I will apologise here in advance, this is a rant. If you don’t wish to read it I completely understand; it’s just that I am so angry about something that happened last night I need to vent!
After being asked by several people in my Camera Group to show them how I shoot Astro Photography, I thought it might be fun to set up an excursion or workshop at my favourite spot and show people how we shoot. I have advised it is a very basic, no frills set up. It very quickly booked up, and then over booked……..yikes.
Anyway last night I was trying to obtain some final numbers and someone offered to bring along all his toys and tech for DSS and Star Stacking, as well as special software on how to do stacking. And then offered to teach everyone how to use it; at my workshop! I tried to point out that that is not what this excursion or workshop was about and possibly it may complicate things and confuse people. And then the onslaught began. Apparently I am selfish, stupid and ignorant and a horrible person for squashing his creativity and enthusiasm! I again tried to explain that most people coming don’t know HOW to shoot astro and trying to show different methods at the same workshop would confuse me, let alone anyone else.
The onslaught and vitriol ensued and I gave up, but many other people jumped in and it became quite protracted argument. A few of them coming to my defence (which is nice). I mean if he wants to show people another method and use his toys, perhaps he should run a workshop of his own? Don’t run around telling everyone my way is dumb and stupid and I’m a horrible person and a bad photographer………seriously that is uncalled for.
I was so upset by it all, I have never been trolled before. I know it is a fact of life sometimes online, but this was within my own camera club. Maybe I didn’t explain myself as well as I could; but other people understood what I meant and they also tried, in vain to explain to this guy. Who then accused all of us of School Yard bullying tactics and stifling his creativity. How did it go from a fun night out to this ridiculous battle of which method to shoot Astro is better (his apparently). I have shot different ways and frankly the whole star tracking, star stacking things confuses the living hell out of me and in the end I don’t think they are all that much better off a straight DSLR. Sure combine a DSLR with a telescope and they can be amazing, complex, but amazing. But THAT is NOT what this workshop was designed for, it was just a little taste so people were not so scared to try things out for themselves. If they want to then move on to more complex shoots; good for them.
I’m at the stage I am tempted to cancel the whole thing, I am internally hoping for really bad weather so I can cancel…………does that make me a bad person?
This was followed up after another workshop I attended on Flash and Speedlite Photography, which turned out to be very distressing. The guy didn’t seem to be able to explain anything and then took my camera out of my hands and started playing with my settings and called me an idiot because I shoot in Manual Mode. NOT COOL DUDE!Ā Yes I tend to be a little passive aggressive sometimes, but this guys really got my hackles up. Yes you need to have respect for the people trying to run these workshops, so I didn’t scream in this guys face, but I wanted to. Shoe will be on the other foot, apparently he has signed up for my Astro workshop………….yay! Maybe that’s another reason to cancel. Maybe I can call him an idiot for NOT shooting in Manual Mode! Or take the high road and show him how to patiently explain something properly to someone who does not understand.
I have been with this group for quite some time, and have never seen anything remotely like this, most of the people I have met have been fun, supportive and friendly; a great bunch of people to hang out with. Maybe these are isolated experiences. I hope so.
That’s it….rant over. If you read it all, thanks for listening
-Julz
Julie Powell - Photographer & Graphic Artist 
Read the entire post. You should be angry! My reaction to this would be to pull out of any club related activity. You do not need to be part of any organization to enjoy and prosper at your hobby. Photography is supposed to be a fun activity regardless of one’s skill level. Each photographer has his or her own style and specific area of interest. What this person did was rude, crude and completely unacceptable. Should you choose to withdraw from any club, I would certainly respect and support your choice. Nobody needs or deserves to be bullied like that. Pardon me but – piss on ’em.
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thanks John, and thanks for reading the whole thing. I love this club I have learnt so much and had so much fun. I just wanted to give a little back, but this just left an awful taste in my mouth. The club admins don’t know anything about and and I might say something, but I don’t want to make things more difficult. They threw someone out last month for being a pain.
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I think you have every right to be livid!
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thanks, and thanks for reading through the whole thing. Makes me feel better when someone ‘listens’. Normally I rant to hubby, but he is away for work and I don’t want to worry him with all this til he gets back. Then I whinge and complain to him lol
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Some folks just feel entitled. It makes me furious! And the trolling was totally uncalled for.
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Why I don’t join clubs . . . yes, you can meet amazing people . . . amazing people with crappy friends.
Seriously, you should cut those discussions short, put your foot down. Something like:
“You, sir, are not invited to this workshop. Thank you for making room for someone who is not a douche. If you would like to discuss it in person, please give me your business address, and we can hold a civil conversation in your office where your co-workers can witness the totality of your douchiness.”
Did I mention I don’t have many friends? It’s not by accident.
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lol………….that would be fabulous to do, but I’d probably crap my pants ROFL
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Now I understand why you might need a plastic bottle… š
But seriously, this is something I myself will also not tolerate. The “tazmanian devil” should’ve organized his own workshop… he has no right to meddle with what you’ve planned in your workshop. That’s exclusively yours. And the other guy who took your camera and called you an idiot, that’s a mortal sin. Anyone can touch me, except two off limits things, my hair (I hope this brought a smile in your face} and of course, let alone my gears without my permission. He’ll be wearing a “black eye” for the rest of the week if he did that!
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One of the reasons I don’t belong to a physical camera club. Some photographers are soooo pedantic and everything has to be perfect – the best camera and equipment and not post processing etc. Not my thing. I want to be creative and learn new techniques in a fun happy and safe environment. Not to be told that there is one way of taking a certain type of photos. I agree with you.
I take a Social Snappers group of women – it is about learning to take better photos – not about the camera you use, or the equipment you have. I have the gear, but that is what I do. I don’t expect others to spend a fortune getting the best equipment when they will never use it.For us it is about being creative and enjoying each other’s company.
Stick to your guns. He just doesn’t like a woman taking better photos than him without all the expensive gear that he has ( small man mentality). It is your workshop. Stand up for yourself and be assertive. Think of all the put downs you can think off, when he tries to upstage you.
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I will be posting again today, apparently this guy is a serial troll and has been kicked off so many groups for this kind of thing. The Admin were amazing. I agree with you on most of the above, including the Social Snappers I was in here at one stage…………all a load of windbags who just wanted to make themselves look good. This group was and still is an amazing group of talented people more than willing to share. Unfortunately scumbags sneak in. But thanks for reading and kind words.
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Good grief some people are weird. Don’t let him get to you, you’re doing a good thing and you’re right, it would have been confusing to introduce something so complex at what is essentially a beginners workshop. Good luck for the event!!
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Hi, thanks……………how’s things? settling in?
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Hi, yep good. Settling in at the new office and slowly sorting out the house. Very slowly LOL. I’m in a jumper and under a blanket today. Loving Melbourne Summer!! š
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lol…………yep so do we (Not!)
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oh boy!!! I’d be p—- too!! Where do some people get off – however, people will be people and many of them ignorant. I was selling my prints one day as cards at a craft fair and someone came up and began extolling her own photography to anyone who would listen while standing at my table lol.
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WTF……………….OMG how rude!! some people!!!!!
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