RANT: arrogant 'knowitall' photographers

Personally if someone told me that I was doing something wrong, I would ask 'Why?'; ask for their opinion, what does it hurt? I wouldn't just say "eff off!", so as far as I know I might be oblivious to the mistakes I'm making.

The fact of the matter is, if the guy mentioned in my original posts continues to take his camera out in the heavy rain, he may one day end up with a brick. That's all I said and you all know there is truth in what say, so arguing the logistics of the whole thing is pointless. You've made it quite clear that you don't appreciate the opinions of others.
 
Eddzz!! said:
Personally if someone told me that I was doing something wrong, I would ask 'Why?'; ask for their opinion, what does it hurt? I wouldn't just say "eff off!", so as far as I know I might be oblivious to the mistakes I'm making.

The fact of the matter is, if the guy mentioned in my original posts continues to take his camera out in the heavy rain, he may one day end up with a brick. That's all I said and you all know there is truth in what say, so arguing the logistics of the whole thing is pointless. You've made it quite clear that you don't appreciate the opinions of others.
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No that's just not true. IF I ask for someone's opinion then I expect him to say exactly what he thinks BUT if someone came up to me and TOLD me I was doing it wrong and I was happy doing it the way I was doing it then I'm going to tell him to go away.
 
Eddzz!! said:
Some interesting opinions in here! Seems I'm not the only one who gets cheese'd off by things like this.

That said, I'm not going to stop lending advice. I mean, there isn't really any harm in it and if it can improve someones technique, then I guess I'm doing some good!
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But if you are only lending it, why get upset when they give it back unused ?
 
Personally I never offer advice if it is not asked for, if it is that is a different matter and I will gladly help when I can.;)
Regards to all Bob.
 
old bloke said:
Personally I never offer advice if it is not asked for, if it is that is a different matter and I will gladly help when I can.;)
Regards to all Bob.
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Exactly my point. Anything else just looks like your sticking your nose in.
 
Eddzz!! said:
You're all highlighting a fundamental error in the way a lot of people think. Some people are so defensive against people they don't know, it's what makes some aspects of British society so unsightly. Some people can be so unfriendly. I doubt I would have run into this same issue had I offered advice to an American, or European photographer. I honestly can't believe how a lot of you are reacting. I think I may have placed a little too much faith in human kindness.

[FYI] Whenever I'm shooting with another photographer (whom more often than not I don't know personally) and they offer me advice on my settings, composure etc... I take it all on board and am actually quite grateful for it. I don't often ask for the advice, but when it is given to me freely, I appreciate it! I mean, for goodness sake, it's not like people have to display any generosity at all.
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Agreed. I can't believe you've all mostly turned this on the OP, he wasn't sticking his nose in at all, merely trying to prevent the bloke from destroying his camera. If I were the one this had been said to and I /didn't/ know that the rain would destroy the camera I'd be grateful that he pointed it out as he'd have saved a few hundred quid.

His reaction however, was pretty childish and typically British.
 
Eddy - I totally get that you think you were doing the right thing and are a bit miffed at the reaction you got. I think you made a small, but significant, error of judgement.

I've only once offered advice to another photographer.

I was doing some long exposure shots of one of my favourite local landmarks when I noticed a guy with a camera on a tripod. I could see from his body language he was getting frustrated and angry

I wondered if I could help, but was very aware there was going to be a right way and a wrong to approach it.

So, I casually wandered over and asked if everything was ok.

He said, "I've wanted a camera for ages, my wife bought this for my birthday and I can't get any sense out the ****ing thing."

I suggested I might be able to get him started in the right direction, if he was willing.

He agreed, and 20 minutes later he was one happy bunny.

If I'd gone in uninvited telling him what he was doing wrong, and what he should have been doing, I've no doubt the outcome would have been rather different.
 
Tom. said:
Agreed. I can't believe you've all mostly turned this on the OP, he wasn't sticking his nose in at all, merely trying to prevent the bloke from destroying his camera. If I were the one this had been said to and I /didn't/ know that the rain would destroy the camera I'd be grateful that he pointed it out as he'd have saved a few hundred quid.

