Should we tell them?

[Joe M]

I never offer unsolicited advice. If asked, I'll tell you what you want to know. The only time I'll offer advice is to friends and family that I know well and that I know will take it as advice and not criticism.

 

[fragilesi]

I wonder if he's still married. Or did he throw her off the bridge too? ;D

Well, there was a long debate over whose fault it was . . .

Her View:- His fault for leaving it there.
His view:- Her fault for "swinging that stupid bag around without looking"

My view:- I agreed with both of them ;D

I would add that something should be done in law to protect such fine pieces of glass from being sent to homes like that! Surely there should be some kind of vetting process before you're allowed to buy one!

 

[jdramirez]

I never offer unsolicited advice. If asked, I'll tell you what you want to know. The only time I'll offer advice is to friends and family that I know well and that I know will take it as advice and not criticism.

If we are playing golf and someone offers me some swing advice.... they might get a punch to the face. But with photography... offering advice regarding esthetics is probably a no no, but hey, some fill flash here would do wonders for your subject since the background is a sunset...

Some people don't know... but if they do know and want to produce crap... then by all means.

 

[JonAustin]

I have a friend (a Nikon shooter) whose equipment far exceeds his knowledge and shooting ability. He dreams about buying a 36mp body, but mounts crap telephoto zooms to his current camera, and wonders why his photos aren't sharp. His mode dial has never been moved from P (or whatever the Nikon equivalent is to Canon's Full Auto / Green Square / A+ mode).

He was taking photos of a group to which I was a party recently, seated at a table in a restaurant next to large windows with strong backlighting (bright sunlight). After he muttered that we were all in silhouette (and changing the exposure dial didn't help), I suggested he engage his pop-up flash (and then showed him how to do it).

He was grateful for the advice and appreciative of the fact that we were no longer in silhouette, but I'm convinced that he promptly forgot the lesson as soon as the meal was over.

I never volunteer help to strangers, but when they ask for advice -- as often as not -- their eyes begin to glaze over if the solution to their problem is more than a single setting change. Some just hand me their cameras, and ask me to take the shot for them!

 

[jdramirez]

I buy and sell gear and I used to sell gear in an electronics shop. I would talk to people who had no clue all the time and I tried to explain depth of field 101. Usually that alone would lose me a sale, but I wanted them to have an understanding why you go from a point and shoot to an slr... I think they appreciated that I didn't go easy on them... but probably not.

When I sell my stuff now, I give them just as much information as they ask for and just a bit more. Not a ton... just enough...

I have a friend (a Nikon shooter) whose equipment far exceeds his knowledge and shooting ability. He dreams about buying a 36mp body, but mounts crap telephoto zooms to his current camera, and wonders why his photos aren't sharp. His mode dial has never been moved from P (or whatever the Nikon equivalent is to Canon's Full Auto / Green Square / A+ mode).

He was taking photos of a group to which I was a party recently, seated at a table in a restaurant next to large windows with strong backlighting (bright sunlight). After he muttered that we were all in silhouette (and changing the exposure dial didn't help), I suggested he engage his pop-up flash (and then showed him how to do it).

He was grateful for the advice and appreciative of the fact that we were no longer in silhouette, but I'm convinced that he promptly forgot the lesson as soon as the meal was over.

I never volunteer help to strangers, but when they ask for advice -- as often as not -- their eyes begin to glaze over if the solution to their problem is more than a single setting change. Some just hand me their cameras, and ask me to take the shot for them!

 

[John Strung]

A number of years ago, before electronic flash, I was on a flight landing at Toronto at night. There was a beautiful vista out the window of the city lights.

The person in front of me promptly took out a point and shoot (film) camera, popped flash cube into it and took a shot out the window. This was so stupid on so many levels that I was left gaping.

Did this person not realize the flash would simply reflect back from the window? Did they really think their little flash cube was strong enough to light up the entire City of Toronto from 5,000 feet? And if it could, did they not realize that would spoil their photo because what they wanted to photograph was the lights, not the city?

Knee jerk reaction -- if it is dark, use flash!

 

[9VIII]

A number of years ago, before electronic flash, I was on a flight landing at Toronto at night. There was a beautiful vista out the window of the city lights.

The person in front of me promptly took out a point and shoot (film) camera, popped flash cube into it and took a shot out the window. This was so stupid on so many levels that I was left gaping.

Did this person not realize the flash would simply reflect back from the window? Did they really think their little flash cube was strong enough to light up the entire City of Toronto from 5,000 feet? And if it could, did they not realize that would spoil their photo because what they wanted to photograph was the lights, not the city?

