How many pictures do you take/delete?

[ssanders79]

When I first got my D40 (June-07) I took about 300 pictures on a given day at Disney. Out of those about 75% were kept and only about 10% were worth printing.

As time has passed and my understanding of photography has increased I am taking between 50-75 on any given day at the parks/resorts. From those I would say I keep upwards to 80%. Of the 80% only around 30% is worth printing as I will take a few of the same shots with different settings (bracketing) to merge or eliminate other people in photoshop.

I feel when I am at a location where I do not visit often or plan on revisiting in the near future I take a lot more shots. Mostly, because I am not that familiar with the location and I do not want to miss anything as a result the percentage of "keepers" decreases.

Moral of my story... Take your time and plan out your shots. That is if the moment allows. I went from thinking I could snap away, because digital was "free", to quality over quantity. I just got tired of clicking through bad images once I got back to my computer.

 

[MICKEY88]

I don't know if it's true, but I once heard that the origin of the term "chimping", comes from the "Ooo! Ooo!" sounds people sometimes excitedly make when they see a really good shot they took on the LCD screen. I don't remember where I heard that, but it sorta made sense and it made me laugh.

interesting piece of trivia if true..thanks for sharing

 

[MICKEY88]

a not so nice definition of chimping,
actually the editorial note under the definition



http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/dictionary/chimp/

 

[wenrob]

a not so nice definition of chimping,
actually the editorial note under the definition



http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/dictionary/chimp/

It's a shame that someone trying to learn as they go are looked on with such distaste. That's unbelievably snobbish. Are people not supposed to go out and take pics until they have perfected their skills? I "chimp" I suppose and even knowing this I won't stop. I'd rather make sure I'm doing it right then have a bunch of unusable pictures because I was afraid of what people thought of me.

 

[MICKEY88]

It's a shame that someone trying to learn as they go are looked on with such distaste. That's unbelievably snobbish. Are people not supposed to go out and take pics until they have perfected their skills? I "chimp" I suppose and even knowing this I won't stop. I'd rather make sure I'm doing it right then have a bunch of unusable pictures because I was afraid of what people thought of me.

I'm not sure who gave the editorial opinion, but my experience has been quite different, all the pros I've been around or worked with have been very eager to help amateurs and never talk negatively...
with one exception, that was at the last workshop I attended, one of the other photographers, tried to take over the workshop, and monopolize not only the best classroom in the abandonded school we were in, but also tried to monopolize the models, and was talking down to other attendees,while telling the models that they would only get good pictures if they worked with him.

My friend who was running the workshop, was not please with the attitude and told him he is not welcome at future workshops..

 

[GrillMouster]

a not so nice definition of chimping,
actually the editorial note under the definition



http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/dictionary/chimp/

I agree with Wenrob and Mickey88; I don't particularly care for that editorial guess at the origin of the term chimping. Pros chimp all the time. Most people I've met that claim "no chimping" as a badge of honor are amateurs posing as professionals. These are the same people who think that owning the latest, most expensive cameras and lenses makes them a professional.

As photographers improve and gain more confidence they may chimp less, but they still chimp. I remember when I started shooting digitally, I'd chimp after nearly every shot, even though I had confidently shot with film before. There was just something reassuring about checking the LCD when I was testing the digital waters. Now I chimp the first few shots to make sure I've got exposure down, and don't feel the need to chimp again as long as the lighting remains the same. In tricky lighting, when lighting changes, or when I move to a different area I'll chimp a few shots again. I do set the camera to review images after each shot with the "blinkies" on to show blown highlights. Sometimes I glance at the LCD peripherally to see if I've blown any highlights. I don't think I'll ever stop chimping altogether. Paid professional are obligated to provide the best photography possible for their clients, and chimping helps ensure that they do just that. Putting ego before good work is unprofessional and just plain dumb.

 

[jann1033]

a not so nice definition of chimping,
actually the editorial note under the definition



http://www.doubletongued.org/index.php/dictionary/chimp/

i find that definition to be kind of odd
since the only photo i ever remember of someone actually chimping was some guy in the press section at a sporting event with a giant pro lens...must have been a really rich, really well connected beginner

 

[Chikabowa]

Ok... I'm a professional. And I've been to a lot of workshops and seminars with a lot of professionals. And I am on a lot of message boards with professionals.

My honest opinion... Who cares? (Channeling my inner SNL) Really? Seriously?
My experience is that a lot of older, more established, old-school photographers who originally shot film and then moved to digital have a low opinion of chimping. Not all mind you, but I have run into my fair share; and my experience is that they have a snobby attitude about photography being 'exclusive'. Which is why they don't like to help newcomers, they don't like to share shooting experiences or business information, and generally like to be grumpy about the entire thing. It makes them feel better to make fun of newbie, amateurs, or new-to-the-business professionals to make up issues like 'chimping is bad'. Like I said... not all... but I have run across this attitude in my time.

But I also know a lot of pro photographers who chimp all the time (myself included, but I can honestly say not after every single shot) and don't care. It's about getting the shot right? So what that you look at the LCD afterwards. Checking to see if you got the exposure nailed and/or you like the composition is part of the game. It is what makes this exciting and fun. I tend to shoot - check to see if my exposure and composition work - and then continue to shoot using the same settings until location or light change. Then I start the process over again.

So bottom line... really? seriously? This is so NOT an issue in my opinion and really, who cares if it was. Do your thing and don't worry about what other people (pros or not) think.

 

[MICKEY88]

Ok... I'm a professional. And I've been to a lot of workshops and seminars with a lot of professionals. And I am on a lot of message boards with professionals.

My honest opinion... Who cares? (Channeling my inner SNL) Really? Seriously?
My experience is that a lot of older, more established, old-school photographers who originally shot film and then moved to digital have a low opinion of chimping. Not all mind you, but I have run into my fair share; and my experience is that they have a snobby attitude about photography being 'exclusive'. Which is why they don't like to help newcomers, they don't like to share shooting experiences or business information, and generally like to be grumpy about the entire thing. It makes them feel better to make fun of newbie, amateurs, or new-to-the-business professionals to make up issues like 'chimping is bad'. Like I said... not all... but I have run across this attitude in my time..

that's interesting, my experience has been the opposite, I have found that older professionals are eager to share with newbies, they are established and don't feel threatened by competition..

whereas I've seen plenty of younger pros, who seem to be insecure and feel threatened by amateurs, concerned about losing business

 

[Chikabowa]

Hmm... interesting. That hasn't been my experience at all. Like I said above, it's not all.
Read Fast Track Photographer by Dane Sanders. He has some wonderful insight on this discussion.