Dont you hate it when....?

[chaman]

...youre showing some of your pics to a couple of friends, family and instead of commenting on your work they say..."Boy that must be some nice camera you have there, huh!?"....this just makes me go

I just tell them..."so, when you look at a fine painting the first thing you think is...these guys must have had one hell of a nice set of brushes..!!!!":mad2:

Just a little rant...

[WesternGuy]

chaman, I have always been looking for a response to that comment about the "nice camera" and yours is just great :thumbsup: . People seem to think that just because you have some"nice looking" equipment that you must take great photos - which sometimes for me couldn't be farther from the truth, especially when I try an "experiment" and it fails miserably. :blush2: Alternatively, when they comment on some of my images and make reference to the "fine camera" I must have...they forget about Photoshop and all the "things" that one can do with this product in post processing that do not require a Master's level understanding of the product and its capabilities.

You are right though...I do hate it when...

Cheers,

WesternGuy

[Liz]

I hear you! I must say that I have a bit of a (cover-up) now when I get these comments. If my camera is anywhere near me when someone makes a similar comment, I show them the camera which is now the E-PL1. It is quite small compared to the dslr's I've used. The reaction then is sometimes a bit different......like "oh, I didn't realize you could get such nice pictures from those kind of cameras." Of course, if it is anyone who is familiar with cameras, then they recoginize there is a difference with my E-PL1 than with the average $200 p&s.

I have a funny story. I was in Manhatten with my XTi and a zoom lens one afternoon when I spotted this gentleman sitting on the edge of a small waterfall fountain with his feet in the water. He had on a long white very fancy wedding dress - headpiece and all. I asked him if it would be alright if I "took his picture." He replied "go ahead, but hurry up because I have things to do." So I took a few snapshots. I then gave him $5. He looked at my camera, then at me and said "with that camera, you could have given me at least a $20. And went on his way.

Liz

[Grandpaw]

When this is mentioned to me I reply, yes I do have a nice camera and I have had nice cameras for the last 40 years. Then I tell them that in all that time I have never had a single one of them take a nice photo by itself, I have always seemed to be there when it happens, Jeff

[Loupey]

Yes.

But on the flip side, have you ever approached a crowd of people taking pictures (like on a boardwalk, at a zoo, at a garden, or at a plaza) and as you approach, people give way so you can have the best spot? People's assumptions can work to your advantage too

[Nicci]

I just say "yep, and boy do I wish it would learn to take these pictures on its own!"

[mjs1973]

I hear this all the time and it drives me nuts. I do my best to downplay my gear so I hope that people understand that it’s not about the gear but I don’t know if they get it.

There was a blog post a while back on Steve Berardi's blog, Photo Naturalist that covered this same topic. The post was written by Vic Berardi, here is an excerpt:

A couple of years ago someone I know, a writer of three published books and numerous articles, came across some of my flower photos. He looked at them intensely and said, “Wow, you must have a really good camera!”

I stared at him looking perplexed then smiled and said that I thought his writing was excellent and that he must have a “really good keyboard and computer!” He understood.

Another thing I hear a lot is ‘Wow, you were at the right place at the right time’. Yes I was, but I was also at the right place at the wrong time several times prior to creating the image they are commenting on. I once sat and stared at a hole in the ground for about 20 hours over several days before I got the shot I wanted of 2 badger cubs sticking their head out of their den. It’s not about gear and luck, it’s about knowing how to use the gear you have and working hard to get the image you want.

[chaman]

Yes.

But on the flip side, have you ever approached a crowd of people taking pictures (like on a boardwalk, at a zoo, at a garden, or at a plaza) and as you approach, people give way so you can have the best spot? People's assumptions can work to your advantage too

Thats funny too!! I like shooting local car shows and I constantly get questioned as to for what newspaper I work...LOL! Guess people are impressed by bulky cameras!

[Lori11]

God, the times thats happened...several times (ONLY to people I know well) I have handed them the camera, which is usually followed by,"where's the button thing" to which I say, "What?? it doesnt take the pictures by itself?" Then I grin........ like that

[Frog]

I saw a guy taking shots of a model in our little town which made him stand out and quite noticeable,(The business district is a whole 1.5 blocks long). He was using a nice camera. I watched him for a while and figured he must know something I don't or he doesn't know much at all. Model with black dress and pale skin standing in bright sun with harsh shadows and bright light mixed surroundings.
So I moseyed over to tell him about a certain old door on the side of an abandoned building that would have even light on it that might make a good backdrop.
Then he wanted to know if he could shoot my dog with the model cuz my dog wanted very badly to lick that gals face and I was really worried she'd put a run in the gals stockings. He made it over to the door and I watched for a while then went and got my daily coffee and watched life roll by.
After a while he came by to show me some of his shots.
They all had blown out areas mixed with deep no detail shadow except the ones by the door I showed him that had even light. He seemed to think they were great though.
That's the only proof I need that a good camera can't take good pics all by itself.

So

[almo]

I just say; What, this old thing? Naw.

[Old Timer]

I quit worrying about that a long time ago. I just yeah it a nice one don't know what I'd do with out it. Wish I knew how many time I've heard that line.

[Sebastian]

Hit them back where it hurts. Did they have you over for dinner? "Thank you! Dinner was great, you must have a great set of pots and pans..."