Have you met one of these types of photographers?

[Mainecoonmaniac]

https://petapixel.com/2019/07/25/the-4-worst-types-of-photographers-you-know/

 

[GRHazelton]

I've met the Gear Geek. I was shooting at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, AKA the BotGarden, when I spoke to a gentleman mounting a wide angle on his Canon. I commented on it, and he told me that he had $6,000. of Canon gear in his bag. He noticed that I had a camera and asked me what it was. I showed him my Pentax K 5, and he said that he'd had one, a "good" body but that Pentax lenses just weren't sharp enough, so he'd switched to Canon. At that point I decided that he was a gear freak and that further conversation was unwise. Whatta jerk!

 

[Mainecoonmaniac]

I've met the Gear Geek. I was shooting at the Atlanta Botanical Gardens, AKA the BotGarden, when I spoke to a gentleman mounting a wide angle on his Canon. I commented on it, and he told me that he had $6,000. of Canon gear in his bag. He noticed that I had a camera and asked me what it was. I showed him my Pentax K 5, and he said that he'd had one, a "good" body but that Pentax lenses just weren't sharp enough, so he'd switched to Canon. At that point I decided that he was a gear freak and that further conversation was unwise. Whatta jerk!

Photography is like sex. It’s not what kind of have, it’s how you you use it. Some brag about the size of their gear because they feel inadequate. Take your gear out and have some fun!

 

[bdial]

I've met more than one of those types, and probably have been one at some time or another. Most of us have, they are easy traps to fall into.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I've come across the gear type on the odd occasion, but I tend to try and keep a fairly low profile. Now that I'm getting back into large format, perhaps I'll experience more discussions, I don't know...

 

[Eric Rose]

Are you kidding, of course in the wild and here on Photrio. Once when I was out shooting with one of my Nikon DSLR's I had the model number covered up with gaffer tape. A gentleman asked me what model camera I was using. I asked him why he wanted to know and he said he had been watching me and wanted to get photos like what he imagined mine would look like. He got really pissed when I told him it didn't have anything to do with the gear I was using, it had more to do with the 55 years of photographic experience and he couldn't just "buy" that. He called me all kinds of unkind names as I walked away from him.

 

[KenS]

... with a few lines 'clippe. to save space

He got really pissed when I told him it didn't have anything to do with the gear I was using, it had more to do with the 55 years of photographic experience and he couldn't just "buy" that. He called me all kinds of unkind names as I walked away from him.

I was recently 'accosted' by a 'mid-twenties idiot who felt he needed to introduce me to "modern photography" while 'fondling' two 35mm (?) /electronic/digital type cameras strung around his neck indicating that "it was time I got with it' as I came out from under the darkcloth with an image recorded to FP4.
"You will find 'things' much easier now-a-days" and MUCH faster... I thought for a moment and asked if either of his 'beuties' allowed him to use shifts, swings... or 'tilts' to correct for verticality &/or
control over DOF, he quickly went into "blank look" mode and indicated he DID NOT KNOW what I was 'talking about' or 'what these 'things meant'.. turned around and rather quickly.. walked away.
Had not been wearing a coat, I might have been able to see if his 'tail' was now well tucked in between his legs.

Ken

 

[faberryman]

Are you kidding, of course in the wild and here on Photrio. Once when I was out shooting with one of my Nikon DSLR's I had the model number covered up with gaffer tape. A gentleman asked me what model camera I was using. I asked him why he wanted to know and he said he had been watching me and wanted to get photos like what he imagined mine would look like. He got really pissed when I told him it didn't have anything to do with the gear I was using, it had more to do with the 55 years of photographic experience and he couldn't just "buy" that. He called me all kinds of unkind names as I walked away from him.

Why didn't you just tell him the model number of your camera?

 

[Eric Rose]

Because it doesn't matter in the context of the conversation. If he said he was thinking of buying a camera and wanted my thoughts on the one I was using I would have gladly told him.

 

[Eric Rose]

I bet that made you feel really important.

And I bet this ignorant statement made you feel important.

Welcome to my ignore list.