His reaction however, was pretty childish and typically British.
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that would have been a valid point if the advice was accurate, but in fact you can use most low end canons in the rain with no ill effects ( We've got a 450D at work that has been out in all sorts of crap weather and is still working fine)

therefore it comes across as gear snobbery which will be why the person concerned responded as they did.
 
Tom. said:
Agreed. I can't believe you've all mostly turned this on the OP, he wasn't sticking his nose in at all, merely trying to prevent the bloke from destroying his camera. If I were the one this had been said to and I /didn't/ know that the rain would destroy the camera I'd be grateful that he pointed it out as he'd have saved a few hundred quid.

His reaction however, was pretty childish and typically British.
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Your basing your reply on the presumption the guy didn't know his camera was in danger of being water damaged. What makes you think he didn't know?

Maybe he just didn't care. Maybe he has got a few grand to spend so just thought well if it breaks I will buy another. Maybe it wasn't even his camera.

The only facts that we are certain of is the OP gave advice that wasn't wanted and wasn't best pleased when told to go away.
 
pepi1967 said:
Your basing your reply on the presumption the guy didn't know his camera was in danger of being water damaged. What makes you think he didn't know?

Maybe he just didn't care. Maybe he has got a few grand to spend so just thought well if it breaks I will buy another. Maybe it wasn't even his camera.

The only facts that we are certain of is the OP gave advice that wasn't wanted and wasn't best pleased when told to go away.
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I still don't think that's the point, it may not have been his camera etc but they're not weatherproof so the OP was correct in giving advice and being a helping human, yet got this reply:*
4510669-angry-man-with-camera.jpg


Still, I've even learnt my lesson here without doing anything, keep it to yourself no matter what.:bonk:


*I do hope nobody takes offence, I found the image rather funny/suiting to the situation, enjoy!*
 
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Tom. said:
Still, I've even learnt my lesson here without doing anything, keep it to yourself no matter what.:bonk:
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I think it's a shame you see it that way.

It's about how you go about it. See my post above.

In this case I would have said something like, "crikey, you're braver than me mate, using your camera in the rain."
 
simon ess said:
I think it's a shame you see it that way.

It's about how you go about it. See my post above.

In this case I would have said something like, "crikey, you're braver than me mate, using your camera in the rain."
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That'd be a good way to go about it and I understand where you're coming from, but I've not got time for those that'll only shove it back in your face. Each occasion will be different though, suppose you just have to suck it and see!
 
the only un-requested advice i'll offer you is
DONT EAT YELLOW SNOW.....
 
Tom. said:
I still don't think that's the point, it may not have been his camera etc but they're not weatherproof so the OP was correct in giving advice and being a helping human

Still, I've even learnt my lesson here without doing anything, keep it to yourself no matter what.:bonk:


*I do hope nobody takes offence, I found the image rather funny/suiting to the situation, enjoy!*
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No the OP got the answer he asked for. He gave advice that wasn't asked for needed or wanted. He did what he thought was best he was wrong. Right in his goodwill but wrong to offer advice without it being required.
 
Or, as in Hesiod's "Works and Days," written around 700bc; don't **** upstream of your campsite.

It's still my favourite quote from any guide book.
 
What the OP could have done was instead of offering what he thinks is right, why not as the other guy a question:

"Have you ever worried the rain is going to damage your camera?"

Maybe this guy has tried it a hundred times and found it to be fine then he could in fact be educating the OP

"Actually I've done this a hundred times and I've had no problems, so whilst its not pro grade weather sealed its actually holding up really well in this kind of weather"

or maybe he'd say

"You know, I have to get the shot, I know its not ideal, but I'm willing to take the risk"

or

"You know I never really thought about it, now that you mention it I'll think twice about doing it again, cheers"

the fact is the OP went about it the wrong way
 
joescrivens said:
What the OP could have done was instead of offering what he thinks is right, why not as the other guy a question:

"Have you ever worried the rain is going to damage your camera?"

