Photography - dumbed down

Nobody asked you to join in.

I told you I wasn't going to continue. Please leave it alone.

You still haven't told us why it bothers you so much that millions of people are taking non-award winning photos on mobile phones.

Surely as long you are enjoying your hobby then that's all that matters isn't it?

I see his location is Lichfield, wasn't there a snapper, Lord Lichfield or some such, perhaps he thinks we should all emulate him.

I can't see why millions of people should be denied a pleasure by some self appointed 'photo police force'. There are so many aspects of photography that wouldn't excite a camera club judge, product photography for example, that requires great skill and knowledge on the part of the photographer. Scientific photography would be another example. There are too many types and uses of photography to get upset about others taking pictures that you dont like.

I think mobile phone photography can be creative and brilliant. I have seen some great examples. I would try it myself except I don't want or need a mobile phone.

+1 on that Ken.

And, not aimed at anyone in particular of course, I think a person should take a long dispassionate look at his/her own portfolio of gallery pictures before publicly decrying the 'poor photography' that results from using cameraphones.

I have seen some great shots taken on pretty humble camphones, which prove that the photographer's eye is so much more important than the kit he uses. In street photography, in particular, getting the shot is everything; the camera you use is barely relevant. Huge dof can be advantageous as it compressed and juxtaposes elements of the scene.

I don't think the snaps taken by the consultant during my colonoscopy would have exited many judges but I bet the camera/lens cost a lot more than a cam-phone. Could have done with a tweek or two in photoshop I think

To each his own and the world will be a better place to live in

Oso

I hope he used a Pentax!

To be honest I may well have made more pictures this year so far with my iPhone than anything else using the Hipstamatic app. I've bought almost all the lens and film combinations as well as the Swank-o-lab darkroom app.

I once made a pinhole camera out of mounting board that used 6"x4" photographic paper for a negative. Plywood base with tripod bush and a spring loaded shutter. Following a recent post I'm adapting a 1912 Kodak Vest Pocket Brownie lens to use on a DSLR.

Cameras, lenses, photoshop etc are only tools/toys. Great photography should be about vision. And great photographs are visualised before the button is pressed. It is this visualisation that separates them from snap-shots.

I'm seeing him again for my next one on 6 July and I'll ask him. If it's all Pentax gear I wonder if I could get to take a snap, then if the new monthly comp subject is "Interiors" it'll be valid for entry, or rear entry

Derby Royal have Pentax posters all over the walls but use Olympus kit for "exploring the nether world", comes with a snazzy gizmo which tracks the gubbins through its tortuous route and shows it on a second screen.

Bernard

Ah, but you'll have to take the picture yourself for it to be a valid entry. Maybe a competition theme could be 'Introspective Self Potraits'.

Will it count if I reach down and just jiggle the handle a bit then the "soft focus" bit of the recording will be mine

OK, fun over, I achieved in what I set out to do, acting as Devil's Advocate and wound you all up.


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