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Jon Glaser

9 Years Ago

Fellow Photographer Asked Where I Took A Shot-got Annoyed At Him

I have a facebook page and another photographer asked me where I took a specific shot. He wasnt complimentary. He just wanted information. He then asked me what lens I used ,the shutter speed and f stop..I didnt care and love sharing information with other colleagues.. However, when he asked about another image a two days later, I started to get annoyed..He was asking the same questions and it felt like he was going to try and just duplicate what I got.It was almost like he was stealing. He had no interaction with me prior to his questions or in the weeks that have followed.

AM I being paranoid or too sensitive. He sent another inquiry recently and I have ignored it..I feel like I did the work and this guy just wants to use me and get what he can for free.

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Peggy Collins

9 Years Ago

I'd just smile and say, "Trade secret".

 

ditto

 

Barry Lamont

9 Years Ago

You should charge a consultation fee :-)

 

Photography By Sai

9 Years Ago

So Jon, where DID you take that shot in your OP? :p

I'd do the same thing Peggy said! There's no need to feel feel paranoid or overly sensitive. I'm usually open to sharing information about the location and the technical details of the photograph, but to someone that's being downright rude, there's no necessity to offer up the info. A majority of the big name pros out there are leery about sharing the exact location where they took the photograph.

Cheers!

 

Dan Carmichael

9 Years Ago

A few years back I drove by a guy who was taking a shot that years previous was published full page in a magazine. He didn't know me from a bean, so I stopped and struck up a conversation with him. He told me he was taking the picture he "saw in a magazine."

It happens, not much you can do about it. In the end, see it for what it is: a compliment.

 

Jeffrey Campbell

9 Years Ago

Perhaps he is new to photography and admires you as an artist - wants to think of you as his mentor, so to speak. Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. :-)

 

Aaron Spong

9 Years Ago

I'd look at it as a compliment. If people are wanting to copy your spot or steal your stuff, then you know he must think your work is really good.

 

Jon Glaser

9 Years Ago

Thanks for the quick feedback guys.. I love helping other artists out!! I will remember to use the reply "trade Secret" ,Its a great feeling for me having that ability to help other photographers..I meetup with a group of them weekly to discuss images and how they are done.

.I thought of it as a compliment too at first..but I wouldnt expect this guy to start asking the technical questions too..especially when he represents himself as a professional..He seemed to imply that he was going to get the same exact shot.

 

Rich Franco

9 Years Ago

Jon,

Yes, you are being paranoid! Let him know exactly! Very close to the water and there were some rocks in the foreground and you think it was on "auto"!

I had people all the time when I did art shows,asking about where this shot was and when and how I took it. And at my advanced age, I could honestly tell them, most of the time, "I forget"!

In reality, the chances of anyone duplicating any image, with the shot you have and the tide has to be right, the sunset right and the clouds just perfect,will never occur again! I'm happy to share tecnical stuff with people, but not the hard earned effort it took, to find this shot, scout out the best times and after a few trips, the exact location and best info.

We all know when someone asks, if they are asking to improve their photography, or steal yours!

Nice shot!

Rich

 

Edward Fielding

9 Years Ago

From a practical side, its unlikely he'll be able to reproduce your shot which requires being there at the right time but it is kind of weird that he asked three times. Did you ask him "why?"

I suppose he is trying to learn and mistakenly thinks that the secret is F stops.

 

Roger Swezey

9 Years Ago

Warning!!

I'm about to break a new rule: "No Image Dumping"

A few years back, 37 years, next Halloween, afternoon to be exact.....The following photo shows me in a very agonizing situation, when I was supposed to show all the Ladies of the Boston Area, how to make their own Vulture Sculpture...And I was trying to tell them that they would be much more satisfied coming up with their own ideas and trying to help them by showing them how to SEE.

Photography Prints

 

Jon Glaser

9 Years Ago

Rich,thanks for the reply,,

it did take some research,,I have spent hours on Google earth coming the florida coastline for rocks etc...some sort of foreground interest...so when i found this place about a 15 min drive from my house i was overjoyed,,,,

 

Janine Riley

9 Years Ago

What are the odds that a person that can not locate an ocean with rocks on it - can produce an image like yours ?

 

Val Arie

9 Years Ago

Hi Jon... I like Peggy's answer too and Dan is right it is a compliment...that is a beautiful shot! I see work on a daily basis that I would love to know how it is done but can't imagine actually asking...that is rude. Because knowing location is something I also love to know...not specific...just geographically...that wouldn't bother me

@ Janie...that's funny!

 

Mike Savad

9 Years Ago

i think he's trying to learn, he won't get that exact location, waves, sky etc. i think he just wants that effect. i don't think you need gps coordinates, just a rough location.


