Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2000/04/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Carl Socolow wrote: > > Occassionally, while covering an event for the PR side of my business I > run into some of the local news photogs or some of the photogs who work > for the various politicians at our state capitol. Some have digital, > some have film. What strikes me, though (and I should add that I used to > shoot daily news) was that the current crop of photogs are generally a > bunch of arrogant young dickheads. <<<<<<<<<<<< Hi Carl, I don't think you could have put it more eloquently! They come out of art/photo school where the teachers never made it on the street. These teachers are failed students who gave up on the street, went back to school and got a great job because they knew all the theory stuff. Which inturn means, they are the teachers teaching the new breed who don't have clue what the hell real life in the rat pack is all about. Oh they know the theory all right and all the book learning stuff, but what they don't teach them is; Manners! Etiquette! Camaraderie! Or dealing with your fellow photographers! Simply because many of the teachers don't know life in the push and shove of real life news coverage to start off. So what you end up with is a bunch of snot nosed smart ass dickheads who think that if you're not digi you're an old fart and what do you know about photography....modern style! >>>>>I'm 45 so I don't think I'm that old (am I Ted?). I never saw so much arrogance and presumed self-importance.<<<<<<<<< Hey you're not old Carl, far from it, lots there yet to kick ass! :) Like I said, "they are so full of the bullshit school stuff they think anybody who's not doing digi is a nobody. Actually they have become such arrogant little bast...ds I don't even bother with them. However, when they start pushing and trying to move me out of the way they find out just how fast the "old fart" can move and retaliate! Big surprise! "Oh they didn't tell me that in school!" The easiest way to deal with them? Abuse them right off, it's called psychological warfare! "Look kid don't lean on me, I've been in this spot for an hour and if you start squeezing me I'm going to kick your motley little ass before you know what hit you!" Then smile! And don't acknowledge there there! And you guys all thought I was nice old Leica man! :) > As Mark Twain said: "Youth is wasted on the young." When I shot news the > TV guys used to get me angry with their style and approach but we all > got along and would enjoy a beer or two after work.<<<<<<<< Well old Mark Twain had it right in some of the cases today! After a hard day of touring the country on a national election campaign, with leaning on each other, maybe a little, "come on stop pushing will ya!" We always wrapped having a drink to-gether and jawing about the days events and some of the cool women who passed in the crowd! It isn't like that today with the young, although the older guys still have the same spirit of camaraderie and the same shared stories and cool beer. >>>>>>So, Kyle, regardless of what type of equipment they're using, it doesn't mean they can > outshoot you.<<<<<<<<<<< Kyle that's for sure and never let that creep into your thoughts, that someone else can out shoot you! Screw that, simply because if you start thinking that way they'll do it because you'll let them! Make it a challenge for yourself and in that fashion you'll be psychologically up to out shoot everyone else. And if you always approach every assignment with that attitude you're going to be a winner more times than not. Most certainly more times than if you're worrying about the dickheads with the digis and arrogant attitudes! Sure you're still going to get your ass shot off ....but not always! And there'll be times you'll make the opposition look like rookies simply because you got lucky! It happens to every shooter sometime.. Don't sweat it, as there's always tomorrow and a hundred more! ted