These are the worst types of photographers – If you don’t know them, you probably are one

July 25, 2019 by John Aldred 48 Comments

If you hang around other photographers enough, whether it’s online or in real life, you’ll likely encounter some of the types of photographers mentioned in this video by The School of Photography. I know I’ve certainly encountered more than my fair share of each of these. If you haven’t yet, then be careful, because it might just be you!

The Purist

I see these all the time. They resist any kind of post-processing, retouching or manipulation of images, and actively criticise those who use applications like Lightroom or Photoshop. Usually, their argument begins with “Back in the film days…” although, what they don’t realise is that when they took their Kodak Gold down to the local one-hour lab, the lab would automatically correct their screw-ups for them. They just assumed they were good photographers. They also don’t realise exactly how much other photographers did in the darkroom, either.

Of course, that’s not all of them. Some of them just don’t understand how to use Lightroom or Photoshop. Either they’re overwhelmed and afraid of something they don’t understand, or they just refuse to pay for it.

All the gear and no idea

Oh boy, have I seen this one. They’re the main reason I stopped doing any kind of group events with other photographers. I used to do them a few times a year with other members from what was then a popular UK-based photography forum. And while the meetups were filled with great people, the “all the gear and no idea” people ended up ruining the trips for many of the other photographers. We weren’t able to just relax and shoot our own photos without constantly being interrupted with questions.

The know-it-all

These are the “photography elite” (or at least, they think they are) who know exactly what gear everybody else should be using to create the vision in that person’s head – without actually knowing what the vision in their head even is. Or what their needs are, nor their budget. Just, stop it.

These are the kinds of people who walk around photography shows with a backpack loaded with camera gear and a DSLR with a 70-200mm f/2.8 hanging from their neck.

The Technical Geek

This is the flip-side of the know-it-all, except this one often focuses on how you shoot your shot rather than what you shoot it with. They think they know way more about the technical aspects of photography and your gear than you do. Gear that you presumably researched when you decided to hand over large sums of cash for it. They will happily tell you all about the features you’re not utilising for your current shot, that they believe you didn’t know existed and exactly how to use your camera.

They’re also generally shooting gear that isn’t as good as yours. They only know so much about the gear you’re using because they believe that better gear makes for a better photographer – but only if you know how to use it. Because they’re not happy with the gear they have, well, reading manuals for the gear they don’t own and reading on the Internet is all they can really do with their spare time while others are out shooting.

This is by no means an exhaustive list of the worst types of photographer. There are plenty of others out there. But which types of photographer do you despise the most? Are you guilty of being one of these types?

[via School of Photography]

About John Aldred

John Aldred is based in Scotland and photographs people in the wild and animals in the studio.

You can find out more about John on his website and follow his adventures on YouTube and Facebook.

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David Santoro

You forgot the narcissistic moron
Dan Bodanis

Loved this!!! 😂😂😂
Mario Dennis

Don’t forget the “get it right in camera” guys who weren’t there when you were shooting, but know how you should have shot it.
Warren Forde

The amateur landscape photographer shooting a lovely sunset with the pop up flash on 😂
- Pamela Hunnicutt
  
  Why is being amateur and not knowing any better, or better yet knowing better but understanding that with the gear you have the flash always comes up in that level of light, and there is nothing you can do about it and it doesn’t matter anyway, (Except to the arsehole mocking you for your inexperience) wrong or worth mocking? Were they telling you how great they were or how you should be shooting? No? Than move on. Either offer advice or stuff it. Let someone enjoy and learn. No one needs your judgement
  - Freelance cameraman China/HK
    
    Which camera have a pop up flash that your can’t manually turn off?
    (I’m the last kind)
    - Pamela Hunnicutt
      
      My 3ti always popped up in certain lighting situations ( if there was a fix I never figured it out lol)
      - Freelance cameraman China/HK
        
        First I guess it’s a T3i and not 3ti. (Canon 600D)
        
        Except if you choose full auto in portrait and the light id dimmed, yes, flash will pop up.
        But as we are talking about landscape, you should choose “landscape scene” and the flash will not pop up.
        You also have a dedicated no flash full auto mode for you to do picture in museums.
        Check page 55.
        http://gdlp01.c-wss.com/gds/0/0300004720/02/eosrt3i-eos600d-im2-c-en.pdf
        If you are eager to learn and improve; please read the manual of your camera and do testing.
      - John HFH
        
