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Question on Professionalism in Photography
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May 8, 2017 13:30:40   #
speters Loc: Grangeville/Idaho
 
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)

No, it's not, actually it has nothing to do with being professional or not! It is somebody's preference that at some point, I guess can become a habit. (pro's do it, amateur's do it and as many again don't)!

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May 8, 2017 13:42:04   #
photoman022 Loc: Manchester CT USA
 
I started serious photography in 1973 with a 35mm film camera; I've been shooting digital for the past 6 or 7 years. I "chimp" all the time I don't care what anyone thinks about it. I like looking at the shot I just took. Sometimes "chimping" is beneficial. Last year I was shooting in Utah and forgot to change my camera setting from shooting a sunrise to shooting in the middle of the day (something else we're told not to do -- but what happens when you're in the middle of nowhere, going somewhere that's too far away for you to get back at either of the golden hours?)--I digress. I forgot to change my settings and immediately noticed that my photos were way, way overexposed. I only knew that because I "chimp." Now, I think I'll eat a banana!

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May 8, 2017 13:54:29   #
Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA
 
I think the term originated from watching a row of sports photographers frequently checking their shots on their lcds, I'm guessing to see if they captured a money shot. So obviously it is professional behavior.

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May 8, 2017 14:06:25   #
terry44 Loc: Tuolumne County California, Maui Hawaii
 
I like this statement as your profession requires quick action so you can get your shots off to press, you have to make sure you have it right then go on. In the case of many of us advanced or semi-advanced photographers who do not have a time constraint or a event to shoot why not take a quick look to make sure we got what we want this option is one of the best reasons to switch from film in my opinion
Greenmachine wrote:
GOOD QUESTION!: I'm a freelance newspaper photographer and when I'm on assignments where other photographers are present (press conferences, news/sports events, etc.) I also notice that pretty much all of them (myself included) check the image, at least for their FIRST couple of shots, to make sure the exposure and maybe depth-of-field is acceptable. However, they don't CONTINUE looking at every shot, unless the light changes or some other unexpected situation comes up. So I guess us "pros" don't want to be seen "chimping" without a good reason! Hope this helps....
---Greenmachine
GOOD QUESTION!: I'm a freelance newspaper photogra... (show quote)

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May 8, 2017 14:18:21   #
Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA
 
I chimp constantly. For me, it is part of my creative process. Although I do not shoot weddings, portraits, or photos of people's cats, I do consider myself to be a "professional" in that I have been selling my images successfully on the art festival circuit for a number of years. Chimping is a key component of how I compose my images. When I see a scene that I think has potential, I start by shooting a number of images while moving around, getting different angles and zooms, chimping all the while. When I see something on my LED screen that I think holds promise, I slow down (usually set up my tripod) and work to refine the composition. Again, I will continue to chimp as part of the process. ("Hummm. I wonder if that would be better if I move a foot to my left". "Let's try zooming in a bit to emphasize that Tree a bit more". Etc ). Personally, chimping has little to do with checking exposure, or settings, but a tremendous amount to do with perfecting my final compositions. If others want to consider that "unprofessional", my response is to smile and think to myself, "Yeah, whatever, buddy".

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May 8, 2017 14:53:25   #
c49smith Loc: Ohio
 
Norm11 wrote:
So for me, it's all part of the creative process.


Another great thought Thank you Norm11... I certainly didn't mean to stir up such a debate! I appreciate everyone's opinion and response.

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May 8, 2017 15:13:51   #
Greenmachine Loc: Chicago, IL
 
terry44 wrote:
I like this statement as your profession requires quick action so you can get your shots off to press, you have to make sure you have it right then go on. In the case of many of us advanced or semi-advanced photographers who do not have a time constraint or a event to shoot why not take a quick look to make sure we got what we want this option is one of the best reasons to switch from film in my opinion


Excellent observation and comment, Terry! Better to be safe than sorry, especially when you're getting PAID for the results! Kind of like the old view camera photographers with those dark hoods over their camera and tripods.
LOTS of pre-peeking and shooting: Wow. talk about dedication to duty!
--Greenmachine

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May 8, 2017 15:16:27   #
Retired fat guy with a camera Loc: Colorado
 
I check the first couple of shots, just to see where I am, photo wise. I make adjustments if needed. Unless things change dramatically, I concentrate on the next shot. Look ahead not behind.

