To answer your questions..
I was referred to this forum because I am setting up a reef aquarium and there is a lot of information on here. I was also referred to help sell some of the aquarium stuff I have.. but I can't do that without paying a "fee".
While here I noticed a photography section and since I am a photographer I thought I could be welcomed and be able to post and answer any photography questions that people may have. But there again I can't.
I'm not trying to start trouble, I'm simply trying to figure out why someone would have to pay to be apart of such a great forum. If this is indeed a non-profit where does all the money go? That is public information. If this is a Private Club, then that would be privileged information. Then again if this was a Private club there shouldn't be an open forum available to the public.
I can understand there being members only areas of the forum, but I don't think that the ones that are currently, should be. There is no advantage for a photography section of the forum being members only. If there are contests with prizes then maybe a section of the forum should be labeled contests and make that a locked members only forum. That would make sense.
As far as you locking the thread before I could explain myself... That was very rude and immature and shows me that you don't want me asking questions or pointing out how I think the forum could be better for non-members.
Again I'm not trying to start trouble, just trying to understand and point out how to make things better.