Am I being over sensitive?

[Damien_Demolder]

Comments on our unofficial wedding photography issue

[bench_ubbster]

Yes.

Why should Australians gloat over the Ashes result?

Also anybody who shows off their iphone to Killers and Doves must be a right plonker

[Scphoto]

Was intending to pick this issue up, but alas forgot.

As for the comments anyway, I'd always be dismissive of comments from someone who could be directly effected by Amateurs crashing in on his business. If he was confident in his ability then he wouldn't need to criticise.

Anyway, will attempt to get it on backorder. Maybe I should subscribe.

[Damien_Demolder]

Was intending to pick this issue up, but alas forgot.

Maybe I should subscribe.

You answered your own question before you asked it!

[parisian]

Too sensitive? don't be daft!
You know better than most that photography is completely subjective always has been always will be. I'll bet that Daguerre's missus had a go at him for some of his early work.
Pop down to the 'appraisal' section in here most pics that are commented on have a 50/50 split of 'wow' and bad.
The only other place I know is the critique section on Tanya's 'PhotoPortal' - very experienced snappers on there and even then the comments are split.
We can never please everyone and that chappie (welsh for pillock) is, or at least claims to be. a 'pro'. That, he feels , gives him an opinion and he has expressed it. Well I don't claim to be a 'pro' but I have done a few hundred weddings over the years and read the mag last night. I thought the articles were very good indeed and I have definitely picked a few things up from those.
So I for one applaud you and your team and thank you for it. I would like to see you look at other areas of 'low level' pro work such as child/animal portraiture (not the high level stuff such as car advertising)
You have a well led, well experienced team there. Keep up the good work

[Atavar]

Quote from blog:

Finally, can anyone tell me why my MacBook Pro keeps hanging everytime I log onto the internet? The rest of the computers are fine, but this one keeps dropping the connection. I'm sure it started after the last Apple OS software update...

Answer:

To stop you making an ass of yourself infront of the whole world. In the last OS update, Apple put a lie detector style blood pressure sensor software update into the laptop touchpad. If it detects you are angry enough to make a gimp of yourself on the internet, it doesn't let you on.

Those Apple computers are good arn't they, they even try to stop people putting silly things on the internet. Happily i'm not on an Apple computer, or i'd never get on the net at all.

[Hotblack]

Comments on our unofficial wedding photography issue

Yes. Don't worry about one photographer who can't find much of interest to say about anything. iPhone Apps and Aussies gloating over the cricket

Maybe he feels threatened in some way. It probably had something to do with his parents. If only there was a psychologist of some 50 years standing available........

[Terrywoodenpic]

On balance most of your issues have a, good read, somewhere for most people.

I tend to be non selective and read what is put on my plate... I eat the same way.

There is usually something to be, inwardly digested, in any article written by some one with experience in any field.
After chewing it over you may find it is not to your taste or that it is contrary to your own experience... but at the very least it has made you think. (always a good thing)

I have re read this wedding issue, since you brought up the subject, and I am inclined to agree that it is not one of the best for either examples or advice. In fact I would be disappointed were I to be expected to pay for any of the photographs. Nor would they be keepers if free.

However You can't win them all

I would suggest that you take a look at this Lithuanian Photographers site, It is worth an Hour or so of looking and thinking about every aspect of his exceptional wedding work.
He is actually looking for the opportunity to come and second shoot a traditional English wedding for free.

http://meninenuotrauka.lt/en/index.php

[AGW]

For the first time in about 2 years, I missed an issue! I cant imagine that it would be as described...but....if recent patterns were followed....the thought of that poor boy Sibley being used to model a gitzo wedding dress is quite harrowing......

Graeme

[sey]

I wouldn't worry about a bunch of pretentious, pompous asses who are petrified of competition and encroachment by 'amateurs' on their "livings".
Looking at his site didn't see much 'wow' there....the usual mundane groups and 'candids'.

[BigWill]

Well, speaking as one who is himself "an oversensitive Nikon loving cream puff" I feel I can speak with some authority on the subject of "oversensitivity".