        So are you the know it all, the technical geek, or a bit of both?
      - Freelance cameraman China/HK
        
        I’m the one trying to fix the entire world alone… Not easy.
        Some guy found funny to see people using flash for landscape.
        Some girl said, “I’m sorry, it’s me; I have no idea how to use my camera”
        And I’m helping the second kind to not be the target of the first guy again.
        (But the girl did not even dare says thanks, cause she can’t even read the manual anyways)
        I’m kind of the useless type; fighting human stupidity.
  - thandnow
    
    Sorry if i jump in, but his answer is spot on with the article, saying the funny kind of Photographers, amateur and not, and you start telling him off to be judgemental? Im sorry? Or is it because you felt attacked on this one? And yeah if your “Pops out” it means you shoot fully automatic, hence… Yes if you dont know how to use a camera, of course a phone is fine as well ;)
    - Chris
      
      Stop being a dick!
Basia Kowalska

😅🙋 the know-it-all reporting
Kim Royster

So funny & sadly I have met every one of these people
Rebecca Maier

I’m shoe string photographer. I make boxes for products with poster foam board and long poster board paper to photograph peoples war hammer models sometimes. It’s like one of those pop up boxes. Need light through the side cut a hole and add tissue paper to defuse the light. Multiple layers makes the light softer on the subject.
Chris Hutcheson

I would add the ones who insist that you can get a good photo with any camera, “it’s not about the gear.” Certainly having a good eye for an image has a lot to do with it, but if your camera can’t handle low light/high ISO situations at higher shutter speeds without going all grainy on you, you’re not going to get that shot.
- thandnow
  
  Yeah I had this dude saying that the best camera is the one you have. Please. Use a 100$ phone and not your iphoneX and maybe u start realizing the gear matter
  - Pamela Hunnicutt
    
    Except the best camera IS the one you have. If you can’t afford gear than yes a 100 phone takes better pictures than nothing at all. And if you are truely talented and have a good eye then that 100 phone can take better pictures than the 3k camera with no vision operating it. I think you may have missedthe point of that statement
    - thandnow
      
      No sorry, this is just trying to be “pseudo intellectual photographer” here. If the purpose of the picture is just to document something fine. If it’s to actually take a decent epicture where you have control of the shutter speed or aperture or iso, having a decent result where you can understand what you are looking at enjoybthe different textures, depth, colours, then i triple dare you to use a 100$ phone where you basically point and shoot on a 2mpx camera. And i actually dare you to put away your gear, find the old crappy phone (dont take out you galaxy s8 or iPhone 7 etc) and do a month shooting only like that. Not only you will have bad results, bur you will even start to be demotivated to shoot as “the best camera with you” is actually a burden.
      - thandnow
        
        And for instance why do you upgrade your gear? Why do you buy lenses? Why didn’t you buy a 5 years old camera? Maybe cause it helps you to take pictures? Which means better one if you shoot more often and with more motivation. If you literally mean that on a single case scenario when you need a picture, is better a phone than no picture, ok (still to a certain extension). If you mean on a daily base, the phone will stay in the pocket and you wont even bother id the quality is so poor that you dont even know what you are looking at
      - Chris
        
        The meaning of “the best camera is the one you have” is to say if you don’t have any camera you won’t get any shot. So use what you have and keep growing as a photographer. It’s not saying a smartphone is as good as a DSLR but it does say if a smartphone is all you have then use it. Take photographs – getting the shot is the most basic step in photography, don’t be put off by thinking you can’t because you don’t have better gear.
        
        It’s also worth noting that a smartphone can take a decent shareable shot and inspire a beginner to go further.
        
        In my opinion the worst kind of photographer is the one who forgets what a lot of fun it is to take photographs whatever the camera is.
      - thandnow
        
        Once again if talking about snapping a single picture in order to document something, for sure whatever camera is good, important to have it.
        
