XtremeCamera

Years ago, my brother’s ex-wife had dropped by my studio in Tampa Florida (I’m talking about the 1970’s, before Tampa became what it is now) to ask me about babysitting my niece. Funny how I can’t remember what I had for dinner last night yet this exchange stuck with me for 30 years. Anyway, she was watching me work, back when this disease I have was still far far away, tucked deep into my DNA.

I was working with my models and my assistants. I was in my element, having a blast. One of the models suddenly asked for a break, we took 5 minutes and I walked over to my brother’s ex and said hello.

She asked my about the babysitting and I agreed. Then she asked why we needed so much equipment and people, and why was I taking so many pictures. Then she asked me how much I was being paid to photograph them. I tried to explain the why’s and wherefores and I mistakenly told her what my hourly rate was. Then she said something I never forgot, she said that she should take up photography and do the same thing, followed by this:

“Anyone can take pictures. Its not hard. Its not like it takes any real talent or skill. Right?”

I stared in disbelief for many seconds and then walked away. I never mentioned this to my brother, or anyone else, and I never discussed this with anyone. The display of ignorance was stunning.

What is it about photography that leads many people to think its easy?

This question is much easier to answer today then it was back in the 70’s. After all, when someone can invest a couple hundred bucks and buy a P&S digital that is capable of taking a very decent photograph without any input from the user (under the right settings anyway) many people can set the camera to ‘auto’ and fire away. But, here is the answer to the question, plain and simple.

“Many people believe that any well exposed photo is a good photo.”

Oh, if you take your work seriously you know exactly what I mean, and you’ve probably seen a million photographs that you know is garbage, but the photo taker thinks its a great photograph. They think its great because its not underexposed, or overexposed, and since they can make out all the elements in the viewfinder they think its awesome.

I see these photos way too much. Probably, like me, when you see these types of photos, well exposed but otherwise a pure snapshot, and you’re asked to critique it, you find yourself suddenly on the spot. You don’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings, but you sure don’t want that person thinking they could have a career in the field. Unless a newbie photographer is capable of seeing the fault with their new images they’ll never learn enough to become really good.

For example; If someone came to your home with a canvas and a palette of oil paints and asked you to paint something, what would say? Take it a step further and lets say you actually painted something with that persons paint and canvas. Would you instantly think its a good painting? (This, of course, is a question for those of us that cannot paint). Of course not. It might have been fun to paint, it might have been inspiring, but you would certainly not think the painting had any value other than to yourself. You just know.

But for untalented, unskilled people that run off to Best Buy or Circuit City and buy a Kodak Easyshare or some Sony model and begin bragging to their friends and family how good they are its another matter. They go out into the internet and begin posting those photos with every expectation that others will see the same thing that he/she sees and offer up comments like “Its beautiful!” “Wow, great shot!” or “Man, you’re good!”, which then reinforces the snapper’s delusion and by then its too late. They no longer think they need to learn anything, and that all the work those professional’s put into their work are a waste of time because their photos are every bit as good.

Now, before anyone over react to what I just said, any point and shoot made after 2005 can take good photos in the hands of someone that knows how to use it, but more importantly someone that understands what good photography is and what it takes to make a good photograph. In the hands of a talented and skilled photographer a pin-hole camera can be used effectively, so a P&S can be a great tool. Hell, I’ve taken some really good photographs with my iPhone’s camera, but then again I know what to shoot, and how to shoot it. I wouldn’t try to photograph a full moon with an iPhone, would you?

So now, these snappers that think they know enough to brag about their photos sign up at various sites thinking they can rub elbows with those that have studied the art and craft of photography for years and who still think they need to improve. These snappers enter into the fray, make ill-advised posts to forums, post photos that make the knowledgeable photographer uncomfortable (to say the least), and then, once they seek out a site where its about the photograph and not the photographer they get their ass handed to them and suddenly you’re the idiot, you’re the asshole that doesn’t know a good photographer if it jumped up and bit you. Suddenly its all your fault. Suddenly you’re the bad guy.

