Ranting on.

[kat]

Just wondering if anyone else hears this and if it irritates you?

More often than not I'll hear that my camera takes such a nice photo and I guess, my finger is all that is needed from me.

So now the next thing I see is all my friends and family getting better cameras and gear that sits in a bag never to be used properly (and always set to Auto).

Now and then, to my surprise, I get a question on how come this does this or how to do this. I may not know much but everything I do know took me hours of reading and shooting.

Is it wrong to feel like I shouldn't give those tips up to those that won't even attempt to read the manual?

I'm just a little irked today. A family member, who after a step by step intsruction from me on how to take this photo entered it into a contest, and won. Now mind you this contest was by public voting and one could vote a million times..thank god the person had facebook to announce it. But now all of a sudden she is the photographer. She knows it all.

I guess I'm just at this place where - what is too much help? Is there such a thing? Should some people not get help?

Yes yes..I can hear it now. Stop being jealous..I guess I just wished I would of had a thankyou...

[Ben H]

More often than not I'll hear that my camera takes such a nice photo and I guess, my finger is all that is needed from me.

Yes, this is quite a common comment from people who know no better. Fortunately, it's easy to demonstrate otherwise

So now the next thing I see is all my friends and family getting better cameras and gear that sits in a bag never to be used properly (and always set to Auto).

Yep. Quite often, people (especially people with more money than sense) will buy a £1000 camera expecting their pictures to be brilliant - and they are often dissapointed when they stick their camera in full auto and the pictures look exactly the same as on their previous cheap point and shoot camera.

Is it wrong to feel like I shouldn't give those tips up to those that won't even attempt to read the manual?

It depends. I'm happy to help those who want to learn - we were all there at some point. I *do* however get annoyed by people who "expect" other people to put in effort for them, so they can improve without any effort on their part.

One of my work philosophies is: You get out what you put in.

I'm just a little irked today. A family member, who after a step by step intsruction from me on how to take this photo entered it into a contest, and won. Now mind you this contest was by public voting and one could vote a million times..thank god the person had facebook to announce it. But now all of a sudden she is the photographer. She knows it all.

Ah, let her enjoy her "success". If it sparks a real interest, she will put in some effort and learn and get better. Otherwise she'll get bored and move onto other things. It doesn't affect *your* images, right?

I guess I'm just at this place where - what is too much help? Is there such a thing? Should some people not get help?

I will happily help those who really want help. I don't like helping those who expect me to make them good, so they don't have to bother.

And that goes for people who actively refuse to read their manuals. And then ask what a certain feature does. Drives me nuts!!

[kat]

Thanks Ben!

Your response put me in a better place! And in a better attitude - actually made me think too!

[Travis]

Well... I suppose you could listen to Ben and his "Positive" message...

but...

really..

it was you that took that winning picture... YOU!.... without YOU that picture would have never happened...

the only way to make yourself feel better is to blow a load of dust and pet dander on her sensor....

or...

maybe...

you should just stick with Bens ideas...

[Ben H]

I'm such a role model...

[mindforge]

We - as humans - are about sharing our experience, especially when those people are friends and family members. So, even if this family member came to you and got a really good client afterward that paid them millions of dollars and she got glorious recognition because of 'your' picture then hey, she is going to have to come through and if she does, you just helped her get her break.

Too many people are secretive with their styles and don't share secrets thinking that they will lose some secret niche. The best photographers - and the richest - are usually people that share their secrets and embrace learning and the community.

If someone will not read their manual they are missing out on more than getting help on one thing. They might never understand why their sky keeps blowing out. So, it will work itself in the wash. It's almost like you have an irrational fear of this person being better than you. Instead of thinking you did it and everything, take the family member in, you might have someone to shoot with and it is a lot more fun to take pictures with a friend. I have a wife and a kid, both with cameras when we go out. If I teach my wife how to take a certain shot and she wins a competition, I will be happy, not jealous that it was done with my experience. After all, I didn't take the shot.

You should look into working with this family member, it might be a blast. It is better than harboring some sort of reaction to you sharing knowledge, which you should do freely regardless of what we stand to lose or gain from it.

