The hood - It seems to be as much a personal preference as it is a matter of being beneficial (or not) toward the creation of images. Also the belief that a hood makes a damn fine protective device against dings and dangs and things that go bump in the dark. It’s all debatable, yes, no, maybe so!"
I can no agree with looking at this as a personal choice that is debatable, but more of a choice about making the best images possible.
Professionals go to a lot of trouble to set up images, product or people, etc, and part of building a 'set' for photography, includes shielding the camera lens from glare, lights or other unwanted lighting effects.
Whether indoor or out doors, it ALL matters when it comes to getting the shot(s), with a single hood or a stand or two, with black cards, or simply because the experienced ad director and client are on the set and want to see all the tools, trick and 'secrets' of a professional photographer in play, so they feel better about the expense of a shoot, it does no matter.
No using a hood can be very expensive, taking more time, film, and patience, from your efforts and from the director and client, and any models whom are required, away from you, and don't think for a moment a single, badly executed shoot will no get talked about by the director, client, models and some assistants, including the clothing stylist, the make-up artist, the hair stylist, etc, the moment they walk out the door for a lunch or dinner break.
The choice to ignore shielding your lens from glare, etc, and the bad shoot that takes hours longer than was budgeted for, can kill your future business, no only from the ad director/client/modeling agency and models that want Professional Photographed done for their books, as well as more experience in front of a 'real' photographer, made wary by the word of mouth, how horribly you handled your job.
Now, I know lots of folks here do no want to be professionals, but I have a difficult time believing, that the majority of those that fall into that particular pigeon hole, do no want their photographs to be of professional quality.
I have never know of a photographer who looks at the work of other photographers, online, in books and the monthly mags, they spend a lot of money on, year after year, for the mediocre shots, no, the outstanding work of highly skilled Amateur and Professionals, all of whom learning from those that went before and those that work in the same areas they are interested, and are in competition for the same limited contracts, the freelance assignment of their dreams or even just the 'Photo of the Week, Month, Year, etc" of their favorite website, magazine, or local photo club.
Taken images are indeed easy to make on the run and gun chase for a decent photo, however, unless there is a really good reason that a hood, or filter interferes with a shot, no using them is just an excuse for the everyday slacker whom do no really Care how their images turn out, and gripe about how they never seem to get the outstanding photograph they went after. no matter how many rolls they buy and shoot.
IMO.
