Photography and Egos...

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Permit me to observe that ego is rampant amongst digital photographers who somehow think their cameras, doing all the thinking for them, are better than a photographer with 30 years' experience and knowing exactly how the image will turn out even if blindfolded. Maybe besides the point, but how does medium format relate to ego, prey tell? It might be a bit more prevalent amongst LF and ULF users. :whistling:
 

noacronym

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Permit me to observe that ego is rampant amongst digital photographers who somehow think their cameras, doing all the thinking for them, are better than a photographer with 30 years' experience and knowing exactly how the image will turn out even if blindfolded. Maybe besides the point, but how does medium format relate to ego, prey tell? It might be a bit more prevalent amongst LF and ULF users. :whistling:

Amen Poisson de jour. I'm a printer, and I can out-adobe any rinky dink digital photographer. What a bunch of weaklings. In the time any digital photographer can get his nose out of his own tailpipe, I can have 5000 prints boxed up and ready for the customer. Just because my "prints" are welding supply labels doesn't detract from my skill over some digital photographer. It's the same software, and it's NOT photography.Digital photography is nothing but Eyesight Pollution at computer-generated perfection.
 

R Paul

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My encounters with other photographers has been mostly positive. Even when they are shooting digital, I've always been respectful of their choice- usually they'll say that just don't want the hassle of film any more . Most times they begin with that's a REALLY BIG camera you got there (RB-67) and we'll have a nice little discussion about their camera and the days when they used film. and if they ask why I'm carrying the dinosaur I tell them I love the big slides I get out of it. One time they even took a picture of me with the camera. Even when they don't talk, I've had people look at me with the camera and nod their head and smile. You should see when I use the Stereo Realist.
If I ever got a negative attitude out of anyone--screw them-- I'm out for MY enjoyment-- not their approval,and my slide will be around a LOT longer than his stuff anyway

But when you talk about the photo stores, you are dead on. There's an atmosphere of why are you still using this crap--get with digital so we don't have to carry this perishable film and chemicals that cost a fortune to ship. When I started maybe 5 years ago everyone had the film stored in refrigerators, now it gets treated like packs of cigarettes laying on the shelves (all except one NY store) And forget about chemistry --if they don't have it they say it's not available to order it for you(which is why I stated making my own stuff)
rob
 

noacronym

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My encounters with other photographers has been mostly positive. Even when they are shooting digital, I've always been respectful of their choice- usually they'll say that just don't want the hassle of film any more . Most times they begin with that's a REALLY BIG camera you got there (RB-67) and we'll have a nice little discussion about their camera and the days when they used film. and if they ask why I'm carrying the dinosaur I tell them I love the big slides I get out of it. One time they even took a picture of me with the camera. Even when they don't talk, I've had people look at me with the camera and nod their head and smile. You should see when I use the Stereo Realist.
If I ever got a negative attitude out of anyone--screw them-- I'm out for MY enjoyment-- not their approval,and my slide will be around a LOT longer than his stuff anyway

But when you talk about the photo stores, you are dead on. There's an atmosphere of why are you still using this crap--get with digital so we don't have to carry this perishable film and chemicals that cost a fortune to ship. When I started maybe 5 years ago everyone had the film stored in refrigerators, now it gets treated like packs of cigarettes laying on the shelves (all except one NY store) And forget about chemistry --if they don't have it they say it's not available to order it for you(which is why I stated making my own stuff)
rob

Man oh man--you said a mouth full. I'll second that, absolutely.
 
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My encounters with other photographers has been mostly positive. Even when they are shooting digital, I've always been respectful of their choice- usually they'll say that just don't want the hassle of film any more . Most times they begin with that's a REALLY BIG camera you got there (RB-67) and we'll have a nice little discussion about their camera and the days when they used film. and if they ask why I'm carrying the dinosaur I tell them I love the big slides I get out of it. One time they even took a picture of me with the camera. Even when they don't talk, I've had people look at me with the camera and nod their head and smile. You should see when I use the Stereo Realist.
If I ever got a negative attitude out of anyone--screw them-- I'm out for MY enjoyment-- not their approval,and my slide will be around a LOT longer than his stuff anyway

But when you talk about the photo stores, you are dead on. There's an atmosphere of why are you still using this crap--get with digital so we don't have to carry this perishable film and chemicals that cost a fortune to ship. When I started maybe 5 years ago everyone had the film stored in refrigerators, now it gets treated like packs of cigarettes laying on the shelves (all except one NY store) And forget about chemistry --if they don't have it they say it's not available to order it for you(which is why I stated making my own stuff)
rob



