Why, oh why, when I tell people that I'm a photographer, do they always say something stupid like- "Oh, I've always thought I could try be a photographer. I'm always taking pictures." ...yes, uh-huh, you're right, we're exactly the same
I know this is me being extremely oversensitive... but I honestly feel it belittles what I do. If someone told you they were a doctor, you would never presume to say something like- "Oh, I could do that. I'm always putting band-aids on my kids. Maybe I should try being a doctor."
Not to rant about it too much, but I have worked and studied extremely hard to hone my craft- my ART- and for some nit-wit to show off her little credit card size point-and-shoot, and try and compare her snapshots to my work- yes, I'm offended. I know people don't mean to offend- have no idea they are offending- but there seems to be a phenomenon now where because everyone has a camera, they think that photography is nothing more than the click of a button. Bugs me.
On the positive side... with this in mind, I think I will try very hard to be more sensitive about what I say to people in other professions... for instance, not trying to compare myself to a massage therapist just because I give good backrubs, etc. I'm sure those professionals get just as irritated by comments like that.
flapjack
point and shoot
I know what you mean Blue and I can sympathise. But as a point and shoot camera owner then Im sorry if offends people if I post my photos on here
downwards
Re: point and shoot
flapjack wrote:
But as a point and shoot camera owner then Im sorry if offends people if I post my photos on here
I don't think that is what Blue was suggesting. Purely because you have a point & shoot doesn't mean your necessarily not worthy of posting because you don't have a DSLR. You take pride in taking your photo's, taking time to concentrate on what you looking at, how it looks etc.
creators
This has been an issue for me this week because I am doing a paid shoot. The person I am doing the shoot for has said on three occasions, in a jokey, ha ha, sort of way, that gets right under my skin, 'You could do it half price for me'. Having had a think about it I decided that the if he does it again I shall ask him when was the last time his boss asked him to work for half pay and he agreed to it and that if he really isn't happy he can take his business elsewhere. It's really quite hard when people do that, 'oh, I'm only joking thing', when they are actually being offensive but they are too insensitive or stupid to know it. He was over the other day to give me some more stuff and while he was here I did a couple of things in Photoshop to demonstrate what I could do about something and his jaw dropped open. The point is that although it seemed to him it took a couple of minutes, it has actually taken fifty odd years to learn to do what I do. It happens that I am very good at it and although it looks easy, it ain't, and I dedicate a great deal of my time to continue my learning and many of you here are a very real part of my continued learning. I don't expect people to appreciate fully what it has taken me to develop my skills but I could wish they had enough respect to at least keep their mouths shut and not diss me through social/intellectual/personal ignorance (ha ha, only joking, not).
Flapjack, I certainly don't think this post was aimed at people using point and shoot cameras, it was aimed at ignorance (the nit wit show off). I get just as irate at people with all the kit who are all mouth and trousers who think the camera maketh the MAN.
If anyone did take offence at someone with a point and shoot camera posting pictures here, I very much hope they would get short shrift from you and everyone with point and shoot cameras, they definitely would get very short shrift from me.
I trained as a teacher/social educator and am a patient, tolerant and fundamentally kind person who lives and lets live to the best of my ability. I will also spend a great deal of time doing walk-throughs and so on to help others and pass on what I know. I have no ego investment in my skills, I learnt them and received help along the way. I am also tolerant around ignorance, I don't diss people just because they don't know, but I am incredibly intolerant when they start rubbing up against me and being arrogant in their ignorance. Although it is poorly recognised, there are such things as mental, emotional and psychological rape and it is very common and against that kind of thing I am all teeth and claws. [/rant]
flapjack
sympathy
As I said I do sympathise with Blues irritation that people seem to think that brilliant photos just happen! And yes there are a lot of ignorant people around who dont appreicate the skill and knowledge that has gone into a great image.
I suppose a similar thing happens to me when I mention that I am learning Sign Language and the ignorant ones say yes I know some sign language too and they usually show me some rude gestures that have nothing to do sign language! childish or what?
Blue
Gee- seems I have an innate ability for offending people.
I'm sorry, Flapjack- the point of my post had nothing to do with the point-and-shoot aspect of the camera. Indeed- I was using a point-and-shoot up until "very" recently, and a lot of my entries to this site were taken with it. In the right hands, those little beauties are marvels. So- I'm sorry that you somehow picked that wording out of the post and took it personally... I was trying to illustrate a point. I guess sometimes it's hard with the written word to foresee how your meaning is going to be interpreted, but please know that I have the utmost respect for you and your art.
My (poorly presented) thought, was- as Keith intuited- about people's ignorance and lack of respect for what I do as actual work or skill. They truly think that because they have a camera in their purse (which everyone does now) they could do what I do. It's a subtle idea, but it undermines me as an artist and a professional. My husband is a pilot, and he certainly never has to deal with people making cracks about his job, LOL... and so even with him, I feel it has been a fight to be seen as doing something real and worthy with my time.
