daninjc
Well-known
I found the blog lamer and sadder than the pictures it posts. call that accomplishment.
you are not a photographer
- Thread starter emraphoto
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mwoenv
Well-known
When 35mm came out, everyone thought they were a photographer. When digital came out, everyone thought they were a professional photographer.
mto'brien
Well-known
Bad photography by amateurs posing as professionals is no different than, say, gluing a bunch of macaroni to a piece of felt, covering it with glitter paint and declaring yourself a ' professional artist', it is nothing new. The same thing has been going on in the music world for ages as well. The good news is that for every 10,000 bozos with a camera, paintbrush, or guitar, one or two great practitioners emerge. The others eventually get sorted out with the chaff and give up.
Now as far as this website is concerned, an entire website could be devoted to making fun of how poorly their captions are written. Snarkiness is an art form in itself, and these are not very good at all. Pitiful, actually.
Now as far as this website is concerned, an entire website could be devoted to making fun of how poorly their captions are written. Snarkiness is an art form in itself, and these are not very good at all. Pitiful, actually.
taskoni
Well-known
+1
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wgerrard
Veteran
Strictly speaking, if you manage to sell a photo, I'm OK with calling you a professional photographer.
I'm bothered more, though, by the mean-spiritedness of this and other similar sites that basically exist to ridicule people while hiding under a cloak of anonymity, than I am by self-described pros selling crappy pictures.
The general public thinks taking great photos is simply a matter of pointing a camera and pushing a button because that's what they do, and they are generally satisfied with the results. They've heard something about "capturing a moment", and that leads them to think photography is *all* about pointing a camera at the right things at the right time.
Members of the general public also are much less exposed to quality work by real pros that we might think. They're not going to shows, or galleries, or anyplace else where they might see "good"" photos. Their tastes will reflect that. (If you want the public to see your work, hang it on the walls of a MacDonald's, not the local gallery.)
I'm bothered more, though, by the mean-spiritedness of this and other similar sites that basically exist to ridicule people while hiding under a cloak of anonymity, than I am by self-described pros selling crappy pictures.
The general public thinks taking great photos is simply a matter of pointing a camera and pushing a button because that's what they do, and they are generally satisfied with the results. They've heard something about "capturing a moment", and that leads them to think photography is *all* about pointing a camera at the right things at the right time.
Members of the general public also are much less exposed to quality work by real pros that we might think. They're not going to shows, or galleries, or anyplace else where they might see "good"" photos. Their tastes will reflect that. (If you want the public to see your work, hang it on the walls of a MacDonald's, not the local gallery.)
redisburning
Well-known
this site is way nicer than /p/ lol. dunno about reddit; frankly if I wanted 4chan without the anonymity I would go back to something awful.
at any rate, I think the site is mildly humorous.
I dont really do this kind of work (or anything professionally), but I could see my stuff on a site like this, so maybe I get a kick out of it. Not out of meanness or vindictiveness... ok maybe a little meanness.
Anyway the owner may not [have] any talent, that doesnt really make the point he has any less valid.
my 2c.
at any rate, I think the site is mildly humorous.
I dont really do this kind of work (or anything professionally), but I could see my stuff on a site like this, so maybe I get a kick out of it. Not out of meanness or vindictiveness... ok maybe a little meanness.
Anyway the owner may not [have] any talent, that doesnt really make the point he has any less valid.
my 2c.
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N
Nikon Bob
Guest
Aw well, everyone can be an art critic so what. If whoever buys this type of work is happy with it what can you say. If you think/know you are better than the examples given there are clients out there who will pay for it, you just have to find them. It is tough to find work in any form now and that might add to the urge to moonlight as a photographer to supplement your income. Sure is easier to pick wings off of a fly than to actually put the bitterness behind you and get on with the grunt. Waste of a blog.
Bob
Bob
Ken Smith
Why yes Ma'am - it folds
For those who know how to use a link - it's easy to find out who the website owner actually is - he names himself.
jwc57
Well-known
I haven't done anything like on the website, but I do think I went too far. I just hit the reset button....literally today. What threw me off was what is selling today...over-exposed, blown-out skies and wedding dresses, grass that isn't' a very appealing green. If your work doesn't look like that, many people think you don't have "creative vision".
I have finally decided to concentrate on film, especially B&W. I may be limiting the clientele, but I will raise prices and do what I want, till it pays for itself or I go broke.
And, with digital, I think part of the problem is over-shooting. It is too easy to fire away and then trying to justify all those images by manipulating them later in Photoshop. I love a vignette and I love soft-focus. I still have all my filters and attachments I used with film cameras, S2a and RB's....but with film it was a conscious decision made before hitting the shutter, not moving a slider back and forth...questioning the result like an eye doctor...."better or worse. How about now, better or worse".
I have finally decided to concentrate on film, especially B&W. I may be limiting the clientele, but I will raise prices and do what I want, till it pays for itself or I go broke.
