Do you get annoyed?

[Tess320]

When you post some photos you've taken (and worked hard to get) on a non photography forum and they ask what camera you have so they can get it as it "takes great photos"?

I just posted a photo that was hard to get, exposure wise and also just from a practical viewpoint.

People seem to think you just point and shoot and out comes this perfect photo.

Nat

[cdifoto]

Doesn't bother me. I just tell them what I use. When they find out how much it costs they usually don't try to imitate. heh.

[neil_r]

No, just got used to it. What does annoy me is when you see evidence of the same behaviour here. When it comes to the kit over ability argument, in my view, ability will allways win.

N

[cdifoto]

Pixel peepers annoy me even more than the ones that wanna know what lens I used. Enjoy the pic as I posted it dammit! Don't ask me for 100% crops of all 4 corners and the center! [Text deleted--B] lol.

[nevilleb]

Tell 'em what you really used - a brain and two eyes!

nevilleb

[cdifoto]

Maybe fib a little. Say it was a Fuji 35mm disposable - 12 exposure. Make sure they know it was the one that had the white cardboard outer wedding decor design...since those have the sharper *white* lenses. The retail ones just don't have that wow factor.

[neil_r]

Make sure they know it was the one that had the white cardboard outer wedding decor design...since those have the sharper *white* lenses. The retail ones just don't have that wow factor.But the judicious use of a red marker pen would make those images really pop…..

[yellow_belly]

I normally smile and ask what they would say if they cooked a friend a really good meal and they said 'wow you must have some great pots and pans and cooker' :)

Terry

[nevilleb]

Or, maybe its a great landscape you shot, tell them that it's one of the latest automatic modes on your Canon -- "Ansel Adams mode"! :D

Or a great street scene -- "Henri Cartier-Bresson mode"

Great portrait -- "Steve Mccurry mode"

Of course, all these "modes" will have "a vast database of scenes taken by the masters and expose correctly blah blah blah" as the marketroids put it. Busy days ahead for them!

nevilleb

[SuzyView]

No, it doesn't bother me much. Equipment matters some, in my opinion, not as much as skill and talent, but it does matter. I just find it funny that most of the time people who ask the question of equipment really have no concept of what that is. They may read the articles, but never the next step of trying the good cameras and lenses. But I like the comment about getting a disposable camera. My brother, a pro photographer, had placed 10 disposables on the tables of his wedding reception a few years ago. I was totally surprised. He is a perfectionist. His comment was, "If two of the the 24 exposure come out, it would be worth it. I can't be running around taking pictures, so this is the next best thing." I've taken decent pictures with those disposables.

Do you ever tell people how much time you spent on your print after taking the picture? I know I spend a lot of time after making it WOW and that usually shuts them up.

SuzyView
10D, EOS 3 and soon 20D with lots of stuff

[cdifoto]

OR....

"Oh that's not a photo...I drew that with a crayon."

[nevilleb]

OR....

"Oh that's not a photo...I drew that with a crayon."

LOL! Good one!!! :lol:

Or maybe, that it's just part of an elaborate program called "The Matrix"

nevilleb

[FlipsidE]

I really wish that someone would hold an experiment. Granted, this would be a bit of a costly one to do, but I'm curious. Give one of those "snapshot" "the camera determines the quality" people a 1Ds MkII with say...a 24-105 f/4L on it. Then, give a professional photographer a the a point and shoot camera with all the creative functions still there. I wanna see who would come out on top as far as quality goes. I would be willing to bet a large sum of money that the professional photographer with the lesser camera would BLOW AWAY the snapshot photographer with the best of the best equipment.

It took me a couple of months of posting on this forum to really grasp it. But, ability and knowledge means MUCH MUCH more than quality of the camera.

Edit: Just to make sure no one takes this the wrong way...I do believe that a professional photographer with top of the line equipment could take better photos than he could with a point and shoot. So, equipment does make some difference. But, I think ability and knowledge weigh MUCH more heavily when it comes to quality photography.

FlipsidE

[cdifoto]

I really wish that someone would hold an experiment. Granted, this would be a bit of a costly one to do, but I'm curious. Give one of those "snapshot" "the camera determines the quality" people a 1Ds MkII with say...a 24-105 f/4L on it. Then, give a professional photographer a the a point and shoot camera with all the creative functions still there. I wanna see who would come out on top as far as quality goes. I would be willing to bet a large sum of money that the professional photographer with the lesser camera would BLOW AWAY the snapshot photographer with the best of the best equipment.