        But i encourage you. buy a cheap phone, and use only that for a month. After 3 days u are demotivated to keep on going as it’s not easy, the pictures are low quality, all blurred, flat.
        Maybe you wanted to take an action picture but you couldnt set the shutter speed, or not easily on time. Maybe a nice sunset but the dynamic range is horrible and you have just a shiny orange ball. And you feel like you are doing wrong, as the result is horrible.
        And at the end of the day it is a bad suggestion, because is telling people that if there are some difficulty it is their own fault. if they feel demotivated due to their gear, it’s their fault. because whatever camera is perfect, no matter what.
        Instead of encourage people to find what fits them, to find a camera that makes them feel comfortable, easy to use, good colour sooc to have instant gratification and results (look fuji).
        So yeah you might think I’m a dick, you might think you are a philosophical photographer to use the old motto of “best camera is what you have”. But nope, it actually can harm somebody possible potential to start or continue photography if you are saying this.
        Is like saying go jogging, no matter what shoes. Leather elegant shoes are better than no shoes right? or maybe after a while you will fell oncumfortable and cant see why continuing jogging in this condition? and perhaps you wanna get better shoes but people tell you that is your fault, whatever shoes are fine?
      - Chris
        
        Sorry I don’t have time to read all this let alone try to respond to it all.
      - Chris
        
        Nonsense! Utter blithering illogical prattling self-aggrandizing nonsense.
        
        Don’t put words in my mouth that I did not use and then make me try to defend something I did not say.
        
        If people use a lesser camera and find it won’t do what they want then they will be motivated to go an buy a better camera but if they run into you first and you tell them they have to go spend a grand or don’t bother then they probably will not bother. If you start shooting off your mouth about dynamic range to a beginner their eyes will glaze over and they will walk away to leave you yapping to yourself.
        
        Whatever camera they have is where they need to start. That is in fact where everyone starts. That’s not philosophical it’s reality.
        
        As for the saying “the best camera is the one that you have” I’m not going to repeat myself. Read what I wrote previously I stand by it.
      - thandnow
        
        and u are wrong
Chels Underhill

Wooo I’m not one and I think I know atleast one from each group
Tommi Turtola

Not long time ago I mentioned in a photography fb group about needing a 70-200 f2.8(And I know what I need and for what purpose).
Didn’t take much time for somebody to come and tell me that I need a 85mm prime or something else.
Nobody even asked me what I need that 70-200 for 😂
Richard Joseph

I’ve had my fair share of ALL of them. Some annoys me, some cracks me up. The ‘best’ I remember is a friend of a friend, at a birthday party, who gave me photography lessons: first thing he did was turned the dial on my camera to M and just that. He had no clue as to change the shutter speed or aperture. The funny part is I started taking pics at least 4years before he was born, with all manual, fully mechanical cameras!! Go figure!!
Bobby’s Worlds

Stupid
RAVEE MAHADEVAN

Someone has replied ” Stupid” .
The article has found its orbit!
DJ Bravo

I shoot weddings as a videographer and the worst are the Photographers with one camera and a 35mm lens so they have to get right up on the Bride and Groom to get a close up shot in the process they get in your video shot. As a professional Photographer shooting a wedding you should have 2 cameras on you; a wide and a telephoto so you don’t have to be front and center during the ceremony to capture a close up shot. Those type of photographers do not care about blocking the guest watching the wedding and blocking the videographer’s view of the same important moment. The other worst type is the Photographer who stands in front the videographer not to take a picture but to review the pictures they just took. They are not aware that the tripod they are blocking is holding a camera that is also trying to capture an important moment. Last but not least is the photographer who thinks that they are the most important person at a wedding they were hired to shoot. The ones who think they are a superstar photographer and the bride and groom are fortunate to have them shoot the wedding.
Freelance cameraman China/HK

The Blogger!
The one writing/filming about some gear he have for 2 hours on test, but still manage to get his opinion shared with one million viewers.
Adam Berry

The “Purist” is called a Photojournalist, and he’ll be fired if he violates that code.
Find another planet to live on

Don’t forget the jackass photography writer that complains about people with gear and then promotes any junk product from companies willing to pay. I hate gear haters. They are phonies.
Prakash Sijapati

