Caterpillar
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Aug 4, 2005, 9:20 PM
Post #29 of 30
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Re: [videobear] my thoughts and experience
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The talking down of photographers like what I read in these fora is unheard of. We do have our share of problems with them, but I assure you that it is not often. Good point, Caterpillar. We've had some discussions here that brought up the fact that sometimes there are videographers who are an annoyance to the stills photographers, just as some photographers are an annoyance to us video types. What it boils down to is that there are some inconsiderate people out there. Doesn't matter if they're carrying a camera or a camcorder.
Some Photographers in our country also have their gripes of videographers. In our country it's the light. Darn when they use 500-1,000 watt halogens up close range (5-8 feet) at the ceremony and the yellow tint and too much of it is making the couple look yellow and flat. Well, you could correct the color at post processing, but at about 400 shots inside the church, this ads to our stills editing time w/c shouldn't be in the first place if only the light was balanced in the first place! They also tend to direct too much in the dressup w/c is contra to our candid shooting. If I subcontracted them, then I could tell them to stop this, but if it's the other way around, well, that cramps our style. Also, I cannot put blue filters on their gear just to balance their light. Also, we usually have our lights parked on the side not carried by the lightman. These differences are affecting our stills style of shooting.
I have been shooting video lately, and as a video shooter, the shoe of complaint is on the other foot. But instead of blasting them in these fora, I work with them. I show them the footage, tell them how we could get better cooperation etc. Heck I encourage and give feedback and constructive criticism. Mind you, we are Asians and Asians are very sensitive to criticism, loss of face. For me to give criticism without hurting people's feelings is a tough and circuituous act. But it has to be done. Or else the problem stays and will repeat itself in the next shoot.
In our market tier, you are bound to work with the same group of people one time or the other; at leats meet them in a wedding before you or after you at the church. Even if Metro Manila is big and there are thousands of photographers, you slowly find that you get to work or see those in the same market one time or the other. It pays to have good relations with them, because you don't know when you will get to work with them again. And it isn't productive for either side if you don't get along well. Well, there are those you will not be able to work well at all, but they are very few. Besides, as Sun Tzu wrote, in the Art of War, the best warrior is not the one who defeats his enemy, but one who has made his enemy his ally and friend (or something to that line).
-Caterpillar
Caterpillar
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