OK. We Get It. You Shot It With Your Phone.

It really was weird. My reaction is pretty negative toward the author. The phrase "chill out" comes to mind. If he meant to say it all in irony then I missed it.
 
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I'm fairly certain it was meant to be an ironic post. Kind of turning a mirror on the internet of photography posts and fora.

Listen, I get it. The author thinks he's funny and original. Can we move on?
 
Well, I rather liked it. I agree with Luke that it was meant to be an ironic post. My take is that it is also a screed about how flippin' earnest and serious people get about their photography (and I specifically exclude the folks who hang out here).

For most of us, it's a pasttime, a hobby, something we do for enjoyment . . . so lighten up a little . . . and if you discover something that seems true and valuable to you, by all means share it . . . but don't require that everyone else adopt it as gospel or castigate those who disagree.

The flip side of that, of course, is that enthusiasm is infectious. If someone manages to do something weird, or unusual, or funky, it's neat to see or read about their "joy in the journey."

And if you are a professional, you darn well better know what you are doing so you can deliver the results that will please the person who signs the checks. Many years ago, in a galaxy, far, far away, I worked at GE's Research and Development Center. They had a photography department who we in the Public Information Office, would use to illustrate the news releases we were issuing about new discoveries and developments. Most of the photographers were very, very good. One would have occasional flashes of real brilliance but would also sometimes deliver results that were unusable for our purposes. I would always request one of the other photographers, because I always wanted a usable result.

Anyway, thanks for posting that. It was an interesting read and food for thought.

Cheers, Jock
 
There's no denial that certain trends and archetypes are evident in online photography communities. I think the author nails some of the behaviour that, when taken to an extreme, is unwelcome. Some will like how this is expressed, some not. I enjoyed it, but started with the assumption that it was affectionate satire.

How you react may have something to do with the culture you reside in; SC members come from a lot of different places, both literally and metaphorically. That's one of the things I like most about this place, along with the interesting - and mannerly - debate.
 
I think it was just a tour of the kind of things we read on many photos forums and photo blogs these days. Sure, there was some biting satire. But I'll bet most of us recognized what the author was writing about. And I'll bet the author wasn't a grumpy old man. The piece had the kind of snark that one gets primarily from millenials. But maybe not.
 
I gather it was meant as irony, but the author really needs to examine his use of the language because it came across as serious. And then, it just seemed offensive.
Yeah, irony seems to be a dying art. I'd recommend reading Jonathan Swift and Voltaire -- extensively -- to anyone wanting to attempt it.
 
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