New Digital Photogs

[GenEOS]

This post is about the influx of new digital shooters we have gained since the advent of the 300D and the $1500 10D.

Don't get me wrong, I think it is great that the market is expanding. But for me, it has created some funny moments in the field. Thought I would share.

1. The new 10D "news photog" shooting beside me at a local football game. If I happened to look over and make eye contact, I got a quick lesson on what her 10D is capable of. One thing I learned is that she can shoot 750 images on one card, because she has a 512mb!

2. Another was at a major play-off game, when this fellow comes up to a group of AP guys and comminces to show them the capabilities of his 300D! Holding a $1000 camera, trying to "impress" an AP photog holding $50K worth of gear in his hand!

3. I have also ran across many users now that think since they had a digital SLR, that makes them a pro. But do not have a clue what the "p" or Tv or Av or M setting on that wheely thing are for...and oh yeah, what's RAW?

I know some people will have some of these experiences to share...

[KarlJones]

Good stuff, Daniel. Yeah, I have quite a few too... but for now, you'd better get that flame suit on.

[robertwgross]

The one that I loved is when the new Digital Rebel user claimed that it was broken.

Oh, how do you know that it was broken?

The display screen never lights up to show me what I am aiming the camera at.



---Bob Gross---

[James01]

FLAME * FLAME * FALME * FLAME
Take it easy... lighten up.... Just because somone own's a PC doesn't make them an IT pro. Its all good. :)
FLAME * FLAME * FALME * FLAME

Had to flame... didnt want ya to feel left out.
:)

[Belmondo]

I attended the grand opening of a new hotel/casino a couple weeks ago. It was a typically boring gathering of the local ‘swells’ wishing to be seen and to rub elbows with some of the many celebrities who habituate our area during the winter. I say it was boring because it was......for me, anyway.

At one point I spotted a photographer who was working the event and was apprently from a local newspaper. He was moving around taking candid shots of some of the more well-known people at this reception as they shuffled around stuffing their faces and making small talk. I followed him around for a while because he was the only 'entertainment' available……at least as far as I was concerned.

It was interesting watching him work, and I actually learned a bit just by observing. He was shooting a 1D with what appeared to be a very large non-Canon flash of some type. It looked like he was using a 24-70L, although I can’t confirm it because I didn’t ask

Anyway, at one point, he reached into his bag and pulled out a (gulp) Digital Rebel with a 550EX mounted on it, and what appeared to be the standard 18-55 lens on it. It certainly wasn’t an L lens. Anyway, he started shooting away with it. At one point, I saw him snap a picture of a couple local celebrities deep in discussion with each other.

That was one of the pictures that made into the paper, and was the feature photo of the piece.

The moral of the story? In the right hands, any camera blah, blah, blah.

Aesop

[swamprot]

GenEOS wrote:
3. I have also ran across many users now that think since they had a digital SLR, that makes them a pro. But do not have a clue what the "p" or Tv or Av or M setting on that wheely thing are for...and oh yeah, what's RAW?
You Talkin Ta Me?

[deezeljuice]

So, belmondo, you obviously read my post about being able to competently take good pictures with a DRebel on another thread. I realize that on the forums sometimes it is difficult to detect a posters intentions given that you can't see body language or hear voice inflections. But I think there's little doubt there's some sarcasm here. Is this just plain pompousness? Do you believe that a competent, creative photog with a DR is unable to take very good photos? Without a 10D and L glass, you just can't do it?
Let me make my point clear. Better tools in the right hands enable you to take better pictures. Lesser tools in better hands, take BETTER pictures.
Now, what's your point?...

[Belmondo]

Once again I find myself having to explain myself to someone that is trying much too hard to read something into my post that simply isn't there.

This is a true story that illustrates precisely the point that it's not the camera, but the person behind it pushing the button. There's no sarcasm, implied or actual. The man is a professional, and he got professional results. I was merely trying to offer another point of view to the newbie bashing that was the theme of this thread.

