Ranting on.

[kat]

Just wondering if anyone else hears this and if it irritates you?

More often than not I'll hear that my camera takes such a nice photo and I guess, my finger is all that is needed from me.

So now the next thing I see is all my friends and family getting better cameras and gear that sits in a bag never to be used properly (and always set to Auto).

Now and then, to my surprise, I get a question on how come this does this or how to do this. I may not know much but everything I do know took me hours of reading and shooting.

Is it wrong to feel like I shouldn't give those tips up to those that won't even attempt to read the manual?

I'm just a little irked today. A family member, who after a step by step intsruction from me on how to take this photo entered it into a contest, and won. Now mind you this contest was by public voting and one could vote a million times..thank god the person had facebook to announce it. But now all of a sudden she is the photographer. She knows it all.

I guess I'm just at this place where - what is too much help? Is there such a thing? Should some people not get help?

Yes yes..I can hear it now. Stop being jealous..I guess I just wished I would of had a thankyou...

[Ben H]

More often than not I'll hear that my camera takes such a nice photo and I guess, my finger is all that is needed from me.

Yes, this is quite a common comment from people who know no better. Fortunately, it's easy to demonstrate otherwise

So now the next thing I see is all my friends and family getting better cameras and gear that sits in a bag never to be used properly (and always set to Auto).

Yep. Quite often, people (especially people with more money than sense) will buy a £1000 camera expecting their pictures to be brilliant - and they are often dissapointed when they stick their camera in full auto and the pictures look exactly the same as on their previous cheap point and shoot camera.

Is it wrong to feel like I shouldn't give those tips up to those that won't even attempt to read the manual?

It depends. I'm happy to help those who want to learn - we were all there at some point. I *do* however get annoyed by people who "expect" other people to put in effort for them, so they can improve without any effort on their part.

One of my work philosophies is: You get out what you put in.

I'm just a little irked today. A family member, who after a step by step intsruction from me on how to take this photo entered it into a contest, and won. Now mind you this contest was by public voting and one could vote a million times..thank god the person had facebook to announce it. But now all of a sudden she is the photographer. She knows it all.

Ah, let her enjoy her "success". If it sparks a real interest, she will put in some effort and learn and get better. Otherwise she'll get bored and move onto other things. It doesn't affect *your* images, right?

I guess I'm just at this place where - what is too much help? Is there such a thing? Should some people not get help?

I will happily help those who really want help. I don't like helping those who expect me to make them good, so they don't have to bother.

And that goes for people who actively refuse to read their manuals. And then ask what a certain feature does. Drives me nuts!!

[kat]

Thanks Ben!

Your response put me in a better place! And in a better attitude - actually made me think too!

[Travis]

Well... I suppose you could listen to Ben and his "Positive" message...

but...

really..

it was you that took that winning picture... YOU!.... without YOU that picture would have never happened...

the only way to make yourself feel better is to blow a load of dust and pet dander on her sensor....

or...

maybe...

you should just stick with Bens ideas...

[Ben H]

I'm such a role model...

[mindforge]

We - as humans - are about sharing our experience, especially when those people are friends and family members. So, even if this family member came to you and got a really good client afterward that paid them millions of dollars and she got glorious recognition because of 'your' picture then hey, she is going to have to come through and if she does, you just helped her get her break.

Too many people are secretive with their styles and don't share secrets thinking that they will lose some secret niche. The best photographers - and the richest - are usually people that share their secrets and embrace learning and the community.

If someone will not read their manual they are missing out on more than getting help on one thing. They might never understand why their sky keeps blowing out. So, it will work itself in the wash. It's almost like you have an irrational fear of this person being better than you. Instead of thinking you did it and everything, take the family member in, you might have someone to shoot with and it is a lot more fun to take pictures with a friend. I have a wife and a kid, both with cameras when we go out. If I teach my wife how to take a certain shot and she wins a competition, I will be happy, not jealous that it was done with my experience. After all, I didn't take the shot.

You should look into working with this family member, it might be a blast. It is better than harboring some sort of reaction to you sharing knowledge, which you should do freely regardless of what we stand to lose or gain from it.

[tomorrowstreasures]

We - as humans - are about sharing our experience, especially when those people are friends and family members. So, even if this family member came to you and got a really good client afterward that paid them millions of dollars and she got glorious recognition because of 'your' picture then hey, she is going to have to come through and if she does, you just helped her get her break.

Too many people are secretive with their styles and don't share secrets thinking that they will lose some secret niche. The best photographers - and the richest - are usually people that share their secrets and embrace learning and the community.

If someone will not read their manual they are missing out on more than getting help on one thing. They might never understand why their sky keeps blowing out. So, it will work itself in the wash. It's almost like you have an irrational fear of this person being better than you. Instead of thinking you did it and everything, take the family member in, you might have someone to shoot with and it is a lot more fun to take pictures with a friend. I have a wife and a kid, both with cameras when we go out. If I teach my wife how to take a certain shot and she wins a competition, I will be happy, not jealous that it was done with my experience. After all, I didn't take the shot.

You should look into working with this family member, it might be a blast. It is better than harboring some sort of reaction to you sharing knowledge, which you should do freely regardless of what we stand to lose or gain from it.

MF - you read my mind!