It's kind of funny actually. I was looking for communities for both photography and history on line and I ended up finding both of the most unique kind.
For the photography, I first joined Flckr. One of the most known photo sites, Flicker is, as I saw it, mostly a repository of pictures from real people. It was really cool actually. I got to see people go through Yosemite, Yellowstone, take a motorbike trip through Norway, and even showcase the different phases of the moon. I love Flicker. What I don't LIKE about it is that I, myself have submiteed pictures but I am not all about love. I want feedback. Last year went to Yosemite and, on a lark, stopped the car, got out, and took a picture of the strange light before a bridge in the middle of the night. I love the picture, I laid down and watched, and it was amazing. That doesn't mean it was a great picture. Flickr seems like a great place to be positive. We all look but there is no critique.
On the flip side, you have 'the Grid". These are serious photographers and anything you submit will get critiqued...or destroyed. I like this site and this group. They are dedicated about their craft and while they aren't always nice about it, the help people learn the craft.
And.....finally...the spinners.
I was able to meet up and start working with a group of photographers who spun steel whool at the end of ropes. There are competing groups out here that try and outdo each other! It if fantastic. They all post to intstagram, which I don't use just yet and they get really serious. The great thing about having joined up with these guys (and one girl) is that they have really put a focus on exploring their cameras, light, and technique. It has been a steep learning curve with them but they are all so eager to teach and learn that I have really begun to excel at my own photography. Now, in terms of how creative and awesome they get; my last session with them was in a school parking lot where they were able to have a full fire engine with the firefighters all dressed up and standing on the top of their engine while two people spun around and over them. It was INCREDIBLE.
Finally, here is an AWESOME article with five different community sites where we can share and that will give feed back!
Here are a couple examples of what they do and and example of one of my latest shots that I think show some improvement.