Comments on: Are Strobists Techno-fetishists?

By: Daniel

Daniel — Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:25:14 +0000

I’m glad I’m not alone about how I feel about strobists. Strobists obsessed lighters need to get their heads out of their butts and stop trying to make flashy photos. A LOT of the work is instantly recognizable due to the harsh lights and digital imaging equipment. They seem to be obsessed with matching each others looks. I can’t stand the pics of people jumping in the air and screaming – it’s like they are all trying to force meaning and emotion into their shots. I started using strobes to learn so I can’t bash it as learning tool, but it’s disgusting to see all the amateurs can’t or refuse to take it to the next level.

By: Oliver Nielsen

Oliver Nielsen — Mon, 01 Sep 2008 16:39:23 +0000

I admit to being a generalizing mofo;-)

The comment came from the fact that many pro photographers have trouble makin a living because everyone is now “photographer” since they have a DSLR camera. But, at the same time the world is FLOODED with extremely boring images. Boring wedding pictures, boring portraits, boring fashion in the magazines! Really, I think the quality of the majority of work has gone way way down. There was more thought, vision and attitude 5-10 years ago than now.

However, there are still some who shoot really good stuff. But the hordes of amateurs mostly shoot crap. Not that every amateur shoots like crap, but most do. And the technofetischism that prevails, only makes it worse. People get blind. They don’t see. They just think their images evolve, since they are now shooting with more megapixels, and more speedlights than they did last year. But that ain’t true.

But again, tools are tools, and some are really talented at using them.

By: photonovice.net » Blog Archive » Will Not Buy Equipment For A While

photonovice.net » Blog Archive » Will Not Buy Equipment For A While — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 19:57:01 +0000

[...] Are Strobists Techno-fetishists? [...]

By: Fountain

Fountain — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 18:53:32 +0000

Comments like Nielsen’s are total flamebait. It wreaks of an old man shaking his fist at overly-pierced teenagers. Photo blogs focus on gear and technique because it’s constantly changing. I don’t need you tell me how you got your shot composition. I can see that by looking at the image, but I would like to know how you are diffusing your light or what you are bouncing it off of.

I don’t need Nielsen to tell me that ‘mood’ is important. That’s a given. His comment about strobists lacking vision is a byproduct of his ignorance of what your blog and similar blogs seek to do. That is, provide an platform for photographers of varying skill to have an open dialogue.

What kind of advice is “Learn to shoot.”?

By: Robert T

Robert T — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 15:02:18 +0000

Nothing wrong with constructive criticism, but the comment, “I do think all you “strobist” people should focus a little more on making your images look less “strobist” ie. not like images obviously shot using a few speedlights”, is fair. Lighting is just a tool of the photographer and to label a group for a style and then imply they are killing photography is a bit much. Using electric instruments are not killing music, and special effects are not killing film making, it’s just a style. There is a time and place for every style. Some photos need a special look and some don’t. With as many photographers as there are in the world today one must exploit their own style and vision. After all if we all compose, light and produce the image the same then the art of photography is dead. The vision must be broad and open to new ideas and concepts.

By: David Hobby

David Hobby — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 08:01:00 +0000

You could always let people judge for themselves... (50 pages of photos from Strobist readers)