There are some types of landscape photographers I can’t stand. While it is easy to point out other’s flaws, it is not so easy to remember that when you point at someone else you have three fingers pointing back at yourself. So, while I am going to tell you about 5 types of photographers or traits that are less than desirable (according to myself) I am also keenly aware that I have been guilty of these at one point or another as well!
Icon Chasers and Instagram
I have written another article about chasing icons which I think still holds true, but to sum it up quickly, it is only ok to chase icons when you are new to a location/photography. Once you have gained your bearings, you should probably try to make your own new take on landscapes.
What makes these types of photographers so frustrating is twofold. There is no desire to create something new, and this approach to landscape photography is also responsible for destroying locations. These places that once were preserved by relative anonymity are now suffering from more traffic than they can handle.
This also includes those who I consider to be Instagram Photographers. These seemingly have no respect for the environment, don’t care to be original in any way, and are making their money through advertising their personal brand or other’s brands at these famous locations. Profiting from unoriginality that is simultaneously destroying the very locations we are currently ‘loving’ to death is disturbing.
Milky-way ONLY Photographers
I would prefer to not make it seem like being ever singling out a group of photographers in any way, but I have no qualms in doing so if it is warranted. I understand that the Milky Way is beautiful. I can see the value of photographing the night sky and love a well-executed image at night. I don’t even have a problem with those in landscape photography that would be labeled as Astrophotographers.
The photographers that I would call the worst are similar to those Icon Chasers above that are too focused on one thing. Capturing the Milky Way on its own or in front of iconic locations. There is so much to be done artistically in night photography let alone landscape photography! Why limit yourself down to one subject during one week of the month during nine out of twelve months of the year?
There are few groups of photographers or types that will limit themselves so far in their creative license. Nobody does it more than milky way photographers. They also happen to dip into other areas of annoying landscape photography habits like aforementioned Icon chasing and the next topic of geeking out at gear.
GAS Afflicted and Forum Browsers
These poor unfortunate souls have been stricken down with GAS. It stands for Gear Acquisition Syndrome which has forced them to spend all of their time and money researching and purchasing photography equipment. There is nothing left in the tank or bank for making good use of the lenses, camera bodies, tripods, etc..
This is sadder than it is frustrating or anger-inducing. I feel bad for those who resort to using great equipment to document walls and charts for sharpness, distortion, and anything else that could have maybe impacted the image quality of a better photo. Rather than creating images, these people are more gear reviewers than photographers.
They critique what photographers carry with them rather than the images they create. This is likely due to the fact that they know far more about the piece of gear that helps take the image than the resulting art. The art may end up being timeless while the camera is forgotten in a matter of months or years! So, don’t be a gear snob or forum browser. You are missing out on the real point of photography and the reason the equipment you prize exists in the first place.
Unwilling Third Wheelers
These individuals may have been willing participants at one point but are no longer. This type of photographer or any other person that originally agreed to go out has now decided they would rather move on to the next place or to grab a beer/dinner. Everybody needs to set expectations upfront as to what is the plan, and so long as things follow the plan it should be fine.
Remember, deviating from expectations and staying out well past sunset into the blue hour as a photographer is “out of bounds” if your friends/significant other didn’t agree to it. However, if you get to a destination and someone didn’t layer up when properly warned or has decided it is no longer in their interest to stick around they have become an unwilling third wheeler. These types of individuals are extremely annoying to deal with in the field!
Backseat Photographers
The last type of photographer I would like to inform you of is the variety that has decided they know best what direction to take your photography in. This is unwarranted advice on how to steer your photographic journey for the trip or beyond. I am not talking about when on a workshop or if you ask for someone’s opinion. This is more of setting up for a shot and someone looks over your shoulder only to tell you the settings are “all wrong”.
There is a fine line between talking about different approaches to a scene and giving an unsolicited lecture in landscape photography. Get off your high horse and let other photographers own their mistakes/success! The worst situations are where you have lined up a nice image only to have another photographer that you don’t know to walk up and set their tripod right next to yours (copycatting your composition) only to also critique your choices and tell you how to improve things. This has happened to me on the Oregon Coast, Arches, Mt Hood, and a whole landscape photography workshop group in Yosemite National Park (twice - with their leader as well).