where can I find this option?
I understand that visual preferences vary from person to person, but a dark mode would be a much appreciated feature, not only for visual comfort reasons, but also for:

• Reducing eye strain, especially in low-light environments
• Saving battery on devices with OLED/AMOLED screens
• Providing a more comfortable experience for light-sensitive users

I would appreciate any clarification or suggestions you might have. If other users share this need, it would be interesting to hear your opinions.
Thank you for your attention and help !

Welcome @Antonio Correia! Great photos on your site.

 

[Antonio Correia]

Thank you all for the warm words. It's always comforting to feel the support and camaraderie of this community that's new to me. Each of your messages brings positive energy that makes me smile and reminds me why I enjoy participating in these conversations so much.

@Gary Ayala
How are you Gary? Nice to see you here! It's fantastic to see you around these parts. How have you been? I hope your projects are going wonderfully and that you have time to share some of your work with us.

@Gary Smith
Many forums, as far as I can tell, are dying. But that doesn't mean there aren't some members who are more dedicated and assiduous, who interact to keep maintaining the stamina, the strength, the élan. That's exactly what makes the difference, Gary. People like you, who don't give up and continue to nourish these communities with your active and genuine participation.
I know that sometimes it might seem like we're rowing against the tide, but I firmly believe that quality always trumps quantity. It's better to have a small group of committed people than a crowd of passive participants who just limit themselves to likes!

The only thing that might drive me away from here is the white background. In life, you can't have everything, can you? But even that I can forgive when the company is good. If you know me from somewhere else, it would be interesting to discover where we crossed paths before. The digital world is sometimes smaller than we think, and it would be curious to know if we've shared other conversations in other corners of the internet.

@Drago
You've been looking at my website... very well, very well !
I'm genuinely pleased that I've sparked your curiosity to the point of going to peek at what I'm up to over there. I hope you found something interesting, even knowing there's still a lot of work ahead.
The website is a bit on the disorganised side, but I'm trying to sort things out. You know how it is, sometimes inspiration comes faster than organisational ability, and I end up with ideas scattered everywhere.
But I promise I'm working on it! Any suggestions or feedback you might have would be very welcome. After all, a fresh perspective always helps to see things that we, being too close to the project, end up not noticing.

Here's another image to add some colour to the thread !

 

[Gianluca Drago]

Indeed, dark mode is considerably more restful for the eyes, especially during prolonged periods of use. Although there are divergent opinions on this matter, for me this option represents a true blessing, allowing me to concentrate on content without eye strain.

@Antonio Correia maybe I am stating the obvious, but in the meantime, hoping that it is possible to install a dark theme, have you tried searching for an extension for your browser that can create a dark mode in the sites you visit? I'm not an expert, but for Chrome for example - but I think also for other browsers - there are various possibilities, a decent one I think might be ‘Dark Mode’ https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/dmghijelimhndkbmpgbldicpogfkceaj?utm_source=item-share-cb

Here's the results of a simple test on this forum:

 

[Antonio Correia]

Drago... thank you so much !
I have downloaded it and... and it's working all right !
I hadn't thought of downloading a Chrome add-on.
Great idea indeed !
Thank you so much, truly ! .

 

[Gianluca Drago]

Drago... thank you so much !
I have downloaded it and... and it's working all right !
I hadn't thought of downloading a Chrome add-on.
Great idea indeed !
Thank you so much, truly ! .

Thank you, I am happy to have been helpful to the well-being of your eyesight.

 

[Bill Brown]

Welcome Antonio. There is a great range of talented photographers/artists here. If you have any questions please ask because there is probably someone who can help. Just like Gianluca did.

My talents are more in the digital darkroom, processing RAW files, retouching/editing and finally printing. I use CP1 Pro, PS_ACR and print with either the Epson driver or with the Imageprint (colorbyte) RIP to various Epson printers (4800, 11880, P-8000). I stay pretty busy so I don't post very often but I try to keep an eye on what's happening here. I've been a print finisher for 49 years now and my style and methodology definitely lean to more traditional visual outcomes.

I was recently tasked with producing work for the Bas Jan Ader exhibition currently on view at Hamburger Kunsthalle Museum in Hamburg, Germany. This image is from the catalogue produced for this exhibit. My contribution is noted at the bottom of the column. The noted Untitled (Flower work) consisted of 21- 11x14 prints displayed in three separate rows of seven prints each.

