Funny Chat Today

A well established phtographer of 40 years came to my Computer shop today for upgrades etc, and so we got talking, he didnt want to put me down , but he said he has no idea now why people would like to start photograhy as a career choice, he stated its very difficult now as more and more peole have acess to cameras and photo labs and quite simply most people will not pay for the services of a pro photographer, yes we agreed on quality of images etc, but simply the fact was its a dying market, and he stated he is retiring soon , hinted he is selling all his studio kit as he has never used it, and also comented never to shoot a wedding as he stated that he would feel sick when arriving at a church for a days woth of shooting, made me giggle a bit. He has made his money but in the ariel phtography mainly.As we both agreed the camera now is just a consumable electronic device,he feels like the magic of folm photograpy has been lost

Sounds like he felt pretty jaded. Wonder when he last had a holiday and recharged his creative batteries? Sounds like he found the niche which suited him - aerial - after a little trial and error.

It is true that more people have cameras now and people want to pay less for photos (stock photo libraries selling web resolution images for a couple of pounds) but there is still a demand for talented photographers who have taken time to master the craft and can produce images out of the norm.

While it's true that cameras can be considered consumer items, once you reach a certain level of equipment and skill the camera becomes a tool and the latest model is not important providing image quality is present.

I'm absolutely sure many in this forum still get as much of a buzz out of photography now as the day they started.

I sympathise with this man, I too know several long time professional photographers who are finding it tougher year on year. With the market being flooded with cheap or even free high quality images available with only a few clicks it is only an elite few who are at the cutting edge of creative photography and those who engage in the loathsome trade of Paparazzi that are still commanding high fees.
I too miss the smell of developer and the wonderful moment when the image just begins to appear on the paper in the dull red glow of a safelight or to draw out a dazzling 16x12 Cibachrom print from the developing drum, Yet Digital work can be satisfying in its own way, In fact since i bought the K7 i have felt a closer connection with my old film Pentax Cameras. I think it is the feel of the metal body coupled with the bright 100% viewfinder which means i don`t need to review my images on the screen half as much as i used to.

Regards - Pete.

I'm in complete agreement with PeteThat's pretty much it! I don't mind the paps, though. All the time there are morons who want to see some thick bird sliding drunk out of some night club, there will be people to take the pictures.

Really? By the same logic:

All the time there are morons like Stalin wanting to torture and liquidate dissidents, there will be people to take the money and do his bidding.

Just because there are morons out there, doesn't justify stooping to any depths to make money of the situation. And being a professional Peeping Tom is pretty low.

G

Fully agree with George's comment. Am disgusted by the professional peeping Toms. They don't do any good to the credibility of the profession. They really lower the standard of this beautiful art that photography is.

The paps aren't part of art they are fulfilling a social role against which you and George seem to rail. I don't look at these pictures and couldn't care less about these celebrities but many do, just as many 'love' football and other sports. I can't understand the devotion and emotion some people give to formula one when they can be out participating in motor sport for a few quid at each event. There are some really cheap motor sports where you actually take part and the buzz isn't second hand.

Each to his and her own though.

Mike

By the same token, you get the z-listers, trying to extend their 15-minutes of fame, by wanting to be in front of the camera all the time, yet scream 'PRIVACY' as well....

Chicken = egg

How low do you go by being an AMATEUR peeping tom?

What you mean there, George is "By the same grammatical construction".

In order for your original statement to be valid, killing tens of millions of fellow countrymen would have to be morally on par with reading the gossip columns or enjoying a good a glossy magazine; clearly such a view would represent hysterical nonsense.

To set up a valid analogy that avoids such a strawman logical fallacy, here's a little tip; you need to contemplate the question "who is the moron?" in much greater depth.

And on the general subject of anti-pap, I came across details of this state of the art system that every privacy loving B-List celebrity ought to employ as a matter of course:

"It might not seem like somebody with such ostentatious tastes would crave privacy, but along with these expensive toys, Ambramovich has installed an anti-paparazzi “shield”. Lasers sweep the surroundings and when they detect a CCD, they fire a bolt of light right at the camera to obliterate any photograph".

So use Velvia in an MX :

Be interseting to "see" (pardon the pun)the first lawsuits for causing blindness. It's basically illegal to use actual laser light. Even Police laser speed guns are NOT lasers for that reason.

It's worth getting a few CCD's stuck to a large mirror system just to bounce em back...

You've rather missed the point, Shaky.

Just because there is money to be made, doesn't justify invading privacy or bumping people off. And the former does sometimes come close to the latter. Paparrazi, after all, were primarily responsible for the death of Princess Diana.

It's a shame that such a clever feller as you can't find a useful outlet for his talents. But I suppose it's not uncommon for people to be so clever that they can't see the wood for the trees.

G

Ouch , that must have hurt

Do such histrionics and uncivility advance a point at all? The weaker the case the more emotional in its expression.

It does underline why one or two people have quit this forum lately though.

Just look at his other posts, Lemmy, before rushing to judgement.

G

Thanks for your info. It is very useful.
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