It took me a couple of months of posting on this forum to really grasp it. But, ability and knowledge means MUCH MUCH more than quality of the camera.

FlipsidE

Depends WHAT you shoot. Flowers? Piece of rubber cake. Pet rocks? Sure. Sports? I doubt it. Weddings? Nah. Can't isolate the bride from Uncle Joe's anti-crack campaign due to all that DOF.

[GyRob]

I FIND it nice to know what has been used to get an ider of how well they put that gear to use to make a great sharp colorfull shot .
Rob.

[SuzyView]

I have taken some really great wedding photos and someone comes next to me with his/her point and shoot and snap away. I don't mind because they aren't getting paid. In most cases, I welcome people taking their own pictures (when appropriate) because the bride will not send copies of the wedding to everyone. Sometimes people want their own memories of the event. I will have an aunt or uncle tell me their shot was better than mine after the photos are done. I look at their pictures and they are fine, mostly the expressions on faces are what they are looking at. I am looking at the light, the pose, the shadows, the composition . . . Try explaining that to Uncle Charlie.

SuzyView

[FlipsidE]

Depends WHAT you shoot. Flowers? Piece of rubber cake. Pet rocks? Sure. Sports? I doubt it. Weddings? Nah. Can't isolate the bride from Uncle Joe's anti-crack campaign due to all that DOF. I have to disagree. A flower or pet rock shot taken at 105mm at f/4 is going to cause the front of the pedals or the front of the rock to be in clear focus, but the back of the rock or flower to be very much out of focus. I wouldn't think that the point and shoot, snapshot photographer would know enough about DoF and how to manipulate it to get a full, clear shot of a flower or rock.

But, the professional photographer would know...and at 105mm would know to tighten up the aperture to make sure the range of sharp focus covered not only the tops of the pedals, but the rest of the flower also.

Looking back on my EARLY days with my DRebel and some of the pictures I took, my DoF was REALLY REALLY short...simply because I had no idea what I was doing. The tips of the flowers as well as some flowers in the front of the scene were very much in focus, and the rest were so blurred. That wasn't my intent, but at the time, I really had no idea what I was doing.

FlipsidE

[cdifoto]

I have to disagree. A flower or pet rock shot taken at 105mm at f/4 is going to cause the front of the pedals or the front of the rock to be in clear focus, but the back of the rock or flower to be very much out of focus. I wouldn't think that the point and shoot, snapshot photographer would know enough about DoF and how to manipulate it to get a full, clear shot of a flower or rock.

But, the professional photographer would know...and at 105mm would know to tighten up the aperture to make sure the range of sharp focus covered not only the tops of the pedals, but the rest of the flower also.

Looking back on my EARLY days with my DRebel and some of the pictures I took, my DoF was REALLY REALLY short...simply because I had no idea what I was doing. The tips of the flowers as well as some flowers in the front of the scene were very much in focus, and the rest were so blurred. That wasn't my intent, but at the time, I really had no idea what I was doing.

FlipsidE

With a little P&S I doubt you'll have a wide enough aperture to get much subject isolation. The sensors are typically too small and even if it's got an f/2.8 lens it's still going to have a lot of DOF. The amateur may not know about aperture and the pro would...but the pro wouldn't have the hardware to truly make use of it.

On the other end of it, that P&S would already have all the DOF necessary so by default even the amateur would appear to know about aperture on a P&S - just not on the dSLR. Then again if they're shooting in auto mode due to lack of knowledge, the camera may give them the right amount of DOF anyway.


I could also turn this argument around and say.."give a pro a P&S and an amateur a dSLR and tell them both to go shoot nighttime football."

I bet all the photos would look like shyt. Assuming the pro didn't refuse to do something so foolish from the outset.

[FlipsidE]

I say just give them a list of things to shoot. One Macro shot, one landscape, one person, one building, etc. Let them choose the location, the subjects, the moods, etc. And, see which one comes out with a better set of shots.

FlipsidE

[nevilleb]

I would be willing to bet a large sum of money that the professional photographer with the lesser camera would BLOW AWAY the snapshot photographer with the best of the best equipment.

