Question for all y'all...

[DJRobin]

[/FONT]
I'm sure because I am insanely interested in this, I'm noticing it more...
but.
Does it ever feel to you guys like THE WORLD is a photographer? Every time I say "I'm really into this" someone else says "I wanna do that, too!"
I experience it with voice overs, too...everyone wants to be a voice. Now photography. It's amazing to me!
My sister has a voice over website...she's really good...and I noticed on one of her links is a photography page! No kidding! She's got great shots on there...

But does it feel like when you mention to someone that you are a photographer, or are interested in it...that EVERYONE says they are, too?

[Daniel Bates]

Sometimes. Usually they mean "I can take pictures, too!" --which is perfectly true; most anyone can. Not everyone can take the same kinds of pictures, though, and therin lies the difference between the general public and the 'pro' photographer.

[DJRobin]

Which leads me to realize...I am one of the general public...
but with PIZZAZZZZ...coz I really want to learn.
So.
Give me time. I'll either keep on the sponge path or stay general...
:-)

[Bruce M. Morris]

Such was the blessing of the Great Yellow Father in Rochester. He made photography accessible to the Masses. Now as you have seen, everyone either wants to be or tries to be a photographer, whether they know about shutter speeds and fstops or not. Access to the 'net has only amplified it as each person's photoalbums can now be seen by millions.

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Anyone can take a snapshot, but not everyone can take a good photograph.
Ever time my niece sees my camera set up she keeps saying how nice it is and how can she get one like it, (she can't afford my set up) and I just say it wasn't cheap.

Too many people with a couple hundred $ in their pocket think that they are the next Ansel Adams and they have no clue about the intracacies of light or what used to be the nuances of various film lines.

Now with digital removing the "cost" of film from the equation and so many of the P+S making half way decent pics there are more and more of the snapshot photographers out in the market. (not counting cell phone camera shooters!)

[DJRobin]

Paul. You're right. I'm one of those people. I take GREAT snapshots to the point that I heard over and over how great they were...fast forward...new camera...I clue on my lack of knowledge.
I've posted stuff on some sites where other photographers critique it, but wasn't into it. I don't want to hear "that's perfect"...I can show my kids a picture and hear that.
I want to IMPROVE...
and I am just like your neice. I got what I wanted, and now I'm in "idiot shock" about how much I don't know!

[DEMDeepEllumMusic]

Originally Posted by DJRobin

Paul. You're right. I'm one of those people. I take GREAT snapshots to the point that I heard over and over how great they were...fast forward...new camera...I clue on my lack of knowledge.
I've posted stuff on some sites where other photographers critique it, but wasn't into it. I don't want to hear "that's perfect"...I can show my kids a picture and hear that.
I want to IMPROVE...
and I am just like your neice. I got what I wanted, and now I'm in "idiot shock" about how much I don't know!

If you are in shock the best way to get out of "shock" is to pick one part of the photographic experience and learn about it. It can be as easy as why you would choose a certain exposure speed for a situation vs another speed. Read and practice with the camera using various speeds and what the results are (nice thing with most digital cameras it will record the "speed" for you along with the ASA/ISO data and other data so you don't have to write it all down on a notepad to refer too.

Once you have become familiar with that part then take on another part such as DOF (Depth of field) and how your F stop and various lenses relate to that. Get familiar with that and go to the next-say ASA/ISO choice then go into lighting etc but build a strong base first.

Really to start a person off now I would start them with a basic book on the subject and a FILM camera to where they pay for the film and processing. Paying out for photos will make them think about the next shot instead of wildly shooting a hundred digital pics and then picking out the ones that "Come Out".

Also learn how to use a hand held light meter, should be able to learn how to use one and read it without actually owning one and then when you meet up with fellow photographers just ask in advance if someone could bring their meter along for you to see it work.

So just take the time to study and learn the relationships between F stop/ASA-ISO/exposure times and light levels.

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Bruce M. Morris

Such was the blessing of the Great Yellow Father in Rochester. He made photography accessible to the Masses. Now as you have seen, everyone either wants to be or tries to be a photographer, whether they know about shutter speeds and fstops or not. Access to the 'net has only amplified it as each person's photoalbums can now be seen by millions.

