What percent of SLR users do you guys see using their camera like a point and shoot?

Cesium wrote in post #9116473
How does carrying a camera bag make one a better photographer? Why would anyone lug around a tripod on vacation? Should we all be shooting in portrait orientation at all times? People naturally see the world in "landscape orientation", unless they are missing an eye or something.

Again, I was simply stirring the pot. Don't take me seriously, as I think this thread is rather silly.

Somebody said many many posts ago "If you are having fun, that's all that matters".

I couldn't agree more

solinger wrote in post #9114647
I've spent hours and hours reading and learning. To each his own I guess.

This is where I'm at right now, after learning all this stuff I want to put it to good use!

I met a guy a few weeks ago who is a retired professional photog, he was at an event taking photos, I don't remember what I asked him, but he informed me that he was in "automatic mode" which kinda stunned me, I don't know why, but it did. I responded that I like to pick my own settings, well I guess he didn't like my comment. He gave me the hand!! When his buddy, another professional photog, came in he introduced me and said "he shoots automatic too", I was like ok, whatever floats your boat.

He sent the pics along with a message to check out the quality of his green box photos I guess I stepped on some toes there, LOL. I guess after 20 years of shooting you don't really want to think about all that stuff.

My first ever camera is EOS 400D. I bought it because of curiousity in photography. At first I used only auto settings. Now only I am experimenting with manual settings, shutter speed and exposures.

I think handling of camera may reflect people's taste in photography.

Either P&S or DSLR, I do notice some people taking pictures just with their single hand. Even I afraid to see people just letting their DSLR carelessly hanging around their neck without lens cover.

It is not only camera, people buy lot of gadgets like this. Everybody have smart phones and ipods, but most doesnt know where to find 'settings' or 'tools' in it.

Kendoway wrote in post #9116644
Again, I was simply stirring the pot. Don't take me seriously, as I think this thread is rather silly.

Somebody said many many posts ago "If you are having fun, that's all that matters".

I couldn't agree more

Got room for another stirrer in that pot? Seems to be we are doing the same thing here haha. No hard feelings whatsoever.

Kendoway wrote in post #9116644
Again, I was simply stirring the pot. Don't take me seriously, as I think this thread is rather silly.

Somebody said many many posts ago "If you are having fun, that's all that matters".

I couldn't agree more

I was doing the same, no harm taken or meant by my reply.

It's the same with EVERY hobby. I often look up information for many things on forums and when you open that door you have to be ready for the extremist's opinion. We consider photography a serious hobby or profession for the most part here at POTN. The rest of the world has no idea that it's so important to follow the rules when they take pictures.

What about all the people that drive heavy duty (or light duty for that matter) four wheel drive vehicles and never leave the pavement...?

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #9099882
Honestly, I've never bothered to look and see how anyone else uses their gear.

I have enough issues with how I use mine and how it uses me!

Yeah, isn't that the truth... I'm the same way.

It's entirely possible some of these people we see out there are rank beginners and have every intention of taking the time to learn more about photography. I know when I got my first DSLR in 2002 the first thing I did was stick it in P Mode and Large /Fine jpeg and shot away. This was after 30 years of shooting film and three years of Canon EOS film use. To this day, one of the pictures I took that day is one of the best I've ever done...

^^^ That's a beauty John, and always nice to see lady like that under full sail and not on engines.

Kendoway wrote in post #9117404
^^^ That's a beauty John, and always nice to see lady like that under full sail and not on engines.

Traveling on engines is a little hard for this one... She doesn't have any.

She's the Star of India and is owned by the San Diego Maritime Museum. She was built in Great Britain in 1863, launched before the Gettysburg address and made 21 voyages around the world.

I sailed on her as a crewman for four years and at the time I took the above photograph I was crewing on another tall ship...

Oh man, you are making my heart ache!

You crewed on that for 48 months? Yeah I'm jealous. I couldn't read the numbers off her bow based on that small shot, and I hate it when they covert an old and venerable lady to the fate of tourism (which means engines in case there's no wind).