It took me a couple of months of posting on this forum to really grasp it. But, ability and knowledge means MUCH MUCH more than quality of the camera.

FlipsidE

'Nuff said!

nevilleb

[Balliolman]

Tess, dont let 'em bug you. If they use the same camera their next question will be how come their photos are not as good as yours ... ;-)

[Steve Parr]

When you post some photos you've taken (and worked hard to get) on a non photography forum and they ask what camera you have so they can get it as it "takes great photos"?

I just posted a photo that was hard to get, exposure wise and also just from a practical viewpoint.

People seem to think you just point and shoot and out comes this perfect photo.

Nat

Why would it annoy you?

Instead of getting annoyed, educate them...

Steve

[peacock]

Post the image with text ,

I.e.

Heres an image I am particularly happy with as it was tricky to get the desired result . useing apperture priority to control the depth of field (i.e whats in focus) I blurred the background to make the subject stand out , I also waited for the pleasing late sun.

If you post with pieces of text , particularly on no photo related forums I find you generate more interest and appreciating of how you get the image.

some will even ask questions and learn to see what makes a good or bad photo and may learn why they like some images and not others.

sorry for rambling

[condyk]

I really wish that someone would hold an experiment. Granted, this would be a bit of a costly one to do, but I'm curious. Give one of those "snapshot" "the camera determines the quality" people a 1Ds MkII with say...a 24-105 f/4L on it. Then, give a professional photographer a the a point and shoot camera with all the creative functions still there. I wanna see who would come out on top as far as quality goes. I would be willing to bet a large sum of money that the professional photographer with the lesser camera would BLOW AWAY the snapshot photographer with the best of the best equipment.


Well Mr Flip it was done here in good ol' Blighty ... or at least a kinda version of what you want. Can't remember the show but there were 3 Pro's: one had the big daddy Canon body and 16-35mm 2.8 if I remember, one had a P&S and one a camera phone jobbie. All produced great shots from a 'wow, that's a good/interesting/unique' image POV. BTW, The big Canon had a fault writing to the CF's reliably :lol: :lol:

There is a lot of focus on sharpness, etc here because it can be bought and is perhaps more controllable (wow, sharp Duck shot!!) Taking a memorable shot is harder to do. Combining the craft and eye and gizmo sides is very difficult in these 'instant gratification' days.

[peacock]

Well Mr Flip it was done here in good ol' Blighty ... or at least a kinda version of what you want. Can't remember the show but there were 3 Pro's: one had the big daddy Canon body and 16-35mm 2.8 if I remember, one had a P&S and one a camera phone jobbie. All produced great shots from a 'wow, that's a good/interesting/unique' image POV. BTW, The big Canon had a fault writing to the CF's reliably :lol: :lol:

There is a lot of focus on sharpness, etc here because it can be bought and is perhaps more controllable (wow, sharp Duck shot!!) Taking a memorable shot is harder to do. Combining the craft and eye and gizmo sides is very difficult in these 'instant gratification' days.

I saw those shows , and I agree maybe a bit too much emphasis is place on sharpness and pixel peeping and not enough on a pleasing composition etc .
I also remember seeing some desperatly dull and ****ty shots from the so called experts , paticularly remember the woman who shot a dull concrete building.

[Tom W]

When you post some photos you've taken (and worked hard to get) on a non photography forum and they ask what camera you have so they can get it as it "takes great photos"?

I just posted a photo that was hard to get, exposure wise and also just from a practical viewpoint.

People seem to think you just point and shoot and out comes this perfect photo.

Nat

I always tell them the truth - I don't remember which camera I used. :)

[Tom W]

Well Mr Flip it was done here in good ol' Blighty ... or at least a kinda version of what you want. Can't remember the show but there were 3 Pro's: one had the big daddy Canon body and 16-35mm 2.8 if I remember, one had a P&S and one a camera phone jobbie. All produced great shots from a 'wow, that's a good/interesting/unique' image POV. BTW, The big Canon had a fault writing to the CF's reliably :lol: :lol:

There is a lot of focus on sharpness, etc here because it can be bought and is perhaps more controllable (wow, sharp Duck shot!!) Taking a memorable shot is harder to do. Combining the craft and eye and gizmo sides is very difficult in these 'instant gratification' days.

