How to answer questions by aspiring photographers

First the problem:
What makes someone on this forum recommend a 24-70 to a poster who does not understand basic rules of portraiture? Do you get that big of a high announcing to the world that you own the very lens this poor wannabe needs? Is that it? Is that wants in it for you? POTN should be trying to help and protect brides NOT hacks. Shooting weddings is for club members who CARE about people, not who care only about our egos and the brand of gear we use.

Anyone can learn photography... it is not rocket science, but please use a little judgment when answering threads. If this was a small aircraft forum would you help the fellow who wants to know where the altimeter is? "Well jimmy it is to the left... make sure you glance at once an hour" For real

Common questions:
Not knowing the following is unacceptable for photographing weddings:
* What flash to buy
* What lens to buy
* What camera to buy
* What to charge
* What manual settings to use
* insert 20 questions here

The default answer:
These questions are dead giveaways that someone is unprepared! Answering them will not prepare them! The standard answer from POTN ought to be "Go shoot portraits for a year or go to a workshop. Oh and welcome to POTN". If people have been shooting portraits for money or attending a workshop there would be none of these silly questions.
　

Well, let me be the first to say, what the hell are you talking about? I like to think I'm a pretty bright guy but I can't quite figure out your point. If there is one, I'm guessing that you're offended because someone asks about equipment, someone else makes a recommendation, but the requester lacks basic photography skills; is that it?

There are all sorts of people here with all sorts of opinions and I won't try to speak for anyone but me. However, if you read some of my past threads, you'll find that I don't too often make a flat out recommendation. Most of the time, my answer to just about any question is "depends" as there are no right single answers, it depends on a lot of variables including personality and style, much of which is not represented in a poster's question. I'll then go on to describe what I would do for myself in such a situation and why. And more than once (as a matter of fact, just this past week), I've responded to such questions advising the poster that to create beautiful imagery, equipment is very far behind technical skill and creative eye.

So what exactly was it you trying to say?

So glad to know there is a final word and decision about who should do what. Why don't you tackle world peace next...

Peacefield wrote in post #9512742
So what exactly was it you trying to say?

...SKIP...

I'm guessing that you're offended because someone asks about equipment, someone else makes a recommendation, but the requester lacks basic photography skills; is that it?

You got it.

pcunite wrote in post #9512162
If this was a small aircraft forum would you help the fellow who wants to know where the altimeter is? "Well jimmy it is to the left... make sure you glance at once an hour" For real

Here's a better question: what reasoning do you have to NOT tell someone where the altimeter is?

Can you honestly tell me that you knew all of the above when you first got into photography? You need to learn these things somewhere, asking questions is not a bad place to start.

TheBurningCrown wrote in post #9512860
Can you honestly tell me that you knew all of the above when you first got into photography? You need to learn these things somewhere, asking questions is not a bad place to start.

Experience on these boards has shown me that someone wanting to know which lens, flash, some random settings, is because of an up and coming wedding they are about to trash... not because they are looking for genuine help in getting started on what should be a year long journey. If you start FULL TIME doing wedding research you might be able to do one in three months, but a weekend warrior positing on POTN asking for help with equipment? Nah... give me a break... their work will be subpar and bring down the image of what professional photographers actually do.

The first wedding I ever did I had spent $15K on duplicate equipment, lights and other proper equipment... and I was the second shooter! I knew alot more than most because I spent over a year researching what to do before I ever shot at a wedding. I care about people...

pcunite wrote in post #9512926
Experience on these boards has shown me that someone wanting to know which lens, flash, some random settings, is because of an up and coming wedding they are about to trash

I hear you. Ah, but it all comes down to one of my basic principles of life. There are two kinds of problems in this world, mine and someone else's; I know which one that is. Shame on the bride for not investing in a professional and/or shame on the photographer if he didn't represent himself and his situation to her correctly.

Nonetheless, if someone asks me which flash to buy, after I reinforce how important it is to learn how to use it effectively, I'll share my view on the right flash to buy. Answering his question may not avert disaster, but I'm pretty sure not answering it will also not avert disaster.

