Top ten annoying things to say to wildlife photographer
Posted on 06. Mar, 2009 by Paul Burwell in Everything, Top Ten Lists
The other day I started to think about things people have innocently said to me about my photography that have annoyed me. Now, I know that most of the comments were meant without any malice and were well intentioned. I get that. But, that doesn’t stop them from bothering the heck out of me. I’ve taken the liberty of compiling the top offending comments into a top ten list, presented in the traditional descending order for your reading pleasure. I also decided to annotate each of the comments with my own thoughts which would not normally remain safely ensconced in my brain.
10. Will you photograph my wedding?
|
9. Why can’t I get pictures like that with my cell phone?
|
8. Digital is okay I guess, but it’s too bad it doesn’t have the quality of film
|
7. That picture would be amazing as a painting.
|
6. That image looks like it could stand a bit more sharpening.
|
5. Did you Photoshop® that?
|
4. You were so lucky to be in the right place at the right time.
|
3. How many megapixels is your camera?
|
2. That’s a really great snapshot.
|
1. Wow, you must have a really nice camera!
|
If you’ve ever been in a situation where you heard some innocent comment or question about your photography that just bugged the heck out of you, I’d love to hear them.
![[del.icio.us]](http://www.wildshots.ca/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/delicious.png)
![[Digg]](http://www.wildshots.ca/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/digg.png)
![[Facebook]](http://www.wildshots.ca/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/facebook.png)
![[Friendsite]](http://www.wildshots.ca/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/friendsite.png)
![[Google]](http://www.wildshots.ca/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/google.png)
![[Sphinn]](http://www.wildshots.ca/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/sphinn.png)
![[StumbleUpon]](http://www.wildshots.ca/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/stumbleupon.png)
![[Technorati]](http://www.wildshots.ca/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/technorati.png)
![[Twitter]](http://www.wildshots.ca/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/twitter.png)
![[Email]](http://www.wildshots.ca/wp-content/plugins/bookmarkify/email.png)
179 Responses to “Top ten annoying things to say to wildlife photographer”
Trackbacks/Pingbacks
-
-
March 6, 2009
[...] Source and Read More: paulburwell.com [...]
-
-
March 20, 2009
[...] Paul Burwell has Top Ten Annoying Things to Say to a Wildlife Photographer. [...]
-
-
April 9, 2009
[...] a good laugh? Check out the top10 annoying things to say to a nature photographer. DON’T MISS THE NEXT ARTICLE: RSS Feed | Email [...]
-
-
July 6, 2009
[...] to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.Powered by WP Greet BoxNeat article here: Top ten annoying things to say to wildlife photographer, I’ve been lucky so far ! I’ve heard my share of such comments but heck what do I know? [...]
-
-
July 18, 2009
[...] a fun one: the Top Ten Annoying things to Say to a Wildlife Photographer. I’ve heard a few of [...]
-
-
July 18, 2009
[...] Top ten annoying things to say to wildlife photographer by jesse ~ Juli 18th, 2009. Filed under: Photographie. “The other day I started to think about things people have innocently said to me about my phot… [...]
-
-
August 20, 2009
[...] Top ten annoying things to say to wildlife photographer Pretty funny list. Not sure about the accuracy of some of the points (i.e. film vs digital), but still a fun read. (tags: list wildlife funny humor) [...]
-
-
August 30, 2009
[...] Top ten annoying things to say to wildlife photographer | WildShots http://www.paulburwell.com/blog/2009/03/top-ten-annoying-things-to-say-to-wildlife-photographer – view page – cached The other day I started to think about things people have innocently said to me about my photography that have annoyed me. Now, I know that most of the comments were meant without any malice and were well intentioned. I get that. But, that doesn't stop them from bothering the heck out of me. So, I've compiled them into a top ten list, presented in traditional descending order… 200903 — From the page [...]
-
-
November 16, 2009
[...] Blog or web site: Ten thing not to say to a wildlife photographer Click here [...]
-
-
May 22, 2010
[...] Paul Burwell [...]
-
-
June 30, 2010
[...] I thought I'd do something a little different today. Instead of new pictures, how-to's or tips, I wanted to post something I thought might be funny and/or entertaining for all you photographers out there. This is the Top 10 Annoying Things to Say to a Landscape Photographer. I cannot take credit for this idea as it was inspired by a post I saw at another great photography blog by Paul Burwell (check it out here). [...]
Leave a Reply
Lydia Raven
24. Jul, 2009
i absolutly HATE it when people think they’re doing some great pose and are all take a picture of this it will be awesome! or when they constantly bother you to take pictures of them >.>
Or when you wait and wait and wait for the perfect shot of something and then inconsiderate people just walk right through your perfect picture >.> most annoying!
