Exactly, what the heck is "the average amateur photographer". Is there an Average Amateur Photographer Society, and do they elect a spokesperson?
What kind of person would answer this thread? Someone who is so terminally average that he feels the need to speak for average amateur photographers every where?
If you answered this question seriously, I'm talking to you.
Honestly, what qualification does anyone have to speak for this imaginary person.?
Originally posted by Pentikonian I enjoy the activity of photography. I don't shoot because I think I'm a pro, or to impress people. I shoot because it is one of the few activities I can still enjoy, and it helps with stress reduction and relaxation.
This might be a mis-representation of the actual emotion being felt. I think some who consider themselves to be hot shots look at the expensive gear and feel envy. Most of the guys I see in the park with the huge lenses carrying $20,000 worth of equipment are not famous photographers. They are people who have the money to buy expensive stuff.
From my brief time with the Huntsville Photography club, the first thing I noticed, the men and women posting great pictures on a regular basis, we're not the ones with the big gear or expensive systems. I know it drives people crazy when I say, you don't have to buy that stuff. If you can afford to carry around $20,000 of camera gear, it means you've been financially successful, but in no way does it mean they are successful photographers. The last one I had a good conversation with works for the company that makes the coatings for the new hip I'm waiting for.
Those guys are out there with smiles on their faces, having conversations with their friends on the level of any fishing I've ever done. Participating in an activity you could call, "walking around with cameras." Sometimes I see guys with these huge lenses and their best friend has a Canon Ti something with a consumer zoom on it. It's not about the gear, it's about hanging out with your friends and doing something you all like.
There's nothing to feel sorry for there at all. Now that I'be been here 5 years, I see the same groups over an over, I realize, for them it's about going great places together, and having a focussed activity to engage in in a beautiful place. These guys have something special.
My old baseball team used to go to 3 or 4 tournament a year together. It was the same kind of thing. Some of us went with $400 bats, some of us went with $50 bats. It was the drinking in the bar after the games that made it special. And no one cared what bat anyone else was using. Although I remember a guy looking at one of my bats saying.. "I don't know how you hit home runs with that old thing." "Dude, did you not just see that ball clear the fence by 30 feet?" It's not just camera snobs that think you have to spend a lot of money to hit one out of the park.
When I hit one out it's one run. When he hits one out it's one run. There's' no bonus points added for using an expensive bat.