 

[Kilgallb]

Today I drove into my car dealership for service. The twenty something service adviser was dancing, to what I did not know. It turns out it was the tune blasting on my stereo, a 40 year old Gordon Lightfoot tune. She said cool music, what is it. I told hear and she asked who is Gordon Lightfoot. It cost me nothing to be civil and proves young people do have open minds and are willing to learn.

 

[MattKing]

Was it, by chance, "If you could read my mind"?

 

[Theo Sulphate]

The Seven Levels of Photographers:

https://kenrockwell.com/tech/7.htm

 

[Eric Rose]

Just to be clear the individual I was talking too was closer to my age than not.

The attitude, which is promoted in advertising, that you can buy talent or knowledge is what pissed me off.

Generally I find the younger generation very eager to find out about analog stuff. I have also found out they are into the same 60's and 70's music I like.

My 13 year old grandson wants to get out with a TLR shot a roll, develop it in my darkroom and then print some of the better ones. I offered him a digicam awhile ago and he wasn't interested.

There is hope yet.

 

[Eric Rose]

The Seven Levels of Photographers:

https://kenrockwell.com/tech/7.htm

I love this! Must reading for sure.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I have met all of the above many times. I just walk away, often mid sentence.

 

[removedacct1]

The Seven Levels of Photographers:

https://kenrockwell.com/tech/7.htm

Having read this mean-spirited, ranty diatribe, I am less inclined than ever to offer Rockwell financial support. Ugh. Nasty.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Having read this mean-spirited, ranty diatribe, I am less inclined than ever to offer Rockwell financial support. Ugh. Nasty.

I would not even give Rockwell a plug nickel ... or a wooden nickel ... or even a slug [neither metal or biological, although he is quite slimy]

 

[Eric Rose]

Having read this mean-spirited, ranty diatribe, I am less inclined than ever to offer Rockwell financial support. Ugh. Nasty.

I thought it was funny. I certainly didn't take it seriously, it is from KR. Nuff said lol.

 

[Tom Kershaw]

I would not even give Rockwell a plug nickel ... or a wooden nickel ... or even a slug [neither metal or biological, although he is quite slimy]

Ken certainly makes some rather blanket statements in that "article". Discussion of equipment or technique does not lessen artistic potential, and therefore, a refusal to consider technique doesn't inherently produce interesting results.

 

[Theo Sulphate]

Having read this mean-spirited, ranty diatribe, I am less inclined than ever to offer Rockwell financial support. Ugh. Nasty.

It's satire.

 

[Sirius Glass]

I would not even give Rockwell a plug nickel ... or a wooden nickel ... or even a slug [neither metal or biological, although he is quite slimy]

Ken certainly makes some rather blanket statements in that "article". Discussion of equipment or technique does not lessen artistic potential, and therefore, a refusal to consider technique doesn't inherently produce interesting results.

While I can learn something from anyone, Ken Rockwell may well be an exception to that.

 

[Helios 1984]

Having read this mean-spirited, ranty diatribe, I am less inclined than ever to offer Rockwell financial support. Ugh. Nasty.

Here, have a good laugh at the expense of the Leica users.

 

[Sirius Glass]

Here, have a good laugh at the expense of the Leica users.

Actually in that article, Ken Rockwell is actually is just describing himself when he gushes about a new camera which he has fallen in love with and is reviewing.

 

[Arklatexian]

Ken certainly makes some rather blanket statements in that "article". Discussion of equipment or technique does not lessen artistic potential, and therefore, a refusal to consider technique doesn't inherently produce interesting results.

Back when I was working in a camera store, we sold a young man a new Minolta Autocord. When we attempted to show him how to use it he refused to listen saying that doing so would destroy his ability to do "artistic" work which he intended to do professionally. (even bought an occupational license saying that he was a professional photographer) We tried to talk him out of it but he would not listen. As far as we knew he never read anything about photography. All so his art would not be compromised. He opened a small studio (no darkroom, sent his work to a lab) and lasted about 90 days (until his money ran out). It was sad but predictable. I think he reenlisted in the Air Force...........Regards!