Interesting tidbit from my niece's wedding in August. The pro was great. He handled his 4 manual Nikon cameras well. He used his DOF marks on his lens, and changed settings with ease. He posed people in groups, and got plenty of candids at the reception. He was a pleasure to watch. I talked with him, watched him, and generally stayed out of his way (plus I got stuck with the video camera until it fortunately ran out of battery power, after which I ran out and got my XT).

But despite all that professionalism, he forgot one important ingredient - he forgot to get the whole wedding party photo in the church. But fortunately, Aunt Nelly did with here little point-and-shoot. And while the image might have had some technical issues, it was turned into a wonderful 5X7 black and white print that effective captured the moment (even if it is slightly tilted and has infinite depth-of-field).

He also almost forgot to get one of these, after shooting about 15 different groups outside the reception hall, but I reminded him...

http://www.pbase.com/photosbytom/image/54037330.jpg

[FlipsidE]

Post the image with text ,

I.e.

Heres an image I am particularly happy with as it was tricky to get the desired result . useing apperture priority to control the depth of field (i.e whats in focus) I blurred the background to make the subject stand out , I also waited for the pleasing late sun.

If you post with pieces of text , particularly on no photo related forums I find you generate more interest and appreciating of how you get the image.

some will even ask questions and learn to see what makes a good or bad photo and may learn why they like some images and not others.

sorry for ramblingUnfortunately, while these types of posts are informative, I would be willing to bet that 99.9% of the people out there that own a camera of some kind have no idea what aperture or depth of field are at all. Nor do they have any kind of grasp on how shutter speed and aperture affect exposure.

This kind of post just invites more questions, and I'm just not the teaching type. I admire those who are as I've learned a lot from them in the past. But, teaching just isn't one of my gifts. This kind of post could also, very easily, invite many PM's asking questions not only about what exactly aperture and depth of field are, but also questions about the given camera (and I'm sure a few more mentions about how the camera was the entire key to the great photo).

Unfortunately, again, I'm just not a teacher type. And, in this particular case, I have a lot of other things I need to do with my limited free time than spend time answering all these questions.

I learned all of what I know about Photography from posting on this board, reading on this board, reading on the web, and especially from reading a lot of photography books. I would recommend that anyone that truly wanted to start taking great pitures should read some basic photography books or just lurk around on these forums for a few days. You're bound to learn a ton of stuff here.

Unfortunately, I honestly don't think many people on non-photography forums really care too terribly much about learning photography. All they want to know is the quick fix, easy way to taking photographs that turn out like the professionals or avid amatuers.

FlipsidE

[peacock]

Unfortunately, while these types of posts are informative, I would be willing to bet that 99.9% of the people out there that own a camera of some kind have no idea what aperture or depth of field are at all. Nor do they have any kind of grasp on how shutter speed and aperture affect exposure.

This kind of post just invites more questions, and I'm just not the teaching type. I admire those who are as I've learned a lot from them in the past. But, teaching just isn't one of my gifts. This kind of post could also, very easily, invite many PM's asking questions not only about what exactly aperture and depth of field are, but also questions about the given camera (and I'm sure a few more mentions about how the camera was the entire key to the great photo).

Unfortunately, again, I'm just not a teacher type. And, in this particular case, I have a lot of other things I need to do with my limited free time than spend time answering all these questions.

I learned all of what I know about Photography from posting on this board, reading on this board, reading on the web, and especially from reading a lot of photography books. I would recommend that anyone that truly wanted to start taking great pitures should read some basic photography books or just lurk around on these forums for a few days. You're bound to learn a ton of stuff here.

Unfortunately, I honestly don't think many people on non-photography forums really care too terribly much about learning photography. All they want to know is the quick fix, easy way to taking photographs that turn out like the professionals or avid amatuers.

FlipsidE

:confused: not sure where that came from:lol: my mistake , I was adressing the origional post

[Coco-Puffs]

When you post some photos you've taken (and worked hard to get) on a non photography forum and they ask what camera you have so they can get it as it "takes great photos"?

no, that doesnt annoy me. they can think what they want, the ppl who understand will appreciate it.

what bugs me more is when i tell them i shoot with a digital SLR, they assume dSLR=rich kid. its sad that I prolly got my body (D30) cheaper than most of their point and shoot.