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May 8, 2017 15:27:36   #
Greenmachine Loc: Chicago, IL
 
Photographer Jim wrote:
I chimp constantly. For me, it is part of my creative process. Although I do not shoot weddings, portraits, or photos of people's cats, I do consider myself to be a "professional" in that I have been selling my images successfully on the art festival circuit for a number of years. Chimping is a key component of how I compose my images. When I see a scene that I think has potential, I start by shooting a number of images while moving around, getting different angles and zooms, chimping all the while. When I see something on my LED screen that I think holds promise, I slow down (usually set up my tripod) and work to refine the composition. Again, I will continue to chimp as part of the process. ("Hummm. I wonder if that would be better if I move a foot to my left". "Let's try zooming in a bit to emphasize that Tree a bit more". Etc ). Personally, chimping has little to do with checking exposure, or settings, but a tremendous amount to do with perfecting my final compositions. If others want to consider that "unprofessional", my response is to smile and think to myself, "Yeah, whatever, buddy".
I chimp constantly. For me, it is part of my creat... (show quote)


You sound very professional to me: All that matters is the final result, and with your detailed techniques, I'll bet your finished photos are great! By the way, how did you get that purple tint look to your image photo?

---Greenmachine

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May 8, 2017 15:37:44   #
JuxtaposePictures Loc: San Diego
 
Apaflo wrote:
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.


Well that depends. If you are using a camera with an evf you can have your histogram in the viewfinder. If you are using a camera with an optical viewfinder you can't but you still have an exposure meter and if you learn how to read a scene, learn how much dynamic range your camera can handle, and recognize that you don't always need to keep all detail in every highlight, the histogram or blinkies aren't always necessary. If you are getting shots of the Rings, table settings, flowers, etc. It doesn't hurt anything to stop and check your lcd but it certainly can hurt in other situations when people and fleeting expressions are involved.

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May 8, 2017 15:50:09   #
Greenmachine Loc: Chicago, IL
 
speters wrote:
No, it's not, actually it has nothing to do with being professional or not! It is somebody's preference that at some point, I guess can become a habit. (pro's do it, amateur's do it and as many again don't)!


Hmmm..is that kinda like saying: "Different strokes for different folks?" If so, I agree!

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May 8, 2017 15:50:38   #
cfbudd Loc: Atlanta, Georgia
 
Apaflo wrote:
Learn to use the technology! A 3 or 4 shot burst in high speed continuous mode guarantees the ability to produce a photograph with no blinkers etc., chimping does not! Trying to review each member of even small groups is a waste of time, and not easy anyway. It is an exceedingly unprofessional use of chimping!

Granted that this is actually a professional technique though, because it really needs lighting that can fire at the same intensity and color multiple times in one second. Multiple high power studio strobes make it easy, and anything less is a potential failure or excessive work.
Learn to use the technology! A 3 or 4 shot burst i... (show quote)


Huh?

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May 8, 2017 15:55:12   #
Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
 
JuxtaposePictures wrote:
Well that depends. If you are using a camera with an evf you can have your histogram in the viewfinder. If you are using a camera with an optical viewfinder you can't but you still have an exposure meter and if you learn how to read a scene, learn how much dynamic range your camera can handle, and recognize that you don't always need to keep all detail in every highlight, the histogram or blinkies aren't always necessary. If you are getting shots of the Rings, table settings, flowers, etc. It doesn't hurt anything to stop and check your lcd but it certainly can hurt in other situations when people and fleeting expressions are involved.
Well that depends. If you are using a camera with ... (show quote)

Bottom line: your original statement was incorrect. The viewfinder rarely ever tells everything one needs to know. Squirm here and wiggle there, but exceptions don't make for a universal truth.

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May 8, 2017 15:56:24   #
Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska
 
cfbudd wrote:
Huh?

Eh?

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May 8, 2017 16:09:37   #
Greenmachine Loc: Chicago, IL
 
photoman022 wrote:
I started serious photography in 1973 with a 35mm film camera; I've been shooting digital for the past 6 or 7 years. I "chimp" all the time I don't care what anyone thinks about it. I like looking at the shot I just took. Sometimes "chimping" is beneficial. Last year I was shooting in Utah and forgot to change my camera setting from shooting a sunrise to shooting in the middle of the day (something else we're told not to do -- but what happens when you're in the middle of nowhere, going somewhere that's too far away for you to get back at either of the golden hours?)--I digress. I forgot to change my settings and immediately noticed that my photos were way, way overexposed. I only knew that because I "chimp." Now, I think I'll eat a banana!
I started serious photography in 1973 with a 35mm ... (show quote)


Well said, Photoman! Thanks "a bunch" (of bananas, of course!)

---Greenmachine

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