Which comment is more offensive, and why?

My work here is done

Funny conversation, it's hard to know what to take seriously!

tgara wrote in post #14618694
So you share a photo with someone and they say:

(a) Wow, that's a great picture. It looks like a postcard.

and

As far as I'm concerned, a good "postcard" photo is, or at least in this context should be, a good photo! If one of my scenic/landscape shots was "worthy" of printing on a postcard that people would buy, I certainly wouldn't be "offended" -- why would I?

Heh! This summer I've been interacting with the director of a non-profit "community organization" who would like photos of local events. I did shoot one last Saturday, and he left a comment that made me chuckle:

"Tony, your camera caught some great stuff! Thank you so much for your trained eye. Are you up for more? Your shots are great!"

I don't know that "great" is the word, but I do like the photos my camera captures as long as I do my part:

http://www.pbase.com …6_2012_vancouve​r_festival

Neither are offensive...they're meant to be compliments.

If you really want to get offended, you can react to either one.
You can always find a reason if you want to.

One Englishman nearly started a fight when I noted that my camera (Mamiya 645) was bigger than his (Nikon F4).

If the other person does not say anything at all, you can get offended by either the way he/she looks at you, or better still, doesn't.

tgara wrote in post #14618694
So you share a photo with someone and they say:

(a) Wow, that's a great picture. It looks like a postcard.

and

(b) Wow, that's a great picture. Your camera is amazing.


As a photographer, which statement do you find more offensive?

Actually they are both equally annoying. So I just send them this...

Id be happy with either...

Travis.

rick_reno wrote in post #14621623
neither, the comment you should worry about is "wow. you have a really small wiener"

Funny, most people tell me I have a big wiener.

Honestly, I wish I had the luxury of being offended by compliments.

How this offends people is beyond me...

I'd be happy as hell if someone thought my photos looked like a postcard. They are generally the best pictures taken of very popular or scenic things, and put out there for people to buy in volumes because they are so good at conveying the identity of a specific area.

Anytime someone tries to compliment you, thank them and be happy that someone thinks your work is good. (and FWIW the camera does take the pictures, so why would you be offended?)

I'd probably say something really stupid if I was trying to discuss astrophysics with Stephen Hawking.
Just don't worry about it and know that they meant well.

People are trying to be nice and don't speak photographer. I wouldn't take offense to either. The intention of "Your work is beautiful" was conveyed.

tgara wrote in post #14618694
So you share a photo with someone and they say:

(a) Wow, that's a great picture. It looks like a postcard.

and

(b) Wow, that's a great picture. Your camera is amazing.


As a photographer, which statement do you find more offensive?

These threads are always funny. If portrayed one way, everybody talks about how insulting comments like this are. If portrayed as an offense, everybody acts as if being offended is beneath them.

Anyway, I'd take the postcard comment as a compliment. Most postcards are pretty decent shots.

The camera comment I'd still take as a compliment because I know what they mean, they just don't know what they're saying.

Neither comment is offensive - each sounds positive, as if they are meant to compliment the image.