[tomorrowstreasures]

We - as humans - are about sharing our experience, especially when those people are friends and family members. So, even if this family member came to you and got a really good client afterward that paid them millions of dollars and she got glorious recognition because of 'your' picture then hey, she is going to have to come through and if she does, you just helped her get her break.

Too many people are secretive with their styles and don't share secrets thinking that they will lose some secret niche. The best photographers - and the richest - are usually people that share their secrets and embrace learning and the community.

If someone will not read their manual they are missing out on more than getting help on one thing. They might never understand why their sky keeps blowing out. So, it will work itself in the wash. It's almost like you have an irrational fear of this person being better than you. Instead of thinking you did it and everything, take the family member in, you might have someone to shoot with and it is a lot more fun to take pictures with a friend. I have a wife and a kid, both with cameras when we go out. If I teach my wife how to take a certain shot and she wins a competition, I will be happy, not jealous that it was done with my experience. After all, I didn't take the shot.

You should look into working with this family member, it might be a blast. It is better than harboring some sort of reaction to you sharing knowledge, which you should do freely regardless of what we stand to lose or gain from it.

MF - you read my mind!

[kat]

I know that I should be happy for this person, and I am. I am also irritated. I guess this goes farther than just a photo. It was always a one sided relationship and maybe this just pushed me to the edge.

I loove shooting with a person. My brother and I talk photography every time we meet, and once he gets his camera, no doubt that will be our bond. I think it's great to teach and learn but I also think it's great to be appreciated for doing it.

I can understand that I sound like I don't want to share my skills..but that's farther from the truth. Like anything..I'll share the shirt on my back but I don't want it thrown back at me with a mocking laugh as you have a new designer shirt on.... if that makes sense..lol

Ahh..it's been a challenge time in my life right now..maybe that's everything to do with it and nothing with the photo at all...blah.

[jjeling]

Ok, I will begin by saying this, opinions are like ***holes, everyone has one. That being said, I have heard people say the same thing about photography. All you need to do is buy a good camera. My brother is even one of them now. He thinks he is the worlds most creative person. Well, when my parents buy him a camera, because they will, it should be an entertaining experience. They way I see it, is I can assure myself I know just about more than anyone else I talk to about. I usually assess the situation and find out how much they are interested in the subject. Since there is usually as much enjoyment in teaching someone as there is in taking the picture itself, if the person is willing to learn, I'll always be willing to teach. If the person is just mad at the camera, then my dialogue will change. Theres not enough light, you need a higher iso speed. Thats underexposed, choose a slower shutter speed, but then you will need to change your f-stop. If you do that though you might need to use your tripod, oh you dont have one, then try bracing yourself on something, but that will change the whole composition of the image. HAHAHA!!! It doesn't usually bother me so much. As it was stated before, your the one with the quality award winning images. Even if they aren't award winning, then I am willing to guarantee you will get more compliments than they will any day of the week. Over time, they will realize, that a camera, like a piano, or measuring tape, drill, or hammer, it is an instrument, a tool of sorts. Because you can play the piano or build a deck, does not mean you can take an award winning image. Keep that in mind. It takes patience, time, dedication, and training to develop your skills. You shouldn't let someone else spoil your party. Keep taking pictures and keep smiling. Cheers!!

[mindforge]

That is a great view... Just to clarify a little bit too.

"Just because you can play a piano, doesn't mean you can outdo Mozart."

There will always be someone better. I think being a professional doesn't mean you take the best pictures out there. It means you consistently take good photos. You can be relied on for a great shot. A great shot your first time out really means nothing.

A good example here:

I consider myself a pretty good photographer. I know what to look for and how to expose a scene to try and tell a story, etc. Well, I just got all my gear to create a home studio. I got my kids on my seamless background and started shooting... strobes going off... came back and looked.... horrible. I realized how much I have to learn about shooting in a studio. So, take me out of looking for natural light and relying only on my strobes... whole new animal. I think that right there is the difference between the full time pros and the weekenders like me. Your family member might have an eye for the morning sun or what not... change their situation and the pictures are probably gonna come out crappy.