A total putdown...of me!!!!

dave lackey said:
Akiva,

Do you have a business card on you that you can present when offering services?
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yes, I do but I was too hurt like a little whiny baby to think of it. Oh the dirty little ego. Of course over the years I have endured comments on using an RF and on using film. I always chide myself on having great comebacks and quips. But this stinking fish guy just snuck through my armor and defense mechanisms and got the lucky sucker punch: I was speechless. Of course now its funny and the ending, meeting the one arm photographer just made for a great story. now it is actually funny all the way around.😀
 
i'm one of those photographers that dont look a day older than 18 (turned 18 two weeks ago actually), and sometimes I wonder what people think of me when they see me. It's a wonder how far the proper outfit and a DSLR can go. When I shoot my events, I try to look as formal/proper as possible (usually dress shirt/pants, vest or blazer), and carry two cameras on me (one tele, 80-200/2.8, one wide/normal, 10-20mm or 35mm, mind you i shoot on a crop sensor 'cause i'm poor)... and people seem to think i'm actually a professional, based on my gear and dress. A little gear can go far.

The problem is the misconception that every kid with a DSLR knows how to use it. I often see kids (and some adults too, most of the time they're old asian dads, it seems like every asian dad thinks he's a photographer) getting paid to shoot events that don't seem to know what they're doing. The photos I see from them tend to suck. I don't think I'm amazing or anything, but I'm not horrible, and most of the times I'd like to think I'm better than the paid shooter. These kids get hired because their Canon Rebel and kit lens are better than the host's point and shoot, not because they're good.

The sad truth is that everyone wants to be, and everyone is a photographer nowadays. Even punk 18 year olds like me :] It's easy to be a photographer when all you have to do is look like one!
 
I've been put down twice for using film.

First- "Still using film, huh. I have 3 SLR's, don't use them. I use this (holds up point and shoot Digital)." I held up the N8008s and proclaimed "THIS camera USED to be Digital! I converted it to use film." He took a picture of the kids at school, showed them the little image on the LCD. I shot off a few Polaroids with the SLR680 and gave his 5 year old daughter one of them. "Can't compete with that".

Second time, just told the guy- "One EMP, it's all over for your Digital"
 
A professional? Isn't that the guy with the biggest DSLR or two or three with the biggest, longest lenses on them?

Akiva, your post made me laugh quite hard.
 
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Don't even start with the EMP thing. I once jokingly suggested the same in a thread on this forum and there was some wild, wild speculation over many pages that followed.

I love my Canon s90, and I think it's just as good (if not better) than a new rebel with its kit lens. I may not look like a "PHOTOGRAPHER" while I use it, but I definitely enjoy photography when I use it. I do have a 40d, though and some other Canon lenses that may come into use if I choose to supplement my income with more conventional photography.

Then there's my Leica... when I use it I try to think of myself as an artist rather than a photographer. Gotta put that degree to use somehow.
 
PatrickCheung said:
These kids get hired because their Canon Rebel and kit lens are better than the host's point and shoot, not because they're good.
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How do you know that? I personally know a few very good young photographers shooting with Rebels or not. Everyone can take a good picture, believe me, at least good enough for that kind of assignment.
Regards,
b.
 
In defense of the guy at the beginning of the thread who equates professional with a big hunky DSLR, I think we have to face some facts (although it might be difficult for some of us):
- virtually all professionals work with big hunky DSLRs.
- hardly any professional works with a rangefinder.
- hardly any rangefinder users are full-time professionals (I can hear the groans about this already)
- the NEX in no way looks professional or is meant for professionals (just look at the menus), albeit it makes good pictures
- film photography is no longer an option for a commercial photographer

Sorry, but somebody had to say it.
 
"film photography is no longer an option for a commercial photographer"

Someone better tell Jose Villa, Riccis Valladares and Rodney Lough Jr this 🙂
 
I've had that happened. I was photographing some event for this paper I worked for at the time. Some politician was showing up and giving an award and they wanted coverage. I was using the M8 at the time and some guy stopped me and asked me to take his picture. So I did. Then the official event photographer walked over with his Nikon D3 and the guy says to him, "That's a real camera, you take my picture."

No one takes a Leica seriously. Sometimes it's nice, other times it kinda sucks.
 
kshapero said:
yes, I do but I was too hurt like a little whiny baby to think of it. Oh the dirty little ego. Of course over the years I have endured comments on using an RF and on using film. I always chide myself on having great comebacks and quips. But this stinking fish guy just snuck through my armor and defense mechanisms and got the lucky sucker punch: I was speechless. Of course now its funny and the ending, meeting the one arm photographer just made for a great story. now it is actually funny all the way around.😀
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You're one funny dude. 😛
 
I'm still intrigued by the one armed photographer ... left arm at that which makes it even more mind boggling IMO.
 
Keith said:
I'm still intrigued by the one armed photographer ... left arm at that which makes it even more mind boggling IMO.
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Keith, I actually asked her if I could stare at her. It was unbeleivable that with her left hand she did everything we do with two and it is her livelihood. I was blown away. Now that I think about it, it was worth getting my ego busted just to meet her.
 
Perception is reality -- very true.

These tiny cameras looks like amateur cameras, while an SLR makes you look like a pro. It's the same reason that people freak out when you pull out an SLR but pretty much ignore you, if you have a point and shoot.

Sure makes a great story about the time that you got snubbed in favor of a 16-year-old kid and then a one-armed photographer. Ouch! That must have hurt.
 
Peter Wijninga said:
Reading this thread...the one arm issue stands out...not so much the dinky toy design of the NEX...
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I hate to seem voyeuristic but a shot of that photographer doing her thing wouldn't have gone astray Akiva!

I think you missed a very decisive moment there! 😛
 
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