Michal
14. Jan, 2010
Well the last one is really bad but it’s unforgivable when your friend does it when you explicitly told him what you are going to do and that he shouldn’t go here…. still it’s better than when i was playing golf… I took my brother with me (he wasn’t playing he was just making photos of me playing)… i was in the back swing to tee off when he just walked in front of… just like nothing happened… and when i started shouting at him that i could have killed him he got pissed off and walked away…
Ben
01. Mar, 2011
During our southwest photo tour, I had a deer standing on a mound of dirt surrounded by a great scene of vegetation in front of an arch in Arches National Park, waiting for the right moment that when the deer made a personally connection to the photograph, then blam, a tourist walks in the picture, shooting slide film then… It just chapped my hide so much I yelled out ” Hey Tourist, get out of my picture” none the less did not get the shot I wanted, but I do have a great memory…
Hydroponics
25. Apr, 2011
My policy on walking into people’s shots is that they’ve decided to take the shot, not me. If I end up in the shot then that’s the way it was meant to be
Paul Burwell
28. Apr, 2011
Wow! Someone who has the world revolve around them? You should contact NASA and have them study you.
georgmi
11. Aug, 2011
Wow, Paul. I’m impressed at your restraint.
I’d've mentioned the fact that my tripod collapses quickly down to an eight-pound metal club.
BobC
24. Jul, 2009
Heh heh.
I take issue with number 7. When I say “that would make a great painting” I fully understand that a great photograph is the starting point.
As for number 2, I really have trouble with someone that tells me a graphite drawing that took me 60 hours to complete is a “nice sketch”
mike
24. Jul, 2009
If I had 2 cameras hanging from my neck and someone asked if I was taking pictures, I would tell them I’m a camera salesman and ask if they’re interested in buying one.
When someone says to me that I must really have a good camera, I just say “it helps”.
Amy
24. Jul, 2009
This is a fantastic post – I find the comments underneath almost as fascinating.
My favourite I get is “sooo – what system do you use??”. I know its not so much a “wildlife photographer” only thing but the amount of time I’ve got stick from a Canon user because I use Nikon! Let it go guys – we’re all working towards the same aim! I just chose this particular system when I started out and now have too much expensive kit to bother buying the same all over again and I’m used to it too! You’ll get good results with either!!
For the people taking this a little too serisouly – I’m guessing this is because you yourself have mentioned some of these similar comments. Almost every profession comes with these kind of comments made by people who don’t really understand and this is just a small list with what photographers have to put up with, not only from people who aren’t really clued up on photography but also some other photographers. Its like where my mum works, there is a security barrier. The number of times people go through and shout “beep beep beep” like they’re some new comedian just gets wearing.
There are idiots everywhere!!
Alan Howarth
24. Jul, 2009
My snappers are a touchy lot!
The one that sends me crazy is: ‘My cousin/uncle/sister’s boyfriend or whatever takes really good pictures’ sub text They’re better than you.
So, gues that makes me a touchy snapper too
Chris Earle
24. Jul, 2009
I think the LUCK part is a given sometimes. Only one day I sat out in the yard with Mom’s Nikon D40 after a failure of a fleamarket day did I hit the motherload of bird species: I photographed pics of species I hadn’t seen in years! About 12 different species…and no special bird seed. It was weird…but I’d say it was unusual luck. I didn’t see the rarer birds again.
Also I think the photographer has to be an artist, if only a little bit. (Photography IS art.) To compose a scene, try to predict a set-up (wild animals are notirious for being uncooperative) and see whether the shot has any “art” or not. (I see art in everything. I’m hopeless.)
Suyash
24. Jul, 2009
so tell me if i’m dumb. but really…………………. Doesn’t the camera matters? All i read in this blog was its the photographer, not the camera. Please reply.
peace
eorgmi
11. Aug, 2011
Having a nice camera certainly helps, but unless you’re talking about a real piece of junk, the limiting factor in the quality of a photograph is almost always the skill of the photographer.
Technique, composition, and timing are the most important factors in making a great image, and no camera can make those decisions for you.
Miguel
24. Jul, 2009
You are so lucky to have been in the right place at the right time to write this top 10 list. I think it needs a bit more sharpening though.
KarenJ
24. Jul, 2009
This is good stuff. When I go to functions or events, I’ll have people ask me if I’m the “official” photographer.
Janet Hug
25. Jul, 2009
While out at a local park, another photographer approached me, and the first thing out of his mouth was, he thought he recognized the “dust pump” I was using. Not a hello, what are your shooting, or how are you today” ?(He watched me for about 15 minutes before approaching me.) He asked me what camera body I was using with the Canon 100-400mm L lens. I told him I was using the Canon 20D. He started telling me how HE preferred to use the Canon 70-200mm L lens, blah, blah, blah, and how HE had owned the 20D a long time ago, the 40D and the 50D, and moved beyond crop camera bodies to a Canon full frame body and is So much happier now. Meanwhile, looking down nose at me. Geesh. Not what I expected from another shooter. I walked away and kept on shooting, and shaking my head. There are rude photogs out in the world.
