Tell me what you think,...( bit of a rant )

[faeriegodess612]

Ok,...a lot of rant,....being the group that we are, and that we all tend to seriously dislike the faux-tographers that are inundating the field with their un-knowledge of what they're doing, yet they're charging people.,...........tell me,.... was this so out of line? I tried to say this as politely as I could.

A new friend on Facebook liked a photography page and posted this:
"Go like this page! She does amazing work!! Remember When Photography"
https://www.facebook.com/media/album...33414646722861

So, I checked it out, and cringed. The comments that followed the post are as follows: ( I'm using last names only. Mine is Shipley )

Hughes: ♥ u

Shipley: Is this a friend?

Thurlow: Its a page <----This is the chick that posted the link to begin with.

Shipley: Well, I know that. Is it a friends page? I'm asking because I don't want to say anything that might offend someone. Let's just say if it is,..I would SERIOUSLY direct them here. Digital Photography Tips: Digital Photography School Because there's a lot they need to learn. And that isn't a "school" its a forum for beginners.

Shipley Don't take it personally, it's a pet peeve of mine. I've been a hobbyist photographer for quite a while now, and ,.........its just a serious pet peeve. We'll leave it at that.

Hendricks: lol well ok then.... thanks jennifer I liked her page

Kinne: I think the point your friend Amber missed is that photography is art..and art is subjective. We all see photos differently and have a different style.. I love, love, love taking photos but some may see mine as amateur work (which Im sure it is lol) but I love it and those Ive taken photos for have loved it.Just as Im sure Jen you chose this young lady for a reason and are sharing her page for a reason, you believe in what she does! Why are people so quick to be negative? Just makes me sad to see.. Not everyone has to love it but who are we to criticize it? I applaud her for one.. putting herself out there and for two.. helping create memories for military families. So thanks for sharing it Jen

Hendricks: ‎@alecia ive found many here are negative and am slowly learning that if they have a crappy day or crappy life or are miserable in any way the whole world should too... ive taken classes and graduated with a few degrees one being in photography and some yes its amateur work but you know what at least they putting them selves out their and learning as they go or calling people out as fauxtographer ... i dont know everything about it im still learning after 6 years but if it makes a person happy and people like the pictures then fine... get over yourself and stop criticizing people and if you feel youre so much better then offer them pointers.
( Wasn't this last part exactly what the posting of the link to DPS would have been? )

Hendricks: plus many greats dont have a degree in photography

Shipley: Wow,... judge a book by its cover much? First, the website is not a school, its a forum. I do believe I stated that. I learned a lot there, and it's free, it never hurts to learn more. I completely agree that many of the greats are self taught, and don't have a degree. You don't need one to be a great photographer. Yes, art is subjective, but there is a certain standard that is to be expected. The field of photography is SO inundated with what I call "mommy-tographers" that really have no idea what theyre doing. You ask them what aperture and shutter speed they used for a shot and they have no clue what your talking about. Having a big camera doesnt make you a photographer. This is due to the fact that entry level DSLR's are more budget friendly. Plus with digital, its much cheaper than film days, where the cost of just film and darkroom supplies or fees made it a professional occupation. I'm sorry, but I firmly believe that if your going to charge people for photos, you should at least know what your doing. Even people who do know what theyre doing don't have to charge a whole lot.

This chick is one example of an Army wife Mommmy-tographer who does know what shes doing, and doesnt charge out the ass for it either. https://www.facebook.com/angelabphotography

Mia Sweetie,..you don't know me. Don't label me and assume that even though I tried to say something politely, and not offend anyone, that it means that I hate my life or have this negative outlook on everything. Now,....I refuse to comment more on this subject, as I've said my piece and unlike you two it seems, I don't start drama.

Hendricks: how was it polite when the person who admins that page can read what you said why is it hard to support others and just keep your pet peeves to yourself? and sorry don't see where you get drama from but aren't you doing the same for simply commenting which is what we did and also aren't you labeling us "drama" when you don't know us that's my "peace"


I have not commented again, because as I said, I'm not playing into that. This is why FB is such a pain in the ass when all you want to do is be friends with the person that is on your list. Then you get these other bitches that try to start shit. I'm sorry that I don't treat everyone like the world is made up of puppies and rainbows. Was it so insensitive to suggest that they learn more? Or was it the way it was said? And so what if the person sees what I said. If they had posted that crap here, it wouldve been torn apart. They arent going to get anywhere by being a pansy ass, or learn anything if someone doesnt point them in the right direction.

Ok,..maybe responding to the comments directed towards me was starting a bit of something,....but I wasn't about to stand by and let someone take my words out of context like that. So, I stated it more clearly, and expressed my dislike of chicky labeling me to show that I didn't appreciate that, trying to be a civil adult here.