Knee jerk reaction -- if it is dark, use flash!

After reading that story I can't help but feel sorry for career photographers who went through the digital transition. With film, learning took lots of time and money, now, in the same circumstance as described above, you could take dozens of shots in five minutes with different settings on each. "Snap, look at picture, delete, fiddle with settings, snap..."

It really does take expertise out of the equation.

 

[Skulker]

After reading that story I can't help but feel sorry for career photographers who went through the digital transition. With film, learning took lots of time and money, now, in the same circumstance as described above, you could take dozens of shots in five minutes with different settings on each. "Snap, look at picture, delete, fiddle with settings, snap..."

It really does take expertise out of the equation.

Or to look at it another way ... makes it much easier and cheaper to earn or learn that expertise.

 

[jebrady03]

I have no problem helping complete strangers. I see offering some unsolicited photography advice much the same as I see holding the door for someone, picking up something the dropped and bringing it to them, etc. You're just being polite. And I think as long as you do it in a nice way there shouldn't be any problems with practically anyone. Saying something like: "hey, that's a nice camera. I'm a bit of a tech geek, do you mind if I ask what model it is? **they answer** Oh cool! I've heard a lot of good things about that model - what do you think of it?" That right there will usually uncover frustration on their part. Then I'd say something like "if you're interested, I might know a way to help". If they say no then I'd respond with something like "yeah, like I said, I'm a tech geek so I don't like people touching my stuff either" then I'd smile and tell them to have a good day. If they take offense well... that's a reflection on them, not me. But more than likely, you're going to end up helping them.

 

[dcm]

A number of years ago, before electronic flash, I was on a flight landing at Toronto at night. There was a beautiful vista out the window of the city lights.

The person in front of me promptly took out a point and shoot (film) camera, popped flash cube into it and took a shot out the window. This was so stupid on so many levels that I was left gaping.

Did this person not realize the flash would simply reflect back from the window? Did they really think their little flash cube was strong enough to light up the entire City of Toronto from 5,000 feet? And if it could, did they not realize that would spoil their photo because what they wanted to photograph was the lights, not the city?

Knee jerk reaction -- if it is dark, use flash!

Not to date myself and I may be mistaken (it's been a long time) but I seem to remember that some film point and shoots changed their settings when a flash cube was attached, even one that had already been used. You could use this trick to increase exposure time.

 

[The Mad Kiwi]

I offer people unsolicited advice all the time and have never had anything but positive feedback. Mostly I offer compositional advice or posing advice. If I see people taking a family photograph when I'm out, often I just take over and organise peoples family photo for them, tell everybody where and how to stand and how to frame a photo and take it for them. Most people are pretty happy when the get a professional family photograph for free. I suppose in the end peoples reaction will depend on the quality of the advice and how it's delivered.

 

[Besisika]

I suppose in the end peoples reaction will depend on the quality of the advice and how it's delivered.

Must be!
I have never had good luck with that. I guess, I need to work on my charm.
For now, I prefer being asked.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi jebrady.
I think when I offered advice, I started out with ,
"Hi I'm sorry to intrude, but I notice you seem to be battling with the camera for control of the flash? Would you like a little tip to give you the upper hand?"
It seemed to work, a little lighthearted humour seemed to work, of course the pop up flash is probably the easiest subject to tell they could use a tip!
I'm glad to see that some of you would offer unsolicited advice, I know if I was struggling and someone offered me advice I would gladly accept, I doubt I would ask for fear of them being unappreciative of the interruption!

Cheers Graham.

I have no problem helping complete strangers. I see offering some unsolicited photography advice much the same as I see holding the door for someone, picking up something the dropped and bringing it to them, etc. You're just being polite. And I think as long as you do it in a nice way there shouldn't be any problems with practically anyone. Saying something like: "hey, that's a nice camera. I'm a bit of a tech geek, do you mind if I ask what model it is? **they answer** Oh cool! I've heard a lot of good things about that model - what do you think of it?" That right there will usually uncover frustration on their part. Then I'd say something like "if you're interested, I might know a way to help". If they say no then I'd respond with something like "yeah, like I said, I'm a tech geek so I don't like people touching my stuff either" then I'd smile and tell them to have a good day. If they take offense well... that's a reflection on them, not me. But more than likely, you're going to end up helping them.

