Is photography not cool?

Somebloke wrote in post #16530184
My boss gives me grief about enjoying photography because he thinks its 'gay', I have friends who think its a bit of a 'wanky' hobby and I have met people who have a impression that photographers are...well how do I put it...douche bags...

Anyone else have these types of experiances?? Why is photography not considered cool? Basically its gotten to the point where I almost keep it a secret....

Unfamiliarity makes people fearful and defensive.

Photography takes creativity and technical knowledge, neither of which they have.

idsurfer wrote in post #16530416
I will say I'm getting better at it...But I do feel like "that guy". I don't really have a problem with the DSLR and prime lens...just not sure I can take the attention of the big canon whites yet? It's just me, don't really like attention.

Well, I'm definitely an extrovert. I really have no desire to ever be the center of attention, but being noticed doesn't make me uncomfortable either. If I saw you hanging out somewhere with a prime lens or especially a big white one (just because it's more obvious) on your camera, I'm definitely the type that would walk over to you and start chatting about photography. I'm just outgoing like that but I also don't really care about other peoples' opinions of me. By the end of our chat though..we'd be friends.

hipsters do photography so it must be cool!

Many times less than creative people are defensive and feel inadequate about their own abilities or lack thereof. Your boss and friends inhabit that sad existence. Feel sorry for them and move on.

Playboy and the general media.

That's the reason. I'm not talking about actual Playboy photographers, but the cartoons in the old Playboys that had kind of dorky representations of photographers.

Felix Unger. From 1970-74, he was the only face of photography America got to see weekly. He (Felix Unger, not Tony Randall) wasn't the manliest of men. A Commercial Photographer - Portraits a Specialty! (If anyone happens to know what camera he used to shoot the little people family, I'd love to know).

The fact that photography is a form of art. Artists are typically perceived as either weird or effeminate.

The opinion that photography can be a form of voyeurism.

We look pretty geeky walking around with cameras swinging from our necks, and gadget bags/backpacks/slingba​gs strapped to our bodies. Many perceive geeky as effeminate.

Perception that photographers are introverts.

I certainly don't agree with the OP's boss, or anything I just posted, but I can step back and see how people can see that about photographers. FWIW...

Tell me these guys dont get allllllll the ladies!! How could it not be cool is the question!!

IMAGE IS A REDIRECT OR MISSING! HTTP response: NOT FOUND | MIME changed to 'text/html'

KirkS518 wrote in post #16530456
Playboy and the general media.

That's the reason. I'm not talking about actual Playboy photographers, but the cartoons in the old Playboys that had kind of dorky representations of photographers.

Felix Unger. From 1970-74, he was the only face of photography America got to see weekly. He (Felix Unger, not Tony Randall) wasn't the manliest of men. A Commercial Photographer - Portraits a Specialty! (If anyone happens to know what camera he used to shoot the little people family, I'd love to know).

The fact that photography is a form of art. Artists are typically perceived as either weird or effeminate.

The opinion that photography can be a form of voyeurism.

We look pretty geeky walking around with cameras swinging from our necks, and gadget bags/backpacks/slingba​gs strapped to our bodies. Many perceive geeky as effeminate.

Perception that photographers are introverts.

I certainly don't agree with the OP's boss, or anything I just posted, but I can step back and see how people can see that about photographers. FWIW...

Good point of view. I can certainly agree with that.

I dislike the attention but I love that shot more. So, if it's the white lens I have to carry, I would. However I'm more worried about the "evil" attention more than anything else.

Hey, speak for yourself. I look freakin' awesome walking around with my 70-200 2.8 II attached to my camera hanging from my BlackRapid. Now if only I didn't have to carry concealed so that I could wear this, then no one would dare say I might look "geeky". (My preferred "photographer's vest") http://www.amazon.com …1&keywords=tact​ical+vests

Fitness Freak wrote in post #16530436
Well, I'm definitely an extrovert. I really have no desire to ever be the center of attention, but being noticed doesn't make me uncomfortable either. If I saw you hanging out somewhere with a prime lens or especially a big white one (just because it's more obvious) on your camera, I'm definitely the type that would walk over to you and start chatting about photography. I'm just outgoing like that but I also don't really care about other peoples' opinions of me. By the end of our chat though..we'd be friends.

And I would be glad you stopped to chat. Happens often enough if I happen to have my big white lens out in public....which isn't all that often as I bought it mostly for hanging out in wild places to photograph birds.

When I take it to air-shows or sailing regattas, though, I pick up the odd interested person, and I have never had anything but good vibes from them. But then again, I am over 6 feet and have, I am told, a rugged but pleasant enough demeanour.

KirkS518 wrote in post #16530456
Playboy and the general media.

That's the reason. I'm not talking about actual Playboy photographers, but the cartoons in the old Playboys that had kind of dorky representations of photographers.

Felix Unger. From 1970-74, he was the only face of photography America got to see weekly. He (Felix Unger, not Tony Randall) wasn't the manliest of men. A Commercial Photographer - Portraits a Specialty! (If anyone happens to know what camera he used to shoot the little people family, I'd love to know).

The fact that photography is a form of art. Artists are typically perceived as either weird or effeminate.

The opinion that photography can be a form of voyeurism.

We look pretty geeky walking around with cameras swinging from our necks, and gadget bags/backpacks/slingba​gs strapped to our bodies. Many perceive geeky as effeminate.

Perception that photographers are introverts.

I certainly don't agree with the OP's boss, or anything I just posted, but I can step back and see how people can see that about photographers. FWIW...

very good points!

I love diving with sharks, skiing off cliffs, doing triathlons, and taking pictures of flowers. I don't take offense when people are using the PnS in full auto mode because they are capturing moments. They shouldn't take offense at me lining up just the right composition of a columbine, or a squid, or a tarpon. The only one that loses patience is my dive buddy wife.

Peoples opinions are like a$$holes, everyone has one. Do what you enjoy and do it as well as you can.

I can't believe in 2013 calling someone or something gay is still considered an insult.

Some people look look down upon it because some photographers give it a bad name.

But wait until the holiday season comes when all those stupid people want to get their pictures taken.

This is the funniest thread in a while

The photographer who seems to give photographers a bad name is the person who is taking too many photographs when they should be just enjoying themselves. In the old days, there always was that old aunt with the Brownie who took everyone's photo at the family reunion. Yes, everyone was glad she took everyone else's photo but didn't like her taking "his/hers" photo at an inopportune time.

Everyone seems to love having a photographer there when appropriate. I love shooting BMX races and have shot sports photos even when I didn't even know those involved. At these events the guy who takes hundreds of photos of everyone including the ones the pros don't get because they aren't up front is a great guy.

It is only when you are the guy getting the real candid shots when everyone just wants to relax and be their self that the "photography nut" is not appreciated. Take some shots at the start or the end of the get together, that is fine. But don't make a nuisance of yourself the whole night. Those are the "photographers" that make the rest of us look bad.