[pgbrown0517]

MJ, I sent you a message via the link on your Web site with my thoughts on a couple of topics. Hope you got it.

[pgbrown0517]

@cameraclicker, Thank you for your kind comments. I appreciate it. Here is a link to a good friend of mine who is on the board of our local PPA chapter and does portraits and real-estate photography. More important, he has mentored, trained and encouraged me in many ways, and is a man of impeccable integrity and professionalism:

http://imageclectic.com

 

[pgbrown0517]

Most pros I talk to say PPA is worth it for the indemnification policy alone. Even for my business — product shots, walking around people’s cars — insurance is good. (Yes, I pay my taxes, maintain records, do releases, it’s OK.) Plus, it helps for advertising.

ISNWM: I apologize for the appearance of singling you out. I guess I just think, how would I feel if I saw someone trashing me, who didn’t know me, never tried to help me? Just trashing, and saying, “ENJOY!” I don’t take pleasure in the plight of others.

ISNWM and dontcare: Truce? Post a link to your work? I’d love to see it. Browneyedgirl has some nice work on her Flickr page.

[pgbrown0517]

Browneyedgirl89, thank you! And thanks for marking one of my photos as a fave.

[pgbrown0517]

You’re right, it may not be for me. I don’t believe in “dish it out but can’t take it” attitudes.

[pgbrown0517]

Well done! It always amazes me how people who dish trash online have such a thin skin about their literacy levels. Any credibility you may have had to critique anything just flew out the window when your little tantrum flew in.

I did not say I don’t like the criticism. Where did you read that? I think it’s perfectly valid to call out people who falsely pretend to be pros in any field, although being a fauxplumber can cause clients a lot more strife than being a fauxtographer. But there is a productive way to criticize. One can be forceful, blunt, and pointed without lowering oneself to unseemly levels. It is up to each of us to decide when we cross the line.

As to me, well, friend, you should take out a lens wipe and clean your crystal ball. I have never offered my services for sale to do portraits, weddings, events, or any such thing. I’m not skilled or trained in those areas. I have a degree in journalism and formal training in writing, design, photo selection, typography, and, gasp, copy editing. I’ve done all those things for a living, working for real employers who have HR departments and stuff. So wrong-o, I am not a faux-anything.

But just so you don’t think I’m hiding behind anonymity, here is a link to my stuff on Flickr, and you can call me whatever you want to if that helps you work off tension resulting from a fight with your spouse or something. Any portraits you see there are taken for my own practice and enjoyment. Including the ducks.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/photochaser_phil/

So, here’s hoping for thicker skins for all!

Oh, in case any of you are real photographers of the caliber of my pro friends and are members of the PPA, here’s a little something you agreed to:

“As a requirement for admission to and retention of membership and participation in this Association, each member and participant shall agree to use the highest levels of professionalism, honesty and integrity in all relationships with colleagues, clients and the general public.
• Strive to present all photographic services in surroundings and in a manner that reflects the highest levels of professionalism.
• Use the highest levels of honesty, professionalism and integrity.
• Not use any marketing or competitive practice which violates any Federal Trade Commission, or other Federal or State regulatory agency rule or regulation, or Federal or State statute or any decision of any Federal or State Court; and
• In all dealing with fellow professional photographers, students and others who aspire to be professional photographers, I shall share the knowledge and skill of professional photography.
• Support efforts for and assist in the education of all interested persons and the general public in the art and science of professional photography.”

Integrity … general public … professionalism … share the knowledge and skills … integrity … with others who aspire … good stuff. Love that word, integrity.

[pgbrown0517]

The concept of people harshly criticizing “fauxtographers” for bad photography but doing so with bad grammar and bad spelling is a bit ironic, I think. Example: “Her and another photographer …” This subdivision is full of glass houses.

[pgbrown0517]

As to the flower photo, well, I’ve seen worse. There is room for positive encouragement anytime, any place, but it has to be at least a little bit warranted. Perhaps the photographer who made the positive comment had seen earlier work from this person, and in fact, this one was an improvement. I notice that the comment was limited to composition, which, while not great, was not totally horrible. The comment did not address areas of the photo that were even worse. Maybe it should have. Maybe Facebook is not the place for that. In fact, the more I think about it, nope, Facebook is not the place for that. We have no idea what conversations may be taking place in the background between these two. Maybe there is some mentoring going on there that isn’t obvious. Maybe a few less stones being tossed would be a good thing, in the absence of real knowledge.

[pgbrown0517]

If you read what a Photo Walk is: “Informal walks in London for anyone interested in photography at any level. Its a great way to discuss ideas, expand your knowledge or simple start a new hobby. Walks last a couple of hours each month, meeting at a different location each time. We also welcome non photographers to join us on the tours around London.”  Note — “any level,” “start a new hobby,” “welcome non photographers,” and so on. Photo Walks take place in many places. Nobody is claiming to be anything in particular, at least on the several I’ve done. It’s about having fun. So lighten up. Save it for the people who need it.

[pgbrown0517]

I just want to drop a plug for the lab right down the street from me, Canvas Press of Round Rock, Texas. They specialize in canvases and aluminum, but they also do a great job on a variety of papers. They are not bursting with products like the bigger labs, but my work printed there is always spot-on to my calibrated display, density and clarity are incredible, and they are great to work with. I love the 100 percent cotton rag fine-art paper they use. I do not work for them but am just a very satisfied customer. Plus, since I’m in the area, I’m supporting a great local business.

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