I guess there are different levels of things... and doing something casually is a lot different than dedicating 8 (or more- cringe) hours a day to it. Not everyone with a paintbrush is a painter, not everyone with a voice is a singer. Photography seems to be one of those professions that doesn't get a lot of public respect. (Not that I dwell on this often, LOL, or that it affects my own love for my craft... it just seemed like this forum would be a good place to voice this irritation)
Again- sorry for any offence. Peace.
flapjack
dont worry
don't worry Blue no offence taken
having seen alot of your work on here I can imagine how annoyed you must be when ignorant people think they are expert photographers too!! Lots of people own cameras but it doesnt mean they all have an creative eye.
Blue
Yay, glad we're friends again. LOL
I also wanted to say that, reading back on my post, it sounds as though I am trying to make myself out to be some kind of great artist.... which I am definitely NOT, LOL. My own work is very much at the beginner level- and I'm painfully aware of that- but even to get to the pitiful place I am now has taken a ridiculous amount of work. And I have sooooo much still to learn. I think it's partially this awareness that makes me roll my eyes at those who think they could easily do this professionally.
I seem to be having trouble expressing myself properly about this, LOL- but my sense of protectiveness is for the art and craft of photography itself, rather than my own self as an artist, if that makes sense.
flapjack
friends
Blue wrote:
Yay, glad we're friends again. LOL
I never thought we werent friends I look at all the amazing photos on here and sometimes wonder whether my photos are worthy to be on here - so I was really criticising myself.
Blue
Re: friends
flapjack wrote:
I look at all the amazing photos on here and sometimes wonder whether my photos are worthy to be on here - so I was really criticising myself.
But it isn't a question of worthiness here... it's just a group of people who like photography and want to talk about it and learn from each other. Have you seen some of the crap I have posted? LOL
One thing about this forum I would like to improve... and I have been meaning to post about this, but not sure how to suggest it without offending people, as I tend to do, LOL... but now that I'm on a roll I might as well go for it ... is I wish more people would take the time to critique the images posted in the critique section. It seems to me that a lot of people enjoy posting images there and getting feedback, but there are only a few members who regularly take the time to look at the work of others and give their thoughts. I don't know if this is due to a lack of time, or lack of confidence, or something else... but you don't have to be an expert photographer to have an opinion on a photograph. I try to take the time to look at and think about most of the work that people request critiques on- not all, but most- and I do that because I feel it's only fair, if I am asking for critiques, that I spend the time to give them as well. But lately it has been starting to feel like nobody really bothers to look at or give their opinion on most of the work I post... so I must be honest and say that I am starting to pull away from this group a little bit. It has to be a give and take, or it doesn't work.
Again, I'm sorry if this sounds rude or argumentative to anyone... it's really not meant to be, nor is it aimed at anyone in particular... just something that's been on my mind for a little while, and I wanted to let everyone know how I felt. I don't know if anyone else has thoughts on this... or if anyone cares besides me, LOL. Just my thoughts.
jonH
Reminds me of something I heard during an interview with a writer somewhere or other, they'd get wound up at book signings when people like brain surgeons would say to them that they were considering taking up writing when they retired, as if it was something anyone could do at the drop of a hat.
The writer would typically respond that they were looking to take up brain surgery when they retired from writing ;)
So it's not just you Blue, and it's not just Photography that people think is easy to succeed at
derek
Blue, I think you will find that happens in all walks of life. But just smile sweetly and agree with them because you know that were they to give it a try, they would find it is far from as easy as they thought. Just hug that thought to yourself and try not to read so much into it.
I've been a decorator for 40 years (Gulp! - I started very young - lol) and still people say things like "If you can piss, you can paint"
And there's been many times when I've considered throwing the DSLR out of the window in favour of the point and shoot because I just can't get to grips with some setting or other.
And I am probably one of the people who doesn't critique photos as often as others because I simply do not have the technical knowledge to do it in the way that others do. I do not know about different lights, reflectors and wotnot. All I am able to say is if I like it or not which often seems a bit lame next to what others are able to say and therefore I sometimes say nothing.
My studio consists of a few bits of coloured card and a desk lamp! lol.
Derek
Blue
JonH- that is great! Very well put.
Derek- there is a great sticky post here in the lounge about critiquing (sp?) images. I have found it to be very helpful!
I think a lot of people might feel the same way as you about commenting. Interestingly enough, I have found that I actually learn a lot about my own work by analyzing and critiquing the work of others. I would like to hear lots of different thoughts and opinions about my images... that's why I put them up here for critique, LOL... I hope that some people take the time to read the sticky I mentioned, and maybe start feeling a little more free to give their thoughts and opinions. I, for one, would greatly value and appreciate the input!!!
flapjack
derek wrote:
My studio consists of a few bits of coloured card and a desk lamp! lol.
Derek
Mine is just the same!!
carlj
When I used to sketch (ironically when I gave up photography in the 80s, and 20 years later, the reason I returned!), people would look at my pencil work and ask "Did you draw that?"
Now, when I show my shots, it's "Did you take that?"
To which the answer should be, "No, Andy Rouse did, but I liked it so much, I stole it!"
Peace.
Yay, glad we're friends again. 
Mine is just the same!!