Is Photography/camera a guy thing?

[Krisstiffer]

The fact is, there are less women photographers on sites like this, because it's all techy techy techy, all the time, and when anyone tries to discuss photography as anything else, you get shouted down as being "arty farty".

First to pick it out.........

Proportion of male vs. female photographers and proportion of male vs. female photographers posting on an internet forum. I think that's where the difference lies.......

As for the male and female differences in thought and approach - had a read of "Why men don't listen and why women can't read maps" - was an interesting and enjoyable read.

 

[philwillmedia]

Because there is more talk about equipment than any other topics.

Umm, right...
How does that explain that when I'm out and about or covering events, I see more blokes with cameras than I do women?

In this well circulated image from 2008 beijing Olympics - very few women in the photog's pit.

 

[simonblue]

I find if i see a woman taking photos with what i see as a real camera,i have a nice little chat with her,and then point her to a WHSmiths where she can pick up some mags on kittens & knitting,before the poor thing confuses herself

 

[Moreorless]

Umm, right...
How does that explain that when I'm out and about or covering events, I see more blokes with cameras than I do women?

In this well circulated image from 2008 beijing Olympics - very few women in the photog's pit.

I'd say it depends very much on the kind of photography were talking about.

I don't see many female sports or landscape photographers for example but I see alot of female portrait, wedding or street photographers.

 

[ian-83]

Women are definitely wired up different and probably more clever! Male GAS means were happy to drop £1k on a lens. Where females could easily get 50 outfits with matching shoes and accessories for the same cash!

 

[ernesto]

Umm, right...
How does that explain that when I'm out and about or covering events, I see more blokes with cameras than I do women?

Sorry, I thought you were referring to the population of this forum as a guide to the male/female spilt. I was referring the the most active part being the equipment section.

As for few women pro sports photographers that could be because of all sorts of reasons
- the popular sports (football) are of no interest
- the photographers form a mens club that is unwelcoming
- and probably any other reasons

I don't think looking at some of the pro photography population is a good guide to who is interested in photography as it is largely irrelevant and makes up a minuscule % of the overall number of people who are photographers/interested in photography.

A better guide would be to look at the population of Flickr as that covers all sorts of interests and levels but is very much about photographs.

 

[Deleted member 60651]

First to pick it out.........

Proportion of male vs. female photographers and proportion of male vs. female photographers posting on an internet forum. I think that's where the difference lies.......

As for the male and female differences in thought and approach - had a read of "Why men don't listen and why women can't read maps" - was an interesting and enjoyable read.

I'll recommend the Gender Delusion by Cordelia Fine for a scientific analysis.

 

[a1ex2001]

My experience. A female tog is much less likely to want to discuss the merits of different cameras and lenses but if anything that makes them better photographers as really we ll know the differences bettween most modern kit is tiny and what creates a good photograph is imagination combined with technique.

 

[Joshwain]

The only people I personally know that are interested in photography are women, it seems that professional photographers seem more often to be men though. I'm not sure why that is to be honest, maybe men see it as more of a challenge while women just enjoy doing it as a hobby?

 

[Georges]

I don't understand what prompted this question, but anyway, here in Swindon every time I go to the local park I am outnumbered by girls (and gears ). To be honest, if you did not bring up the question I would have never thought of this question.

 

[Moreorless]

Sorry, I thought you were referring to the population of this forum as a guide to the male/female spilt. I was referring the the most active part being the equipment section.

As for few women pro sports photographers that could be because of all sorts of reasons
- the popular sports (football) are of no interest
- the photographers form a mens club that is unwelcoming
- and probably any other reasons

I don't think looking at some of the pro photography population is a good guide to who is interested in photography as it is largely irrelevant and makes up a minuscule % of the overall number of people who are photographers/interested in photography.

A better guide would be to look at the population of Flickr as that covers all sorts of interests and levels but is very much about photographs.

It seems to me pretty much all professional photography is aspirational on some level which is obviously going to make this a big factor.

I have seen the odd female sports tog at Palace games though so they do exist.