Oh, don't start this old pagan on photo stores lecturing me as to why I am "still using film". The local store near me has sold out to digital hook, line and sinker: nothing for analogue at all, nor will anything be ordered in if it is for film photography; chemicals on the shelf are out of date, boxes of Ilford film are dusty and dirty. Only the display cases are cleaned daily because, "nobody uses film anymore, only you!".
 

elekm

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I remember a really good salesman back in the 70's at a camera shop here, who would inform those equipment-centric guys who thought nothing but Nikon and Nikkor could measure up, that W. Eugene Smith took his famous Minamata image with a Minolta SR-T 101.

Funny that you mention W. Eugene Smith - as complex a man as there ever was. He reportedly had a huge ego and often ignored editors' instructions when taking an assignment, taking a year or more on some projects that were to take only a month.

I thought that I read that the Minamata image was taken with either borrowed equipment or gear that was donated to him by Minolta. I'll need to look it up again.

He also was known to drop in on people, asking for money, argued relentlessly with his editors and took some of the greatest photos that I've ever seen. I've always found his work to be inspirational.

He was a tremendous artist but reportedly a very difficult person at times.

Edward Weston also was a complex person, more or less abandoning his family for long periods in pursuit of his art. Enormous talent, but probably should have stayed single. He met up with Tina Mondotti, a photographer who developed a following, perhaps because of her relationship with Weston more than her own talent.

I think we all have stories to tell, and I hope that I've become a better photographer (and better person) through the years, although maybe that's debatable. When you're young, you do need to be brash and bold, because that's how you take risks and strive to be better.

But you need to temper that always. Want to read about an ego that's slipped off of the edge? Read about noted author Buzz Bissinger's shopping addiction.
 

Peltigera

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Oh, don't start this old pagan on photo stores lecturing me as to why I am "still using film". The local store near me has sold out to digital hook, line and sinker: nothing for analogue at all, nor will anything be ordered in if it is for film photography; chemicals on the shelf are out of date, boxes of Ilford film are dusty and dirty. Only the display cases are cleaned daily because, "nobody uses film anymore, only you!".
I bought a new digital camera recently and while the assistant was serving me the manager sidled over and said "You do know that doesn't take film, don't you?". He collects cameras and I buy a lot of film in his shop - not a problem for either of us.
 

TheFlyingCamera

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I'm very fortunate that most of the sales folk at my main camera store are film-heads themselves so I never get guff from them for shooting the Rollei, and they're very chuffed when I have contact prints from one of my LF/ULF cameras to show. I've been using the Rollei a lot lately, and out in public the majority of reactions I get to it are extremely positive (the most common question is "how old is that", followed by requests to take a picture of me holding it). I've been seeing a lot less of the photographer-to-photographer ego/disrespect lately and I don't have a good explanation for it -maybe it's just that digital is no longer so new that people feel the need to justify their investment in it.
 

benjiboy

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Oh, don't start this old pagan on photo stores lecturing me as to why I am "still using film". The local store near me has sold out to digital hook, line and sinker: nothing for analogue at all, nor will anything be ordered in if it is for film photography; chemicals on the shelf are out of date, boxes of Ilford film are dusty and dirty. Only the display cases are cleaned daily because, "nobody uses film anymore, only you!".

I was in my local professional dealers recently to buy some Kodak Portra the guy who owns the store served me, he only had one five roll pack in stock, and when I asked him why that's all he had, he said " the majority of my customers are pro's and almost none of them shoot film, in fact it's becoming so expensive that even less of them are using it".
 
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benjiboy

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Oh, don't start this old pagan on photo stores lecturing me as to why I am "still using film". The local store near me has sold out to digital hook, line and sinker: nothing for analogue at all, nor will anything be ordered in if it is for film photography; chemicals on the shelf are out of date, boxes of Ilford film are dusty and dirty. Only the display cases are cleaned daily because, "nobody uses film anymore, only you!".

