Every profession and hobby has clichés that hang around them like an unpleasant smell, and photography is no different. But what clichés about photographers do you believe are mostly true?
Several years ago, I was discussing a recent business trip with a close friend. I had to travel to launch a camera, to cover and test it, and to spend time with other photographers and journalists. It was fun – as these always are – and to illustrate some points for my friend, I showed him some pictures of the trip. What he said next, I did not expect and have never forgotten: “Is there any profession where people dress worse than a photographer?”
I may have understood a bit of the wording, but the message is clear. I looked at the pictures he was browsing and saw exactly what he meant. Now, it’s a little unfair because, for most of this trip, you to feel comfortable, as we move around, in the heat, for 8-12 hours straight. However, is he right? I wonder. I’ve always liked clothes, so I’ve been thinking about how they’ll look, but when it comes to coats, I’m usually more inclined towards function than fashion. And it is this line – more active than fashion – that has emerged to represent us as photographers: big walking boots, big bags, no holes, rain boots, cargo pants, etc.
Of course, that’s not true for all photographers, and I’ve been careful with the headlines, but overall, I think he’s on to something. I think it’s too obscure to be called a photographer’s cliché, but it may still be true! I’ve been thinking about this for years, but only recently, I wonder what else we can say about photographers that applies to most of us. Here are a few things I could come up with, but make sure you share yours in the comments section below.
Gear head
We are all familiar with Gear Acquisition Syndrome (GAS), most of us are familiar with it. I don’t think that’s a surprise – any craft with a tool as its main ingredient will have its crafters obsessed with that tool, for the most part. However, I think it has the potential to go beyond “something to be expected” and get closer to the “cliché” of how it presents itself.
We got into the habit of digging into the minutiae, comparing 1,000% of the crop from new and old sensors, frothing on buttery bokeh, and gazing at the new fuselage. I passed my GAS stage long ago; however, it lasts too long. Even so, I’m still obsessed with the device. If a newly announced lens falls outside the usual specs, I immediately investigate it; if a new medium format camera is rumored, I’ll hit F5 on that rumor site for a few days.
I know a lot of photographers who consider their camera to be its tool, but I think, most, photographers are so obsessed with the device that it’s called a cliché!
Do whatever it takes to get the shot
Out of all the clichés I can think of regarding photographers, this one applies to me the most. We’ve all seen memes of photographers in unnatural positions, lying flat on the concrete of a busy city to get a portrait from an interesting angle or rolling to make fun of a child. I doubt I’ve done both, though it goes further than that.
Most of the photographers I know have a story or two about a time when they went too far to chase the photo in their mind. I’m sure there are some and some make my toes curl to think again. I have shared a number of things over the years writing for Fstoppers, although there is one thing I don’t think I have. While hanging out in a great canyon in the UK, I was walking along the top of a mountain with a friend and imagined a shot where the camera is pointing straight down and the foreground is the cliff face, all looking at hundreds of meters down the valley. below.
My friend convinced me a bit and within minutes I was hanging from a cliff with my friend hanging from my legs, just so I could snap a picture with a unique perspective. I wanted a shot that stuns, scares, feels like you’re falling off a cliff leading to inevitable death, and for that, I’m willing to risk it all. Sadly, the hit was horrifying. I got nothing close to what I wanted, and I risked a hard ending for nothing. However, I know I’m not alone and I’ve heard many stories of photographers putting themselves in precarious positions just for the sake of getting the picture.
Light addiction
As photographers, light is at the heart of everything we create; it can elevate an average shot to something special, and it can drag a potentially great shot into obscurity. The longer you’ve been a photographer, the more aware you become of this, so when beautiful natural light hits, you can’t help but partake in that art form.
My girlfriend knew (and it can be very frustrating) that when the beautiful light showed itself on our trip, it meant I would pull over and grab my camera while she (I) patiently waited for me to capture the image scene she would almost certainly never see. It got to the point where she could speak before I uttered a word. There is no sign that this trend will stop. We photographers can’t help but love light!
What is the cliché about the photographers you notice the most?
Is there something you notice that photographers seem to do or a feature of them replays? Do you have a common trait that cannot be changed? Share yours in the comments section below. Remember, this is light and the common ground is mostly true; Simply because you haven’t bought equipment in 30 years doesn’t mean most photographers don’t love camera gear.
