'gear heads are empty heads'

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Hector Negron said:
Every post you make on online forums reduces the value of your future income as a paid provider of either opinions or technical knowledge.
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Nah, that's not true--Roger's comments here expose his style and opinions to a wide variety of people, who, if they like him, will seek out his paid writing, too. That was my experience anyway.

I agree that Joe misinterpreted Roger's statement.
 
How much would you pay to read a column by Roger online?

$10 per week? $1 per week? Fifty Cents? Nothing?

Are you a paid subscriber to ANY website?

When was the last time you bought a copy of the magazine in which his columns appear?

How much do you think he gets paid per column? Not a significant percentage of the gross receipts of the magazine, I can guarantee you.

If he left the magazine, do you think the circulation would drop?

mabelsound said:
Nah, that's not true--Roger's comments here expose his style and opinions to a wide variety of people, who, if they like him, will seek out his paid writing, too. That was my experience anyway.

I agree that Joe misinterpreted Roger's statement.
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When the hobby IS camera gear, it's fascinating and illuminating.

When the hobby is camera gear but the PRETENSION is "being a photographer", that's the disconnect. That's the self-delusion.

You can be a gearhead who says "gosh I took a good photo". That's interesting. If you say "I'm an artist", that's a laugh.
 
back alley said:
'gear heads are empty heads'

this is a quote from roger hicks, the man who makes his living reviewing gear.

now we know what he really thinks of his readers.
thanks for the insight roger.

joe
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Maybe the original poster is referring to something other than this quotation: "In other words, the vast majority of those who don't believe in pride of ownership, or pleasure of use, or just long and happy familiarity, AREN'T actually photographers. They're gear-heads, and empty-heads at that."

If he is referring to this quotation, then I'm surprised that he's presenting something as a quotation that really isn't. I would hate it if someone misrepresented my words.

Rob
 
Hector Negron said:
When the hobby IS camera gear, it's fascinating and illuminating.

When the hobby is camera gear but the PRETENSION is "being a photographer", that's the disconnect. That's the self-delusion.

You can be a gearhead who says "gosh I took a good photo". That's interesting. If you say "I'm an artist", that's a laugh.
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Because as we all know, a person can only be one thing.
 
I like the pictures that I take with my vintage gear. And I like that I can take it apart and make it work like it should. And hack some vintage equipment to work in a new way, like an uncoated Sonnar set in a Leica mount.

I don't want to be an artist, I am an engineer with photography as a hobby.

Don't know if it is art, but I can engineer a good image.

picture.php
 
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bmattock said:
I would instead say that there is nothing mandating that a collector cannot also be an artist, or an artist a collector. It's not that difficult of a concept to follow.
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There's also nothing mandating that someone who likes to tinker around with old cars can't be a race driver, but if you start imagining yourself as a race driver just because you have this hobby tinkering with cars, there's a delusion going on, and I think that this is fairly frequent.

I always wonder why people take offense at seeing themselves as collectors and insist that they also take pictures, that gearheads aren't empty heads, that nothing precludes them from being artists as well etc., as if the hobby was somehow illegitimate. The observation that someone probably struck a nerve here was spot on.
 
if i was a moderator (thank god i'm not) i would be hitting the closed button right about NOW


(ACTUALLY PAGE 2 IS TURNING OUT QUITE CIVIL AND INTERESTING SO STRIKE THAT)
 
rxmd said:
There's also nothing mandating that someone who likes to tinker around with old cars can't be a race driver, but if you start imagining yourself as a race driver just because you have this hobby tinkering with cars, there's a delusion going on, and I think that this is fairly frequent.
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I actually have not seen much of that, if any. There appears to be quite a continuum here, from people who just collect to people who just take photographs, and every spot along that line.

And with a forum named for a particular type of kit, it is hard to imagine it being otherwise. This isn't called the 'rangefinder photography forum'.

I always wonder why people take offense at seeing themselves as collectors and insist that they also take pictures, that gearheads aren't empty heads, that nothing precludes them from being artists as well etc., as if the hobby was somehow illegitimate. The observation that someone probably struck a nerve here was spot on.
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I would venture to say that it is because they do see themselves as photographers as well as collectors, and they object to other people telling them what they are permitted to be.
 
There is a limit to what one can debate with an obsessive.

You will post anything and say anything so you "can beat them" and try to force them to pay attention to you.

Compensate for your real life. Listen to your inner voice.
 
bmattock said:
I would venture to say that it is because they do see themselves as photographers as well as collectors, and they object to other people telling them what they are permitted to be.
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But in this particular case, for example, nobody was being told what they permitted to be, and there was what seems to be a knee-jerk reaction nevertheless.
 
Man! Multiple Hand Grenades this morning!

Beautiful day outside, and flu everywhere.

Nikki has a "mild case". More like severe cold that is hanging on.

Just think how cranky an 11 year old is that has been stuck inside for a week.

Almost as Cranky as RFF is this morning.
 
FrankS said:
(And it is not a sin to be wherever one is on this continuum. That idea is just silly, IMO.)
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Well, I don't know about it being silly. I confessed my pride-of-ownership in my cameras. Father Bouquet told me that I need to give it all away as penance. Who wants it... first phone call gets it all! No emails or PMs please.
 
Hector Negron said:
There is a limit to what one can debate with an obsessive.
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Says the man who knows rhyme and verse about my life, but only because he 'has a good memory'. Obsess much? You follow me around and post anonymously and you're NOT obsessed with me? Good lord, man, I'm surprised I don't see your face in the bowl when I pinch a loaf.

You will post anything and say anything so you "can beat them" and try to force them to pay attention to you.
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Have you read any of your own posts?

Compensate for your real life. Listen to your inner voice.
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I really shouldn't. My inner voice is too busy laughing at you for me to type.
 
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