---Mike Savad

 

Jon Glaser

9 Years Ago

Janine,,love the portfolio,,,,where did you take the power tower,,what time of day ,,what was your shutter speed, ISO and an Fstop.. oh and the one at the farm ,,where is that? I want to go,,,what was your f-stop ,shutter speed,,how high was the camera from the ground..what lens did you use,You photo is good and I am going to do the same thing..

gets pretty annoying after a while doesnt it... :)

Seriously, You do have some excellent work !!]

Also,Janine..florida is so flat and lacks so much detail,,rocks are hard to find

 

Gary Langley

9 Years Ago

Jon
Your work is excellent and I doubt if he had been standing there with you he could have captured what you did, its not the camera or f stop or shutter its the ability to see !

 

Katie Jeans

9 Years Ago

haha well you would never be a good teacher. thats a role of a teacher is...explaining it in detail so they can understand, process, and recreate. i dont need a compliment per say....someone asking me questions like that..he obviously thought your work was really good. Even if he did try and copy you...its still different b/c he will never even get the exact angle you did. Close but never exact. Nor does he have the same editing you do.

 

Katie Jeans

9 Years Ago

and your work is amazing!! he has probably tried so hard to do what you do...and cannot figure it out!! so now he is being bold and asking. He obviously wants you to be him mentor. Plus..your work is dated later than his..so people would know...you were his mentor. take advantage of it.

 

Christian Lagereek

9 Years Ago

Had the same request! about one of my refinery images, no comments or complimants just where I took it. Weird guy.

 

Paul Cowan

9 Years Ago

Hello Christian, fancy meeting you here!

 

Adam Jewell

9 Years Ago

I'll usually tell people where I took a shit approximately anyway. But everything else is up to them, especially the camera settings. If they ask that the next thing they'll be asking is if you can carry their gear out there for them and push the trigger.

 

Rudy Umans

9 Years Ago

Rocks like that are hard to find In South Florida and I live 100 miles from Jon and I can only think of one place in SF and that is.......

Jon, we should go ot shooting together one day/

Hello Chris! Wassup?

 

Roy Erickson

9 Years Ago

I seldom mind telling people where I took a picture - if I can remember. The problem with telling them where I took the shot - I've tried to go back to the same places and take that same shot again or just to see if it's still there - very often - the place has changed. There was a place just across the line in GA where there was a football sized 'field' that for two years was filled with liatris (purple spikes) and hundreds of butterfly's of various kinds - Every year, about the time they should be there - I pass the place by - just a straggly few purple spikes and seldom even one butterfly. Every sunrise and every sunset is different - and you'll never see another like the one that you saw yesterday - unless you had your eyes closed.

Telling them about the settings - you really have to be kidding - I don't know - and I've never kept up with the settings - I suppose it's in the details of the original image stored on back up files - but otherwise - I've no clue - it could just as easily have been on 'auto' - because I dither around the manual settings until I think I've got it right, do a couple of shots - maybe on either side - and it either works or it doesn't.

 

Jon Glaser

9 Years Ago

Rudy,, I found a spot just south of St Augustine that has rock formations. And near Jupiter island also. Very few and far between for rocks.

 

Robert Frank Gabriel

9 Years Ago

You could always give him the wrong info. Tell him you shot it at iso1600/ss5,000/f4.5, etc.
Or just tell him you put the camera on automatic.
As for directions on how to get there, tell him to take a left whenever you took a right.

Or tell him you are taking a small group of photographers to that site and you will be charging an entry fee for the class.

 

Judy Kay

9 Years Ago

With sites like Flickr for example, all of the info is readily available...there is an icon you can click on for a particular image that tells you what camera was used and all of the camera settings engaged for a particular image...additionally with "geo" tagging the precise location of where the shot was taken is also available..As Rich stated, with all of that info available it would be difficult to duplicate an image...the angle of the shot, the time of day, the type of camera, and process and editing will all produce a different outcome.

 

HW Kateley

9 Years Ago

@Judy, yes and no. You can remove it before you upload or at any point in post. Also, if you start with film, what you'll see is scanner settings. (unless you remove it)

Jon. To me, what you are describing comes across as rude. But, who can say what the intent is/was.

My favorite comment is " Beautiful photo, you must have a really great expensive camera ". (Ok, not really )

Older books on photography promote this line of questioning. It seemed like they always had that info for every shot. It makes we wonder if people kept that good of notes, or if they just made it up sometimes.

 

Theresa Tahara

9 Years Ago

I have been asked how I created an image before and I do take it as a compliment but if they want to know every step I took in photoshop, I am not interested in telling them. Half the time I don't remember as it is such a creative process with me anyway.
Adam, you may want to edit your comment. ;-)))

 

Photography By Sai

9 Years Ago

Adam, you may want to edit your comment. ;-)))

Was going to say that Theresa, but you beat me to it....lmao!! Funny how one letter out of place changes the context of the post in its entirety...Boy I had a good laugh!

Cheers!

 

Rich Franco

9 Years Ago

Jon,

I think I figured out the location, I'm pretty smart and here's an obvious shot from near me, Mt. Dora, right!!!???

