Is photography not cool?

I was shooting a corporate holiday party last night and two amazingly gorgoues ladies told me I was awesome for taking their pics. On top of that I was approached by a lovely young lady who stunned me when she started talking about her photography business! So no your boss is lame!

Nogo wrote in post #16530603
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.

nah

s.l.k wrote in post #16530192
People are entitled to their opinions, but doesn't make them right.

^^


I had this a bit too, until they saw my images, and after that I took their money every holiday. They thought it was funny or something. Yeah I was laughing, all the way to the bank.

Don't worry about it. Once they all grow up and get out of highschool it'll be completely different. lol

But... it's not your typical alpha male hobby. You capture someone else's moment, not your own. It's solitary (mostly). It's non competitive and subjective. In pop media you only see photographers as dorks, stalkers or playboys who shoot supermodels.

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....

This weak premise has been proven incorrect by an estimate from the International Telecommunications Union of 4.6 billion camera phones in use. In the 21st century, everyone is a photographer and with those ubiquitous camera phones, the hobby is more popular than in the 1960's when it expanded with the sale of the groundbreaking Kodak Instamatic.

You need a new boss.

DocFrankenstein wrote in post #16530665
You capture someone else's moment, not your own. It's solitary (mostly). It's non competitive and subjective. In pop media you only see photographers as dorks, stalkers or playboys who shoot supermodels.

I beg to differ. The moments I capture are things I've experienced and wish to memorialize for my use. This can be a solitary, but can also be something done in small or large groups.

Non-competitive? Are you kidding me? How many photo contests are out there? How many people are relentlessly shooting in hopes of getting an image in SI or Nat Geo?

Pop media...or any mainstream media for that matter, shouldn't be any reasonable person's barometer of what is or isn't "cool" or acceptable.

Bah, everyone knows you have to have those big white lenses to get laid. I mean paid. Or something

BigSkyKen wrote in post #16530693
Pop media...or any mainstream media for that matter, shouldn't be any reasonable person's barometer of what is or isn't "cool" or acceptable.

This much is true....Kanye West, Miely Cyrus and the Kardashians....I rest my case.

BigSkyKen wrote in post #16530693
I beg to differ. The moments I capture are things I've experienced and wish to memorialize for my use. This can be a solitary, but can also be something done in small or large groups.

I'm saying how it usually is. The most popular galleries on the hosting sites usually have glamour and nude in them, or some sort of novel action and subject matter. It's not just cool composition.

And how many don't get in the SI/NG and console themselves with any of
- art is subjective
- my genre is different
- I shoot for myself... etc

Life imitates art.

People love images. It's enough to keep their attention for extra 1/4 of a second on an ad. But they really don't care about who captured it.

Ask somebody who Ansel, Weston or Hatchwey is and they'll give you a blank stare.

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....

We're in the A/V club.


'Nuff said.

Preeb wrote in post #16530254
Guys who have such a limited world view aren't really worth wasting time worrying about. Is it somehow more manly to waste your money and life with your head stuck under a car?

Yes, it is. I got hit on a lot by female employees when I went to Lowe's covered in grease and oil.

Never when I went in clean.

Fitness Freak wrote in post #16530335
Your boss is clueless. As a woman, I can honestly say that there's not much sexier than a man with red-ringed lens on his camera.

But you're an equally nerdy A/V club member so you don't count.

Well, the big white lenses do make the models want to pose for me....and I assure you, it isn't me.

Next time some guy tries to say your hobby is "gay", just bring up how you get to take pictures of pretty girls all the time and maybe mention how much fun it is to shoot boudoir. He will change his tune :P.

Ratjack wrote in post #16530742
Next time some guy tries to say your hobby is "gay", just bring up how you get to take pictures of pretty girls all the time and maybe mention how much fun it is to shoot boudoir. He will change his tune :P.

Thinking that taking some hot girl's photo is the epitome of awesome only serves to highlight how nerdy photographers are.

The real conquering manly man beds them.