"Strike eight bells Mr Kendoway"

"Aye Aye Sir"

I get seasick feeding my fish.

This long drawn on thread has covered a lot of ground I suppose.

Realistically, dSLR cameras can take some pretty nice shots in auto mode. Plenty of people can attest to that.

But we have all probably met those folks that think of their camera as a magic box. They bought a more expensive camera because they expect that more money = better photos regardless of the experience the user brings to it. While a dSLR might be slightly better as a P&S, we all know that in the hands of a completely ignorant user the difference over a true P&S will often be small.

I don't condemn the desire to laugh up one's sleeve at people who use $1000 cameras like overgrown P&S. The money spent and the bulk to carry are wasted on people who use them in full auto mode. I've encountered plenty of these people. I'm friendly and offer what advice I can, but in the end you cannot simply shell out money and become a good photographer. Some moderate effort to learn at least the technical aspects of the craft are needed to turn out reliably competent work.

Photography is not rocket science. It's probably easier than many people imagine. But auto mode will fail in all but the most cliched of situations. Posting shots of sailboats in full sun is hardly a good example of how auto mode is great. What happens in snow scenes, or backlit scenes, or portaits in sun, or low light. These are common situations where auto will completely ruin shots.

Kendoway wrote in post #9117948
Oh man, you are making my heart ache!

You crewed on that for 48 months? Yeah I'm jealous. I couldn't read the numbers off her bow based on that small shot, and I hate it when they covert an old and venerable lady to the fate of tourism (which means engines in case there's no wind).

"Strike eight bells Mr Kendoway"

"Aye Aye Sir"

You have to understand that she only sails a limited number of times every year, usually in November. She's too historically valuable (and it's expensive to sail her) to go out more often than that. Because of the lack of engines, two tugs are required to move her from her berth and then tow her to sea, tow her back and maneuver her back to her berth.

Since she was built in Great Britain, US maritime law prohibits her from carrying paying passengers so everyone on board when she does sail is either volunteer crew or an invited guest.

Volunteers (like myself) accepted for the crew put in two days a month maintaining the museum's vessels and training to sail her. I finally had to give it up because of work conflicts and my interests have changed a little in the meantime.

Stealthy Ninja wrote in post #9105837
It COULD be that taking 100 shots will help you learn, but not always. Like you said, without some guidance they pretty much stay the same IMHO.

As for the 1000's of photos themselves. It's the "new camera syndrome" they take photos because they can and it's fun. I have about 50 photos of my son sitting at a table that my mum took when she first got her camera. 1 or 2 would have done fine.

Same thing for video cameras. People get them and video everything. You end up with hours of crap (go on admit it, you've done that too).

Later people get more selective. It's a natural thing.

Did that with my 50D when I got it. Took ~800 shots just screwing around, mainly with the burst mode. So much fun!

After reading this thread, I realize how much I have yet to learn about photography D:

I personally dont care how anyone uses their camera DSLR or otherwise.

If you get the result you wanted on green box - go for it.
If you get the result you want in P, AV or TV - go for it.
If you get the result you want in manual mode - go for it.

To me using a DSLR as a P&S is a waste but if others want to - fine by me.

Stealthy Ninja wrote in post #9105837
Same thing for video cameras. People get them and video everything. You end up with hours of crap (go on admit it, you've done that too).

Later people get more selective. It's a natural thing.

This is so true. I bought my first camcorder in Dec 93 when my first son was born. I used about 1 tape every 2 months for the first couple of years. Then down to 1 tape every 4 months. Now down to 1 tape a year.

That does not include the tapes of their rugby, football, hockey etc matches.

I am also going through all my photos albums and scanning a certain amount. I realise that I did the same with the camera when he was born. I still takes loads but am a lot more selective now.

If someone can afford & wants to buy expensive gear good for them. The people who I don't like are the ones in life who buy expensive "stuff" then don't stop going on about how much it all cost.