Maybe this guy has tried it a hundred times and found it to be fine then he could in fact be educating the OP

"Actually I've done this a hundred times and I've had no problems, so whilst its not pro grade weather sealed its actually holding up really well in this kind of weather"

or maybe he'd say

"You know, I have to get the shot, I know its not ideal, but I'm willing to take the risk"

or

"You know I never really thought about it, now that you mention it I'll think twice about doing it again, cheers"

the fact is the OP went about it the wrong way
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I'm curious Joe, did you go on the same "How to manage people" course I did? :lol:
 
joescrivens said:
What the OP could have done was instead of offering what he thinks is right, why not as the other guy a question
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So pointing and laughing wouldn't be ok? :naughty:
 
big soft moose said:
that would have been a valid point if the advice was accurate, but in fact you can use most low end canons in the rain with no ill effects ( We've got a 450D at work that has been out in all sorts of crap weather and is still working fine)

therefore it comes across as gear snobbery which will be why the person concerned responded as they did.
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Agreed, my 30D had water coming out of the body after one soaking in torrential rain, still works as new 4 years later.
 
First point to make is that surely everyone knows if their camera is waterproof or not?.. So from that you can deduce the owner would have made a decision based on many factors that would only be of his knowledge and concern. My sony a33 isn't waterproof but it doesn't mean I miss a shot I want because of the weather! Years of using mine in all conditions and it's still going, although I do expect her to croak soon.
fabs said:
I think you're missing the point somewhat. It would help if you clarified what you actually said because, if you put it across to him the way you described above ("I quickly informed him on his bad decision making..."), it would have come across as concescending to say the least so his reaction would have been understandable.
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This. Link to the post please :P
pepi1967 said:
Your basing your reply on the presumption the guy didn't know his camera was in danger of being water damaged. What makes you think he didn't know?

Maybe he just didn't care. Maybe he has got a few grand to spend so just thought well if it breaks I will buy another. Maybe it wasn't even his camera.

The only facts that we are certain of is the OP gave advice that wasn't wanted and wasn't best pleased when told to go away.
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This too.
joescrivens said:
What the OP could have done was instead of offering what he thinks is right, why not as the other guy a question:

"Have you ever worried the rain is going to damage your camera?"

Maybe this guy has tried it a hundred times and found it to be fine then he could in fact be educating the OP

"Actually I've done this a hundred times and I've had no problems, so whilst its not pro grade weather sealed its actually holding up really well in this kind of weather"

or maybe he'd say

"You know, I have to get the shot, I know its not ideal, but I'm willing to take the risk"

or

"You know I never really thought about it, now that you mention it I'll think twice about doing it again, cheers"

the fact is the OP went about it the wrong way
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Agreed. I kind of got the sense, after reading a couple of the OP posts, that it wasn't as clear cut as he thought.

Eddzz!! said:
Not quite... I never confess to 'knowitall', but when I know of the dangers of water-damage first hand, I'd like to share advice where I can.
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I'm guessing a broken camera would be the result of water damage... Not particularly insightful advice. It's something people will either take the risk with or not.

Eddzz!! said:
Some typical British opinions being thrown about here, "laissez-faire and stay the hell out of my business!". Fine, I hope you all go skydiving without parachutes ;)
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Shouldn't you be questioning why these other members think you may have been in the wrong?

Eddzz!! said:
I'm sorry, but you're just being deliberately contentious now. I'm hardly acting arrogantly when suggesting he not use his 500D in the pouring rain.
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You can't just suggest something to somebody when they have made a decision based upon factors you know nothing about. Ask them about it, don't suggest.
Eddzz!! said:
As for 'how I put it', it was something along the lines of "I would wrap your camera up in conditions like those - that rain could completely destroy your camera!"

:|
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That's fair enough I guess, but if you argued the point I can see why he may have got peeved.

