Tangled Up in Blue

Flickr Rant #2

This probably isn't a huge rant about Flickr.  But Flickr had kept this rant burning, so I'm adding to my Flickr Rant.  

Awhile back, we had family friends that got a new camera.  All of a sudden, they've got a photography business.  What the hell?!  From a Point n' Shoot to a DSLR to a professional photographer?!  Are you kidding me?  And the pictures weren't that fantastic.  Sure they looked better than the older pictures (thank you DSLR), but not something outstanding.  Ava & I were guessing that people were shocked by how good the photos looked (thank you DSLR) & this led them into the photography business. 

Maybe we're jaded.  Ava & I are so used to seeing beautiful, creative, & inspiring photos.  I think that surfing blogs will do that for a gal's eye.  These pictures from the new professional weren't composed beautifully.  But even worse, were really over-processed.  Shadows that made the subject unattractive or even unnoticeable.  Some were even really blurry & not artfully so.  The subjects were positioned in a manner that didn't help.  Double chins don't have to exists, hello?

I'm afraid that people will read this & say, "Who does she think she is?"  Nobody at all.  Read back to the first Flickr post.  I don't know what I'm doing.  But I'm learning how to capture my kids' emotions at the right time.

Maybe that's why people on Flickr can be cunty.  They've spent hours in classes or years shooting to create a profitable business.  And anyone with a nice camera thinks they can be a paid photographer.  I got lost in a stream & read what this woman was charging her clients.  I decided to click & see what her work looked like.  And I was shocked by her price tag.  Who was going to pay for those photos?!  One picture that was full of praise was of a sweet baby on a pink background.  I'm assuming that the baby was suppose to be in a flower because her face was covered with an Overlay of bees & butterflies.  You could barely see the kid's face through the swirling insects. 

Now I feel horrible for typing that last paragraph for two reasons.  One, that baby picture was this woman's art.  And my mom has been telling me for years that people can have a different opinion from my own.  I understand how it feels to put yourself out there.  It isn't a comfortable place.  I have no business being critical of anyone's pictures.  But when you charge people, do you open yourself up to that?  Maybe or maybe not.  Two, affordable DSLR cameras have made it possible for so many people to express themselves.  Smaller cameras & even cell phone cameras fill this world with inspiring photos.  This accessibility has made it possible for me to document our lives.  And while I understand that this might anger Professionals, it should also fill the world with tons of different pictures.  Tons of different expressions.  Tons of different examples of beauty.

I'm not saying that only people with degrees or truly experienced people should start a business.  I'm not saying that people shouldn't get paid for following their passion.  Starting a business is brave.  But there are probably thousands of people that should be getting paid for their photography skills.  Thousands!  Go on, click through Flickr.  It's amazing.

Great.  Now I sound cunty, huh?

Comments

[Helen]

Thanks for this post. My husband is a professional photographer. He hates when I say that. He encourages young people he meets to NOT go into photography if they expect to make a living. He works very hard and it is a competitive business not just a hobby.
I do not blog so I can't express what you have said but it amazes me how everyone with a camera thinks they can go into business.

No, you don't sound cunty and it's your blog so say it if that is what you mean.

[Shannon]

I completely agree with you. I know people who have gone out and got all the equipment and talk the talk and have taken classes and seminars and go out with peers to shoot photos - all in an attempt at eventually striking out on their own to make some profit from their skills. Yet, all this equipment and courses generally don't help if there isn't some natural talent to begin with. I'm not trying to become a professional photographer or make any sort of profit from any photos I take, but I find it hugely annoying that for some reason people feel entitled to doing so because they've managed to collect the equipment and lingo. I guess what I find almost more annoying, and this is what your mother has said to you, is that people get praise for their rubbish composition, over processing, etc. therefore making them feel like it's okay to overcharge for mediocre photography.

Sorry for having a mini-rant in your blog - I just feel the same as you!