Marionsho Loc: Kansas

What?

Greenmachine Loc: Chicago, IL

I'm with you...Back in the dinosaur days (I started in 1977 with a pawn shop Nikkormat) we were forced to shoot sometimes dozens of rolls of film hoping that we got enough "perfect" shots from the assignment,
and maybe have to throw away 1/3 of those shots for various reasons. Today, we have no excuses because we can take a peek at our monitors and delete those pix with underexposed, "blinking", or out-of focus subjects.
Technology is a WONDERFUL THING!

JuxtaposePictures Loc: San Diego

It's one thing to check the occasional image to make sure everything is going well but something completely different to "chimp" each shot. It's not chimping to check images on your rear lcd, it's when you check every single shot. If that's how someone wants to do it I don't care as it doesn't affect me personally but I do think it's a sign of a photographer who probably doesn't understand their equipment or craft very well. It isn't like your viewfinder doesn't have the necessary information to make sure your exposure is where you want it. There are certainly times, say in a posed group shot or portrait where you want to see if you got a shot with usable expressions but that's not the case in other shots and chimping is going to slow you down and cause you to miss shots. Better to pay attention to your subject than your camera; you should already know how to use that before shooting a wedding. Ultimately it either shows like of confidence in your ability or knowledge of basic photography principles. Your client might not care if they see you chimp but they'll certainly care if you missed a lot of great moments because of it.

jeep_daddy Loc: Prescott AZ

I agree with this. But also remember, part of being a chimper is when you get excited and look at the LCD and then hold the camera out to another person to see and you are going ooouh, ooouh, ooouh, look at this. That's chimping.

rook2c4 Loc: Philadelphia, PA USA

In the 1990's I worked at a photo lab frequented by many top professional photographers. Based on what I saw, experienced pros usually only bracketed their exposures when using positive film, and then only when flash was involved. Other than that, they nailed the exposure nearly 100% of the time - a skill many photographers today simply lack. Although a useful tool, instant screen review can become a crutch as its temptation hinders the photographer from properly learning how to read and judge a scene's lighting without taking shots.

Greenmachine Loc: Chicago, IL

Right on target..But I've also seen photographers look at the LCD image and then tell his subjects (often in a group) that "you're going to like this", or "I'll show you what you look like" while shooting and they
seem to appreciate his efforts; so it depends on the situation.
Shifting gears on the "chimping" subject: Often when I'm looking at my monitor I'm deciding if I want to change meter modes, shutter speed information or ISO information, and the subject might
think I'm looking at their image, but I'm really not...but that's just me!
---Greenmachine

cjc2 Loc: Hellertown PA

I agree with those that say that chimping should not interfere with what you are doing. When I am shooting sports action, say in a baseball game, I may look back at some of my shots between innings just to see if I've gotten the shots that I want or to see if I really got that great play. I may also want to check my exposures. I am cautious that I am not overchimping (did I just invent a new term?) and missing shots! Best of luck.

RRS Loc: Not sure

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Thanks for the reply JuxtaposePictures. And welcome to the forum.
I'll try to remember what you said about;
"it isn't like your viewfinder doesn't have the necessary information to make sure your exposure is where you want it"
Marion

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

My polarized glasses wash out my screen in bright sunlight. I can check the histogram and see if that's in the ballpark.
A guy asked what I kept looking at when I was shooting an organized Mototrials. I said I was just checking the histogram. Big mistake. The conversation went on and on.
Cheers,

Greenmachine Loc: Chicago, IL

You're preachin to the choir here! Nice sharp shot of the batter and ball!
I've shot a few Little League games BEFORE digital cameras and it usually started as a crap shoot about the best shutter speed (I would usually go for 1/800 or even 1/1000
to make sure I got those home plate base-running slide plays or tags at 2nd base!) Now we can peek, delete and re-set our cameras!

amyinsparta Loc: White county, TN

Why should it matter? Do what you wish. Its your camera and your shots. It doesn't relate in any way to what others do. And it isn't illegal.
Sheesh, the things people get opinionated about.

Norm11 Loc: San Rafael, CA

I like to "experiment" when covering an event. Often I'm shooting with an on-camera flash in a darkened ballroom with few ambient lights, plus a DJs LEDs or lasers to add accent colors.
In order to get the results I visualize, it's absolutely imperative to check my screen after almost each shot. So for me, it's all part of the creative process.

Marionsho Loc: Kansas

Welcome to the Hog, Norm.
Marion

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Somewhere between a gross over simplification an a simply false concept.

Turn on the histogram and blinking highlight display, and while much closer to valid than the above, first they don't display in the viewfinder and second even with all of that it isn't always enough information.