Three annoying things photographers hate to hear

Photographers are generally very kind, helpful people. Although they don’t usually say it, there are three things they hate to hear after someone views their photos.

“You must have a fantastic camera.”

There’s a quote that makes the rounds among photographers that sums up how many of us secretly feel inside when we are asked this question.

A photographer went to a socialite party in New York. As he entered the front door, the host said, “I love your pictures — they’re wonderful; you must have a fantastic camera.” He said nothing until dinner was finished, then: ‘That was a wonderful dinner; you must have a terrific stove.’

Sam Haskins

Here, the host is issuing a compliment. We recognize that the person is attempting to pay a compliment or start a conversation. But we also recognize that most people don’t say that a great chef must have a great stove or that a great singer must have a stellar microphone. I typically say thank you and accept the compliment.

A better alternative: “What techniques do you use to get such wonderful photos?”

This question seeks understanding. It also is more open-ended, doesn’t assume anything, and likely to get a beautiful conversational flow started.

“This image has been Photoshopped”

This example is more hostile than the previous example, which is quite benign in comparison. Often, the implication here is that it is not a real photograph, and that the person has manipulated it somehow to make it look that good. “Photoshop” seems to be a catch-all for anything that is heavily manipulated even though not everyone uses it. And those who do often use it to dodge and burn, adjust colors, adjust contrast, and much more.

And dodging and burning, adjusting colors, adjusting contrast, and so forth are the very same things that film photographers have been doing in darkrooms for over 170 years. Indeed, the first HDR photo was done in the 1850s by Gustave Le Gray. 

Above: 1857. That is the first known attempt that I know of, long before Photoshop, Windows 11 or USB cables. This was a photograph by pioneering French photographer Gustave Le Gray. He combined two negatives — one exposed for the sky, the other for the sea.

How non-photographers often regard post-processing

There are many misconceptions about processing. I’ve actually had an artist say to me, “Real photographers don’t have to process their photos.” This doesn’t make sense on any level, yet people continue saying it. 

As photographers, though, we must remember that most people don’t process their photos. Furthermore, they may not realize that they are choosing to let their digital camera or phone camera do all the processing for them. Professional photographers typically choose to make the processing decisions instead of allowing their cameras to make it for them. We as photographers should understand that this is most people’s frame of reference.

People accuse night photographers of “Photoshopping” more often than many other kinds of photographers. Why? Because often what we show in a photo doesn’t look like any sort of night scene that anyone experiences. They are long exposure photos, often lit with a light during the exposure. Night photos also show color more, as the camera doesn’t have the same rods-and color limitations that we have.

Above: In a very informal, unscientific poll by the school newspaper, 59% of Yale students believed that this long exposure night photo was AI-generated art and not a photograph. “That’s gotta be AI” is quickly becoming the new “This image must be Photoshopped.”

I don’t know how other photographers respond to statements of “You must use Photoshop.” I choose to be polite. If I have time, I might briefly explain that the processing is similar to what film photographers did in the darkroom. However, I don’t generally expect someone to alter their viewpoint if they are already making accusatory statements of fraud to me in person.

A better alternative: “Why does post-processing improve your photos?”

This is non-confrontational. It’s considerably friendlier. And it’s a better conversation starter that doesn’t come laden with assumptions of fraud.

“You just click a button to take a photo, don’t you?”

This too is often a hostile statement. It’s also rather passive-aggressive. The implication, of course, is that what you do requires no talent and offers no value. You just press a button. Bam. All done. 

Every time I have ever heard this, the person never really expected an answer. The person, in fact, would often begin to turn away before I would have a chance to respond. Again, I would rather be polite and move along.

A better alternative: “What skills do you need to create that photo?”

This is a friendlier question, one that is not hostile or passive-aggressive. This question seeks understanding. It assumes that there are skills involved. You are sure to get a much friendlier response from a photographer than by beginning a conversation with insults. In short, it’s an effective conversation starter.