Also, people trying to be helpful on fb are almost always sticking their noses where not welcome. Either like the post, put something funny, or **** off:thumbs:

Just my opinion:bonk:
 
Cheesy feet said:
First point to make is that surely everyone knows if their camera is waterproof or not?.. So from that you can deduce the owner would have made a decision based on many factors that would only be of his knowledge and concern. My sony a33 isn't waterproof but it doesn't mean I miss a shot I want because of the weather! Years of using mine in all conditions and it's still going, although I do expect her to croak soon.
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I use an a700 which is coming up to 6 years old and anyone who's been on the rainy London meets with me will attest that I was never scared of getting it wet and it doesn't even show any signs of croaking. Cameras are a lot more hardy than people give them credit for.

Cheesy feet said:
This. Link to the post please :P
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It's the opening post. ;)
 
joescrivens said:
If I'm doing some cooking and I know what I'm doing and my wife came over and told me I was doing it wrong without me asking her I'd tell her to mind her own business.
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So you dont talk in a civil manner to her and explain why you are doing it the way you are then Joe?
 
u8myufo said:
So you dont talk in a civil manner to her and explain why you are doing it the way you are then Joe?
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Civil manner? To the wife?

Are you joking? She's lucky to be let out of the hole!








(That was a joke in case you didn't realise)
 
joescrivens said:
Civil manner? To the wife?

Are you joking? She's lucky to be let out of the hole!








(That was a joke in case you didn't realise)
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Easily spotted Joe, easily spotted :D So come on then answer the original question :D I enjoy doing a lot of the cooking but if the wife questioned how I was going about doing something, I would either compare it against what I was doing, and say " you know you are right " Or like I say explain why I was doing it the way I was and suggest that next time me or her are in the same scenario they we do it her way and see what happens :shrug: There is always more than one way around a lot of things :thumbs:
 
u8myufo said:
Easily spotted Joe, easily spotted :D So come on then answer the original question :D I enjoy doing a lot of the cooking but if the wife questioned how I was going about doing something, I would either compare it against what I was doing, and say " you know you are right " Or like I say explain why I was doing it the way I was and suggest that next time me or her are in the same scenario they we do it her way and see what happens :shrug: There is always more than one way around a lot of things :thumbs:
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my wife can't even boil an egg so I think you can read between the lines there ;)

no, really, that is not a joke.
 
joescrivens said:
my wife can't even boil an egg so I think you can read between the lines there ;)

no, really, that is not a joke.
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Does she have an interest in wanting to do it then Joe? Give her the chance to try something if so. :thumbs: My Gran was a head cook for a big private house, a bit like Upstairs Downstairs. I would always stand and watch her in the kitchen when I was at her house. My mother learnt from her, something that is rare nowadays in a lot of families I think, and again I would watch her a lot of the time when cooking. My wife can cook good meals but she will admit I am better, her ex always dominated her and never gave her the chance to do much, so when I met her she was lacking in self confidence more than anything else.
 
fabs said:
I use an a700 which is coming up to 6 years old and anyone who's been on the rainy London meets with me will attest that I was never scared of getting it wet and it doesn't even show any signs of croaking. Cameras are a lot more hardy than people give them credit for.



It's the opening post. ;)
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I mean a link to the fb post the OP was on about. And yeh, I guess DSLR/T's all have a high standard of build quality!

u8myufo said:
Does she have an interest in wanting to do it then Joe? Give her the chance to try something if so. :thumbs: My Gran was a head cook for a big private house, a bit like Upstairs Downstairs. I would always stand and watch her in the kitchen when I was at her house. My mother learnt from her, something that is rare nowadays in a lot of families I think, and again I would watch her a lot of the time when cooking. My wife can cook good meals but she will admit I am better, her ex always dominated her and never gave her the chance to do much, so when I met her she was lacking in self confidence more than anything else.
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joescrivens said:
Nope.

That's that then :lol:
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Perfect example of an unwanted opinion hahaha
 
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