Do photographers tend to be snobbish of each other?

Question:I've seen a lot of comments in the photography session basically putting down any newbie that is learning and shooting pictures on craigslist or similar sites. They have to learn somehow!
I find myself slightly snobbish and HIGHLY critical when I look at other photographers websites unless they are clearly more experienced than me. Although I do realize that they need to start somewhere.
Do you tend to do that?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: I've seen a lot of comments in the photography session basically putting down any newbie that is learning and shooting pictures on craigslist or similar sites. They have to learn somehow!
I find myself slightly snobbish and HIGHLY critical when I look at other photographers websites unless they are clearly more experienced than me. Although I do realize that they need to start somewhere.
Do you tend to do that?

Good question - expect some great answers!

There are two extreme types in every walk of life - those who are positive and secure and those who are negative / defensive - tolerance vs fear?

As a generalisation those I have met at the very top of the profession (I've met a few) have typically been incredibly positive and helpful - as are the vast majority of people here - they are secure in their knowledge and skills. Others who are less sure can also be very defensive, which is understandable too.

On top of this it's all too easy to confuse opinion with fact - an issue which I know irritates a lot of experienced photographers who donate time helping others... but it's not an ego trip to help others and we all make mistakes from time to time, even experienced people get tired and make silly errors. Such issues can cause friction.

We all need to be a little more patient with each other - even those at the top keep learning and it's an education for everyone here, top answerers or not - we should all try to keep it positive and also try to keep a sense of humour.

I do sincerely believe that we can critique others work and do it POSITIVELY and in an encouraging manner - it's really important how we carry ourselves as we all represent photography... it helps to remember that we all had to start somewhere!!

So yes, snobbery is everywhere, not just in photography and it's a symptom of fear, but it needn't drag us down with it! I've had one or two honourable disagreements here on YA, but after we disagree we tend to talk and see each others point of view - if I make a mistake I withdraw my answer or acknowlege my error... no-one can always be right.

We all learn from each other and get a new sense of respect for those who disagree with us from time to time... it's a good lesson for life.

Some photographer are real premadonna's! And some are really kewl people (usually the better ones). Let's face it, photography is an art form and some artists are very strange people!

Go to a photographer's exhibition or convention. I find it so amusing to watch the Leica snobs, with their Leica's casually strapped over their shoulder so everyone can see. Don't get me wrong, Leica is a great camera!

Then there are the lens snobs. Oh have you seen how long my lens is? I wont say anything more on that subject.

And then of course there is the "I'm the only one in this room who can take pictures" snob as you so accurately pointed out.

Then you have the really successful people who just get on with the job.

You can find snobs and jerks in all walks of life. I have found that in most cases photographers are a very helpful and sharing bunch of people.

Many good photographers on here do get very irritated at the many people who seem to think it is the CAMERA'S fault that they have bad photos. Too many do not want to lift a finger to learn or improve themselves. They expect photographers who have spent half their lives learning their craft to just be able to type a few words and make anyone with a DSLR be able to take "per-fess-u-null" photos. Yes... I will be "snobbish" and short with the morons.

steve

Problem is not where you start, but how.

I've no problem with people just starting out. What I do not like is when people say that they are professional, charge people money for a service and cannot fullfill the basic requirements of the job or do not understand the business they want to participate in.

A professional photographer should not come to Yahoo!Answers asking people what they should charge for doing portraits or shooting an event. They should already know and have that figured out.

Am I snobbish of others work? No, but if someone asks for an opinion, then better be able to handle the answers they get. I don't lie or hoold back. If someone wants to know what I think, I tell them.

I didn't used to, but I have gotten that way.

I think it's because everyone these days calls themselves a photographer, just because they have a camera. Few people realize how difficult photography is, and people tend to make a mockery of it.

I'm also a graphic designer, and I'm pretty snobby about that, too. I've realized why, though: at least for me ... both photography and graphic design are subjective fields. You're bound to get your stuff ripped apart at one point or another ... generally by customers who would know art if it bit them in the face. You're under constant criticism from your peers, your art director, customers, and let's not forget the worst critic: yourself! Constant criticism tends to breed self-doubt, and you CAN'T doubt yourself as an artist. Out of that is borne "snobbery" ... being stuck up tends to be a defense mechanism and acts as a balancer for all of the criticism we are exposed to. That might be just me, but that's the way I see it. lol

i am a photography geek and i love when i c others photos... I'm not snobbish at all! i agree that they all need to start somehow

Those that want to learn I have have lots of time for. Those that dont even realise or admit they are clueless I have no time for.

a

You will find both.

I have a buddy who is a pro and is happy to give me some lessons and work with me a bit. I also have another friend who will give me free critiques and encourage me to continue with the shots which work.

Have met two other pros who had not desire to work/teach with me. One told me he doesn't work/teach amateurs only semi-pros or above. And I offered to work for free with another pro on the condition he would take me into the field, he turned me down.

The keynote speaker at a seminar I attended Saturday night had a very large chip on his shoulder about amateurs giving away photographs. He made fun of people who shoot for fun, and don't want to get paid. He basically said "put down the camera, and get off the internet."

You will just have to pick and choose people to work with, through trial and error. Don't get down, just take it for what it is, some are protective and jealous and others are not. Good luck, and have fun.

Photographers I've met offer honest critiques to help you learn and grow. Sometimes those critiques can be brutal, but in the most part, they are helpful and positive with each other.

That said, photographers are people too, and people come in all flavors, including the good and helpful, and the brutal and snobbish.

I hope no one is putting down beginners asking for help. What gets irritating are the posts from folks who seem clueless, but are planning to charge or go into business shooting for pay. They have no idea what they're doing, but think they have a nice camera, so therefore they should make easy-peasy money by charging for their beginner's efforts. This is rampant in wedding photography now, and degrades the entire profession.

As far as snobbery goes, I do examine with a fairly critical eye. (I do this to my own work as well, but it is harder to be objective with yourself or folks you are close to) I see a lot posted for critique that is weak, and I see some that blows me away (but rarely here, the photos posted for critique here on YA are usually amateurish and some very poor indeed, although sometimes a good work slips through) I am a lab manager and see poor efforts at photography every day. Art is very subjective. What I would delete without a second's hesitation, someone else might love. In fact, most of the myspace etc photos seem pretty dismal to me, but evidently that look is all the rage, especially among teenagers. Just today, a customer printed over 100 low resolution, noisy and blurry still photos from a video cam, and he thought they were fantastic. So he was happy and I was happy, that's how it goes.

My work involves dealing with real people who take photos, so I can't afford to be too snobby. It is easier to have an attitude on line where you are relatively unknown and don't have to be face to face. I try not to say anything online that I wouldn't say in person. If I know I am talking to a beginner, especially if it is a young person, I try to temper my comments with a great deal of empathy and care. There is a difference between the 14 year old who is just starting, and the person who got their first dSLR a month ago and is asking today how much should they charge for shooting a wedding next week and what lens do they need. So they should be treated differently. And I do. But snobbish? Hopefully not :-)

I tend to love other photographers work if they aren't in the same market as I am. I personally love them outside my city! The ones that I live around, I am very critical of. I can't help it!
For newbies and hobbyist, completely different. I try to help them, build them up and not get to critical. They need to learn as long as they aren't stealing my clients!!!

i find the better you are, the more modest you tend to be.
theres a girl in my photo class who is pretty snobby and thanks shes better than everyone else cause shes taken photo before. and honestly, shes not that good. theres another girl whos taken photo before and shes extremely helpful and encouraging and all around really nice. and wouldnt ya know it, her work is amazing. just goes to show i guess....