Photography Snobs




A bit of a rant, just because you know something doesn’t give you the right to put others down. Photography Snobs are something that really bothers me.

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27 responses to “Photography Snobs”

  1. Daniel this video made me true believer in you. When I first started my professional career I experienced this firsthand. Many years later I have become a teacher and mentor to many people. I get no greater joy than when I help someone, especially when I see the look in their eyes and they " see the light " pardon the pun. Looking forward to many more of your posts here and on your other platforms. Thanks again.

  2. A few years ago a friend of mine was showing her photos in a competition getting judged by an "expert" photographer who was using a projector to display the images on a wall. He told her in a loud, condesending voice, that her images weren't worthy of even being judged by him as they were covered in dust-spots, at which point someone got up and cleaned the judges projector and hey presto no more dust spots. He then turned to everyone and said his decision was final and refused to apologise to her, the jackass was most put-out at then being "politely" told he was no-longer needed to judge and should probably just leave….

  3. Man, you are awesome. I went through a "roasting" by a local photographer when I moved here to my area , just because I wasn't local or as experienced shooting models as he was. Hurts Daniel, makes you want to hide but I changed my attitude and kept moving forward and learning more, I constantly learn new things every day and help aspiring photographers.. I know I am not at my best but I try new things.

  4. I shoot with a Nikon 7000, (why is my problem 🙂 ) When someone says something about the way I take photos, remark on my settings or comment about my old camera I just ask then how old they are, then I tell them I started at the age of 15 with a 35mm camera that did not even have a battery, no built in light meter (remember the 'sunny 16 rule' ) and I am now 70 do the math and come back in a few years when you have forgotten as much as I have.

  5. Hey Daniel, I have to say that your video is sharp and tremendous to look at. The whole video is just a joy to watch. I promise the content is very relevant, particularly these days as there is a lot of this snobbery going on. In the old days (I am an old guy) you had better be prepared to back up your comments physically. Today everybody knows they can say anything and they do not have to back up their comments in that way. Unfortunately most (not all – some offer creative criticisms) of these people are cowards hiding behind a screen. The old maxim, if you can’t say something nice, then don’t say anything at all, should apply.

    Cheers

  6. I see more snobbery in people overstating what they did or what it took to get a photo than any direct or indirect claims of being better than another.
    Can't take credit for what the subject gives you.

  7. Thank you Daniel… I met you and sat with you at WPPI this past year, didn't know who you were at the time, but it was clear that you were very well regarded. Thank you for this video, I believe it's important to keep this message in the community. I'm a new and upcoming photographer, been at it for about 5 years and just in the last 2 years I'm really understanding light and working in the studio and on location with light. I've learned a lot and and have gotten exponentially better at my work, but there's SO much to learn and improve and to get better. My point in sharing that with you is that when I see something where I can help someone or make suggestions I always try and help. When I see comment's where others make fun of the work or talk down about the shot or whatever, it burns me up! We were ALL beginners at one point, we ALL had to learn and all that. I echo your purpose here…
    Just simply be nice and help others! Thanks again and hope to see you next year!

  8. Liked your video, Daniel. You have a good attitude, and that kind of encouragement is most welcome when you are starting out.
    Someone else on here mentions substituting "photography" with anything and you will find someone with the same holier-than-thou attitude towards you.
    When I was a beginner, my photos were so bad that I turned to PhotoShop to try and rescue something from them.
    In a strange way, that helped me to improve my camera skills.
    I also discovered that I loved PS every bit a s much as taking photos. That's when I started to encounter the anti PS brigade.
    "Oh, you're not a real photographer". "Real photographers do it all in camera", etc. etc. ad nauseum.
    It really does sting to face such egotistically driven criticism early on.
    Fortunately, I'm big enough and ugly enough to tell them where to go, in no uncertain terms. However, many are not.
    It's sad to think how many of those cameras you see for sale, are there as a result of some bloated ego putting off yet another beginner.
    Sean Tuckers video has already been mentioned here, with good reason. He, like you, is the kind of guy you would hope to have around when you first step out with your new camera and no clue.
    I have to say that over all, I have met far more nice, friendly and helpful people than I have the snobby arseholes. But the bad ones do tend to leave a stain, don't they?

