rmalarz Loc: Tempe, Arizona

A response to another post I submitted led me to this question. One of the folks who replied to the other post opined that the print is the final product and all that matters. I tend to agree.

So, let’s consider the posts within the gallery, or other sections that contain photographs, the final product. Why are so many insistent on listing the camera, lens, settings, etc.?

I can understand if it were a tutorial based solely on a particular camera, a particular setting, etc. However, those photographs are not. The photographs presented are for show and not lessons. So, why the insistence?
—Bob

Darkroom317 Loc: Mishawaka, IN

Posters on here seem to be obsessed with their cameras and try to be impressive with their technical jargon. This is much of it. I tend not to list my camera on the rare occasion when I post images on here.

First: it doesn't matter and neither do the settings.

Second: Because of the equipment I use, I know that I would receive few replies.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

First off: any "photographer" in 2018 worthy of the title has software installed on their computer(s) to read the EXIF ... Most everyone spending time listing out the data available in the EXIF hasn't yet earned their photographer card for 2018 ...

Second, you know full well this site is more of a social site with a focus (mostly) on photography. Judging the performance of the general crowd is not a way to judge a photographer ... see 1st point as a reminder, as needed.

pesfls Loc: Oregon, USA

I’ve done it both ways. My reason for including a bit of data is simply that I’ve read several posts asking to have that included. No more than that but if some want it, fine, if not I figure they can easilly ignore it.

TomC. Loc: Bel Air, MD

It doesn't matter to me what camera they used. Sometimes I like to know what lens they used in case I get one.

Whuff Loc: Marshalltown, Iowa

The question is a bit ironic given that many times I’ve seen photos posted in the gallery without any info as to settings, etc. and people immediately want to know what camera, settings, etc. that were used to get the shot.

Walt

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

To inform people how the image was made and give them ideas to think about. The technique etc can be carried over to other gear with a bit of thinking. Plus there are lots of people who want to know those things. And yes that means they are a mini tutorial in photography. A huge % of members here joined to learn as well as share images. Camera type, lens, flash or no flash give information on gear needed or at least type/class of gear. SS, f-stop, ISO, HDR, focus stack, PP app and what was done. Those show some of the steps to get those results. Many beginners do not know about the changes these things can make in the result. example: picture of water fall - high SS = water drops frozen etc -- slow SS = that silky blur of the falling water.
It doesn't hurt me to put up that info, it doesn't hurt those who don't need it that it is there but others are interested and thinking/learning from it. Also many of the beginners have no idea how to access the exif data from the images, and some of them don't have it anymore anyway.
Maybe the print is the final product, but this site does not have any prints, only digital versions. Unless you are printing from the downloads of every image you look at?

Having the information there or not doesn't help or hurt you, so why are you so obsessed with it?

Oh, more power to you with your film gear, 4x5 etc. I got rid of all my 4x5 and medium format recently. As to film itself, I don't miss it at all, esp not the fumes from the chemicals since I have allergies and asthma. The one year (74-75 school year) I taught 5 periods of basic photography instead of history, geography etc I made short tours of the film and darkroom with long periods of breathing in the classroom to keep my lungs clear.

Having today's digital gear for those high school photo students would have been a complete game changer in teaching photography. Nearly unlimited experimentation and practice and fast results to show how things worked and what results you would get from each change. A much faster paced lesson flow and many more things covered and/or learned in the same time frame.

ELNikkor

Good photographers go to where the pictures are and know what to do when they get there. The equipment and use of it are only there to match his vision to the situation.

Rongnongno Loc: FL

Bob,

Depends where you post and why. Personally I strip everything since I use PNG as format and do not care about giving any information... Unless I need to explain or because I ask a specific question.

kpmac Loc: Ragley, La

The point of asking those questions is to learn. If a particular lens is better than another or designed for a certain purpose which enhances that type of photo, the question is valid. I am often curious as to settings used for certain images. I have learned much by observing how others do things. Is that not how we learn? If you are not interested in this data simply ignore it. Others likely will appreciate it.

Bill_de Loc: US

Well, stated in the Photo Gallery rules:

"- Try to include the specifications of your gear and settings in the post accompanying the pictures. Stating aperture, shutter speed, ISO would be great. Even better would be to also include your body and lens specs. This really helps others learn what settings work in various scenarios."


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Katydid Loc: Davis, CA

I agree with this point of view entirely. I couldn't have said it better myself.

robertjerl Loc: Corona, California

Yep The Ugly Hedge Hog school of photography - basic, intermediate, advanced and graduate level individual or group study as well as specialties.

WDCash Loc: Milford, Delaware, USA

Nice

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

I see that as well. SO sometimes I list the data cause someone is probably going to ask.