Sell Art Online

Rich

 

Jon Glaser

9 Years Ago

Hi Mr. Franco,,I cant tell if that is sarcasm or not,,,sort of comes off that way.but , nonetheless,,where is Mt. Dora?????? ,,,,wait,,let me look it up!llhold on a sec,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,thats really funny rich,,just looked it up,,nope not florida,,I wish,,,man that would be awesome if we had any real mountains besides the city dump!

 

Jetson Nguyen

9 Years Ago

That is annoying, I would have just stopped responding to him.

 

Rich Franco

9 Years Ago

Jon,

Sorry, thought you'd know about Mt Dora! It's elevation is 175 feet! Years ago, I used to shoot stuff for the Nature Conservancy here in Florida and I had a Tee shirt made for me, that said,

"I climbed Mt. Dora!"

Shot some stuff by you too, Blowing Rocks Preserve...........

Rich

 

Christian Lagereek

9 Years Ago

Hi paul!!!! how goes? well its a pretty interesting place. Not our usual hangout is it! makes a change.

best Chris.

 

Stephen Dyck

9 Years Ago

Some people have less creativity than others and try to copy what you do. I have asked for locations from others who have taken photos in the Yukon because it is the general area that I may have been but can't quite remember where. But the shooting settings I don't ask that is each individual's copy right to that picture.

 

Along The Trail

9 Years Ago

I would have to go with the consensus on this one. Being a new photographer myself, and not knowing folks it is hard to get a conversation going with a talented individual whom you admire. Should we ask how your dogs are? Or if the old buick is still running?

I am guilty of this same sort of questions, and am never looking to imitate anyone actual photography... processing maybe another story when your learning.

Some Fakebook pages are full of followers exclaiming how brilliant and talented you are, and do not get noticed in the day to day. Perhaps he was just trying to set his questions apart from the fanboys and strike a conversation.

I do like the answer of "very close to the water and the rocks" that someone said however. :)

Great photography!

 

Jon Glaser

9 Years Ago

Thanks! I love helping another photographer on their journey. But there is a wrong way and a right way. He is a wedding and portrait photographer and was just looking to poach information from me. I didn't realize it the first time he asked. I was just trying to help out another guy. But the second time I posted a image, he was right there asking away. That's when I started to get annoyed. And, I'm sure he will do it again. I can't wait!

 

Lynn Palmer

9 Years Ago

I can see where it could be annoying but honestly, have you ever tried to go back and "improve" upon one of your own shots? It's virtually impossible so it's unlikely he will be able to copy you successfully even if you tell him all your trade secrets. Also remember he would have to process the image with equal skill to yours and most can't do that either.

So Jon, tell me, where did you find those fabulous rocks in Florida....

Signed,
Rockless in Miami

 

Rudy Umans

9 Years Ago

Jon - I can take you to places down here on the beach that make you think you are in California. PM and I take you there. Sounds like fun

 

Laurie Tsemak

9 Years Ago

There's not much chance his image will be any competition to your amazing work! That said, you don't owe him any information simply because he asked. Your work is so good that you'll probably come across this kind of situation often (if you haven't already). Perhaps you could have a "stock answer" ready, for those times when you don't feel inclined share professional details. This situation reminds me of something I tell my daughters (answer an inappropriate question with another question, like "why do you ask?").

 

Jon Glaser

9 Years Ago

Lynn Palmer,,,Those rocks were in boynton beach near the inlet,,,of course there is a sign that says do not stand on rocks..!!!!!

Really Rudy? california? ok i will pm you later!!


Laurie,,Thanks for the compliment,,I try!! and you bring up good points too..,,

Nite all!!

 

Rudy Umans

9 Years Ago

well not whole California, but I do know a beach within driving distance from you and me that could easily be confused with California. Especially at low tide. Would be fun to take a ride up there. I will PM you a link and then you be the judge :)

 

Jon Glaser

9 Years Ago

I know there is a place near st Augustine..one near jupiter called blowing rocks,,,one near boynton beach,, one really small area in boca,,and thats all I know!!

 

Rudy Umans

9 Years Ago

I PMed you

 

Kevin Sherf

9 Years Ago

Peru,always say you took the shot in Peru.

Yours sincerely,Javier Luis Miguel Castilla Rubio, Minister of Travel and Tourism.

 

Edward Fielding

9 Years Ago

The rocks have been there longer than photography but some of the places I've shot are no longer there. Took a photo of an old style phone booth. The next week it was gone. Shot a photo of a couch on a porch - gone the next day. Cool old tractor in a field. Replaced by another cool vintage tractor the next day. One thing about photography is that you'll never kick yourself for stopping to take the shot when you see it.

Hopefully someday this guy who keeps asking all of the specific will start to see his own vision of the world.

 

Edward Fielding

9 Years Ago

Jon, it sounds like you need a trip to the Maine coast this summer - all rocks, little sand.

 

This discussion is closed.