Please tell me how I failed to convey that message. I'll try to do better.

Tom

[evilenglishman]

--

[Belmondo]

In my opinion, the bigger threat to this forum is the tendency of some individuals to interpret supportive statements by others as condescension, or as you call it, ‘sarcasm.’ Learn how to take a complement.

I didn’t read the posting that you put up the other day. There’s apparently nothing in it to disagree with. If you are familiar with my position on this subject, though, you’ll understand that I’m fully supportive of all users, regardless of expertise or equipment.

Tom

[Motorsports Photo]

Yep, I've run into the same thing. I have to admit that the advent of digital workflow beats the hell out of the old one. (shoot all day find a one-hour place, hope they dont screw-up too bad, sort and number pics, try to sell them the next day)

I've also seen a strange assortment of equipment and offerings for final product.

I got a lot of business from a guy who is VERY boastful, and his talking down of the other photogs (since they werent using the latest Nikon gear) drove people away from his big red trailer to my humble tent.

When I showed up at one event and there were 4 other photographers there, I commented to a friend that all the monkeys got digital cameras over the winter. I guess they decided not to work on Shakespeare anymore. (-:

But as was noted before. Its not the tool you hold in your hand, its the knowledge of how to use it best.

-Pete

[Belmondo]

evilenglishman wrote:I understood you the first time - but I was listening to what you were saying ;)

Well, I'm glad someone was. Thanks.

Tom

[iwatkins]

So Tom,

Reading between the lines, shooting off at a tangent and totally misinterpreting what you are saying, I come to the conclusion that going to a casino is not in the slightest bit entertaining ?

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/images/smile4.gif

Cheers

Ian

[Belmondo]

Ummmm. Is it that obvious?

It's actually my second favorite activity only behind getting a root canal.

Tom

[CanonUser]

I do wedding videos. I often take stills to use in the video, DVD covers, montage, menu designs, and so on. I used a 35mm before switching to the Digital-Rebel. Most of the wedding photographers with pro gears, from 10D to Nikon's commemorate editions with portable light kits, looked at me with a smirk. Well, my customer often purchased the photos I took in addition to the video. Granted, I worked on them in PS, plus, my training in graphic art and experience in event video helped tremendously. There are real pros out there and they have my utmost respect & admiration. I also saw many outstanding works from amateurs who preferred to shoot just for the love of photography. For the mediocres with expensive gears: from time to time when I ran across one of those who dismissed me at previous event, I showed them the photos from my demo kit. The look on their told me I just got my sweet revenge.
JFK's memorial just passed. His assasination was taped by an amateur.

Regards,
Alan

[ijohnson]

I have to say that the original post in this thread was hilarious. I wish that there were more people that could share stories like that.

I have an interesting story from the other side. I was asked to take pictures at a wedding shower for a friend of my Step-mom's. I hate those events but it paid well, at least for someone that is currently unemployed. So I brought my G2 with the 420ex flash and started taking some candid shots.

Well as it turned out, one of the guests was a well known studio photog from across town. I was frankly humbled by her presence as I only wish I could make living taking pictures and was honored to meet her.

Anyhow, I took a few pictures near her table and I noticed that she was shooting with a very small P+S (can't remember what it was, about the size of an sd10). Well, not more than 1 minute later she came back in the room with her EOS3 with a the big external flash bracket mount thing (whatever that's called) and started taking lots of pictures all over the room. Many times she was near me and made sure to tout the benefits of non-digital cameras. It was quite a display. I just kept quite and said "nice camera", and "would you mind if I looked at it".

Anyhow, its funny how she wasn't planning on taking pictures at one of her good friends showers until someone in the room had better equipment than her.

I hope none of you would do that.

[CyberDyneSystems]

belmondo wrote:
evilenglishman wrote:I understood you the first time - but I was listening to what you were saying ;)

Well, I'm glad someone was. Thanks.

Tom

I was right there with you too Tom,.. I am trying very hard to find fault in everything you post,. because apperently this shlould be an easy thing to do,... ???