And, with digital, I think part of the problem is over-shooting. It is too easy to fire away and then trying to justify all those images by manipulating them later in Photoshop. I love a vignette and I love soft-focus. I still have all my filters and attachments I used with film cameras, S2a and RB's....but with film it was a conscious decision made before hitting the shutter, not moving a slider back and forth...questioning the result like an eye doctor...."better or worse. How about now, better or worse".
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bob338
Well-known
Are these photos actually stolen from Facebook or other websites? If so, I am shocked that no one has pointed it out as theft. There are links to greeting cards with these images on them for sale.
Just because someone is a 'lesser' photographer doesn't mean they should be exploited by a weak-minded piss-ant.
Bob
Just because someone is a 'lesser' photographer doesn't mean they should be exploited by a weak-minded piss-ant.
Bob
redisburning
Well-known
they're protected under fair use as parody regardless of whether you, I, or anyone else likes it.
if anything, this guy is a fantastic troll since he's got such a number of people huffing and puffing over a bit of mean spirited humor.
bob338
Well-known
If it really is Fair Use I have nothing to complain about, although I think it's a little pathetic.
I still don't know who the person is, the only photographer I can think of that rhymes with 'leaks' is Chris Weeks.
emraphoto
Veteran
still can't figure out who this cat is? i suppose i am 'not a computer genius'
sigh
sigh
Field
Well-known
I think we really need people telling other people their work sucks. I am sick of way too much crap out there. SICK OF IT. If people want to take photos GOOD, but lets not pretend it is more than that. I however do not think we should discourage people from doing photography, not at all, but they need to understand that not everything they do is amazing. Keep at it, be serious, work your arse off, if you want to be worth beans; and sadly enough pure luck or be a tech geek, especially in the darkroom. The true trouble is most people can not tell the difference between dogs and gems in anything we experience these days, that could be considered finer.
I myself maybe only have one shot that I consider to be worth something, sellable. I have enough undeveloped rolls that maybe I got more, but only one truly good one that I would let go for less than thousands (and I am going to make a print for myself because I may never shoot a better photo).
The website sucks, but I am going to support the idea. He needs to make a website that is not a total crap fest to look at.
People that think wedding photography or any other job is simple because of photoshop are mentally challenged in the environment they live in. It takes forever to edit photos. If you have to do a lot of editing you could spend days... You screwed up. You should have taken better pictures. The turn of a few dials that take less than a second can save you hours, even days. Photoshop might be the ultimate in correction but it takes forever, even just changing contrast, if you have to open, convert, and save all shots with editing - instead of just batch converting.
I myself maybe only have one shot that I consider to be worth something, sellable. I have enough undeveloped rolls that maybe I got more, but only one truly good one that I would let go for less than thousands (and I am going to make a print for myself because I may never shoot a better photo).
The website sucks, but I am going to support the idea. He needs to make a website that is not a total crap fest to look at.
People that think wedding photography or any other job is simple because of photoshop are mentally challenged in the environment they live in. It takes forever to edit photos. If you have to do a lot of editing you could spend days... You screwed up. You should have taken better pictures. The turn of a few dials that take less than a second can save you hours, even days. Photoshop might be the ultimate in correction but it takes forever, even just changing contrast, if you have to open, convert, and save all shots with editing - instead of just batch converting.
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Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
I suppose the editor is Gilligan and the webmaster is The Skipper?
For those who know how to copy-and-paste, do show da booty (yar).
leicashot
Well-known
Funny how people are saying they found out the name of the site owner, but too scared to post it.
Gabriel M.A.
My Red Dot Glows For You
Agreed. (and) for the speed-readers: it's not the idea, it's his/her/their (to put in in same words) approach that "sucks".
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KM-25
Well-known
Show me how to do it and I will post it, I really don't give a crap about outing someone, especially if it IS Chris Weeks...
By the way, as nasty as his bashing people may seem, it is so true, despite the technology, web platforms for viewing images, etc, there is just TONS of garbage photography out there when one compares it to good imagery made not only now, but many decades ago.
And the worst part? The vicious circle of the "Great Capture" back patting clubs that stink up every online photo community out there, including this one with play nice comments that do nothing but run full tilt in the opposite direction of being something to learn from or being anything constructive.
Field is right, it is truly sickening...
But....the good news is that out in the real world, at the picture desks of great publications and ad agencies, well these people don't care what the "Great Capture" club says is a great photo, they know better and act accordingly.
I don't look at the photos on Flickr, Pbase or even here much, I am usually mostly disappointed that I took the time. I go to all the places I went before the digital junk show went on tour. I LIVE a different life behind the camera than many do, I talk to art directors, photo editors in person every day and we are all dumbfounded how bad the online photo communities are and amateurs just buy right into it all, the gear talk, the so called business models, etc. So I hang out into the wind and put it out there like no one else.
