Chuck_893 wrote:
Do you think chimping is unprofessional, that real photographers dont do it and laugh at those that do? (I did a search and there seems not have been much discussion about this on the 'Hog.)
For the uninitiated, chimping is generally defined as the act of checking a just-taken picture on the LCD screen of your camera. The origin and etymology of the term is not clear, but its generally taken as pejorative inasmuch as it implies that one or more persons are gazing stupidly at your screen and making chimp noises, as in Oooo oooo oooo
Pejorative or not, chimping is simply checking your image on the LCD. It is argued (especially by street and event photographers) that if you do it after every single shot you are missing other shots, and I cannot argue with that. But its often implied, if not outright stated, that REAL photographers simply do not chimp! REAL photographers came up in film and had bloody better know what theyre doing because chimping is impossible with a film camera. That is also true.
Full disclosure: I chimp. I am not ashamed of it. I consider it just another tool, available to digital photographers. I love it. I came up in film. I know what Im doing. But when in the studio I often used Polaroid backs in my view cameras to insure that I had the lighting and exposure right. Thats chimping, is it not? I did not know a single studio pro who didnt do that at least some of the time.
I don't chimp every shot. We go places and do things. We spend a lot of $$$ to get there. I may not ever get back. Getting the picture right the first time is important. I chimp to check exposure and composition, and above all sharpness! I love that I can do that. I dont do it after every shot, but sometimes Ill sit in the shade and review shots. I dont scratch or make chimp or monkey noises. :lol:
More full disclosure: I use compact cameras that are always in live view. I take full advantage of that. My Nikon P7800 has an electronic viewfinder that I usually have showing everything: histogram, level, and briefly, right after exposure, a freeze-frame of what it got. Thats sort of full-time chimping I guess, and Im not sure any or all DSLRs can do it (mirrorless may be able to). But Im getting instant feedback with my eye to the finder and I think thats wonderful! I still double-check at some point, mostly to insure sharpness. I will sometimes switch to the blinkies view, mostly because I hate blown highlights. Checking every shot is probably overkill, but why not use every tool you have?
Well, I never know when to shut up
:D So what do you think? Is chimping unprofessional, and do you care? (Cuz I dont.) :mrgreen: :lol:
Do you think chimping is unprofessional, that r... (
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Very well said. :thumbup: