P3D it's okay, let's all get along

["Andrea Blair" <asblair@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

>>>>Tom Deering wrote: It's okay to snap photos without measuring 
anything.  Enjoy your photography. Go ahead and use sunny-16 rule, the 
1/30 rule, the f5.6 rule, or even random settings. But let's stop 
fibbing about how well these guesses work.<<<<

>>>>These guestimates are okay in a pinch.<<<<

Yes, the *rules* (or *guidelines*, as I like to call them) work in a 
pinch. I don't think anyone really solely relies on these guidelines, no 
matter how much they defend them. They are like "stepping stones"; a 
nice place to start, but lead you further into other aspects of 
photography.

>>>>If some people get better results by measuring, so what?  Let's stop 
the attack on people that want to improve their understanding of the 
science behind the art.<<<<

That's right, so what?! But, I don't think there has been any *attack* 
on the people exploring the technical aspects. And it seems that it is 
the *technical* people making these absurd accusations. I have seen 
several people (myself included) that have defended the "simple 
shooting" method as a good starting point for beginners or snapshooters. 
You, Tom, and several others have made very good (if often confusing) 
points in the technical areas (all that technical data seems to 
conflict, as you have pointed out). Nobody is *wrong*. Everybody is 
right. With the wealth of information that has been provided, everyone 
on this list should be able to find a starting point that is comfortable 
for them.

Some people are not out to make the ultimate, technically correct, 
knock-em-dead, absolutely flawless stereo image the first time they pick 
up a camera. Some want to learn in steps, big ones or little ones. Using 
the guidelines can often be a good starting point. Then, as they get 
more feedback on their work and more critical and demanding of 
themselves, start to look for more information, more answers, more 
technical data. I can only speak accurately from my own experience and 
observations: If I had been swamped with tons of techno-data on 
lighting, DOF, shutter speeds (and the list goes on), I would probably 
not have been as interested in learning photography. I learned in steps 
- put the needle in the middle of the opening (that tells me I have 
enough light), why is my moving subject blurry - oh, shutter speed, why 
is the mountain fuzzy - oh, DOF is controlled by apertuers, etc. When I 
need an answer I look it up or ask someone. This is *my* learning curve. 
If someone else wants to research formulas, use math, analyze graphs 
before they start or as they are learning photography - THEY SHOULD GO 
FOR IT! Nobody is criticizing them. The "simple shooting" supporters are 
only offering an alternative to those who may be intimidated by the 
technical aspects.

Some people seem to be getting a little paranoid about this topic! {:>)

Andrea Blair
asblair@xxxxxxxxxxx




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