How to Spot A Fauxtographer.

     As many of you reading this may know, photography takes a long time to master, if true mastery is even possible. Sure there are a number of pros that have made a name for themselves in the field of photography such as Ansel Adams. But for every serious photographer that knows what he or she is doing, there are a dozen that have no clue. Now I'm not putting the newbie photog down, everyone starts out as a beginner, and I love helping others learn how to use their cameras properly to get the desired result.

       What I'm not okay with is one that buys a DSLR and immediately calls themselves a professional. I work at a photo lab, so I see many pictures over the days, most are snapshots from family events or stuff that a person wanted to remember, which is great. I have a point and shoot just for those moments. Then every now and then I get the images shot on a DSLR or SLR. I have some regulars that are very good and consistent at photography. Oddly enough, most of them shoot film. And every now and then a real pro will do some quick proofs with us for an impatient client. More and more I'm finding awful pictures from people don't take themselves but are images that they are paying for.
    
         The decrease in cost of DSLRs has created an enemy of mine that will only to continue to grow in numbers. The Fauxtographer. Now I know what you're thinking. If I'm so high and mighty why do I care about the other guy? Well, first of all, I'm not claiming to be a great photographer. I took the time to learn the basics and then progressed to learning advanced techniques from professionals that KWTH they are doing. I was very uncomfortable the first time I shot images for money. As most likely are their first paid shoot.

         It is the person that charges money for their mediocre service of using AUTO on a camera to spit out awfully composed images with major color issues. I have seen ladies in tears because their wedding pictures were ruined by a Fauxtographer.

So I am making a list of how to spot these menaces to photography.

1. The "natural" look is still heavily processed.

I have nothing against photoshop. It is a great tool. I know that some touch ups may be required, such as blemish removal. A fauxtog will learn photoshop to make up for horrible photographic skills. Even worse, fauxtogs will use freebies like picnik for PAID shoots.
 
     2. This quote taken from a fauxtog site should say it clearly.

"Everyone,
Im in need of some help!! im doing a Pet Portrait Project in Class
tomorrow at 8am and i am going to try and reenact the image below, if
you have any older looking suitcases or anything that you think can help
this project that i could use Please let me know!!!"

Now I'm being harsh, but I don't care. "Reenacting" an image is another way of saying " I have no real creativity and am going to steal this person's idea an call it my own." This is not only a sign of a fauxtog, but its ILLEGAL!!! It is called PLAGIARISM! 

     3.Blaming the camera. 

     Yes cameras have limits, but constantly blaming you're camera for bad images is a sign of a fauxtographer.

    4. AUTO! Yes the auto modes are okay for snapshots but not paid assignments. Trust me I know when you are using auto!!!

    5. Post Processing. Photoshop is a great tool for designers and advertisers. It is not meant to be a photographer's tool. If the majority of  someone's pictures are post processed, chances are they have no clue how to use the camera and just rely on photoshop or another editor to get results.

    6. Professional Inexperience. This goes with the I have an expensive camera therefore I'm a professional mentality. I recently printed some pics for a grandmother that had some images of her grandchildren taken at a chain portrait studio. The images were horrible! (And that's being nice about it) All of the images were off angle and showing the back wall in the pic, not the backdrop but the back cinder block wall! Not only this but the lady had paid $250 for the shoot and more for a disc with the images. The ended up giving her a PROOF DISK. Not only did she pay a lot of money for a bad shoot, they gave her 640x480 images!

 More to come...