And above all else, I am utterly blown away by how good I feel and how well I shoot when I simply stay off of the Internet for more than 3 days.
In fact, I think I will do it again, like my avatar sig says...
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ssmc
Well-known
You know what's worse than the site itself?
I clicked on the "About" link, and the level of sheer, unadulterated anger / frustration / some weird sense of injustice / etc. laid bare in some of the posts borders on frightening. There are some profoundly bitter folks out there...
Scott
I clicked on the "About" link, and the level of sheer, unadulterated anger / frustration / some weird sense of injustice / etc. laid bare in some of the posts borders on frightening. There are some profoundly bitter folks out there...
Scott
leicashot
Well-known
Whoever this person is, they have NO RIGHT to attack innocent people and their work. People doing poor work is nothing new. It's been happening since the beginning of time. Only now, because of digital, its been multiplied.
If people are willing to pay peanuts out there, they will get monkeys. I know of many so called 'photographers' shooting for over 30 years and they're still bad. So newbies don't scare me, even though I know it is affecting the industry. Even last night as house photographer, i still had to deal with 4 other 'photographers' who had no idea what to do in a concert pit. But I did my job like a professional, without worrying about how they were affecting my life. They even got in my way, but I knew there was nothing I could do about it.
My experience or position in the industry gives me ZERO superiority over them. If they have a pass they are just as entitled as I am to be there, and I'm not going to pick out random innocent people to bash because I have trouble with my own insecurities. It's important that we all think about 3 key things:
1. Why is the author doing this? What is his motivation? - it could only be envy and insecurity.
2. What is to gain from taking such negative action? - happiness from putting others down.
3. What effect could it possibly have on the industry? - it won't put more money in his/her pocket. The uprising of professionals (think Terminator) will never happen.
.....because this is what it's all about- MONEY! If the photographer cared about the 'art' then he would not waste his time on such a pointless negative exercise. Instead he'd be smart and go spend time marketing himself, and improving his own skills. I take it, this person isn't HCB. Its sad that it has supporters, but this is a pretty screwed up world right now, and sad people will take any opportunity to jump on such a bandwagon of negativity and hatred.
> So I ask to those who support this site, ask yourself those 3 questions and see if you have answers that are of any positive substance.
The last I checked photography was not a competition based on negative judgmental behavior. This industry like any other is based on 'who know you' and more importantly, 'who knows you'. The best photographers will never be the most rewarded with work unless they are known. This kind of situation is universal, and the effects of this should NOT be taken out in a negative way on random amateurs trying to enjoy the passion we all love. Do those people who started photography with film believe they are superior than those starting with digital? If so, shame on them. Being born first in the film era doesn't make you better.
Lastly until there is hard proof its important to not name any names because we'll just be doing what the website is right now. The best thing we can do is stop talking about it, not share it with friends and let this pointless site disappear peacefully.
If people are willing to pay peanuts out there, they will get monkeys. I know of many so called 'photographers' shooting for over 30 years and they're still bad. So newbies don't scare me, even though I know it is affecting the industry. Even last night as house photographer, i still had to deal with 4 other 'photographers' who had no idea what to do in a concert pit. But I did my job like a professional, without worrying about how they were affecting my life. They even got in my way, but I knew there was nothing I could do about it.
My experience or position in the industry gives me ZERO superiority over them. If they have a pass they are just as entitled as I am to be there, and I'm not going to pick out random innocent people to bash because I have trouble with my own insecurities. It's important that we all think about 3 key things:
1. Why is the author doing this? What is his motivation? - it could only be envy and insecurity.
2. What is to gain from taking such negative action? - happiness from putting others down.
3. What effect could it possibly have on the industry? - it won't put more money in his/her pocket. The uprising of professionals (think Terminator) will never happen.
.....because this is what it's all about- MONEY! If the photographer cared about the 'art' then he would not waste his time on such a pointless negative exercise. Instead he'd be smart and go spend time marketing himself, and improving his own skills. I take it, this person isn't HCB. Its sad that it has supporters, but this is a pretty screwed up world right now, and sad people will take any opportunity to jump on such a bandwagon of negativity and hatred.
> So I ask to those who support this site, ask yourself those 3 questions and see if you have answers that are of any positive substance.
The last I checked photography was not a competition based on negative judgmental behavior. This industry like any other is based on 'who know you' and more importantly, 'who knows you'. The best photographers will never be the most rewarded with work unless they are known. This kind of situation is universal, and the effects of this should NOT be taken out in a negative way on random amateurs trying to enjoy the passion we all love. Do those people who started photography with film believe they are superior than those starting with digital? If so, shame on them. Being born first in the film era doesn't make you better.
Lastly until there is hard proof its important to not name any names because we'll just be doing what the website is right now. The best thing we can do is stop talking about it, not share it with friends and let this pointless site disappear peacefully.
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