But no matter how hard I try,. I just can't help but reading complimentary supoortive and useally humorous things into your posts?

I must be blind! :D : D

Or,. this is all just a bunch of "Secret Double Sarcasm" :D

Loong before I was "in to" phtography myself,. I had occasion to work sporting events at the Civic Center.. sometime I would be hired as the local help for a sports photog,.. I would install his strobes up in the grid above the basketball court etc...

Well one of the regulars I did this for (a Nikon Man) shot all film at the time. (DSLRs were oddities at best in those days) one day he pulls out a Nikon twisty body digital thing (I think it was called a 750??) He took 90% of his "in game shots" with the extensive film rig and strobes etc... but he walked around between paly getting candids with the little point and shoot.

Same ending,. the point and shoot candids made the lead of the story in the paper.

[KennyG]

GenEOS wrote:

I know some people will have some of these experiences to share...



I was taught almost everything I know about motorsport photography by a long serving well known UK sports photog. He recently retired and my wife and I had him and his wife over for dinner the other night. We got chatting about the very same subject.

One comment he made was "I don't care about the gear, can he take a good picture?" That pretty much sums it up for me too.

We first met in pre-digital days and about the only gear I can recall we discussed at race meetings was what film we were using.

We still get newcomers laden with white lenses trying to impress. A few are good photogs, but some of them don't have a clue what do do with the many thousands of dollars/pounds of gear they have brought along. I would have more respect for them if they came with one camera plus lens and asked the pros for some advice. I would be even more impressed if they didn't mention the gear and instead concentrated on the photography.

Looking back, apart from white lenses, I must have appeared the same to the old pros the first time I stood trackside. I also remember I couldn't wipe the grin off my face for weeks when I got my first picture published. I hope I can give the same encouragement to the keen to learn newcomer that I got when I started in this game.

Who knows, maybe the next world class photog has a 300D in his hands this very moment and is taking that really great once in a lifetime shot.

[defordphoto]

This year at the Portland ChampCar race over at the Festival Curves -- the chicane at the end of the front straight -- there is an huge area beyond the stands there that is for credentialed media only and the weirdest thing I have ever witnessed happened.

No matter whether you had proper media/photo credentials or not, unless you had a (and I quote) "Big camera with a big lens" the track security would not let you pass.

I could not believe my ears! Later, after talking to CART media relations we got that resolved, but that was just freaking bizarre.

[robertwgross]

There were six or eight photographers on a shoot at a local flower conservatory. I had my D60 with me, and there was another guy with one of the similar-looking Canon film cameras. I was trying to make conversation with that other guy, so I asked him what lens he had on the front. He answered and asked me what lens I had. Then this guy made some disparaging remark to the effect that digital cameras weren't worth a damn. OK. We were both "working" the place.

A little later, he left his camera momentarily on a tripod as I walked by. I happened to glance into the dark window on the back of his camera. That is where the 35mm film identification is visible. His was completely dark. His camera was empty of film!

I wished him good luck and asked to see his results of the day. So far, I'm still waiting.

---Bob Gross---

[GenEOS]

I totally started this thread with my toungue firmly planted in my cheek, it was meant to be amuzing. Ya'll quit taking me so seriously!

So I won't come off as a snob, I have to tell you about a local shoot I went on while still equipped with a G1 as my only digital weapon. Talk about looks amoung the pros, I got some death blows from those guys...

I had the pleasure of shooting Ricky Skaggs (famous Country&Western, Bluegrass fellow for those who may not know) when he came to play for a local church. Long story short, the music director and Ricky are friends and Ricky came to play at the church for fun.

Anyways, here I am in a back room of the church after the event with Ricky, some people from the church and his friend the music directo & a fellow photog from some high society country music magazine that follows bands around the nation. He shot Nikon film gear.

While he was reloading for some set shots in the back room, Ricky was playing with the music director's little girl. While mr. big was changing film, bang, I grabbed the front page picture of Ricky, and this cute little girl funning with each other..Mr big missed the shot and he knew it.

