What is so bad about chimping?

I notice many people usually crack jokes about chimping, but why?

I chimp all the time to check focus, exposure/histogram and composition. I would find it weird if I did NOT chimp. Just seems part of procedure when taking photographs, unless pressed for time (in which I would rely on the first picture or two, and let the metering do the rest). And no, I usually do not chimp after EVERY picture, but usually if lighting or composition changes.

Just curious! :P

There seems to be a view amongst some older photographers who started in film that it is somehow not "pure".

They seem to believe that you should be able to nail everything without using the tools provided.

Of course we are talking here about the silent chimpers, not the ones that look at the back and go "ooohh ahhhh" while jumping about excitedly

i dont think it is as bad as you think it is. chimping just seems to have become an easy joke. but i dont think those people who make fun of it actually mind it much.

there was a funny chimp joke the other day where one photographer shooting on one side of a baseball diamond happened to capture another sports shooter on this forum shooting from the opposite side. but you see him chimping in the background. it was an easy joke.

Well, the more time you spend chimping, the more likely you are to miss the moment. But it's important to check your exposures once in a while to check you're along the right lines. Saves you doing an entire shoot two stops overexposed.

Also, I think chimping is invaluable in comparing your perception of a shot at shot time with what actually happened on the sensor.

As one of the purists that grew up shooting film I say there is nothing wrong with the occasional "chimp" to confirm histogram and that there are no over exposure hilights flashing in the image. You have the tools so why not use them?

However, to use the LCD screen to confirm focus I have not found very reliable (perhaps due to my old eyes) and, no, you should not be "chimping" every image, or worse, "chimping and showing" like Adam Cushner does in those TV ads.

Once you're dialed in on the settings there is little need to look at the rear screen.

I'm an old film guy and in the studio most commercial photographers were chimpers we just called it polaroid. Of course you would never judge color or density on a polaroid but you could see you ratios and where and how your shadows were falling.

In fact IIRC wasn't it Dean Collins who would start with one light and build his lighting using polaroids as his guide.

I never fealt like it was a crutch, just a tool, and I chimp. There I said it.

slap forehead moment: being in such a habit of doing it that you chimp on a film body. thats gotta hurt. (not that much, actually)

I never "Chimp"

There is nothing wrong with chimping. Unless, of course, you do it so much and in such a manner that you appear to be a chimp.

chimping can get you in trouble when shooting sports. I've seen this twice recently, once to me and once to all the 'pros' during a recent NBA game. Just after the play ends at one end of the court, you chimp the shots to see what recorded. While the team is taking the ball out and going the other way, the defense steals the ball and someone goes in for a crushing dunk ... while you sit with with the lens pointed at the floor not ready to capture the action.

DOH!!!!

dave

There is nothing wrong with chimping. I recall a few years ago, when dslr were newer and less established that chimping was looked down by guys more used to shooting film.

In sports and events, heavy chimping may mean you may miss a shot. But looking at your shot to check exposure, composition, and setting is a smart thing to do.

If you make oo oo aa aa noises, hey more power to you.

Whats wrone with chimping? ....The same thing is wrong with chimping is....the same thing that was wrong with autofocus when it came out. It is the new "toy" that "lesser" photographers need to make "good" photos. I remember the fuss over all thies kids and thier auto focus cameras. Real photographers dont need auto focus. And LONG before that it was 35mm film. Real photographers dont use "bulk" roll film. And before that Before that it was film itself. Real photographers use glass, film is for amatures...... You get the idea.

Great arguments but...what the hell is "chimping"? LOL!!!! Im not familiar with the term, English language is not my native tongue...

Brain Mechanic wrote in post #10142215
Great arguments but...what the hell is "chimping"? LOL!!!! Im not familiar with the term, English language is not my native tongue...

When you are 'pro' (see here for a definition) you don't need to look at the LCD. You shoot manual and get the settings right first time, every time. You don't need to check your exposure. You KNOW you are getting good pics.

The rest of us n00bs use the green box and then have to check the LCD to make sure the pop-up flash worked. If new to SLR photography, accompany with sayings such as "oooooh aaaahhh, look how blurry the background is". This is the act of chimping

AKA using the tools your given.

Okay....I chimp too!!!! Nothing wrong with it. I guess is "LCD envy" from the old school school folks...