Deina
25. Jul, 2009
I hate when people want to show me the shot they got on THEIR crappy camera or cell phone…
Isaac Fast
26. Jul, 2009
“Can you see the MOON with that lens?!”
Why yes, I can! How did you know? Believe it or not, I can also see the moon without the lens. And so can you!
Layne Robertson
27. Jul, 2009
That’s a great start!
Yeah I realize I’m not the best photographer, but that’s still a pretty rude assumption.
Max Vernon
27. Jul, 2009
Fantastic! What a joy to read.
Suyash, in case you need an example of why a good camera is not necessary, see my flickr stream at http://flickr.com/people/max_vernon – even though I’ve spent thousands of dollars on equipment, I still take crappy “snapshots”.
Carlton Ward
27. Jul, 2009
Whats amazing to me is that I now realize how I have succumbed to these sticking points by answering the people asking as if they had a clue what they were talking about.
I have spent the last 2 years trying to get a specific capture with no success (yet) but if I ever do get the capture, nobody will even realize the effort I invested to get it.
Danny Brown
28. Jul, 2009
I like to use the “more cowbell” skit when people ask me about my photography. I just say, “I’m no different from anybody else. I get up in the morning, put my pants on one leg at a time and then go out and take amazing photos.”
Celeste
28. Jul, 2009
I hate when I’m out shooting, and someone starts trying to chat me up and go on about their own photography, get all snooty because my camera is only 6.7megapixels, and then I find out that they’re using a point and shoot, take 1000s of shots and hope for a good one, and start blankly when I ask them about aperture or speed.
I also hate comments like “you must have a great camera” on my Utah series. Then I point out that I spent 2 weeks waking up at 4am, to stand in the snow and wind, waiting for sunrise and hoping the clouds were right. Then scouting all day, and to a different location for Sunset, and hike back in the dark and snow.
J. L. Gould
30. Jul, 2009
I get the “You took that at a zoo, right?” quite a bit.
My answer for “Did you photoshop that?” is usually “only the equivalent of the post processing done in a dark room”.
I collect cameras so on top of my regular gear, I usually have some vintage or near vintage film camera along to play around with (and occasionally a crappy digital point and shoot). That makes some answers fun…ie
Question: Do you use digital or film?
Me: Both!
Question: Do you use Nikon or Canon? (usually from some snooty photographer)
Me: Both! As well as Minolta, Kodak, Agfa, Argus, Leica, etc
It also works for when people make the “you must have SUCH a good camera!” and I pull a photo out of a bin and tell them this particular one was taken with a 1 MP HP Photosmart A200.
A friend of mine often accuses me of shooting with different cameras just so I have an answer for everything. lol
A. Cast
06. Aug, 2009
Some comments I have received:
“Wow, this picture looks like a postcard”
Man, they mean it well, but I can’t avoid to think about a cheesy, tourist intended, souvenir postcard.
Another good one:
“Wow, man, what a picture. That long lens of you is working wonders”.
Sure. It takes the pictures by itself.
And in the same style:
“Wow, what a great picture. I will have to buy a lens like yours right now!”
(Said a macro shooter, who never shoots wildlife, about my 150-500mm)
A. Cast
06. Aug, 2009
Oh, I’m sorry, another one, and the most anoying of all.
I hate when I’m in a park, quietly waiting for a wading bird to approach me, and some bypassing girls start shouting.
“Hey what are you shooting! Why don’t you better take a picture of me?!!”
JFargo
14. Aug, 2009
Apparently I need to start taking more shots so I can get annoyed at people asking me questions. Either that, or I need to get a big, obvious camera, so they see me and start demanding I take their picture.
I just like attention. I’d be happy to take it away from all you pros.
Joakim Bergquist
20. Aug, 2009
A couple of times I’ve got the question: Can I borrow your camera? Mine is so bad (i.e for a trip or something) By that time I use to ask them, will you go auto or full manual mode? I say no either way, and tell them that their own point and shoot cameras will do.
Gary
30. Sep, 2009
I’m a wedding photographer and recently shot a wedding that a coworker attended. The coworker was not pleased with the pictures produced by her recently purchased and expensive point & shoot. She said..I thought I bought a good camera but now I’m not sure…she was shooting into a backlit situation and of course the faces were all dark. My comment was…”It’s not about the camera and never will be”
Robyn Carter
23. Oct, 2009
Well done – a great article ad one that iss soooo true. Glad to find another B&H Affiliate too
http://www.robyncarterphotos.blogspot.com
Haven’t uploaded for a while though because i’ve only got sporadic internet access due to me building a new home
Once I move in I’ll be able to start uploading again
Cheers
Robyn
John
10. Nov, 2009
Great list! #1 and #4 are my favorites and so true. For many people obviously great shots are the result of luck and equipment. And if they can’t take great pictures with the same camera, it must be camera’s fault, of course.