Later when sharing the photo with the church people, I got a comment back that sums up what people think...
"Man that little camera looks cheap, but boy does IT take good pictures" As if the camera would have done it by itself....

Cheer up guys its all good !!

-Daniel

[DaveG]

I was doing a shoot for a pharmaceutical company a while back and a doctor came up to talk to me and this was the conversation:

"Hey that's the same camera I have."

"Oh, a 10D?"

"No an Elan II."

"Eh?"

[PacAce]

DaveG wrote:
I was doing a shoot for a pharmaceutical company a while back and a doctor came up to talk to me and this was the conversation:

"Hey that's the same camera I have."

"Oh, a 10D?"

"No an Elan II."

"Eh?"

ROFLMAO :D That's funny!

[ijohnson]

These stories are hilarious. I love my equipment, even though its either a 25 year old Minolta XD5 or a P+S G2, but no matter what I do, because of all the snobs out there (Geneos I know you are not a snob), I never even acknowledge my equipment, even when people come up and ask me about it.

Its a shame.

I am expecting 10D soon and expect that I will act the same way, knowing that someone with a 1DS and backback full of white lenses might be trying to patronize me. I'd hate to end up as one of these stories on this forum.

You people are awesome, thanks for entertaining me night after night.

[DAMphyne]

I wonder why Canon doesn't make the "PRO" cameras white, like the L lenses. then we could all easily recognise who is the real photographer in the group.

[Belmondo]

a DAMphyne idea. The whiter the camera, the better the photographer. He who can afford the whitest camera wins!!!

One would have to wonder why something so obvious wasn't thought of before.

Tom

[defordphoto]

belmondo wrote:
a DAMphyne idea. The whiter the camera, the better the photographer. He who can afford the whitest camera wins!!!

One would have to wonder why something so obvious wasn't thought of before.

Tom

Time to break out the spray paint!

[Belmondo]

RFMSports wrote:Time to break out the spray paint!

I feel obliged to mention that you will get much better coverage if you dip the lens instead of spraying it. When the paint dries, scrape it off the glass with a razor blade or a pocket knife. Semi-gloss latex enamel seems to work best.

Always glad to be of assistance.

Tom

[robertwgross]

I'm not sure where magnesium fluoride is on the hardness scale. That is the sort of anti-reflective coating that is used on good lenses. I don't think that I want to find out how hard it isn't.

---Bob Gross---

[agit-prop]

Sandblasting is *much* more effective

[iwatkins]

Couple of days after I first got my 10D I was up at the Malvern Theatre taking some shots of the wonderful gardens (Victoria Park).

Anyway, I went to take some shots of the back of the theatre itself (nice building, lots of glass). As I'm doing that, a crowd of people pile out and amongst them was Imogen Stubbs (actress).

Anyway, this man who was obviously theatre staff (manager I thought), came and asked me where I wanted Imogen so that I could take the shots.

I should have toughed it out and taken the shots, but just ten seconds after saying I wasn't there for that the real photographer from the Malvern Gazette (local paper) turned up.

Speaking to the manager while the real photog did the work he apologised but thought I must be a professional because of my camera (10D but fitted with a Sigma wide angle zoom). :)

Anyway, was useful exercise because I now know the manager quite well and has allowed me access to the Theatre to take photos when I like. Which is something I'm planning for as the building is excellent photo material both in direct sunlight (lots of glass and chrome) and at night.

Other bonus was talking to Imogen Stubbs who I've always fancied. :) :) :)

Cheers

Ian

[defordphoto]

Are you now kicking yourself for not taking pics of someone you've 'always fancied'?

This is a fun thread!!

[rockyc2]

Any room here for a Pro90 IS shooter. Hahahaha!:D I might not be a Pro, but I don't do toooo bad.:D:D:D
Rocky
http://starbrighttwo.com/HTMLobj-1026/Felix_the_Cat.gif
Wonder what I'm gonna come up with next!

