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Question on Professionalism in Photography
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May 7, 2017 21:32:14   #
c49smith Loc: Ohio
 
I read an article on another site that talked about the propensity of some photographers to look at the captured image immediately after taking the shot. The author referred to this as "chimping", like something a monkey would do. This was considered by the author to be unprofessional behavior. So I was at a wedding last night and sure enough the photographer was "chimping" after every shot. (It's amazing the things we notice isn't it?) So I ask all you experienced hoggers out there. Is this unprofessional behavior by the photographer or maybe the inevitable result of the digital media? Instant gratification for the artist so to speak?

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May 7, 2017 21:40:38   #
BamaTexan Loc: Deep in the heart of Texas
 
A wedding photographer has a need to check his shots. I would not consider this "chimping". I am most certainly no pro and have no aspirations to being one but I do an occasional check of my histograms. If that is "chimping" then so be it.

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May 7, 2017 21:40:47   #
DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX
 
No. It's not unprofessional. We are have our own methods and habits. Many professionals tether shots checking for various things. I use a CamRanger and sometimes tether using CaptureOne or Lightroom. Some old-time film photographers may have developed habits because they couldn't chimp and some don't chimp because they are so familiar with their settings the feel they don't need to. On a perfect day using the "sunny 16 rule" I may not chimp. I know a lot of my settings for specific shots and I may not chimp. To me, it's more of a feeling than anything.

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May 7, 2017 21:41:44   #
Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States
 
I like having the ability to make sure I captured what I want the way I wanted.
Granted, I don't look at every single shot I take.
Absolutely not a problem for me, nor do I belittle anyone for doing it.
(It saves time as opposed to hitting the review button.)

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May 7, 2017 21:44:07   #
Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa
 
With something as important as a wedding I would think the photographer wanted to be sure he didn't completely screw up any of his shots.

Personally, I'm not a professional so any amount of chimping is to be expected.

Walt

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May 7, 2017 21:49:07   #
Steve Perry Loc: Sylvania, Ohio
 
The only reason chimping would be unprofessional is if while doing it you were missing shots. Not chimping is giving up one of the biggest advantages that has ever come to photography. In my opinion, it's idiotic not to chimp from time to time to verify that you are indeed getting the shot(s). How stupid would someone feel if they never chipped and came back from a shoot only to discover everything went wrong?

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May 7, 2017 21:49:40   #
Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
 
c49smith wrote:
I read an article on another site that talked about the propensity of some photographers to look at the captured image immediately after taking the shot. The author referred to this as "chimping", like something a monkey would do. This was considered by the author to be unprofessional behavior. So I was at a wedding last night and sure enough the photographer was "chimping" after every shot. (It's amazing the things we notice isn't it?) So I ask all you experienced hoggers out there. Is this unprofessional behavior by the photographer or maybe the inevitable result of the digital media? Instant gratification for the artist so to speak?
I read an article on another site that talked abou... (show quote)

Some people go to the strangest efforts to exclude others and leave themselves as the ideal.

Chimping is a very smart technique for any fast action type of event photography. Keep in mind though that they are not looking at the image and critiquing it. They are looking at a data display on the LCD screen, showing graphics such as an histogram and blinking highlight display, plus text data indicating the values set by auto modes. Only a beginner would ignore that information for more than a couple shots in a row.

The wedding photographer was in the hot seat. Produce or else. He knew how to best insure a quality product at the end of the day.

Your author is like many here on the Internet with a great deal of armchair experience who don't make a good living from the camera's output.

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May 7, 2017 21:51:47   #
BebuLamar
 
It's professional to chimp. It's professional to ensure your client gets the result he/she wanted. So chimping to make sure you got it is being professional.

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May 7, 2017 21:57:22   #
KTJohnson Loc: Northern Michigan
 
It is not unprofessional to look at the results of what you just shot. If you are on a job, you want to make sure you are getting what you are being paid to get. If you are traveling or at a unique one-time event, you want to make sure you get some good shots.

On the other hand, if you are very familiar with your camera and are pretty confident you'll get what you're trying to get, it's really not necessary, especially if your camera has an EVF that shows you exactly what you are shooting as you are shooting it.

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May 7, 2017 21:58:26   #
MichaelH Loc: NorCal via Lansing, MI
 
Steve Perry wrote:
How stupid would someone feel if they never chipped and came back from a shoot only to discover everything went wrong?


Or even 1/4 of everything. Turn off auto preview (for the sake of the purists and so you can shoot faster) but check the info & image every few or more.

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May 7, 2017 21:58:28   #
mas24 Loc: Southern CA
 
If I take a series of shots, like when I photograph outdoor kids soccer games during summer, I don't do chimping, as you call it. However, if I go to an event, and I'm taking an individual or a group photo, with a promise that I will give them a print, then I will exercise chimping, being the amateur that I am. I don't look at it as instant gratification for the photographer. Many photographers have total confidence in their camera settings, why chimp? Remember, you couldn't do that with SLR film cameras.

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May 7, 2017 21:59:26   #
robertjerl Loc: Corona, California
 
c49smith wrote:
I read an article on another site that talked about the propensity of some photographers to look at the captured image immediately after taking the shot. The author referred to this as "chimping", like something a monkey would do. This was considered by the author to be unprofessional behavior. So I was at a wedding last night and sure enough the photographer was "chimping" after every shot. (It's amazing the things we notice isn't it?) So I ask all you experienced hoggers out there. Is this unprofessional behavior by the photographer or maybe the inevitable result of the digital media? Instant gratification for the artist so to speak?
I read an article on another site that talked abou... (show quote)


Doesn't matter what some call it.
It can be a useful tool, bad habit, good habit etc.
I usually don't do it but, in the case of a wedding photographer or other doing an event it is just checking to see if the framing was right, if the little kid had his tongue out, who blinked etc to see if it needs to be redone. I mean what if Aunt Bertha bobbed up to take an iPhone snap? Had the shutter already gone off or did she photobomb the shot. Esp if it was a slow shutter speed. And at an event where friends and relatives were also taking pictures, what if 4 or 5 flashes had all gone off at the same time, washed out shot with weird shadows, redo it now.

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May 7, 2017 22:02:14   #
c49smith Loc: Ohio
 
Thanks everyone for your thoughtful replies. I can always count on members here to give a viewpoint that I haven't thought of!

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May 7, 2017 22:10:28   #
SharpShooter Loc: NorCal
 
I guess if I have a habit of farting after every shot and can convince everyone else that, THAT is the sign of a true professional, more power to me.
I do chimp many of my shots, but rarely fart afterward!!! LoL
SS

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May 7, 2017 22:17:24   #
JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco
 
mas24 wrote:
If I take a series of shots, like when I photograph outdoor kids soccer games during summer, I don't do chimping, as you call it. However, if I go to an event, and I'm taking an individual or a group photo, with a promise that I will give them a print, then I will exercise chimping, being the amateur that I am. I don't look at it as instant gratification for the photographer. Many photographers have total confidence in their camera settings, why chimp? Remember, you couldn't do that with SLR film cameras.
If I take a series of shots, like when I photograp... (show quote)


So now that I can check my people shots to make sure everybody has a decent expression and open eyes, I shouldn't do it because I couldn't do it back in the film days? Chimping isn't the sign of a amateur.

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