[Duder]

I really wish that someone would hold an experiment. Granted, this would be a bit of a costly one to do, but I'm curious. Give one of those "snapshot" "the camera determines the quality" people a 1Ds MkII with say...a 24-105 f/4L on it. Then, give a professional photographer a the a point and shoot camera with all the creative functions still there. I wanna see who would come out on top as far as quality goes. I would be willing to bet a large sum of money that the professional photographer with the lesser camera would BLOW AWAY the snapshot photographer with the best of the best equipment.

It took me a couple of months of posting on this forum to really grasp it. But, ability and knowledge means MUCH MUCH more than quality of the camera.

Edit: Just to make sure no one takes this the wrong way...I do believe that a professional photographer with top of the line equipment could take better photos than he could with a point and shoot. So, equipment does make some difference. But, I think ability and knowledge weigh MUCH more heavily when it comes to quality photography.

FlipsidE

check this thread out: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=81332&highlight=bbc+picture+of+britain

[Steve Parr]

Back to the original question, why not just tell them what camera you used? When they spend thousands and end up with crummy photos, you'll have your revenge...

Steve

[Tess320]

Back to the original question, why not just tell them what camera you used? When they spend thousands and end up with crummy photos, you'll have your revenge...

Steve


Oh I do....but I still find it an annoying thing to say. I mean, I understand in some ways because these aren't people interested in photography at all, but it is common knowledge there are world renowned photographers (or like, National Geo stuff) so you'd think it'd be common knowledge that photography requires skill and not just equipment. People don't ask what paintbrushes you used if you're a painter.

I guess it's the feeling like they just cut you out of the equation, like you just stood there and this whole photo happened around you! Wow, look at my little camera go! :D

Nat

[Steve Parr]

I mean, I understand in some ways because these aren't people interested in photography at all, but it is common knowledge there are world renowned photographers

But the fact that they're asking is showing an interest, regardless of whether or not you think they should.

There's also the possibility that they are very interested in photography, but they simply believe they've progressed as far as they can with the equipment they have.

To get annoyed, right outta' the box, is to make a lot of assumptions...

Steve

[Tess320]

No assumptions, I know these people in real life :)

Nat

[Steve Parr]

No assumptions, I know these people in real life :)

Nat

Oh.

Well, then I'd just smack 'em...

Steve

[FlipsidE]

:confused: not sure where that came from:lol: my mistake , I was adressing the origional postYou didn't say anything wrong at all. I am just very pessimistic when it comes to most people on message boards. There are very very few message boards with people as all around good as the ones that are here.

For example, I am a moderator what is now the second largest message board on the web. Well over 1 million members...most of them complete and total ***holes or sarcastic pricks (please pardon the language). These are the people I'm talking about. People on that particular message board system would completely not pay any attention to the explaination, end up asking tons of questions only to realize that it's more than they wanted to know in the first place, ask me for the quick fix to take that perfect shot everytime, or just assume that the camera is *the* one and only reason the shot turned out well.

The people here...I don't have a problem with...great people on this board, but the original poster referred to posting on another message board where people are obviously not trained in photography at all...the kind of people who do assume that the camera is EVERYTHING when it comes to photography. Those are the people that get under my skin.

I apologize if that came off as an attack toward you...wasn't meant to be at all! :)

FlipsidE

[snappa]

Blimey the season of goodwill to all men/women and photographers ended quickly !

[PIXI_666]

I guess we just have to realise that people who are not fully into photography like we are, just don't know! And like the second comment, let them know about it and then they will understand! :)

I just looked through your photo's and realised you have been to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary!!!!! I love that place, we went there recently, were from WA and went up to QLD for our honeymoon. I love that wildlife place, it's so beautiful and there's so many beautiful birds! But seeing them there and especially that eagle cracking open the egg...hehe!

Id add a photo....but for some strange reason...my card reader won't read my cards!!!!

Adelle

[FlipsidE]

Blimey the season of goodwill to all men/women and photographers ended quickly ! :lol: If you dealt with IGNers (http://boards.ign.com) on a daily basis, you'd be the same way I am. I have lost all faith in 99% of them.

FlipsidE

[Tom W]

.....For example, I am a moderator what is now the second largest message board on the web. Well over 1 million members...most of them complete and total ***holes or sarcastic pricks (please pardon the language)....