[defordphoto]

rockyc2 wrote:
Any room here for a Pro90 IS shooter. Hahahaha!:D I might not be a Pro, but I don't do toooo bad.:D:D:D
Rocky
http://starbrighttwo.com/HTMLobj-1026/Felix_the_Cat.gif
Wonder what I'm gonna come up with next!



You're reading the right forum for when you want to move up. And then you can show of your Big Camera with your Big Lens. :)

[iwatkins]

RFMSports wrote:
Are you now kicking yourself for not taking pics of someone you've 'always fancied'?

Yes, I kicked myself for many days afterwards, still do now. But at the time I had no confidence in my abilities with the new camera and didn't want to embarrass myself :)

Damn, still kicking myself.....

Cheers

Ian

[BearSummer]

Nice Thread,

Now for some ancient history. When I first started messing with cameras in my early teens my parents got me a Zenith (think russin tank designer who also designs cameras but sometimes forgets which he is working on). Anyway had a coule of lenses for it, nothing special, and it produced some nice pictures. A friend of the family was emigrating and had sold most of his camera gear in the process, but just before he left he found a bag of lenses and asked my dad if I wanted them. Like I was going to say no... anyway this bag of four lenses arrives and fortunately they fit, and there is this lovely 300mm f2.8 which was just awesome, cant remember the manufacturer but it was mega bucks. Anyway, I used it every opertunity I got. The looks I got from other photogs was excellent, you know the way it goes

Other photog notices me
1, oh, someone with a camera
2, clasify person, young kid, mid teens
3, clasify camera, zenith pos, ha ha ha nothing special
4, clasify lens, omg omg omg, jaw drops, eyes glaze, drool forms....Tilt

The best bit was its never the camera or lens, its always the photographer thats important. Good kit helps but a good photographer is better.

Best Regards

BearSummer

[PacAce]

I was at Disney's Animal Kingdom in Orlando, Florida last month on vacation with my family. For vacations I usually have the 28-135 zoom on my 10D but, figuring I'd like to get some really "close up" shots of the birds and animals at the Animal Kingdom, I switched to my 100-400L instead.

At one point I was standing with my hand cradled under the large, heavy lens for support and a gentleman came up to me admiring my camera.

He (checking out my camera):
"Nice camera. That's a telephoto lens, right?"

Me (thinking "that's rather obvious, isn't it?'):
"Yes, it is."

He (trying to impress me with his knowledge of lenses):
"Man, that's a big lens. I bet that's an 80mm telephoto lens, right?"

Me (thinking 'oh, brother!'):
"No, it's a 100 to 400 zoom."

At this point my wife joins me and we walk away, leaving the gentleman standing there with his jaws dropped to the ground.

[rockyc2]

RFMSports wrote:
rockyc2 wrote:
Any room here for a Pro90 IS shooter. Hahahaha!:D I might not be a Pro, but I don't do toooo bad.:D:D:D
Rocky
http://starbrighttwo.com/HTMLobj-1026/Felix_the_Cat.gif
Wonder what I'm gonna come up with next!



You're reading the right forum for when you want to move up. And then you can show of your Big Camera with your Big Lens. :)

I sure will, Jim. I don't quite have all the money saved up yet to get the 10D. I'll have to wait until Janruary to get it now. I did have the money, but expences put a little setback on gettin it. Haha! I can hardly wait to get it. I alredy bout a cheap Sigma Lens for it, so I would at least have something to use till I get the big 100-400L Lens.
Rocky

[Belmondo]

Does anyone make a Polaroid back for the D10 Cannon? I'd like to be able to check my shots before wasting filespace on the CF card. They're so expensive. Please help.

