Tomcat5133 Loc: Gladwyne PA

I think their is something deeper going on here.The interest and span of attention is very small window.

That's why (we are selling content marketing video) visual learning. I have had thousands of hits
on the triathlon and running festivals I shoot and produce. Surprising how many people interested
in these events don't stay to watch for more than half the three minute video. Learn about a DSLR. Ha!

Google is working on and we are 6 second videos for marketing. I did a video the 5 second rule.
My family shocks me the lack of attention they have for subjects. The kids are bright but limited.

I have no problem if these people on the cruise setup the camera in auto and AF focus and
take photos they probably will enjoy themselves.

The cell phone has already made a dent in serious image making.

I have been encouraging my grandaughter to take pictures she is now 11.
I was shooting some food for her mother (she published a book) and she picked up the camera and shot.
My father started early in NY taking me to the planaterium art and history museums concerts etc.

This to me is more about the interest in the world and creating photos.

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Smart move not wanting to cause any "problems". The camera for them is not an end all to be all and not a "waste" We have been to Costa Rica a couple of times. Always a great time. My sister in law was there during the early '70s with the Peace Corp.

bedouin Loc: Big Bend area, Texas

" We should resist the natural tendency to better others by having them think as we do." - Mark Twain-

traderjohn Loc: New York City

Sorta makes you a little jealous, doesn't it?

camerapapi Loc: Miami, Fl.

What you experienced is very common and we see it reflected here often. People with very expensive cameras asking what lens should I buy for landscape photography, just to mention what we see more often.
A few years ago, in the mountains of West Virginia I was in a small group where a Vietnamese-American woman was using a D800 with a 24-70 f2.8 Nikon lens and a polarizer. We were photographing a sunrise and there was no way I could understand why a polarizer. When we finally ended shooting I was so curious that I asked her about the polarizer and her answer was "I shoot EVERYTHING with the polarizer." I was not the guide of that group who by the way did not correct her use of the filter so I decided not to offer any advise to avoid a conflict.
Many newbies want the best and the latest camera and a professional lens because they want the "sharpest" lens they can buy. They do not seem to understand that sharpness depends more on us than the lens.
I agree with Linda, advertisement has a lot to do with it. Reminds me of the megapixels race.

srt101fan

Now, when you see someone with a Nikon D850 on a selfie stick.... that's when you've come across a real photographer...! 😕

traderjohn Loc: New York City

You can marginalize and demean the "newbies" all you want. They are spending their money keeping a market with slowly dropping sales alive.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

Yet another unscientific, unprofessionally obtained, undersized sample group, no control group established, containing a lot of BLA, BLA, BLA POST. The only reason I am responding is that I find these posts interesting only it's is amateurish attempt to sound logical.

foathog Loc: Greensboro, NC

Looks to me that they are dying to be fleeced, MT. Sell them an 850 or a 5D IV. LOL

jaymatt Loc: Alexandria, Indiana

Apparently they don’t care, so what’s the difference? If they want to spend big bucks for an expensive toy to hang around their necks and look important, that’s their business.

suntouched Loc: Sierra Vista AZ

Funny but I rarely pay attention to what other photographers are doing when I'm in the field. Or what equipment they are using and certainly not what their settings are or if they seem competent.
I have casually noticed that here in Az though it's the senior men with the big gear carrying big tripods to support it.

As for the manual I find it essential. Can't imagine setting up a camera without it. Or trouble shooting.

larryepage Loc: North Texas area

The pool of "newbies" is also the best source we have for new photographers. I try to be sensitive for the ones who do (or will) develop interest so that I can stand ready to nurture (or at least encourage) that interest if and when it develops. It won't be all of them or even many of them, but there will be a few. Latest opportunity was the receptionist at one of my dad's doctor's offices yesterday. Just a chance to pass along a word of encouragement. I'll likely never know the results.

Shoeless_Photographer Loc: Lexington

It amazes me how people will spend money for something, and not even have a clue how to use it. Folks like that eventually sell 'em on Craigslist for a fraction of what they paid for it.

Country Boy Loc: Beckley, WV

I really think most people buy what they think will give them the best results and don't understand how technical a camera can be compared to the old days of point and shoot. I shot manual for many years then bought a Minolta film camera with auto focus and used it for a period. When digital came out, I just bought a point and shoot and for 10 years was away from photography except for some special event. Then I decided to go digital and bought a D7100 and I can remember the shock when I opened the box. I read the manual but did not know the terms and process and that made it really hard to learn even though I had many years experience in the film world. I think many get the shock I did but don't know how to continue.