The American Idol Syndrome

Its like being a judge on American Idol. Are you Paula or Simon? Do you continue to delude the person that just cannot sing, as Simon would do, or do you praise them, knowing full well that they have no future in singing? All the Paula’s out there hate to hurt someone’s feelings, which is noble, which is civilized. All the Simon’s out there want to clear the riffraff off the table so that the real talented singer and get the recognition they deserve. Which one do you want to be? More importantly, would one do you want judging your singing?

Lets say for a minute that you go before the judges on American Idol and Simon isn’t there that day, its only Paula and that other guy. You can’t sing, but your mom and dad, friends and family, all say you sound like an angel. Bravely you step onto the audition stage and you’re asked to sing. Seeing as its Paula judging you, you find yourself “Off to Hollywood!” and you run out the door waving your yellow sheet of paper and you feel vindicated.

3 weeks later you’re on stage in Hollywood and the judges have changed, and instead of Paula its Simon, accompanied by Paul McCartney and Katie Mulea. You sing, they cringe, and then Simon speaks up.

“What the hell was that? You cannot sing. That was awful? You let you through?” “Go home, forget singing and get a job at Burger King”

Would you be the one that storms out the door and starts screaming at the TV camera (makes great television, doesn’t it) and you’re cursing, saying that McCartney sucks, Mulea can’t sing, the contest is rigged, Simon is a dick, and on and on. You look stupid, but hey your dream has just been crushed! A panel of no talent asshats lied to you by telling you that singing is not your thing. They are wrong! Mom and dad are right. “You’ll see me again!” you tell that skinny guy that moderates the show. “I’ll be famous one day and Simon will want to sign me, but you know what? I’ll spit on him! He’ll never get any of my fame and fortune!”

You know, if you’ve ever seen American Idol, a good many people react this way when they are told the truth about their lack of talent. Sure, some people are relieved that they finally heard someone tell them the truth and they will go home and study harder, practice more, and when they are ready, if they are really motivated and confident, they will try again. And again. And again. Someday they might make it, but probably not. But they will try. Those others? They’ll be bitter for months and months, and they will blame everyone but themselves, and they will never study, they will never practice, because damnit, they’re the talented ones. They don’t need to practice, or study, or anything else. Someday they will be discovered.

Now, XtremeCamera

Our decision to stop free memberships was not easy. There are many people here that show a real spark of talent. They are here because they want to learn from our critiques, and the critiques of others, and they have been good members. But, other than uploading some photos and making a few critiques they have no stake in the place. And who can blame them for wanting something for free? I sure can’t.

Clearly, recent events point to why our decision to open the place up to anyone was a bad idea. I’ve received emails that have mentioned that because of a few bad apples all the free members are being punished. And they are right, they are exactly right. But what other choice is there?

Over the next 2 days all the Admins will gather up member usernames and will rate them on a scale we have devised. If they meet the criteria we configured they will be offered a one-year premium membership for free. Its our way of keeping the talent, and getting rid of the snappers. Call it elitist if you want, but its our place, and we want to help those that want to learn.

When an Admin spends time critiquing a photo they spend, on average, 20 minutes studying the photo, looking for a description (which is hardly ever there) so that they can put that photo into context, and then find the words that would point out the problems, offer ways to fix those problems next time, and type it out in a way that is most beneficial for not only that photographer, but for all the photographers that will read it. They spend a lot of time on each one, and it is taking its toll.

After July 11th guests who wander over to browse photography will no longer be able to view the comments and critiques. All they will see if the photograph, and any photo awards that the photographer has earned, as well as the photographers profile, homepage, and their galleries. But no comments or critiques will be available to read. If that guest wants to see what anyone has said about the photo they must be logged in, and to be logged in they must join.

If, after July 11th, any new member that has paid for their $49.95 yearly membership they will have already shown a level of seriousness that is needed to become successful. They will have invested in their own success.

Will it work? Who knows? Only time will tell. But I believe it will. Sure, growth will be slow, but I believe at this point that’s a good thing. With a couple of hundred active members, all posting photographs, all offering comments or critiques, it will get quite lively. Not mention all the cool things we have coming on line over the next couple of months.

So, its back to the original mission. Godspeed!

John Manzione
Admin