 

[Antonio Correia]

Dear Bill,
Thank you very much for your warm welcome message and your generous offer of support. It’s truly comforting to meet someone with such dedication and experience in photographic art, your 49 years as a print finisher and your recent work for the Bas Jan Ader exhibition at the Hamburger Kunsthalle Museum are both deeply impressive and inspiring.

A few years ago I was deeply immersed in photography. I had the pleasure of being published in LensWork and exhibiting 30 × 40 work in a gallery in Los Angeles, an experience that brought me great personal satisfaction, even though it yielded no commercial return. I did invest in the exhibition (fortunately not in the publication) and from that experience I reflected on the reality of this art form, which demands solid connections and considerable financial investment.

If you happen to know of any exhibition opportunities anywhere in the world, I would be extremely grateful for your guidance. It would be wonderful to share my work once again, and I would be delighted to share any benefits that might arise from such a collaboration with you.

As for printing, while I truly appreciate your offer and fully recognise the quality of your work, I currently print my own work using an EPSON SC‑P700 on fine‑art paper. For now, I print mainly for myself, for the sheer pleasure of the creative process.

Once again, thank you warmly for your generosity and for sharing your experience. If you’d like to continue this conversation, please feel free to contact me privately.
With my very best regards,
António

 

[Gary R. Smith]

Gary. People like you, who don't give up and continue to nourish these communities with your active and genuine participation.

Although I have been stopping here daily, I've been on the verge of cutting back my participation (as I have in the past).

and it would be curious to know if we've shared other conversations in other corners of the internet.

Indeed!
These days I participate here and in Hamish's 35mmc as well as DPReview.

Hopefully your participation here will spark renewed interest from the dozen or so who have been active over the past 24 months.

 

[Gary Ayala]

Hey Antonio ... it has been quite a while between our posts. I hope you and family are well. Unfortunately, (pour moi), photography has taken a back seat to other life activities ... but I always have my iPhone and use it daily. I am expecting to receive a film and digital medium format cameras soon and I hope this will to re-ignite my passion and a allocation of time. I am anxious to see your latest stuff. There are many good photogs here, but the activity level is pretty low. I think a few 'Real" photographers is better than many 'Pretend' photographers. Again welcome to RPF.

 

[Bill Brown]

A few years ago I was deeply immersed in photography. I had the pleasure of being published in LensWork and exhibiting 30 × 40 work in a gallery in Los Angeles, an experience that brought me great personal satisfaction, even though it yielded no commercial return. I did invest in the exhibition (fortunately not in the publication) and from that experience I reflected on the reality of this art form, which demands solid connections and considerable financial investment.

30x40 is a nice size to allow viewers to 'feel' the images and not just view the images. What body of work was this? I have helped produce numerous exhibitions over the years and you are so right about the financial investment. Especially if you use museum glass or Optium museum acrylic. I had an exhibit of some of my personal work a few years ago and opted not to frame the final work. I was at another artist's show recently and he used magnets to hold the work to the wall because he didn't have $10,000 to frame the work.

I don't really have any connections for exhibition venues. I stay out of the mainstream of activity and wait for my phone to ring. Since I've been in Dallas my whole career this is where my reputation impacts my business. One of the biggest advantages of being a print finisher is that I don't have to hire anyone to produce my personal work.

My personal involvement online is pretty small these days. It seems life is getting busier not slower as I reach the age where many retire. I'm hoping to be producing my best work over the years ahead but don't really know how life will play out. I just take it one day at a time.

 

[Antonio Correia]

Hey Antonio ... it has been quite a while between our posts. I hope you and family are well. Unfortunately, (pour moi), photography has taken a back seat to other life activities ... but I always have my iPhone and use it daily. I am expecting to receive a film and digital medium format cameras soon and I hope this will to re-ignite my passion and a allocation of time. I am anxious to see your latest stuff. There are many good photogs here, but the activity level is pretty low. I think a few 'Real" photographers is better than many 'Pretend' photographers. Again welcome to RPF.

I completely understand that situation, sometimes other life priorities end up relegating photography to the back burner, but that's natural and even healthy. The important thing is that you're keeping your photographic eye active with the iPhone, which produces impressive results nowadays.


I agree with you about quality vs. quantity here on the forum. I much prefer genuine discussions between passionate photographers than a lot of noise without substance. Thank you for the warm welcome !


Cheers and good light!