Myopic Corner: Signs That You're a Hipster Photographer

[Gabriel M.A.]

According to this post on B&H Photo's BHInsights.com, "here's a list of some of their most common characteristics":

- They Shoot with Lomography, Holga, or a Vintage Film Camera

- They consider Hipstamatic and Digital to be Sacrilegious (most of them)

- They Only Shoot with Natural Light

- Extreme Cross-Processing and Vignetting in Their Photos

- The "Look at Me!" Factor


So, conversely --evidently--, in order to avoid being a "Hipster Photographer", you should get with the program and:

- Shoot with the latest digital camera

- Embrace Hipstamatic and Digital as Holy

- Use a flash at all times

- Do only slight cross-processing and vignetting in your photos

- Never, ever, do an autoportrait.

🙄


OTOH, I wonder if he's taking the "Family Guy Approach" and just saying things that are "out there" to see if anybody is paying attention?

My reaction is: Why is the gear more important than the Photography? Photography without its tools cannot be conceived, of course. But... Why must one ridicule that which one doesn't understand or won't do?

 

[excellent]

Whatever! Those hipsters love Lomography and they have a store here in Toronto with great film stocks for very fair prices. I'm all for it.

 

[jan normandale]

mon Dieu monsieur Aguirre, etes vous un agent provocateur?

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

mon Dieu monsieur Aguirre, etes vous un agent provacateur?

No no no: I'm sure this "article" stereotype fits hardly anybody on this forum, and that is my point. For all of the pointless Digital vs. Film debates, this takes it even further.

To me, this is also a warning of what not to become. I say: whatever floats your boat. While others say: boats are silly. :shurg:

 

[pvdhaar]

..most common characteristics:
- They Shoot with Lomography, Holga, or a Vintage Film Camera
- They consider Hipstamatic and Digital to be Sacrilegious (most of them)
- They Only Shoot with Natural Light
- Extreme Cross-Processing and Vignetting in Their Photos
- The "Look at Me!" Factor

Sounds like the average RFF-er to me:

- Most forums on RFF are about film cameras that are older than your dad..
- Count the number of film isn't dead threads, or those lamenting the demise of Kodachrome..
- Most Leicas don't even have a hot shoe.. and if they have, they won't even sync at any decent speed..
- Have you never wondered why Cosina created a 40mm SC (as in single coated) along with the standard 40mm?
- Check how many people chime in on the 'black vs. chrome' polls..

😛

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Sounds like the average RFF-er to me:

- Most forums on RFF are about film cameras that are older than your dad..
- Count the number of film isn't dead threads, or those lamenting the demise of Kodachrome..
- Most Leicas don't even have a hot shoe.. and if they have, they won't even sync at any decent speed..
- Have you never wondered why Cosina created a 40mm SC (as in single coated) along with the standard 40mm?
- Check how many people chime in on the 'black vs. chrome' polls..

😛

Well right, but I would not characterize all of them as "hipsters" in one broad stroke. Actually, I don't think that the pejorative applies to anybody here, or hardly anybody, much less the way it's being used in that article.

And a note to those who power-read: that quote above is me quoting the article in the link.

 

[jsrockit]

I just think it is silly to hate on anyone that is making photos because of the tool they use and the way they look. Each one of those "rules" is a photographic choice except the look at me factor. As long as people are photographing (regardless of talent) and not just being a poser (i.e. not making any photos while using the camera as a necklace)), I say grow the F up and let people do their own thing. Sounds like high school click BS to me.

 

[FPjohn]

http://souciant.com/2011/05/to-die-for/

Low-fi and fine art. There is not the faintest bit of hipster in the essay.

yours
FPJ

 

[varjag]

I think they got it wrong. There is a reason why Hipstamatic has "hipsta" in the name!

 

[MC JC86]

I just think it is silly to hate on anyone that is making photos because of the tool they use and the way they look. Each one of those "rules" is a photographic choice except the look at me factor. As long as people are photographing (regardless of talent) and not just being a poser (i.e. not making any photos while using the camera as a necklace)), I say grow the F up and let people do their own thing. Sounds like high school click BS to me.

It's awesome that you understand this and think in this way. It's a shame more people do not.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

Okay. so I just Googled Hipster.

They like to wear clothes that look like they were bought in a thrift store.

The thrift store would reject my clothes as being too old and I bought my Leica III and Leica IIIa in that thrift store for $15 each.

Mom's Memories on Route 1, Woodbridge, VA. They can use the business.

 

[Sonnar Brian]

almost forgot on the Leica's.

One was Black and the other was Chrome. The chrome one had a Nickel Summar, so it evened out.

 

[shadowfox]

Sounds like the average RFF-er to me:

- Most forums on RFF are about film cameras that are older than your dad..
- Count the number of film isn't dead threads, or those lamenting the demise of Kodachrome..
- Most Leicas don't even have a hot shoe.. and if they have, they won't even sync at any decent speed..
- Have you never wondered why Cosina created a 40mm SC (as in single coated) along with the standard 40mm?
- Check how many people chime in on the 'black vs. chrome' polls..

😛

And...??

If appreciating old film cameras is now called "hipster," then that's a new label that is put on me. Should I change because of that?

Labels peel off after a while. I'm going to continue liking what I like. 🙂

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

And...??

If appreciating old film cameras is now called "hipster," then that's a new label that is put on me. Should I change because of that?

Labels peel off after a while. I'm going to continue liking what I like. 🙂

Labels are easy; that's why they're dispensed freely.

I did try to use my Sarcasm Scanner on that article, an nothing. If the "writer" did it in jest, he needs to get a sarcasm/tongue-in-cheek tune-up. Improperly calibrated, it's easily mistaken for BS. Tolerances are strict in the Intertoobes Age.