cyclespeed Loc: Calgary, Alberta Canada

Good day,
I've looked up the meaning on line and get "To review each image on a digital camera after it is taken." But I sense, in some cases, people on this forum mean more than simply looking at the shot on the LCD in the camera after you have taken it. What am I missing?
A second definition is " (informal, often pejorative) To get very excited when showing images on a digital camera. " but that doesn't seem to be the correct one either given the context in which I see it written here.
Thanks for your response.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

it means simply looking at you photos fight after you shoot. Not just looking at the picture but more to look at the histogram. Sometimes a review will seem ok but after downloading you wished you had taken another shot cuz you over or under exposed and it too late. A quick look at the histogram would have told you immediately so you could take another.

As for the pejorative, some people think chimping is somehow amateurish, etc. etc.. Ignore them!!!! Look as often or seldom you need to insure get the best photograph while you are still on site.

rjaywallace Loc: Wisconsin

The first definition you found is correct. Step #2 of the review process might involve changing some settings in the hope of getting a more perfect image (per the mind of the photographer). The negative side of "chimping" is that while the photographer is busy staring at his/her LCD screen, they may be missing the best image of all while the light or the expression on the subject's face changes or the rare bird flies away.

LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

It can be defined in several ways but in most any discussion of the term you will find a number of photographers who will use it in a derogatory manner to imply that they are so skilled that there is no need for them to double check their work.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

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LFingar Loc: Claverack, NY

bdk Loc: Sanibel Fl.

Chimping , instead of getting a correct exposure, you use the screen to guess the exposure like a chimp would.

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

I think it mainly means checking the photo you just took (often using the magnifier) to determine if your focus, or settings like iso, aperture or exposure time needs to be changed. Also very useful after taking pics of people or groups or even pets to see who forgot to smile or who blinked or moved. It increases your chances of getting a good shot. Back in the film days I gave up photography altogether after getting back numerous rolls of processed prints with a small percentage of keepers. Almost impossible to get three kids to smile and keep still at the same moment.

Leitz Loc: Solms

You're missing the rest of the definition: "when one has no clue what they're doing before making the exposure."

Bobspez Loc: Southern NJ, USA

This thread reminds me of past threads about getting it right in the camera so that no post processing was needed. That idea died out and I haven't seen it resurrected. Now there's talk of being a better photographer if you don't review your shots in camera (chimping). Another rediculous notion as far as I am concerned. I'm sure all the high priced studio photographers review their shots, if not after each one, then at least after a bunch of shots were taken, to see if they got what they wanted. And I'm sure they also do a few test shots at the start of the session (chimping). In fact I've seen videos of studio shoots of celebrities, etc., where a group of people participate in the chimping, with several people reviewing the shots in camera, or on dedicated external monitors. Even people at the DMV might ask you if you like your license shot and if not, do you want anther one taken. My Kodak DSC Pro 14N was the second FF digital camera released. It was stricly a pro camera and cost about $4500 back in 2003. It didn't have live view, but had an lcd screen to review shots. Why do you suppose they did that?

Charles 46277 Loc: Fulton County, KY

Nobody explained the etymology--is it a sort of acronym?

Check
Image
[preview?]

Jim Bob

OK. The inquiry has been answered. No need to make this a multi page thread replete with redundancies.

JohnSwanda Loc: San Francisco

It is often used in the pejorative sense for people who do it excessively, like every shot, interfering with the photographic process. But those who denigrate ANY chimping are off base. One of the greatest advantages of digital photography is the ability to check your work. You can confirm that your settings are correct before continuing to shoot, and especially when shooting people, to check expressions or closed eyes to see if more shots are necessary.

CaptainC Loc: Colorado, south of Denver

Chimping - Origin

It comes, I am fairly certain, from the Sportsshooter.com site. It is a reference to the "oooh, oooh, oooh" photographers would say when viewing their images. The sound reminiscent of a chimpanzee. The term has been around since the early 2000s- maybe earlier.

RWR Loc: La Mesa, CA

It’s been around longer than that, Cap’n, I heard it on my first date!