Anyone else a little self-conscious about shooting film?

Steve Smith

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JBrunner

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A long time ago I learned two things, that whatever I think other people think is never going to be what they actually think, and that what they do think has has nothing to do with me. The whole premise is a giant waste of time and energy.
 

batwister

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jerrybro said:
From post 51 "There is no "WWAAD" or "WWGWD" or whatever."
Click to expand...

I didn't know what this meant either initially. I'm guessing 'GW' is Garry Winogrand... or George W. (Washington, Washington!)
 

Brian C. Miller

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Seen on a T-shirt: WWJD (What Would Jesus Do)
Seen on South Partk: What Would Brian Boitano Do? (because Jesus and Santa Claus were fighting)
Photography: WWAAD (What Would Ansel Adams Do)
Photography: WWGWD (What Would Gary Winogrand Do)

Should a person worry about what others think, or persue the path that you know is the right one? So: Adams is dead, and even if he wasn't, he's not looking over your shoulder giving you a bunch of direction. Make choiced for yourself, and set your own course.
 

Sirius Glass

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Self conscious about film? No
Self conscious about carrying camera and shooting pictures? No
Do I let either of these change my behavior? Never, frankly I don't give a damn what others think.
 

PKM-25

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I cared to the point of insecurity about what other people thought at age 23, never got girls with those Nikons on my shoulders. Now at 45, I feel much better about life than when I did at 23 and don't really give a toot what other people think. A few years back I attracted the interest of a sweet young woman while my XPan was on a tripod and a Leica around my neck...we have been blissfully married for nearly 2 years.

"Be your self, everyone else is taken."~ Oscar Wilde
 
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Prest_400

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I am 17 and am self-conscious while shooting too.

I suppose it's about age et al and just a psychological thing. I brought my OM-1 to school once and had nice comments, a few of the common "what is that, does it work" type of comments but nothing bad. It is curious for others but many won't care...
Yet you've got that sensation.
 

pbryld

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If anyone doubts why you do it, just throw some numbers at them. I remember reading 6x4.5 has the same resolution as the new 80MP digital backs. But there is just a price difference of about... What $50,000?

And if you do 4x5 or larger, throw a bigger number out there - like to get the same quality you'd need a 350MP digital camera. Most people understand that.
 

mooseontheloose

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Not really. The first time I lived in Japan (1999-2005) I shot mostly with my (manual) Nikon FE and got sympathetic but understanding looks from the old retired guys shooting their latest (Canon) slrs. Now when they see me (with the same FE, or F100, or Bronica), I get the same looks, if not a little wistful at times. The thing I find the most interesting is that Bronica is a Japanese brand, but most Japanese photographers don't know it -- the only MF worth owning here is Hasselblad or Mamiya. If anything, no matter where I am in the world, I get curious looks, but never in a negative sense. I feel self-conscious when using a tripod, but that has nothing to do with the medium, really.
 

E. von Hoegh

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BrianShaw said:
...especially without knowing whether one is in front of the prop or behind it!
Click to expand...

Rotation is always described from the pilot's position. The engine in a Moth turns counter-clockwise, which is handy for propping it if you're right handed.
 

David A. Goldfarb

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What, me, self-conscious?

(there was a url link here which no longer exists)
 

lancekingphoto

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I'm sure I could think of more. At some point I started realizing that many people were very boring and I really don't care to waste my time with the sort of folks who work, watch TV in the evening, drink on the weekends, lather rinse and repeat.
Click to expand...


Well summarized. That's exactly the sort of existence I can't stand. Dull, methodical, unthinking, shallow... But I guess that describes the vast majority of humanity. I almost never watch TV anymore. I can't understand why it would be preferable to passively wallow in some network's idea of entertainment when I could be engaged in the things that excite me (most notably, photography).
 

RPC

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I know countless people who get off work, eat dinner and sit back and watch the boob toob the rest of the night. (e.g., stupid reality and comedy shows}. No hobbies, interests, or much desire to learn about the world around them. No matter their intelligence. That's not my style but to each his own, I guess.
 

cepwin

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Funny Prest mentioned about the "does it work" comments...I was talking to someone who is not into photography and he didn't even know film was still being made. I like the comparison Pbryld made between Large format compared with digital in terms of resolution and cost
 

Brian C. Miller

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From a recent interview with Michael Kenna:
Q. Can you give us messages to Japanese young photographers?
If you are in the arts or in any professional work life, you need determination, discipline, patience and perseverance. You also need a huge amount of good luck. I think it is good to be humble. One should appreciate every opportunity and go with the flow whenever possible. Just believe in yourself. Believe that you are unique, because EVERYBODY is unique. You have to find your own uniqueness, your own self. I think we fall down a little when we imitate others. Whatever happens, you have to continue to believe in yourself, your own inner voice and vision. No matter what everybody else is doing, somehow you need to connect into your own creativity. Follow that creativity. See where it leads you. Have faith that there is a destination for you, you do not need to envy or try to live any other person's life. Your life is precious. Don't underestimate your destiny.

I like that last sentence: "Don't underestimate your destiny."
 
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