Shock of the old

[Kumar]

Back in 1989, when I was still doing the occasional still-life, I needed a vinyl record to use as a prop. So I ask my assistant to get me a few "LP records". I get a blank stare. Then after I explain to him what they look like, he still can't figure it out. I get them from a friend. Then he says "It's too large to fit into the tape deck!"

Kumar

[Robert Roaldi]

Kumar, thanks for the best belly laugh of the weekend.

But you know, we should all stop this, we're starting to sound like a  bunch of crotchety old geysers.  

[Kumar]

Hey, I'm only 51, and just getting into my stride

Kumar

[Rob C]

Ah, 51!

Too young to be crotchety yet too old to be hip!

The Empty Quarter, then.

But it improves when you get the pension: then excitement re-enters your life as you wonder how well you will make it to the end of the week! Whether you will make it to the end of the week.

;-)

Rob C

[Kumar]

Thanks to some great investment advisers - yes, there are some in India  I already get annuities!  And living in Japan is enough excitement!!

Cheers,
Kumar

[Jeremy Roussak]

Ah, 51!

Too young to be crotchety yet too old to be hip!

I'm 50. I've been crotchety for years: ask my wife. There are no rules!

Jeremy

[tom b]

The British/Australian description would be "Grumpy old men". Being one I should know.

Cheers,

[Rob C]

That's what gets us curmudgeons a bad press.

Rob C

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

That's what gets us curmudgeons a bad press.

Rob C

When I think of curmudgeons, or Grumpy Old Men, I immediately think of Rob C, Ray, myself, and sometimes Russ. 


Well, I guess any list would have to include Schewe, the undisputed Master Curmudgeon.

Eric

[Harold Clark]

Back in 1989, when I was still doing the occasional still-life, I needed a vinyl record to use as a prop. So I ask my assistant to get me a few "LP records". I get a blank stare. Then after I explain to him what they look like, he still can't figure it out. I get them from a friend. Then he says "It's too large to fit into the tape deck!"

Kumar

It isn't only old technology that befuddles young people. I recently took a CD to Office Depot to have some contact sheets printed after my Epson acted up. The young lady who manages that department insisted that the CD was blank, so after several tries I decided to help. She was inserting it upside down! After the contact sheets were printed, she looked at them. " Architectural photography, oh I could do that ", she said. I should have asked why she was working at Office Depot then.

[Rob C]

[quote name='Harold Clark' date='Jun 2 2010, 01:47 AM' post='369008']
It isn't only old technology that befuddles young people. I recently took a CD to Office Depot to have some contact sheets printed after my Epson acted up. The young lady who manages that department insisted that the CD was blank, so after several tries I decided to help. She was inserting it upside down! After the contact sheets were printed, she looked at them. " Architectural photography, oh I could do that ", she said. I should have asked why she was working at Office Depot then.

/quote]


Harold, she wouldn't have understood your point which, actually, is the point.

It's only the lack of understanding of what photography really demands from the photographer that gives rise to those kinds of remarks from the laity; feel sorry for them once they try.

Rob C

[Robert Roaldi]

Harold, she wouldn't have understood your point which, actually, is the point.

It's only the lack of understanding of what photography really demands from the photographer that gives rise to those kinds of remarks from the laity; feel sorry for them once they try.

Rob C

We should probably not judge too quickly or too harshly. The expression "...oh, I could do that" might mean, "I wish I could that do that (instead of this)", rather than, "I am able to do that." We should probably welcome the enthusiasm, it means that she finds the work interesting and fun. That's a good thing.

[Harold Clark]

We should probably not judge too quickly or too harshly. The expression "...oh, I could do that" might mean, "I wish I could that do that (instead of this)", rather than, "I am able to do that." We should probably welcome the enthusiasm, it means that she finds the work interesting and fun. That's a good thing.

Very good point, although in the way she spoke she felt she was capable of doing it. Now, maybe she is capable, but  what the general public doesn't understand is that it takes a great deal of study and practical experience to develop one's ability.

I will readily admit to anybody that although I own a drill, I am probably not a very good dentist. Speaking of which, even my dentist tells me that patients arriving at his office these days claim to know more about dental procedures than he does, with decades of experience.