 

[jebrady03]

Hi jebrady.
I think when I offered advice, I started out with ,
"Hi I'm sorry to intrude, but I notice you seem to be battling with the camera for control of the flash? Would you like a little tip to give you the upper hand?"
It seemed to work, a little lighthearted humour seemed to work, of course the pop up flash is probably the easiest subject to tell they could use a tip!
I'm glad to see that some of you would offer unsolicited advice, I know if I was struggling and someone offered me advice I would gladly accept, I doubt I would ask for fear of them being unappreciative of the interruption!

Cheers Graham.

PERFECT! Social etiquette goes a long way!

 

[AcutancePhotography]

I never offer unsolicited advice. If asked, I'll tell you what you want to know. The only time I'll offer advice is to friends and family that I know well and that I know will take it as advice and not criticism.

That is my attitude too. It is not my job to educate people unless they ask to be educated.

I think too many people worry too much what too many other people do. ;D

 

[Menace]

I never offer unsolicited advice. If asked, I'll tell you what you want to know. The only time I'll offer advice is to friends and family that I know well and that I know will take it as advice and not criticism.

That is my attitude too. It is not my job to educate people unless they ask to be educated.

I think too many people worry too much what too many other people do. ;D

Happy to help someone out BUT only if they ask - no time/intention to give unsolicited advice to strangers as I'd be very annoyed myself if someone came over to me and show me how to shoot properly.

 

[Valvebounce]

Hi Menace.
Do you wait to be asked to open the door for the person struggling to get through it, or do you step forwards when someone is having difficulties, burdened with shopping, to frail to overcome the self closing mechanism, disabled?
I saw someone struggling with their camera, and stepped forwards, too far removed from the door analogy?

Cheers Graham.
Ps I guess if you take time to answer help topics you probably hold the door!

I never offer unsolicited advice. If asked, I'll tell you what you want to know. The only time I'll offer advice is to friends and family that I know well and that I know will take it as advice and not criticism.

That is my attitude too. It is not my job to educate people unless they ask to be educated.

I think too many people worry too much what too many other people do. ;D

Happy to help someone out BUT only if they ask - no time/intention to give unsolicited advice to strangers as I'd be very annoyed myself if someone came over to me and show me how to shoot properly.

 

[Menace]

Hi Menace.
Do you wait to be asked to open the door for the person struggling to get through it, or do you step forwards when someone is having difficulties, burdened with shopping, to frail to overcome the self closing mechanism, disabled?
I saw someone struggling with their camera, and stepped forwards, too far removed from the door analogy?

Cheers Graham.
Ps I guess if you take time to answer help topics you probably hold the door!

I never offer unsolicited advice. If asked, I'll tell you what you want to know. The only time I'll offer advice is to friends and family that I know well and that I know will take it as advice and not criticism.

That is my attitude too. It is not my job to educate people unless they ask to be educated.

I think too many people worry too much what too many other people do. ;D

Happy to help someone out BUT only if they ask - no time/intention to give unsolicited advice to strangers as I'd be very annoyed myself if someone came over to me and show me how to shoot properly.

You be glad to know that I'll be first to help any old, infirm, pregnant, disabled person without a 2nd thought - however someone having an issue with their camera settings (a hobby) is not really the same.

I'm a very friendly guy and love nothing better than talking cameras and lenses but my personal experiences have been mostly negative when I've offered to help someone out without being asked so now I wait until someone wants my assistance then I'm happy to help out.

I also do not like to come across as a 'know it all' - giving free advice willy nilly to strangers but always happy to help if asked.

 

[Hannes]

I offer people unsolicited advice all the time and have never had anything but positive feedback. Mostly I offer compositional advice or posing advice. If I see people taking a family photograph when I'm out, often I just take over and organise peoples family photo for them, tell everybody where and how to stand and how to frame a photo and take it for them. Most people are pretty happy when the get a professional family photograph for free. I suppose in the end peoples reaction will depend on the quality of the advice and how it's delivered.

I've found that people only hand me their camera if they've only briefly looked at mine. I think the outline of a 1 series makes everyone assume you are a pro but when they see just how battered it is they seem to think twice before handing me their gear. The cracked lens hood on the 70-200 which is superglued back together and then there are the big patches of missing paint on the hump of the prism where the camera has quickly been dropped on the ground and scraped a bit looks a bit tatty

The only place I will give unsolicited advice is at the zoo when people are using flash in the bits where you shouldn't be. I don't mind if people are ruining their photos but at least they shouldn't scare the animals.

Funnily enough the Olympic arena had led lights to simulate flashes in the stands, I never realised until I sat there.

 

[Deleted member 91053]

I am happy to offer advice but only if they seem to be struggling and I know what the solution is! I am always careful to make sure that I don't make them look like an idiot and also that I don't make myself look like one!