  9. It's not just photography. You can take virtually any hobby and they are there. Looking down on anyone who doesn't
    have the latest expensive gear. It's one of the reasons I don't buy photography magazines.

  10. I just stumbled across your channel, and this was the first of your videos for me to absorb. I'm looking forward to the others.  

    When I was first starting out there were a couple of established, respected photographers that kind of took me under their wings and taught me to swim so I wouldn't sink. They never asked for anything in return. So the way that I repay them is by passing on their knowledge, which is now blended with mine.

  11. You’ve hit on an unfortunate aspect of photography, for some reason we’re just not very nice to each other. It happens in other pursuits of course, just seemingly more so in photography. Is it partially because we feel the need to establish ‘credibility’ in a very competitive industry by ‘calling out’ the competition? Or is it just because there are so many photographers that just like society itself you’re going to run into a few dickheads eventually? Posting about another photographer as you’ve described says far more about the poster than the subject doesn’t it. I was very lucky as an emerging photographer to have been encouraged and guided by a few pros who selflessly pulled me aside and gave me direction, and in a small way I try to do that myself, while also remaining open to receiving feedback as I continue to evolve. Anyway I love what you do. If we could rally a wave of encouragement and positivity throughout the photo community we could lift the industry to new heights I recon.

  12. I went over and looked at your works on IG and I noticed you do a lot of people portrait photos type works very cool .
    I myself do only wildlife photography.
    Your work it amazing BTW . Also sorry I'm unable to follow your page on IG
    The wifey wouldn't like it sorry but what great work ya do . This video is great as we all do different type of photography works/Art form . I like that you wanna help other folks out with learning etc …
    Very cool !!

  13. As many times I visited Adorama to shop and I catch you teaching all walks of life to my right when I enter. I always wanted to say thank you for helping others discover and cultivate their photography skills. The rant is needed in the photography community. Pros are still learning as well and it's not cool to belittle someone. Daniel, sorry for my rant; I just wanted to say thank you!!!

  14. Great point dude…I'm still shooting squarells on the bike path with a t6i and now getting out of auto…I give 0 f@#*$ what people say, and one day, it's gonna all worth it….thanks Daniel for your words of encouragement

  15. "King Photo Pit" types, I call them.
    This local photographer pranced around with a ton of fancy equipment and extra long lenses, and told us where to stand so we wouldn't get in his shots. But apparently concert photography wasn't his specialty because he didn't bring along lenses that would allow him to take closeup shots at stage level. He was forced to retreat to the venue's balcony from where he could only take long distance shots featuring the top of the performers' heads — which he proudly posted online! He was finally convinced that it would be in his best interests to take them down — which I consider unfortunate because I had enjoyed looking at them as a form of humility therapy LOL

  16. Another thing you mentioned about snotty photographers shaming other shooters. The example you mentioned could have actually been a photographer doing a tutorial video and showing diff ways of shooting and showing some "correct" and "incorrect" examples. Never look at someone and simply assume you know the entire picture. You have no idea what the person is trying to achieve. This really grinds me also. Such a sleazy thing to do. Just mind your own damn business.

  17. I have just gotten into the DSLR world as of the past few days. I have been shooting on 35 mm film since the seventies tho. I was looking for advice about what I should expect from the DSLR world and was asking for camera recommendations and what I got 85 percent of the time were snotty photographers flexing on me if say for example I didn't have the same accessory fetishes as they did or the same amount of kit and glass. They treated me how a vegan would after they found out you had a bacon double cheeseburger for lunch. I'm not even kidding.

    Ever hear that vegan joke? "How can you tell who a vegan is?" Answer, "Don't worry, they'll tell you." This joke can be applied to many photographers also, especially the younger generation.

    Nice way to welcome people to DSLR photography. Many can be so pretentious, and why?? Because they can use a camera and take pictures of good looking people and have fifty more lens filters and more hot shoe attachments than I do?? 😸 The best way to learn is to do it on your own. Good luck getting solid advice from some 22 year old that got his first DSLR two years ago that took him the full two years to figure out.

    Great video, Daniel. I subbed.

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