How do YOU respond to "Your camera takes REAL good pictures"..? (Page 16): Like some others, I have not received this left-handed compliment. But then, my photography is rather...

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

Like some others, I have not received this left-handed compliment. But then, my photography is rather personal. I don't do shows, and I don't sell my photos. I do not, will not have a facebook, twitter, or any other social media account.

After reading all the posts in this thread, I have to agree that those who make the statements, are not really knowledgeable about the photographic process and the tools involved. They are simply trying to state that they are looking at some beautiful work. They do understand that this photo was not taken with an Instamatic. If you do not know them, the better answer is something simple like, "Thank You." If you know the person, then maybe a response like skywolf posted, "I taught it everything it knows."

On the other hand, the person who makes the statement, "I could have taken that picture on my phone (or Instamatic)" is the person who has absolutely NO clue. It doesn't matter what you answer, or if you answer at all.

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

skywolf wrote:

I usually smile and say "I taught it everything it knows." Usually works.

Of all the responses in this thread, I like yours the most. I only hope that I can remember it in the slim chance that I may have the opportunity to use it some day in the distant future.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

I'm not sure it's as much about what you say as what you WANT to say. I, like most, just say "thank you"...after all, they don't realize...BUT at times I'd love to say "Thank you, it CAN make some nice ones, but if I fail to get the settings right, it CAN make some pretty bad ones too".

BebuLamar

Horseart wrote:

I'm not sure it's as much about what you say as what you WANT to say. I, like most, just say "thank you"...after all, they don't realize...BUT at times I'd love to say "Thank you, it CAN make some nice ones, but if I fail to get the settings right, it CAN make some pretty bad ones too".

I would much rather giving the credit to the camera then trying to explain that it was me that made the pictures.

chikid68 Loc: Tennesse USA

lmTrying wrote:

One thing I have learned here on the hog in the last year, well maybe two.

If you hand a non, or beginning photographer a $5,000 camera with a $5,000 lens, they are probably going to take a bad snapshot. Whatever quality camera you hand a professional level Photographer (and that includes a lot of amateurs), they are probably going to produce at least a "Wow" photo.

this brings to mind a Santa appearance last year we did for charity.
The photographer that volunteered was a well known local sports photographer who brought along her canon 5dmark iv and her 70-200lis ii but since she was used to sports shooting had the iso up there in spite of decent lighting.
We got to talking about her rig before the children arrived and she asked me if I wanted to try it out.
I immediately changed it to iso200 since it was moire of a portrait setting than action.
She was wowed by the difference

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

lmTrying wrote:

LOL, you got me. br br Actually I expected some o... (show quote)

I felt it was a gooder enough point to add to the conversation. After all, isn't that what social media is all about, the conversation?!
As far as professional level photographer, I would actually put myself in that category, I have the skills and the gear, I just don't make a living at it, although now that I'm retired from my career, maybe I'll pursue another one; I'm not too old and I have plenty of time on my hands.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

chikid68 wrote:

this brings to mind a Santa appearance last year w... (show quote)

If she was using a 5DSr I'd see where moire could be an issue, but not with a 5D IV... :^)

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

I usually ask them what they shoot with. No matter what they say they shoot with I tell them I can make great images with their camera or any other camera and that I actually have iPhone images on my professional page.

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

rmorrison1116 wrote:

I felt it was a gooder enough point to add to the conversation. After all, isn't that what social media is all about, the conversation?!
As far as professional level photographer, I would actually put myself in that category, I have the skills and the gear, I just don't make a living at it, although now that I'm retired from my career, maybe I'll pursue another one; I'm not too old and I have plenty of time on my hands.

If you noticed, I included amateurs (Non-paid) in that 'professional level'. I guess "well experienced" would have been a gooder choice, lol, of words than 'professional level and/or amateurs'.

I guess the ugly hedgehog is a form of social media. But, it has a much more narrow subject and audience. I have no personal experience on Facebook, Twitter, or any of the others. I do know that people have gotten themselves in big trouble and even lost their jobs because of their in appropriate use of public media. I choose to avoid those. Even here on the Hogg, I am careful about what I say. I try not to be snarky, nor negative. I try to be positive in my responses because I consider this to be a place of learning, for me as well as others. Sometimes I'm the student, sometimes the teacher. Having taught high school for 33 years, I witnessed positive and negative teaching methods. I choose positive. But sometimes I stray. Thank goodness, the Hogg is not as strict as some other message boards. I had expected someone to take offense at my use of gooder instead of accepting it in it's intended comical sense.

Good conversation.

rmorrison1116 Loc: Near Valley Forge, Pennsylvania

lmTrying wrote:

If you noticed, I included amateurs (Non-paid) in ... (show quote)

I too was a teacher, of sorts. I was not a school teacher, more of a corporate instructor. My primary focus was computer programming but I also had the joyous function of training new people how to think. I always told them there are 3 ways to do something, their way, my way
and the company way. They're going to learn the best way, my way.
The UHH is most definitely a social media web site, with a specific core subject, that being photography. I've been involved with photography since I was a teenager back in the 70's. I find UHH can be both educational and fun.
Gotta go, time to take the wife to PT.

Horseart Loc: Alabama

BebuLamar wrote:

I would much rather giving the credit to the camera then trying to explain that it was me that made the pictures.

I always do. I let them have it their way and say "Thank you". I just stated what I WANT to say...not what I say.

RL Loc: Canyon, Texas

I generally smile and say "It does a great job if I do my part."

Mithra

Too many people use language poorly, and as a shorthand assuming others will "intuit" what we mean. Unless you are a grammarian and a professor of semantics, and this i one of your students, I think "Thanks" should cover it.

Maik723

Happened to me today. I responded,,,,,,,,,,,,,,"that's not so,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, I take good pictures and thanks for your well intentioned remark".

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

I do think that most people who make some variation of this remark intend it as a sincere compliment. If I detected any snark, I might be tempted to use one of the many snappy, smartass responses in this thread. So far, I haven’t felt the need, but I’ll be ready for that occasion if it comes.

Andy