@mirrorkisser +1 !

Thats exactly the problem: the internet gets flooded with crap. People that are starting do not even find the good stuff anymore. They get used to the level of crap, think its good and copy crap. So they set new standards. If the majority thinks this is good, then no one will understand those who are good. Its just like with Socrates allegory of the cave. At worst the seeing will be crucified.

I dont say people should stop photographing, its a nice hobby and there are ways to learn and improve, but for christs sake, please dont spam the internet with it. Dont tell other people how pro you are, because 20 other donkeys liked your pictures on facebook. In fact that is another interesting aspect of psychology and sociology: If you get many like for a thing, your internal reward system encourages you to do more of the same kind: In the end the "likes" produce another crap factory...

@bannedindv

I agree, Instagram is a great invention for people that just like to have fun with pictures. I don't think they are on their claiming they are the next best thing.

Long live Instagram!! Lol I personally don't use it, but I see why it's a good thing.

For a site that's main focus is cameras, I thought people would embrace the options technology has provided. People are acting like they hate RAW, photoshop, and phone apps, but at the same time are guilty of wanting RAW, using PS, and actively using the phone apps.

@All If you think that professionals aren't taking FULL advantage of RAW, photoshop, crop, filters, more MP cameras. You are mistaken. In 2013, I doubt there is a photo in any magazine that wast hit with photoshop if nothing else to remove a bird from the sky.

Instagram is just another form of visual entertainment. If you don't like what someone is posting, simply unfollow them. I happen to take great pleasure in instagram.

What do you guys see as the big problem here? Are you feeling threatened because people can conveniently take pictures and manipulate them with filter effects? If there is too much crap on instagram, uninstall the app? Uhhh...?

Blame so and so for what? Who gives a shit? Personally I can't wait for Google Glass so there will be people complaining about guys talking about how good they are at operating Glass, and then other guys saying "In my day we would never wear a heads up display - it's just unnatural! It's an abomination."

I thought smart phones and Instagram went hand n hand

@rockroadpix

It's still her right and her friends right to comment.

@vitaliy_kiselev

I guess blame Steve jobs, or every smart phone company that slapped a camera on their product?

What do I have to do with any of this? Lol

I'm referring moreso, to the comments from all the friends piping in, "You should be a photog, that is beauts!!" Ugh. It's over done and so is this thread.

This topic is kind of an approach from photography to sociology, so opinions are going to be everything we have here. I don't think there's truth in any, just personal views. Name of the website, thus, @stip, I don't get your comment. It's not ridiculous, though I'd say the topic name is SUCH an statement, it just leaves some of us to think it's a stupid topic. But the real topic discussed has nothing to do with the topic name.

It is a strange topic if you come here for the normal stuff...but hei, I've already learnt more from users in this post, than in the "introduce yourself" one :) .

Has anybody thought that cultural differences can make us see things one way or another, I'm gonna find ya, I'm gonna get ya...shit, I just got lost.

It's not the same level in USA (real industry, though I know USA means lots of cultural/economical differences...I can only tell for the little I've been shown) than Spain. Here in Spain, you can see (a lot of) people say "why the hell would I hire a photographer, if my son has a DSLR camera?" That makes this topic valid. And that fucks up the proffession, final quality, etc. It also tells us, a lot of people prefer to keep money than having a good final product, "hey take a picture of the ring" and that's it. Also, they don't give a shit about art, if you have a D4 or a D40, etc. "It's big, it's good", that's it if you're actually hiring someone.

Our culture in anything that has to do with art, is so low, it makes GMG statement "RAW can kill photographers" a freaking truth. So true, I'm soon moving far far away. It's not like it's gonna be better for me...I just want to see others stuff, and get less anoyed when people say "this picture is so good, he's such a photographer!" and knowing the photographer as to say:

• He shot JPEG.
• He knows nothing about aperture or diaphragm.
• He knows shit about electronics.
• He's a Photoshop semi-pro.

BTW, that proffessional photographer I'm talking about, now shoots RAW 'cause he was told to do so. He cannot print anything larger than A4, otherwise a lot of banding and noise would show up. Yet, he's doing money, while other good photographers don't. Not just a case, but the usual stuff you see here (before getting to VERY PRO level, that stuff "normal people" don't even get to see or understand). That kind of people move a lot of money, more than lots of good proffessionals. There's real lack of criticism and knowledge here, due mostly because education here is...just come to Spain, you'll get it. BTW, as I said, he shot JPEG, RAW isn't such a gamechanger, Photoshop and CREATIVITY too, might be. RAW gives even more possibilites to fuck it up and make it good.

His photographs were actually inspired a 100% by Jose Maria Mellado. But people know shit about photography, so they were good photographs to people who knew nothing. Some proffessionals thought he was great too. But that's because proffessionals here LOVE Mellado's pictures. It's sad-HDR-no-soul-pictures to me. At least Mellado makes 3x2m prints...he knows how to take a picture.

I find this topic just way too messy to discuss about it (there's a lot to take into account, my English come's in very short to actually say what I'd like to say), that's the reason I quit. But saying it's ridicolous...nah, I'd say I've learned a lot with it.

This is possitive me.

@stip @GravitateMediaGroup

Wiht all personal things - to PM.

let's just all agree with him, then this ridiculous thread will come to an end, it's annoying to see it near the top threads all the time...

@rockroadpix

Yeah, obviously working with film is difficult. The next question is, are you referring to RAW as film in this context?

I don't care what he says. A GREAT photographer can shoot barefoot, in the rain, cigarette in mouth, and a pet monkey on his shoulder.

Haven't read the entire thread, but I agree with this. Technology is only an amplifier... it is not a crutch. Simply knowing "the process" and "gear" that pros use will not make you a pro. It may make mediocre artists "appear" to be creating professional work in some situations, but it's no replacement for artistry and talent in the long run.

I also see this in indie film shoots far too often. So many low-budget shoots I hang around on spend WAY too much effort trying to emulate the "professional film shoot" process, thinking that it will somehow create a more professional project in the end. It doesn't. Most indie films are terrible because most all people are mediocre or worse (just by odds and probability)... it's not "the process" or "budget" that makes a film good. These things only allow a "bigger" story to be told. They do not replace the craft or talent.