Elodie
16. Nov, 2009
lol. Excellent post…
Tim
16. Nov, 2009
I hate it when people call me and ask me how much I charge for wedding photography.
My Follow up is always….’have you seen my work/web site”?
When they say no, they’re just shopping for price, I tell them that photographers are like cars…they come in all shapes, sizes and talents….and if they’re only looking for the cheapest photographer they can find, they should probably be looking on Craig’s List to hire a Volkswagon Photog. “I”m more a Rolls Royce”.
georgmi
11. Aug, 2011
My stock response to wedding requests is that I charge $25,000 plus travel and expenses.
I figure, if that doesn’t scare them off, for twenty-five grand, I can subcontract an “assistant” to do most of the work, get a nice little trip out of the deal, and take home a few bucks on top of it.
So far, nobody’s taken me up on it, which is also a win in my book.
Chris
16. Nov, 2009
I hate it when people see my or my daughter’s sports photography and say “Yeah, well if I had your big lenses I could get those shots, too!” As if training a 600mm through a 1/4sec pan of a motorcycle doing 140km/h in a sweeping curve is something just anybody can do.
Blake
17. Nov, 2009
thank you for this. i needed a good laugh today. i get about 80% of those as an professional architectural photographer.
Stephanie
20. Nov, 2009
Wow this topic sparked a lot of passion in people!! I think your an amazing photographer. I really enjoyed reading it. I have to admit I thought that you were going to say you hate it when people ask you to photo shop so there butts don’t look so big and I would of known who you were talking about
Michal
14. Jan, 2010
I’m no professional photographer… i am just an amateur/hobby photographer…. but I already heard nearly all of the here mentioned questions…. but 3 things which piss me off the most are: 3) “Why aren’t you using a film camera it’s much better… WTF??!!?!?! even if film would have 10X better resolution than digital… for gods sake today they use a digital scanner in the photo labs to scan the negative which means quality loss….” FYI… I’m always annoyed with this crap by a friend which uses a compact film camera where the only settings are AUTO or NO FLASH… 2)”Why the hell do you need a 1200$ camera with an extra 400$ flash?… my camera has a flash…. it can take pictures… and it’s just 300$ bucks… well try to compare my photos to yours and then answer the question…” and the worst one for me 1) “why do you take the same photo like 10 times?…. well because the first nine had the wrong exposure, the image wasn’t sharp enough and/or there was a bird flying through the middle of it…. well then i guess you really are a crappy photographer…… ” when i hear this thing my blood just starts boiling in my veins because the only photos this person can make are self shot pics in the mirror where you can’t even see his face because of the flash reflection.
But thankfully I’ve found a great cure for this…. simply act as if haven’t heard their question… they’ll leave you alone…
ck
27. Mar, 2010
That reminds me a of a joke:
A photographer visits a friend’s family. She brought some photographs along, so they sit together and look at her photos. The friend exclaims “You’re photos are amazing! You must have a really good camera.”
Later, at dinner, the photographer says: “Your food is absolutely delicious, you must have a really good oven!”
E
09. May, 2011
‘Hey are you using a canon DSLR?I’ve heard that canon cameras cannot take sharp images.Nikon’s way better’-most annoying comment to me
W. Nussbaumer
14. Aug, 2011
not so much an annoying comment, but annoying actions. I cannot count the number of times I have spotted wildlife along a road somewhere and make an effort to park a distance away so as not to spook the subject, Grab camera and tripod and start walking closer to have some inconsiderate twit stop right beside the animal, jump out with their cell phone camera and start taking pictures as they walk closer and scare the critter back into the bush. That isn’t good enough then they have to run down the side of the embankment to see where the animal went, guaranteeing,it will not re-emerge in the foreseeable future. They do not even stop on the edge of the road, but right in the middle so as to block everyone else traveling the road. Grrrrr.
Hugo Chikamori
15. Sep, 2011
The one thing that drives me absolutely crazy is when I’m out at a park, and I’m shooting wild animals, you always get suspicious looks (implying – “Hey…you trying to take my picture or something”). – NO…I got my camera pointed at a pair of ducks because I want to take a picture of YOUR ~disparaging comment~ narcissistic posterior end.
And people walking through my shots especially when I’ve got it pointed directly at the shot I’m wanting…just drives me up the wall…over the top and down the other side.