Renata De Rosis haha
no comments!
Chris Antonelli

Yep, and you forgot a few : The arshole Photographer , jealous and tries to block your shots at event , or get organizers to not give you passes at events . That is why nobody likes to be around photographers , insecure jerks for real.
Jack Stalnaker

The only one on your list I don’t like is all of the gear. Isn’t that the entire point of learning? Pretty sure that’s why a lot of readers are on this site.
Clarence John

The one who stands in front of everyone, blocks and ruins the shot for all just so that he can get his suppossed best angle
fadecomic

The “all of the gear and no idea” entry is a bit odd. Isn’t that kind of the point of a learning website and/or a learning trip? Seems like complaining that you went to a school and all these kids just kept pestering you with questions about addition and the alphabet.
John Fisher

Sorry but this article and a lot of the comments just deflates me. I am very much the amateur, yes I have some gear, not super great but certainly expensive by my standards. I don’t want to be a professional but just want to try and learn and take half way decent shots. But when I hear some of the comments here and the stereotyping of parts of the article I am glad I can’t be bothered joining a club or associating with other photographers. I will remain, and to be honest, I am quiete happy to remain just an amateur looking to use photography as a way to relax.
- Chris
  
  There are a lot of ignorant snobs in photography John. They talk a big talk and love to judge and mock others.I don’t know why. Maybe they cant fathom the difference between constructive critique and self-important bombast.
  
  Forget terms like “amateur” and “pro”. A real pro doesn’t use them (except in marketing). We are all on a creative path of growth and learning. Help others along and learn from anyone who loves the journey. There is nothing to prove and there is no place for ego. Avoid the fools at all levels. Explore, test, play and have fun.
  
  When you pick up your camera and engage your passion you channel your creative gift. It’s not about you or your camera it’s about expressing and sharing something beautiful and growing and learning how to do that. Run away from anyone who tells you otherwise but stay open to those who get it. 😊
  - John Fisher
    
    I appreciate your comments Chris. Thanks for the advice.
- angrybanana
  
  Same here, I am just an amateur or hobbyist. My personal mantra for photography is to learn and enjoy at my own pace. Don’t get caught up in gear and being a pro.
John Fisher

….and I have no doubt that just makes me “stupid” ……..well so be it.
Christopher Greenwood

Guess what? If they are screw ups then they will never amount to anything! Case closed!
Chris

What purpose does this article serve? Seriously what the hell are you trying to achieve and what kind of reader and comments are you trying to attract. Circle-jerkers mostly by the looks of it. There’s far too much of this arrogant self-aggrandizing empty-elitism bullshit in the photography world. This isn’t content it’s empty flatulent filler crap. Anyone can throw an article like this together in seconds. Do better! I might come back in another six months and see if you’re worth another visit.
Bipin Gupta

This article is useless, irrelevant and out of context as these kind of folks – the Purist, all the Gear and No Idea, the Know it All, the Technical Geek – can be found in all Professions or Trade.
If everyone became like the Author of this article our world would be one big boring place.
No one is perfect, and all of us should be allowed to have a say in a democratic world.
At the end it is the quality of the photos we make.
Also all this Pro & Amateur stuff is rubbish. I take quite some Pro Photos, but refuse to call myself a Pro – at best an Advanced Amateur.
So John Aldred Sir, it is time you took this article off this website, as all these kind of Photographers or People you generalise have a purpose in life.
If they have better Gear than you, it is their good Karma in Life. And note good Gear do take good Photos.
PLEASE DO NOT DESPISE ANY PHOTOGRAPHER except yourself John Aldred Sir.
The author is a retired Advisor world’s largest conglomerate gifted with some of the best Gear since age 8.
Banana Joe

I hate the purist guys, I know they used to do things the hard-way before. but we got PS and Lightroom to make it easier but the way they act when they know you are using the new technology to make your shots better is really annoying.another thing is I’m not a professional or an expert coz I only do it for fun and to relax but most of the time I utilize my DSLR I always get discouraged when people saw you holding a DSLR and clicking they’ll have this reaction like “oh, a wanna be” so I always end up using my smart phone (not bad, for photography tho). imo It is what you shoot not how you shoot it.