Photography stores unfortunately don't exist to further the interests of the art and science of photography, only to try and make a prifit for the owners, and to stock products that are perishable don't sell quickley and in any volume is finacial suicide.
 

revdocjim

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Well, in spite of all the horror stories I have been pleased to find some very good camera stores that still serve the needs of film photographers. I spent the last 6 months living in Colorado Springs; not exactly an "artsy" town to say the least. And yet there are two very good shops that carry a decent selection of film, are happy to take my film for development, and sell lots of darkroom supplies and chemicals. And then I recently visited a place in North Hollywood that was an absolute dream! I'm not mentioning names here because I don't want to be mistaken for someone trying to get cheap advertising. But the place in North Hollywood had a huge selection of chemicals, lots of film and a very nice photo exhibit on display. I left a nice chunk of money in their cash register but came home very happy! A couple years ago I also found two very nice stores that carry film and film cameras as well as chemicals in Houston! So far, pretty much everywhere I've looked in the U.S. I've found decent stores.

Normally I live in Tokyo and this place is just plain hard to beat. Every type of photography is fully covered here!
 

pgomena

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I belong to a photography group (it's not a club!) made up primarily of people who have been avid photographers, teacher, professionals, artists, etc., for many years. There are those with the latest, most expensive gear who love their gear, there are those that love the latest software, and there are those of us who continue to use cameras older than we are. Ego clashes are few because everyone learns from everyone else, and it became apparent to me long ago that one's ability to photograph has nothing to do with the gear in hand. That's not to say we don't tease each other about things, but it's good-natured.

Photographers with big egos are plenty abundant, though. I think it's often a protective mechanism. They've earned a big account or job, or landed a big gallery show, and they'll do anything to protect their client and status. If they have to constantly impress art directors and ad agencies, they'll do what it takes. There are just as many out there who are plain, friendly folks.
 

MattKing

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You think some photographers have over-large egos?

You should spend some time with lawyers!

Or dentists, or surgeons, or realtors, or carpenters, or plumbers, or fallers, or auto mechanics, or farm workers, or ......

In my experience, over-large egos are spread pretty evenly through the population.

And there is an equal distribution of quiet, relatively selfless people as well.
 

E. von Hoegh

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You think some photographers have over-large egos?

You should spend some time with lawyers!

Or dentists, or surgeons, or realtors, or carpenters, or plumbers, or fallers, or auto mechanics, or farm workers, or ......

In my experience, over-large egos are spread pretty evenly through the population.

And there is an equal distribution of quiet, relatively selfless people as well.

Agreed. They do tend to clump around certain professions and activities though.
 

Alan Gales

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Permit me to observe that ego is rampant amongst digital photographers who somehow think their cameras, doing all the thinking for them, are better than a photographer with 30 years' experience and knowing exactly how the image will turn out even if blindfolded. Maybe besides the point, but how does medium format relate to ego, prey tell? It might be a bit more prevalent amongst LF and ULF users. :whistling:

Not really. LF and ULF just gives you more ways to screw up. It can be very humbling actually. :D
 

dynachrome

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As soon as the weather gets warmer I will be out with a Bronica GS-1 with a 120 back, a 50/4.5 lens, a prism finder and a speed grip. I don't think it will be confused with a digital camera.
 

kintatsu

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I've found folks in my area that just love seeing the old film cameras. Even many of the digital shooters express interest. I got questioned by a Polizei, who looked into my camera and expressed some joy at having seen how photography used to be.

We also have the "I'm a pro photographer..." types with their fancy Nikons and so on who think film is so tacky. Many even ask is my cameras can shoot color. Really, you're a "pro," and you have to ask that? What makes them so funny is that they're often striving to copy every other "pro's" style and Facebook stuff, so you end up with the real pros profiting from the fauxs, and exposing their weaknesses almost every time.

As for me, I'm just happy to get out make my images, and even happier when they come out exactly as I'd envisioned. I enjoy the conversations my camera inspires and there are plenty of folks whose curiosity makes for some nice ones. The rest just get filed away with the paper backing.:smile:
 
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BrianShaw

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... Equipment shouldn't bring about camaraderie -style, technique and skill should.

IDK about that. I was shooting Little League Baseball last weekend with a Hasselblad. Nobody paid any attentionto me until all of the sudden one of the Umps walked over and asked, "So, you're shooting with a Hasselblad today, eh?". He also mentioned that "way back when" he worked as a wedding photographer's assistant and loaded plenty of Hasselblad magazines. Since then we've been good buddies... all because of some random gear talk. What's so wrong with that?
 

rorye

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When I'm out with a view camera and someone asks questions about it I always go out of my way to engage with them, even though sometimes I don't feel like it. If people are excited by what is different for them then I think that's pretty cool.
 
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