Tom

[DaveG]

BearSummer wrote:
Nice Thread,

Now for some ancient history. When I first started messing with cameras in my early teens my parents got me a Zenith (think russin tank designer who also designs cameras but sometimes forgets which he is working on). Anyway had a coule of lenses for it, nothing special, and it produced some nice pictures. A friend of the family was emigrating and had sold most of his camera gear in the process, but just before he left he found a bag of lenses and asked my dad if I wanted them. Like I was going to say no... anyway this bag of four lenses arrives and fortunately they fit, and there is this lovely 300mm f2.8 which was just awesome, cant remember the manufacturer but it was mega bucks. Anyway, I used it every opertunity I got. The looks I got from other photogs was excellent, you know the way it goes

Other photog notices me
1, oh, someone with a camera
2, clasify person, young kid, mid teens
3, clasify camera, zenith pos, ha ha ha nothing special
4, clasify lens, omg omg omg, jaw drops, eyes glaze, drool forms....Tilt

The best bit was its never the camera or lens, its always the photographer thats important. Good kit helps but a good photographer is better.

Best Regards

BearSummer



Not to be anal (well I guess it is, sigh ...) I think that you had a Zenit not Zenith.

[arthurb]

belmondo wrote:
Does anyone make a Polaroid back for the D10 Cannon? I'd like to be able to check my shots before wasting filespace on the CF card. They're so expensive. Please help.

Tom

Are you lucky or what! I am trying to get some investors together for just that project. I already have a promise of several million from a Nigerian investor, and another fellow is going to invest as soon as he receives his Belgium lottery winnings.

But for a small investment, I will let you in on the ground floor...

[swamprot]

Sounds like a deal
How about everyone just send you their Credit Card No's.

[GenEOS]

I hate to think how many morons actually reply to those SPAM's and send that guy money....

[Sockfilter]

As a person who holds a BS in Computer Info Science w/ a minor in Photography (yeah I know I'm weird) I can relate to both sides of the picture (no pun).

So there I was in the middle of my photography minor(old school film) and every day I dreamed of a Mamyia RZ 67 II (very expensive medium format), thinking it would enhance my ability. Well somehow I found the money and got what I was longing for. Long story short it is great camera, but most of my best, dramatic and impressive pictures came from a $20 plastic Holga that needed to be taped up due to light leaks....:) Equipment is not always what it seems...

Years later a wife’s friend begs and pleads with me to shoot her wedding. I fought a good battle but eventually gave in an agreed to do it. I had no wedding experience and was really not sure what to do, but the bride told me not to worry and just shoot how I like to shoot (yeah right). Well anyways I had a pieced together a Nikon n80 w/ a vivatar flash on a journalist style flash bracket(looking like a total bozo), trying to do what I do. In the middle of the wedding I find out that the groom’s brother is a professional photog and he starts running the show and setting the poses and breaking out his digital. I suppose I could have gotten mad, but I figured I had already gotten paid, I was doing what I could do and I was not there to make a scene. Besides they had an open bar...:) So that was a wierd deal, I was suppose to be the professional, but at the wedding there was a real professional that did not act very professional, so all in all I guess I was a professional after all..hahaha

Anyways that was a couple of stories that I hope someone can get a laugh out of or relate to.

Mike

[ijohnson]

Sockfilter wrote:
. I suppose I could have gotten mad, but I figured I had already gotten paid, I was doing what I could do and I was not there to make a scene. Besides they had an open bar...:)

Mike


So you were getting paid to be at an open bar while someone else did the work.

I think i just found my dream job.

[Sockfilter]

ijohnson wrote:
Sockfilter wrote:
. I suppose I could have gotten mad, but I figured I had already gotten paid, I was doing what I could do and I was not there to make a scene. Besides they had an open bar...:)

Mike


So you were getting paid to be at an open bar while someone else did the work.

I think i just found my dream job.


I was doing what I could do and it did not seem appropriate to clash with the groom's brother. Everyone was having a good time so I just rolled with it....:)

[Sockfilter]

I think the underlying agenda was that the Bride and Groom asked the brother to do it and he refused to, even though he was going to the wedding, so out of spite they hired me.. All in all it went well and hey I learned something from it, Weddings are a lot easier on the stress level with Digital…;)