I’ve been doing photography since I was 12 years old. My uncle lent me his Minolta full manual film camera and he taught me how to use it. I studied photography by reading encyclopedias, going to the library and asking tips from professional photographers. One thing I learned from this non-digital era was respect: respect for the process of photography and respect for other photographers.
When the digital age came and made photography available to almost everyone, a lot of good things happened and equally even more bad things resulted.
Invasion of privacy, the rise of the elitist “photographers”, the flood of malicious people using photography to achieve their ill intentions, and many more side effects came about. But what really irritates me these days is the loss of respect for others and the increase of wannabe photographers who doesn’t practice the simplest of courtesy and respect of others, photographers or otherwise.
I’m listing here the pointers that I believe every beginner photographer should learn and practice. I have to emphasize that these are my opinions, and you are entitled to your own. I won’t force you to follow them, because I respect your decision/opinion. If you do follow them, thank you.
So here it is, in no particular order:
Courtesy is something every photographer should give to everyone, and that includes other photographers.
I’ve had too many bad experiences with other ill-mannered beginners photographers that I have become selective of the newbies that I associate with. An example, one evening, I came 2 hours early for a fireworks display in Marina Bay, Singapore so that I can get a vantage point. I already setup my gear and patiently waited for an hour when out of nowhere a group of newbie photographers organized by Olympus came to the spot. Once there, their instructors/organizers started teaching them how to use their new Olympus cameras to shoot nightscape and fireworks. Then a couple of the students went in front of me and started setting up their gear. When I told them they were blocking my view, they just ignored me. Their organizers saw this but they didn’t do anything. I just let it pass and avoided any confrontation. Common courtesy suggest respecting the ones that got there first, it’s your fault you didn’t arrive earlier. Sadly, that night I had lost a bit of hope for these newbies.
A professional photographer is, by technical definition, someone who earns a living or 100% of his/her income from doing photography.
Please don’t claim you’re a professional photographer if you just do it on a weekend or your a talented amateur/hobbyist and your works could pass for those done by real photographers. If a hobbyist claims to be a professional photographer and then messes up a project or behaves badly, it’s not just him/her that gets a bad reputation: he’s bringing down the image of all real professional photographers.
You have no right to complain if your photographs are stolen or used by others without your consent if you use pirated software.
How can thieves complain about getting robbed?
Taking paid projects and lowering your rates so that you’re cheaper than the professional photographers will cost you more in the long run.
You will suffer the effects of charging lower, eventually. Clients will be demanding more from your lower rates and when you ask for an increase to compensate for the increase in workload, they won’t agree and they’ll just move on to other “cheaper” photographers.
Charging cheaper will also adversely affect real professional photographers who depend on their craft to earn a living. Read “Best Business Practices for Photographers by John Harrington“
Ask nicely and be sure you did your research before asking a question.
Spoon-feeding is not the best way to learn. Those that have successfully learned and earned from photography did so by studying hard, practicing more, and listening to the masters before them. Read “The Moment It Clicks” by Joe Mcnally
Do not demand an answer from the masters and the professionals.
Don’t think that because they’re nice or they opened up a channel to help beginners, the masters will instantly answer all your questions. They, the pros and the experienced photographers, learned their craft through patience, hard work, and determination. Beginner photographers should follow their examples. We are living in a world where instant gratification is the norm, a generation of spoiled brats if you want to be harsh about it. The masters, pros and experts don’t owe you anything (unless you paid them to teach you). Also, they need to make a living! Want to learn from the masters? Take their classes, read their books, and practice what they teach!
Nothing is more annoying than an arrogant, demanding, selfish and lazy newbie demanding you give them all the information they want, fast and free.
Respect other photographers’ work.
If you think another photographer’s work is a piece of crap, say it to him directly. Don’t start a thread in a forum, or email your friends, twit about it, or post in Facebook. If you can’t say it directly to a person, either through a personal message or email, it means you can’t stand up for your opinion. You’re just full of it—or you’re just trying to get attention at the expense of others. There’s truth to the old saying, “If you have nothing good to say, shut the f### up.” If that person asks for comments about his work, then that’s the time you comment publicly.
An exception to this rule is when a photographer posts a photo that is very offensive, or derogatory or just plain illegal or prohibited, that’s the time you should react.
Do not assume you’re better than other photographers if you have better gear.
Always remember that most of us started with the basic gear: the camera. If you have more gear than someone else it doesn’t mean you’re better or you are more skilled. Those that brag about their gear and don’t have good photos to show are commonly looked down upon by others.
Camera collectors are not always photographers.
I know a lot of people won’t find this article pleasant, but being pleasant doesn’t always drive the point.
There a lot more etiquette pointers for beginners, but those above are what I feel are the most important. So in summary, beginners should give respect to be respected, research first before asking, and putting more effort to improving their skills than looking good with their cameras.
Peace be with you and happy shooting. 
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thanks for posting this
im so done with newbies who care less about respect. most of the things you pointed out are usually manifested by those who lack passion for it and only want to be part of the so-called trend brought about by accessibility and affordability of the tools. another thing that i would want to stress out is giving respect to ones style and workmanship. some newbs do not understand the very essence of photography.. to create illusion and present emotion, mood and preserve memories/stories by using the camera as a medium. it is frustrating at times to encounter those people who judge ones style just because it doesn’t suit their taste.
Hi miyo! Glad to see you here. The post is a little effort on my part to remind everyone that photography is more than the tools and that before you can become good at it, you should learn the basics, and respect is one of those basics.
Thanks for reading my blog.
Please feel free to repost, and linkback. Much appreciated.
very nice article
i would like to repost your article in some of my accounts (facebook and maybe multiply), if you would approve. will wait for your reply.
tnx