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Question: Why doesn't anyone take Photography seriously!?
Really, no one takes photography seriously except Photographers! I'm a college Freshman and every time someone asks me what my major is, of course, I say that I'm a Photography major!. Then they'll say something totally stupid like "Oh really!?! I'm TERRIBLE at taking pictures!" That's so annoying to me!. Clearly, Photography is more than just "taking pictures"!.
I'd never hear anybody say something stupid like that if I was going to school to be a Doctor or if my major was Engineering!.Www@QuestionHome@Com


Best Answer - Chosen by Asker:
Those people simply do not understand what it takes to create a professional photo!.
Everyone can pick up a camera and snap a picture!. Even toddlers all thanks to fisherprice!. :-)

But to understand the in and outs of photography to get the right lighting to make the photo spectacular takes education and alot of practice!. Don't let it bother you!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Because many people who aren't professional or at the professional level take pictures!. You don't see anyone in their right mind playing surgery!. Anyone can pick up a camera and play around with it, without risking anyone's life (except in the most bizarre cases)!. "Oh, you're studying to be a brain surgeon!? That's cool, because I'm horrible at cutting a head open without killing someone!." Or "Rocket science!? Nice! I can't believe how hard it is to break free of orbit!. I've failed three times this morning catapulting my cats!. I need a trebuchet!"

Obviously, photography is a much more accessible hobby!. Is it so hard to accept that it IS "taking pictures" that makes photography what it is!? There are other elements, but that is the central focus of the art!. It's probably not that they aren't taking it seriously; most likely is that if they are not learning, or in the field of, photography, they won't be making advanced comments on it such as, "I've customised the Velvia 50 emulsion in my lab and gotten a finer granularity while retaining the redeeming qualities of the film!"Www@QuestionHome@Com

I am a computer engineer and when people told me something about how they "couldn't do that", or "it's too boring", or "My computer gives me trouble with !.!.!." or whatever the remark was!.!.!.

I wouldn't think much about it!. I would just use it as a conversation starter!. I'd tell them why I'm interested, or get them started talking about their experiences!. Sometimes it starts a pleasant conversation!. Sometimes it ends as quickly as it started!.

I realize that they're just trying to make conversation!. They feel a bit awkward too!. So I just use it as a conversation starter!.

Even though I don't know much about photography, I know it's not easy!. Lighting, shutter speed, film types, effects, shadows, movement, developing methods, etc!.!.!.!.

I have to let you in on a little secret!.!.!.!.!.!.

(F-Stops scare me)Www@QuestionHome@Com

The majority of people are happy if they can tell Aunt Sue from Uncle Ralph in their pictures!. Cut-off heads and feet are a source of amusement and, truth be told, they really don't care!.

This is nothing new - some research will show you that the Kodak 126 Instamatics and 110 Instamatics were huge sellers!. Today they have been replaced with those tiny digicams you see people holding at arm's length, squinting at the view screen!.

I'm quite sure people who are into skeet shooting or scuba diving or whatever often wonder why those who have no interest in those pursuits aren't as interested as they are!.

The people who annoy me are those who buy a DSLR, never read the Owner's Manual, and then start asking what settings they should use for the wedding they are photographing tomorrow!. Of course they also ask if they need a flash and if the lens that came with the camera will be good enough!. I shudder to think of the disasters people like that have caused!.
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Actually I've heard a few dumb responses to Engineering!. In fact I asked my cousin's fiance` what he was majoring in!. He said he was going to be a civil engineer!. I asked him why he had to study to be a garbage man!. I was young and misunderstood what a civil engineer was!.

Wait until you start really making great images!. Then people will start telling you that your pretty good at PhotoShop or that you must have a really great camera!. Don't take it as an insult, just nod your head and move on!. It will perpetuate the mythology of photography and you will just sell more prints, because they are "!.!.!.TERRIBLE at taking pictures!"!.Www@QuestionHome@Com

Yes there’s more to photography than taking a picture but to the average person it doesn’t matter!. That is where you come into the picture!. (Bad pun!.) Hand them your business card toting your photo biz!. Tell them you are getting the Photo degree so you can teach others!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

Seriously, ARE YOU KIDDING!? Ever look at a magazine or visit a Gallery!? You're bumping into the wrong people!. The photography industry has been around and will continue to be, long after those shallow-minded doubters!. Www@QuestionHome@Com

wel people who havent studied photography will think its just taking pictures

and you cant say something like tha about being a doctor
they arnt exactly gona say 'Oh really!?! im TERRIBLE at brain surgery'
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Photography is taking pictures!. If you're good at it, it shows!. You can't make everyone else be interested in the same things you are!.
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The point is this!.!.!. people TAKE pictures!.!.!. photographers MAKE them!.

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