Would you be bothered by this?

[unixrevolution]

I recently shot a bunch of 120 and my first batch of 4x5. A photography instructor here at the college where I work reccomended his place of business as a developer.

During my time in a class he instructed on portrait lighting, I was surprised by his very anti-film sort of attitude, with the doom-and-gloom projection that film was going to die in a week or so. Nevertheless, he was a good instructor and had a good business with reasonable prices and better turnaround than I could manage elsewhere.

So I went, film in hand, to the photo place he ran, and met his assistant, Dave. The following snippets of conversation were with him.

Me: "Could I the box back, for future development jobs, since I'm just getting into 4x5."
Dave: "Just getting into 4x5? Is that like just getting into edison records?"

Me: "I need those spools back, please. They're all 620."
Dave: "Oh, six twenty metal spools? Those are hard to find!"
Me: "Yeah...the reason I have so many is I went taking pictures at Antietam Battlefield..." (I was going to continue, "With a Medalist, that takes six-20...")
Dave: "And THATS where you found the spools?"

I don't mind good natured ribbing, but Dave didn't know me from Adam, and I could have very well been very upset at his poking fun at my chosen medium. Teasing and joking with customers is great, if you know them first.

I wouldn't for example, work at a car dealership and tease a total stranger for not owning a Ford.

Later on, Dave said their film business was declining. My only thought was that with his attitude, I wasn't terribly surprised.

Am I in the wrong for thinking this is unprofessional?

 

[Sparrow]

I wouldn't worry, it was the Delphic Oracle who first said film was dead ...

 

[charjohncarter]

Maybe that is why when you are call a company they say, 'This call maybe recorded for quality purposes.'

Still, it sounds like the prof. needs a new assistant.

 

[unixrevolution]

Maybe that is why when you are call a company they say, 'This call maybe recorded for quality purposes.'

Still, it sounds like the prof. needs a new assistant.

Unfortunately, Dave co-owns the place.

 

[mwooten]

It's nothing to get upset about.

 

[Michael Markey]

I get this all the time at my local camera club.
Don`t know which is worse the initial sarcasm or when they start to try and understand you as if you were in need of counselling.
Should it bother you ?
It depends on how long a fuse you have .
Mine ran out.

 

[jsrockit]

Nothing wrong with a bit of sarcasm. I'd just give it back to him... don't be too sensitive, it's no fun.

 

[jesse1dog]

In some ways I think he could have been treating you at least as an equal - at 28 you have years of experience in taking pictures as far as the assistant is concerned. To be using 620 takes you out of the usual snap-shooter group for a start - you are obviously a snap above them. Take it as a compliment that you aren't being treated as 'one of the crowd'.

jesse

 

[Ranchu]

The reason people are so repetitive about it is because they're defensive. Dave thinks your medium might be better than his. Your using film implys that you think so, so Dave gets defensive. Plus, if they're thinking about quitting film, your money makes the decision harder. The world would be a much better place if everyone would simply do as they suggest. I don't get mad when people play that on me, I sigh and sadly shake my head. tsk tsk.

 

[Disaster_Area]

It's funny, alot of the time when I show some of my film shot images without saying they're such, I get comments like "oooh, great black and white conversion" or "love the way you gave it the film grain look in post"... but when I say I shoot film I get "really? why the hell would you do that?"

 

[hipsterdufus]

I try to remember the words of Albert Einstein before I get offended by other people: “Two things are infinite: the universe and human stupidity; and I'm not sure about the the universe.”

 

[unixrevolution]

I'm not personally offended, but I just thought he was a tad out of line. Some people that I've talked to offline have said so, so I was just curious what the seasoned film people thought.

I know if I was an old veteran of the film age in this digital world, I'd think anybody under the age of 50 bringing in 4x5 sheets was cooler than a genetic fusion of Arthur Fonzerelli and all four of the Rolling Stones.

 

[Michael Markey]

Ranchu is prob correct but after three years I began to find it tiresome .
I can`t say it offended me that would be ridiculous but I got to find it boring.

 

[thegman]

Depends on tone really, there is good natured ribbing, and then there is mockery, if it's just a bit of a laugh, then no problem.

 

[Dr Gaspar]

Depends on my mood actually.
Most of the time, I wouldn't say anything and just smile. If I had a bad day, I'd probably get upset.

 

[PaulW128]

Erik;

I can understand you being a bit upset but his remark about where you found the spools was actually pretty funny. I think I would've let it slide based on his response

Best
Paul

 

[j j]

was cooler than a genetic fusion of Arthur Fonzerelli and all four of the Rolling Stones.

True so long as you include Brian and exclude Bill.

 

[dogberryjr]

Erik;

I can understand you being a bit upset but his remark about where you found the spools was actually pretty funny.

This. Life's too short to get pissed at every perceived slight. Roll with it, ignore it or give it back.

 

[t.s.k.]

Well at least he's seen sheet film and knows about keeping 620 spools.
Yes, he could have been a bit more empathetic but there are many more who are less than clueless.

 

[shadowfox]

First they mock you,
Then it bothers them,
Then they become curious,
Then they start to think about it.

Keep sending them your film business, you may yet to convert a poor soul 🙂