Comments from people on your photos

I've had some comments on my photos that were intended to be nice, but actually offended me. One was
"wow, you have a really nice camera..."

and on a separate instance
"Your camera takes amazing pics!!!!!"

GRRR!

Is it me or do people tend to not think about the content of what they say (or read) most of the time?

I think you have a really nice camera too! LOL I know what you mean mate, I get the that photo is awesome i bet your camera cost a lot type comments, yep 'cos my camera walked to where it was at, set its own settings, waited until the right moment and took a photo. A camera like that could be worth a huge amount, unfortunately is me carrying my old D2x LOL. Deep breaths jdeg, deep breaths....... mind you do comments like that not make you feel just a little superior??? LOL

When i show my macro pics of bugs to people here is what i get. Why dont you get a hobby??? or You need a hobby!!! Your wife needs to get you a bigger honey do list. Most of that comes from some of my family. But those people i dont need to impress. its the other 99.9%.

yeah, I know, I know.

I realize that the gap between professional photography and amateur is closed more than it used to be, and the cost and equipment required to take a nice photo are a lot less, but regardless, when someone says something like that it says to me "you don't possess any skill, the camera did all the work". Yeah, feedback is always nice, and like I said, they probably didn't mean it the way it came off. It peeves me.

Reminds me of something I just read recently:
World renowned photographer goes to a dinner party. The host of the party says "I love your photographs.....you must have a really expensive camera." Photographer just smiles and doesn't say anything.
After dinner, the photographer says to the host, "That meal was delicious. You must have a really expensive stove."

Personal favorites:

"Wow! That thing is so big! Can I touch it?"
(referring to the 70-200mm f/2.8)

"How much does that camera weigh?"
"About 45 pounds."

"I wish I had a camera like yours, then I could take better pics."
*hands her the camera*
"Where do I turn it on?"

"So...do you shoot porn with that?"
"Yup! What are you doing later?"

"What's that for?"
(pointing at monopod)
"It's my walking cane. I'm blind."

Forgot this one. I was at a sporting event and there was a lady nagging me and the photographer next to me. She asks the other guy why his camera was so big:

"I have a really small penis, and since I can't afford a Mercedes, this is how I compensate."

She didn't say a word to us the rest of the night.

I think a lot of it is that people just don't understand what goes into a good photo. They're in a point and shoot world and that's how they think. When someone comments about my "big camera", I just smile and say, "yes, this is a serious camera." Their next comment is usually, "you must be a professional." and I just say "yes". I don't even get into a discussion about "it's not the camera, it's the person behind it."

I recently showed a client some photos of her in a badly lit area . . . I had to work really hard to get good shots of her in this very bright foyer, lots of reflections and opportunities for things to be sticking out of heads and other places. When she saw her photos, she responded, "Wow. You really understand how to use light." and this was from a "non-photographer". So there is hope for the masses.

So don't let the stupid comments bother you. YOU know it's more than the equipment . . . remember the expression . . ."don't cast pearl before swine." Self-confidence goes a long way.

too funny!!

On a more serious note:

I get asked a lot of questions when I'm out shooting for the newspaper. It's almost a guarantee that at least one person is going to approach me and ask about the camera or have some sort of photography question. I think there really is a difference in people's mindset when they see a media pass hanging around your neck. They immediately associate the larger camera w/ working for the press and a need for higher quality photos, so they don't throw out crazy questions or off-handed comments. It's usually like that where you're shooting anyplace where people normally expect to see photographers, like weddings.

And I agree with Helene. I like to poke fun at the ones who ask the really stupid questions, but as for the "it must be the camera" comments...you just have to smile and nod.

Hey I had some one say to me "its a good thing your as big as you are, cause that camera your sporting looks as heavy as you".
If my toy wasn't so expensive I'd clock you with it just so you'll feel the weight, was my reply.!!!

jdeg said:

I've had some comments on my photos that were intended to be nice, but actually offended me. One was
"wow, you have a really nice camera..."

and on a separate instance
"Your camera takes amazing pics!!!!!"

GRRR!

Is it me or do people tend to not think about the content of what they say (or read) most of the time?

Click to expand...

How about "You're not to bad for an Admin guy"? (now don't take that the wrong way... It was meant as a joke, but fits right in there.

I was taking pictures of some of my mom's flowers and my sister said your second quote verbatum. I had loaded the pictures on her computer. I just grabbed her P&S and went out and took some pictures of the same flowers and told her now her camera takes amazing pictures too.

ohkphoto said:

So don't let the stupid comments bother you. YOU know it's more than the equipment . . . remember the expression . . ."don't cast pearl before swine." Self-confidence goes a long way.

Click to expand...

"Pearls Before Swine" I love that comic. Our paper doesn't carry it so I read it first thing when I get to work.

Anthony Hereld said:

Forgot this one. I was at a sporting event and there was a lady nagging me and the photographer next to me. She asks the other guy why his camera was so big:

"I have a really small penis, and since I can't afford a Mercedes, this is how I compensate."

She didn't say a word to us the rest of the night.

Click to expand...

roflmao!! I love it!

I know many people that have VERY expensive equipment and take very crappy photos. My favorite quote from when I started shooting professionally was " I will let you shoot my wedding for the experience." My response was that I would let them RENT my experience for the wedding day.

there's an idiot in everything that we do. With me being a mail man i get some good ones or even last year when i was metal detecting. my niece saw me and said i look like a dork. I turned to her and said well this dork just made almost 500.00 so far on gold and silver and artifacts in 2 months. she dropped her jaw and walked away!!!

It almost never fails, me and Chris will be out with our camera's (or I'll be out by myself) and someone will ask, "Are you a photographer". We have a standard reply.... "No, we're professional Basketball players, would you like my autograph?" Keep in mind at best Chris is five foot tall, and I come in at '5 6". You got to love stupid.

Mike150 said:

How about "You're not to bad for an Admin guy"? (now don't take that the wrong way... It was meant as a joke, but fits right in there.

I was taking pictures of some of my mom's flowers and my sister said your second quote verbatum. I had loaded the pictures on her computer. I just grabbed her P&S and went out and took some pictures of the same flowers and told her now her camera takes amazing pictures too.

Click to expand...

haha, yeah really. I actually do have some pretty random hobbies.

I NEVER cast pearls before swine.

I use big, honkin' rocks instead!

i was in line at bristol tn/va waiting for a young lady driver to autograph a drivers card for me. i stood in line waiting for people to get out from in front of me and a lady asked me why i was not moving. I told her i was waiting to take the young ladies picture when the people in front of her moved. " Oh you taking pictures of cute girls" this one lady said. I replied that i was taking pictures of everything. One lady mid 40's says well you don't want to take my picture I'm old and ugly. I turned around looked at her and replied. Yeah your right, turned around and got my autograph.