I must disagee. A Photographer must know about shutter speeds, f stops, ISO, DOF and a many other things. One who doesnt' is just a snapshot taker. Then a photographer must go beyond just the technical aspects of his craft in to the art of it. He must develope a critical eye. He has to learn to see light, form, and tones where others just look. Then he must be passionate about his work and its form. He will not just take a good picture. He will be able to structure many good pictures around a greater theme.

As for the net all it has done is amplifed the crap out there but now rather than it sitting shoeboxes in someone's closet. People put it out for everyone to see.

[Bruce M. Morris]

John,
You may not believe it but if you read my post again, you will see that I am taking a similar position to yours.. I was just pointing out that George Eastman, with his Brownies and the ads of "you click the picture and leave the rest to us!", had allowed the masses to shoot pictures, whether snapshot or work of art. Those that learned the intricacies of the technical side and combined that with their artistic vision, rose to the top of the profession. Before the internet, all the other snapshot photos were kept in closets and only shared with family. Now it is easy to post anything that an indivdual thinks is sentimentally valuable even if NO ONE else thinks it is any good.
One of the things that frustrates me is the twenty plus years that I have spent learning the wonders of optics and film qualities and now the capabilities of digital photography only to be confronted by someone that has just bought their first camera, a digital slr, says, "I want to start a photography business. What fstop should I shoot a wedding at?" I am sure you have seen some similar things in your experiences....

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Robin,

There are a lot of people out there with a lot of money and no desire to actually "be" a photogrpher. It's a passion... love it... live it... and don't worry about what everyone else is doing. Everytime I look at Leslie's work, I feel like a GWC! She uses "less than ideal" equipment but her photos totally rock... because she has experience, passion, and knows what really makes a good photograph. You're not going to "get it" in a few days no matter how hard you try. But like anything... photography is a learn-by-failure trade. (at least for me)

- Wil

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Originally Posted by Bruce M. Morris

One of the things that frustrates me is the twenty plus years that I have spent learning the wonders of optics and film qualities and now the capabilities of digital photography only to be confronted by someone that has just bought their first camera, a digital slr, says, "I want to start a photography business. What fstop should I shoot a wedding at?" I am sure you have seen some similar things in your experiences....

I feel your pain Bruce!

- Wil

[johnastovall]

Originally Posted by Bruce M. Morris

John,
You may not believe it but if you read my post again, you will see that I am taking a similar position to yours.. I was just pointing out that George Eastman, with his Brownies and the ads of "you click the picture and leave the rest to us!", had allowed the masses to shoot pictures, whether snapshot or work of art. Those that learned the intricacies of the technical side and combined that with their artistic vision, rose to the top of the profession. Before the internet, all the other snapshot photos were kept in closets and only shared with family. Now it is easy to post anything that an indivdual thinks is sentimentally valuable even if NO ONE else thinks it is any good.
One of the things that frustrates me is the twenty plus years that I have spent learning the wonders of optics and film qualities and now the capabilities of digital photography only to be confronted by someone that has just bought their first camera, a digital slr, says, "I want to start a photography business. What fstop should I shoot a wedding at?" I am sure you have seen some similar things in your experiences....

I love to rant and I've been reading Brooks Jensens essays the last two nights along with Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography by Roland Barthes.

May pet hate, "I bet if I had a camera like that I could take some really good pictures."

[Wil_Bloodworth]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

"I bet if I had a camera like that I could take some really good pictures."

John,

That's hilarious. Or is it? I guess you'd have to ask the person who is going to take the photos to define "good". LOL ;)

- Wil

[Daniel Bates]

In some cases, that statement is perfectly valid; for example, I used to shoot with an advanced point-and-shoot, and I could not shoot sports (burst mode was way slow). I would look at a shooter with a 1D and think, "If I had that camera, I could take some nice sports photos!" Then I got the 1D, and lo and behold, I have! (okay, not award-winning 'nice', but I like them.)

[Bruce M. Morris]

Originally Posted by johnastovall

I love to rant and I've been reading Books Jensens essays the last two nights along with Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography by Roland Barthes.

May pet hate, "I bet if I had a camera like that I could take some really good pictures."

OH NO!!! reading BOOKS and gettin' edumacated! How are you going to relate to the young kids if you speak intelligently??

sorry.. went to my son's High School Open house last night and they were so impressed that they had more than 75% that were reading SOMETHING...