I can't tell what you're trying to say...

You're pissed off because you can't afford a 24-70 or you're pissed off that we tell you to get a 24-70 or someone else

Why do you care? It's nobody's responsibility to let anyone and everyone know how to run their business...if it is a business.

Can show someone all the keys but it won't make a difference if they don't have the experience behind them (Ie: know how to drive)

And only experience will teach them the difference, so let them pick up any lens...like hell would i expect any pro to give me a complete low down of how to run/work a business especially in a highly competitive industry. Genuine help...go learn it yourself, it's not rocket science, or read it yourself.

Just find Tim and read all of his 33 000 posts

Peacefield wrote in post #9512986
Nonetheless, if someone asks me which flash to buy, after I reinforce how important it is to learn how to use it effectively, I'll share my view on the right flash to buy. Answering his question may not avert disaster, but I'm pretty sure not answering it will also not avert disaster.

Peacefield,
Just enjoying the conversation here... my opinion is to direct these people to the door, nicely, so that they get proper training. All your doing is affirming them that their question was sound and that their purchase (that they are going to make now) is prudent. If a ten year old asks me how to start the car I will not help them... see my point?

Karl Johnston wrote in post #9513001
You're pissed off because you can't afford a 24-70 or you're pissed off that we tell you to get a 24-70 or someone else.

I have a 24-70... I am ticked that hacks are now buying 24-70's, 5DII's, 1D's you name it and are still trashing what they shoot! It does not matter what gear you use. Recommending gear is not helping!

pcunite wrote in post #9513043
I have a 24-70... I am ticked that hacks are now buying 24-70's, 5DII's, 1D's you name it and are still trashing what they shoot! It does not matter what gear you use. Recommending gear is not helping!

so because you feel threatened by people spending money on the same gear as you, we're not supposed to be helpful in teaching them how to use it?

Get real. The subject matter of this thread certainly is not in keeping with spirit of POTN.

I recommend moving to a deserted island. Take your toys with you and don't have internet. Then you will never feel threatened again.

Everyone has to start somewhere, what is wrong with asking for advise ie what kit to get and then that person learning how to use it by doing portrait, using their kit at friends wedding, then going on to get experience as a second shooter prior to going solo/being a main shooter.

I have also seen on here people getting slated for asking for advise when they are going to be the main photographer at a friend's wedding, they put a caveat in to say the couple cannot afford a photographer and they are doing it as a favour/practice and asking for advise. I can never understand this as they are asking relevant questions on potn to be able to the best job on the day.

If someone thinks buying good kit will make them a good wedding photographer then I agree they bring a bad name to wedding photographers.

pcunite wrote in post #9513043
I have a 24-70... I am ticked that hacks are now buying 24-70's, 5DII's, 1D's you name it and are still trashing what they shoot! It does not matter what gear you use. Recommending gear is not helping!

Neither is calling newbies hacks ! Doesn't matter what they buy, no big deal, doesn't hurt anybody...let them buy it, let them learn how to use it, it's not like it makes a difference anyway.

Permagrin wrote in post #9513080
so because you feel threatened by people spending money on the same gear as you, we're not supposed to be helpful in teaching them how to use it?

Get real. The subject matter of this thread certainly is not in keeping with spirit of POTN.

I recommend moving to a deserted island. Take your toys with you and don't have internet. Then you will never feel threatened again.

I feel threatned when I say what I do for a living when 10 hacks just walked through the door in front of me... I don't have toys I use tools...

Karl Johnston wrote in post #9513107
Neither is calling newbies hacks ! Doesn't matter what they buy, no big deal, doesn't hurt anybody...let them buy it, let them learn how to use it, it's not like it makes a difference anyway.

I don't care what people buy, I care what POTN recommends. We are recommending gear when we should be recommending classes... If you have to ask what you need gear wise then you don't need gear... (with obvious logical exceptions)