Phil doesn't have any moderators. :D

Oh, you mean a different board.

j/k - I admire anybody that takes on the moderator task. I don't have the temperment for that job, plus I'm just a teeny bit strong in my opinions sometimes.

[DocFrankenstein]

My parents had some friends coming over and one woman brought an album of family pics with her. Documentary snapshots from eye level with the onboard flash. Taken with some PS...

When I took out rebel+grip+vivitar+70-200 to get some pictures she asked why I needed that. She told me to look at her prints with centered subjects and explain why I needed such an expensive camera.

I just said that I don't REALLY need it. She commented how I should've spent my money better and buy a PS just like she did. I sarcastically agreed.

Her husband, who's used to her giving medical advice to doctors and lecturing accountants on how to incorporate winked at me and said to her: "that's right honey... that's just optics. Who'd need it?"

Different standards.

Sometimes equipment makes a huge difference. Take a look here:
http://andrew4137.fotopic.net/p24163600.html

It was shot with Drebel at ISO 800, 1/320 with 70-200 f/2.8 wide open. A LOT of people had point n shoots and tried doing something with max of ISO 200 and f/3.5 to 5.0... or with built in flashes from 15 meters away. They weren't able to get ANYTHING.

Would it help me if I had 1D MkII with 135/2 instead for this shot? Yes! Is there quite a bit of noise in the picture right now? Yes! Would it be better with better equipment? Yes! Can I justify it at this point? No.

[Tess320]

I just looked through your photo's and realised you have been to Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary!!!!! I love that place, we went there recently, were from WA and went up to QLD for our honeymoon. I love that wildlife place, it's so beautiful and there's so many beautiful birds! But seeing them there and especially that eagle cracking open the egg...hehe!

Adelle

Do you mean my photos? If so....that was taken at Healesville Sanctuary in Melb :)

Nat

[acidhouse]

the BBC did a program this year with 3 professional Photographers , who had never shot with a digital camera.
the results differed greatly, but it was mainly the effort that the photog. put in that made the shot.
there were some awful top end camera shots and wonderful camera phone ones (OK Quality of pic differed somewhat).

[Mick Emmett]

Just take crap pictures like I do and you won't get people asking you anything;)

[zacker]

I ask allot because allot of people here dont post what they used, not that i want to use the same stuff or try to rip off someones ideas, its just nice to see whos using what and what theyre doing with it, i think its cool when i see an awesome shot by someone who's used the same set up im using, it helps me believe that i did get some good gear! Plus i hate asking what was used but i do anyway!!!
-zacker-

[DocFrankenstein]

I ask allot because allot of people here dont post what they used, not that i want to use the same stuff or try to rip off someones ideas, its just nice to see whos using what and what theyre doing with it, i think its cool when i see an awesome shot by someone who's used the same set up im using, it helps me believe that i did get some good gear! Plus i hate asking what was used but i do anyway!!!
-zacker-
Sometimes I like the bokeh so I just ask what lens it was shot with. Never hurts to know.

[buffalophotographer]

Tell 'em what you really used - a brain and two eyes!

nevilleb
I can't wait to use this one.

[buffalophotographer]

I normally smile and ask what they would say if they cooked a friend a really good meal and they said 'wow you must have some great pots and pans and cooker' :)

Terry

this is great one too, Good Material.

[zacker]

c,mon, dont allot...and I mean allot of kids who are trying to be muscians try to use the same gear as they bands they are into? what about trying to shoot like Ansel Adams? I see allot of pics of trees and landscapes done in B&W here and on other threads. There is a fine line between stealing and trying to do something similar. How many ways are there to take a certain pic? is everyone who uses an infared filter just stealing from all the others who use the same filter? ok, I'm the only one here who can use an XT and canon 28-135mm ... sorry, I called it first!
lol
-zacker-

[zacker]

lol after going back and reading more posts i guess my previous response was wrong.. I am sorry! but you guys still cant use the XT and 28-135.. I called it first!
lol

getting back to the point. I dont mind if someone wants to use the same crap i have, screw it. Impersonation IS the sincerest form of flattery...unless you trying to use my credit card and Impersonate me, then youre screwed... if you can figure out a way to get more credit put on them than I will gladly "share"
lol
-zacker-