As for this dude making the negative comments about the wedding photography issue, ya know, it never ceases to amaze me how many of these "great expert photographers" who "know it all" and have "done everything" feel the need to read a magazine who's content is aimed fairly and squarely at AMATEURS in the first place. You'd think there would be a little clue in the title of the magazine "Amateur Photographer" but no, I really think they just don't get it. Perhaps they are such experts and have done absolutely everything that they feel the only avenue left open to them is to "downgrade" and try being an amateur for once? Or maybe they just like "slumming it" with what they regard as "the lower echelons of the photography world" because it makes them feel even more self righteous and self important than they already are? Either way, as an amateur (a title which I wear proudly) I have no doubt that any "misplaced" advice or critique I might have for him would be as unwelcome as his misplaced comments are on AP.................so in short, stick to your own sphere of activity and "expertize" my friend or you'll find that you are as misplaced, unwelcome and ultimately just "not needed" as an Olympic standard swimmer in the kids paddling pool!

BigWill

P.S. I'm still of the firm opinion that any "amateur" who even contemplates "doing a wedding" seriously needs "their head looked" and that anyone who gets an "amateur" to do their wedding shots in the first place deserves all they get. "caveat emptor"..........................as they say over on ebay

[Mark101]

Variety is the spice of life and this goes for magazine articles too.

[Terrywoodenpic]

If time is limited I would look at this one he took in Russia.

It starts in an unusual way, from a British point of view, But has some amazing shots when you get into it.

http://meninenuotrauka.lt/2009/elena_dmitrij/

[daft_biker]

It was written by an iphone user that gets excited over being able to cut and paste and see the weather. They're decade old features on a touchscreen phone (well they are unless you think an "iphone" is something new because Apple finally decided to join in)

The comments on the blog are niave IMHO.

[sey]

If time is limited I would look at this one he took in Russia.

It starts in an unusual way, from a British point of view, But has some amazing shots when you get into it.

http://meninenuotrauka.lt/2009/elena_dmitrij/

Yup, his work is good......I looked at both links. It's very fresh and unpretentious, good find Terry.

[RovingMike]

Comments on our unofficial wedding photography issue

Well I guess that "amateur" guides to anything are likely to get a jaded view from professionals in that area. I have read a few on how to do advertising and most are a real laugh.
I guess that debasing what anyone does for a living, however unintentionally, is likely to get a response.
I'm working on "Brain Surgery for Beginners" myself. I think there's a market out there.

[Terrywoodenpic]

I just had a look though Jeff Ascough site and portfolio of assorted wedding shots, ater first reading this Puff.

about jeff ascough
"Once in a while a photographer emerges to change the style of shooting a particular subject. Award-winning photographer Jeff Ascough is just such a photographer. He is now widely acknowledged as one of the world’s greatest wedding photographers thanks to his documentary-style approach to shooting those special happy days." Canon Professional.

He certainly has some good shots in the selection... but I would be more impressed if he had shown complete weddings warts and all... we can all get a few good shots at any wedding.

I do not think there is a real Professional/ Amateur divide in their quality of photography; it is more one of expectation and attitude brought about by the necessity of never failing, and the need to be commercial.

I read the AP all through my amateur and professional life, from the 1940's till today in retirement. One of its strengths is that is is always having to look for new ideas in photography, technique and equipment. I used to also take the BJP as well, but it comes from quite a different direction and is more specialised.

I would suggest the AP should be required reading for all professionals, at it can take them out of their own little world.

[parisian]

I agree Terry and would add that there are many amateurs who can knock the socks off the professionals photographically. They simply choose not to 'do' photography as a job. There are also 'Pro's' who would not stand a chance in the local club competitions.
Every profession has it's stars and it's dingbats it is up to the customer to make the distinction.

[TheFatControlleR]

Quote from blog:

Finally, can anyone tell me why my MacBook Pro keeps hanging everytime I log onto the internet? The rest of the computers are fine, but this one keeps dropping the connection. I'm sure it started after the last Apple OS software update...

Answer:

To stop you making an ass of yourself infront of the whole world. In the last OS update, Apple put a lie detector style blood pressure sensor software update into the laptop touchpad. If it detects you are angry enough to make a gimp of yourself on the internet, it doesn't let you on.

Those Apple computers are good arn't they, they even try to stop people putting silly things on the internet. Happily i'm not on an Apple computer, or i'd never get on the net at all.

[TheFatControlleR]

If time is limited I would look at this one he took in Russia.

It starts in an unusual way, from a British point of view, But has some amazing shots when you get into it.

http://meninenuotrauka.lt/2009/elena_dmitrij/

Very disappointing, I was expecting some 'money shots' from the honeymoon...