Spotting Amateurs by Mr. Rockwell!

Funny read:

http://www.kenrockwell​.com …ow-to-spot-an-amateur.htm

This guy cracks me up!

He's a douche. Always has been.

I knew this when I was pointed to his site when I first got into photography early this year (February). I read an article called "Your Camera Doesn't Matter". As if pro's are using P&S cams to get their shots. Then he seems to only recommend Nikon DSLR's as the end all be all DSLR's when it's obvious Nikon has a gaping hole in their entry level models, not to mention they are all out dated. The only thing that I would recommend is the D40 (which is ridicously outdated but serves its purpose) and the D90 (which is hard to swallow for the beginning photographer but should last for years since it has all the latest tech). Canon entry level Rebel serious is flat out better across the board, even the XTi, XS, XSi, and T1i are all still relevent in their price range.

/end rant.

Thanks for sharing! I picked up a few good tips of how not to annoying others.

Great now if I ever meet the guy I'll know exactly what to do to bug him.

i wanted to thank you for sharing the link but that was just about the worst reading ive done in a while! its worse than being rick-rolled!

"Pros know...". He spent alot of energy doing some virtual name-dropping (without giving out many actual names) by saying that the reason you should do things a certain way is because "pros" will laugh at you if you don't.

How to Spot an Amateur: They actively solicit donations. Real pros just sell their work.

Everyone has two things on the internet, armpits and opinions (I cleaned the quote up). This guy seems to have a lot of the latter. I find his look on backpacks the most interesting:

Backpack

Photographers don't carry their gear in backpacks because they can't shoot out of them.

Backpacks are for carrying stuff that you don't need until you reach your campsite, like cooking gear and tent pegs.

Backpacks are not for carrying anything you need as you're walking around, like cameras or lenses.

Bag makers sell a lot of expensive packs to a lot of people new to the hobby. Don't fall into this trap.

I've heard stories of some people who actually walked around events with roller camera bags. The pros at the event were peeing in their pants with laughter!

There's not one fact in his entire write up. People are going to find a reason to make fun of anyone. As my best friend told me in high school, "It doesn't matter if you make a fool of yourself; your family will forgive you and the strangers that are making fun of you, you'll never meet again".

Razeus wrote in post #8028174
He's a douche. Always has been.

.......I knew this when I was pointed to his site when I first got into photography early this year (February). I read an article called "Your Camera Doesn't Matter". As if pro's are using P&S cams to get their shots......
/end rant.

Well said.

I guess I'm a "buffoon"......I occasionally use a polarizer and because all of my lenses have UV filters on them, I don't bother to remove the UV, just screw the polarizer on over it. I think I'm alert enough to see if I'm having vignetting issues, and if used correctly and/or with a lens hood flare isnt a problem. So far it's worked out just fine.

I also keep my gear clean, as do many pros. Being a bit beat up from a lot of use is one thing, simply keeping it clean is entirely another.

And amazingly enough I see quite a few pros out there with new gear, go figure.

And I must be a flaming newbie, my God I use the Canon straps that came with the cameras!! What a travesty!!!
Why? They're there, thats why. I don't find them unreasonably uncomfortable, and they came with the camera. Why spend more money buying another damn strap? I just spent enough on the camera to begin with.

Finally, to prove that I must indeed be a flaming newbie, I occasionally use the "beep" confirmation on my MkIIn in one-shot mode, usually when doing homecoming or prom package events. It's just that little bit of extra reassurance that I like.

How to spot a REAL buffoon: Read anything written by Ken Rockwell.

Razeus wrote in post #8028174
He's a douche. Always has been.

Quoted for truth.

I guess we should all go buy a 10D + 75-300 lens so we can hang out with the pros.

Razeus wrote in post #8028174
He's a douche. Always has been.

Took the words right out of my mouth. Total douche bag.

R i c h wrote in post #8028486
Took the words right out of my mouth. Total douche bag.

I think this line, quoted from his own "how to" article titled "The Seven Levels of Photographers" (even more ridiculous than the one that started this thread):

".....Professionals don't have websites and don't put out technical newsletters. Those people are usually amateurs...."

Well said, Mr. Rockwell, and a very accurate description of yourself.

Here's my fav:
"Camera worn directly over the neck

If you carry a camera like this, you look like a geek, you can't move fast and it hurts your neck. I'll spare you the details.

Sling your camera around your shoulder and neck. Now you can run, and if the camera's not already in your hands, just tuck it down with your elbow if you have to scramble."

I must be a geek, so please tell me the details. And who are we running after?

Just found another:
"Someone shooting with a DSLR on a tripod in daylight probably has a few screws loose. VR further eliminates the need for tripods. If I shoot a 15-pound 400mm lens, I use a monopod; not to steady it, but just to hold the weight."


lol

Does anybody use the word "hack" anymore?

Calling another photographer a hack used to be the ultimate insult....The word "amateur" isn't really insulting because every photographer has to start somewhere and there is nothing wrong with being a beginner. A competent photographer wouldn't compare himself to an amateur anyway. But a hack is a person that's had plenty of experience yet still creates work riddled with technical mistakes. A hack could be a guy that's owned his own studio for 20 years and still doesn't know his own limitations. Generally, I've heard working photographers refer to bad competitors as hacks rather than amateurs. An amateur is actually a step up from a hack because at least an amateur can blame mistakes on inexperience. But a hack doesn't have the luxury of using inexperience as an excuse and his mistakes can only be blamed on incompetence.

I knew this one would strike some nerves. Ken Rockwell is good at doing that, but sometimes he can be funny. I just don't think this was one of them.

Here is a perfect example of why this guy is an idiot:
...just never try to bring more than a camera and lens or two anyplace at once...

I, and every other photog I know, would be screwed taking one body to a shoot.