I can vouch for the friendly and extremely helpful people there. They even have an IRC channel for extra help with Smugmug stuff. I like Smugmug but find their web interface too "all over the place". I'm not even talking about the customization, just the basic stuff is confusing as well and a bit backward. Thinking of moving over to Zenfolio at this point.
If you like nikons (that is what I have) then one of the best forums is
NikonCafe.com - Powered by vBulletin
The Nikon Cafe is freegin' awesome. Amazing bunch of people who are honest, but never mean and will go out of their way to help. They host tons of weekly, monthly and 365 projects, get togethers (outings) competitions (in a way) and we also like to share photographic equipment (as in give away for free) which we are no longer using. Not only that, but we do things like pass around equipment from person to person such as monitor calibration tools, books and even lenses!
In fact, one member there was cool enough to start a little fun with his manual focus 35mm f2 AI Nikon, which wound up going to people all around the world! It started out in the States, then made its way to Europe, Australia, NZ and then back to the states for a "part 2". I got to use it in Hungary and just recently again (almost a year later) here in NYC.
the forums on DPReview seem friendly/helpful enough
Forums: Digital Photography Review
Meh@ DPReview. Most people there are obsessed with absolute nonsense such as charts and graphs, not actual photography. In fact, too many people there think that pixel peeping at brick walls is a great way to spend their time. Clowns in that tent I tell ya...
I'll try not to trash Nikonians, but there's a fee for basic membership (which I find ridiculous) and I've heard it's not worth the money.
NikonCafe has a lot of experienced photographers, and as a whole, they're a helpful bunch.
Well then let me trash them for you... Some people there are just downright nasty. IMO, this stems from how management treats the members. And as for having to pay for basic membership, well... let's just say that they are absolutely freegin' NUTS to think that they offer anything so special as to demand money for hosting space.
It would have been one thing to "ask" members to help out with costs, but to flat out tell people they have to pay in order to maintain things OTHER than basic costs (they of course don't say what it's for)f for hosting is just disgusting. Moreover, I find a lot of people there to be a bit full of hot air. Again, likely due to how management calls shots. (and did I just say a bit full? How the heck do you get a "bit" full? I need to stop drinking now... )
Great forum. Great people. Lots of awesome info and help. I'd call it the Canon version of the Nikon Cafe. Oh, and you don't have to be a Nikon shooter at the Nikon Cafe either. We have lots of Canon shooters, Film shooters of all brands, and a bunch of other topics not related to Nikon.
Lastly, the Fred Miranda forums are top notch. There are some incredibly talented photographers lurking and posting there.
Doug