Also,..The chick that posted the link wasn't offended because she said that she believes that everyone has a right to their opinion. I'm down with that, notice how I didnt attack the first chick that responded, just the second that labeled me and somewhat attacked me. I don't take kindly to people giving me bullshit or attitude that I don't deserve. And if she has so many degrees and shit, why is her grammar and English not up to par?

Sorry for the length of post,..if you read all that, thanks for letting me rant for a min.

[praline3001]

As my great grandma said ..and my grandma..and my mom..and what I tell my own daughter when she gets into a tiff with her friends at school, "If you can't say something nice, keep your trap shut."

This has worked for 100s of years

[Peach]

I'm of the opinion that if someone wants to believe what they do is AWESOME!! and can convince other people that it's AWESOME!! and can make money off doing so - more power to them, regardless of whether I personally think it's crap.

Frankly, those that want a truly professional picture will know that they have to go a true-blue photographer to get it, and failing that, will know what they want and will be able to tell from looking at someone's portfolio whether that is someone they'd want to do business with.

There are likely people out there that want her type of "photography" and if that's what they want - who are we to tell them they're wrong? If I wanted nothing but black and white images, I would be pretty annoyed at someone telling me that black and white images aren't REAL photographs and that I should go for HDR photographs. See what I'm getting at?

It's up to the individual. I've had some pretty craptacular pictures on Facebook and relatives LOVE them, and then I get 0 comments from them on pictures I'm REALLY proud of. It's not what THEY consider to be photography or important in a picture.

My mom, personally, rolls her eyes at me when I start talking about photography because she doesn't think of pictures like I do. I'd love to use her as a model, but she's of the mind of "just take the damn picture!" My dad's a bit more sympathetic as he's a bit more artistic than my mom. My mom is the logical one and my dad is the artist (he loves to draw, he loves to play guitar, etc). My mom would look at the pictures in that link and think they're just fine, even if I explained their faults. My dad would say they're nice, but his tune would change when I explain their faults and he'd see what I meant.

It really is a matter of taste. If someone wants to pay for photographs like that, more power to them. It's not something I'd pay for, but then I have a different view on what photos should look like.

If I had been in your position, I would have simply said that they weren't my type of photos, but good on her for trying to make some money in these tough economic times. If questioned on why I didn't think they were my type of photos, I'd ellaborate then, but not first. The way you said about it being a "serious pet peeve" etc was, to me, a bit harsh and out of place. I would have simply said they aren't my type of pictures and left it at that.

[Bruce A]

I agree with Peach - you could have been more tactful. Me I would have stayed away from commenting at all. Everyone is different with different evaluation processes and ideas. You played the photography sheriff and you're not even a deputy. I think you made a wrongful arrest here FG.

[gturner]

Pick your battles....

[RLucas]

For me, there is a difference between not sugarcoating something, and forcing your opinion. In this instance, I believe it was the latter, and you came across like a troll. I know it's something you may feel strongly about, but there is a time and a place. If they ask, it's fair game. Even then you may or may not still get some of the same responses you got.

Directing them to further learning was a good call, but it still could have been done with a little more tact. Something like "Cool! I'm in to photography too! Check this site out! (link here). I'm a member, and there are some great references if you need some help."

Being opinionated is a good attribute, but forcing it comes across as snobby and this is why I am not surprised by some of the responses you received. Especially since the opinions weren't asked for to begin with.

I agree with gturner. Pick your battles.

[Biomech]

Should have been more abusive imho

I'm nice to people who aren't good when they listen to what is/has been said.
When people don't listen and act up, I'm more than happy to unleash the fury.

You know these people are morons who are aware that what they do is subpar simply by the way they instantly become aggressively defensive.

And I like how you only used last names.... and the first names where in the content lol

[RLucas]

Originally Posted by Biomech

Should have been more abusive imho

I'm nice to people who aren't good when they listen to what is/has been said.
When people don't listen and act up, I'm more than happy to unleash the fury.

You know these people are morons who are aware that what they do is subpar simply by the way they instantly become aggressively defensive.

And I like how you only used last names.... and the first names where in the content lol

Yeah, it's just too bad that out of all the people that were "aggressively defensive", none of them was the photographer in question.

[OsmosisStudios]

I prefer the passive-aggressive approach. I'd just post a link to my own page as a comment instead. No explanation, just post the link.

[CheaperKings]

Some of them pictures weren't even in focus. I'm sorry (not really) but, if you're going to be ssoooooo full of yourself that you're not even going to try to focus, you're probably going to get some pointers...