[ReggieBurris]

Very good point, although in the way she spoke she felt she was capable of doing it. Now, maybe she is capable, but  what the general public doesn't understand is that it takes a great deal of study and practical experience to develop one's ability.

I will readily admit to anybody that although I own a drill, I am probably not a very good dentist. Speaking of which, even my dentist tells me that patients arriving at his office these days claim to know more about dental procedures than he does, with decades of experience.

I recently thought of a nice gift to give my son. After acquiring a 5D Mark 2 and 1D Mark 3 I told my wife I would give my son (23 years old) my 50D and 17-40mm L lens. She stated he might be overwhelmed. I proceeded to give it to him anyway, prefacing the conversation with how proud I was of him. After giving him 20 minutes or so instructions of how to use it, I could see him drifting off in to space.

After observing that he never opened the box nor manual I convinced him that I would take it back and sell it. He never blinked. It never occurred to me that he only used point-and-shoots from an early age. I guess this is the way I feel when I've observed more experienced photographers using Mamiyas and Hasselblads.

[Rob C]

I recently thought of a nice gift to give my son. After acquiring a 5D Mark 2 and 1D Mark 3 I told my wife I would give my son (23 years old) my 50D and 17-40mm L lens. She stated he might be overwhelmed. I proceeded to give it to him anyway, prefacing the conversation with how proud I was of him. After giving him 20 minutes or so instructions of how to use it, I could see him drifting off in to space.

After observing that he never opened the box nor manual I convinced him that I would take it back and sell it. He never blinked. It never occurred to me that he only used point-and-shoots from an early age. I guess this is the way I feel when I've observed more experienced photographers using Mamiyas and Hasselblads.

Another thing to consider is that photography doesn't appeal to everyone and just as well!

I used to have a studio a few miles away from the family home, and when studio work fell off I let it go and yes, of course, no sooner did I do that than studio work came back for me. So I built a new one alongside the house and, as a consequence, Nikons and 'blads were left lying around the place in a not-so-subtle attempt to interest either my son or daughter in the gentle art. Not a one took the slightest notice.

Just as well, I suppose, but it was difficult to understand that it left them both stone cold.

Rob C

[OldRoy]

Re: "grumpy". Recent research shows that...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8339647.stm

[Eric Myrvaagnes]

Re: "grumpy". Recent research shows that...
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/8339647.stm

Uh oh! That report almost makes me feel happy, dagnabbit! I better not. The risk is too high. 

[Rob C]

I do believe there's something to the idea, but it doesn't follow that having a more clear mind leads to greater success in worldly terms.

I have noticed that it is the jolly, back-slapping networker who seems to pull off more work, drive the better car and be on more pleasant terms with his bank manager. Well, on the last point I'm just guessing. People, in general, seem to prefer the company of habitual laughers to that of sterner companions; as my late mothert-in-law was fond of saying: laugh and the world laughs with you, but cry and you cry alone. She was darn right.

For my part, I find the whole concept of the loud all-male bar group to be something I would avoid at all costs - I have managed to avoid it most of the time and don't feel I've missed a thing. But then, I have never sat through a reality tv show either...

But no, I don't bore myself at all; in fact, I have wonderful conversations with myself but with a major drawback: no conclusions ever get reached.

Maybe I need to get out more and laugh loudly at nothing.

;-(

Rob C

[BJL]

While we are being Grumpy Old Men, it is apparently good for my health to get this off my chest:

It is not necessary to hold a camera at arms' length in order to compose on an LCD (unless you have vision problems).
WIth my pocket cameras, I compose on the LCD with my upper arms pressed against my torso and the camera very stable. Use of a short neck-strap pulled tight is another often-described method of stabilizing with Live View.

Just because many casual snapshooters use rear LCDs at arms' length for convenience or out of ignorance or lack of concern for camera stability ("that's what IS is for") does not mean that there are not better alternatives for more careful photographers!

One would think that those who repeat the "arms' length" canard have never read any of the many posts from careful, competent photographers about "best practice" with Live View. But I should not be surprised, as it often seems that for some people internet forums are a "write only" interface.

[jjj]

But I should not be surprised, as it often seems that for some people internet forums are a "write only" interface.

   Very nicely put.