Little quote on chimping...

Lowner wrote in post #8323117
Pete,

I think you are both right. Once a photographer has achieved a good knowledge of the technicalities, it is all about composition, and looking at the subject as you say.

However many still struggle with the basics. For them the ability to review the image and the histogram is a godsend.

For motorsports I normally start by chimping a few throwaway test shots, tweaking the exposure until I'm happy. I then forget all about it, concentrating instead on composition.

I usually do this as soon as I enter a "new" shooting situation. I'm usually chimping for exposure, not composition or sharpness (well, maybe 90% of the time).

I feel really embarrased when I do it, even if no one is anywhere near me, but when I use my film camera after using only my digital for a while I try to chimp on my film camera on probably 50% of the shots on the first roll

To my credit though, I have started using the histogram screen instead of the full screen image. Can't tell squat looking at the image in the sunlight anyways.

DAMphyne wrote in post #8323501
I never Chimp!

Aren't you chimping in ur avatar?? LOL

rhodesx6 wrote in post #8326953
Aren't you chimping in ur avatar?? LOL

Oops, Busted:o

Like I said in another thread I don't think there is anything wrong with OCCASIONALLY checking the LCD. Technology has afforded us a tool that makes life easier...by all means use it. In contrast though I think it looks unprofessional/amateur​ish to look at EVERY single shot. I use mine to check my exposure and make sure whats in my head is going on my memory card. If I like what I see I just shoot until I want to try something different or my light changes.

I chimp a lot of the time (although without the open mouth and sound effects)- otherwise you can never be sure that you have the image the way you wanted it.

I dont chimp every shot but i do if I feel that the light has changed or that some other variable has altered.

What is the use of having the technology available and not using it? If you dont chimp, you might as well be using film!

I use my LCD to make sure my hair looks like it did when I left the house...which is to say AWESOME.

I'm not sure I 100% agree with the quote in the OP. While you can check your composition pretty easily, other factors such as exposure, WB, & focus quality aren't necessarily reflected accurately or to enough extent to judge the effectiveness of the shot. Zooming in helps a bunch but in many cases there is simply not time to always do so.

I chimp, but the way I shoot I don't usually have my eye to the VF. I find if I'm looking at the scene, from memory, I can decide where to angle or point the camera. It's a bit of a trip but I get more consistent, interesting pictures that way

griptape wrote in post #8321193
I must beat you to the DMV!

no need to hurry, I'm in the next state east.

Pete wrote in post #8322845
Sorry, but I disagree with this. You should really be making that compositional judgement while your eye is in the viewfinder. If you do what Rob suggests, then you're treating your camera just like a point & shoot. If you do that, you'll only take bad photos.

When you take photos, look through the viewfinder. Look at the photo you're about to take, feel the moment, take the photo.

Chimping is done to review the shots you've taken and to make a judgement on exposure/focus. In the case of fast sports photography, to make sure you got the shot.

+1

i wholeheartedly agree.

Pete wrote in post #8322845
Sorry, but I disagree with this. You should really be making that compositional judgement while your eye is in the viewfinder. If you do what Rob suggests, then you're treating your camera just like a point & shoot. If you do that, you'll only take bad photos.

When you take photos, look through the viewfinder. Look at the photo you're about to take, feel the moment, take the photo.

Chimping is done to review the shots you've taken and to make a judgement on exposure/focus. In the case of fast sports photography, to make sure you got the shot.

I have to agree with Pete on this. Granted, I chimp to see if I got the shot. However, I am finding myself evaluating the shot before I even put my eye to the eyepiece. There's a lot more to photography than just pressing a button. It's something that I've learned over the past few years and POTN has been a major influence on that. I find myself looking at the histogram much more than the actual image. It's not something you do overnight.

By the way, for those of you in Ohio, it's available.

nicksan wrote in post #8330065
I use my LCD to make sure my hair looks like it did when I left the house...which is to say AWESOME.

So, you're the reason they starting putting the little "mirrors" on the back of cell phones to make sure the picture of yourself is fantastic.

I'd chimp a lot more 'sept I've got an old XT and my eyes are getting really iffy, what with tri-focals and bright sun! I've forced myself back to "old habits",shooting in "manual". Makes me slow down and think a bit, before pressing the shutter. I'm obviously not going to be shooting pro sports anytime soon!
Take care,Steve B.

I chimp, mostly as a result of thinking "how can I change this image if i do ______" and usually when I start shooting for a day. Never want to not chimp and then find out someone set your camera to BW or changed your EV compensation.

Lastly, if it's low light I want to make sure I have the sharpest image with the least amount of noise.

I chimp, and am proud of it--otherwise I might have more crappy images on top of all my other ones and I would feel bad