I took the photo of the sunbathers on the beach during my May 2019 trip to Myrtle Beach, SC. One of my favourite places to shoot is around, underneath, and on piers.
My husband and I were walking up the stairs to the gift shop, heading for the Myrtle Beach State Park pier. There was another photographer, a man, with a huge 600 mm lens and massive DSLR (digital single lens reflex) camera walking down the stairs. You know the kind of camera that you associate with a professional photographer? He had that camera. His lens was one of those that you’ll see in the limited access areas at major sporting events: big and white and long and heavy.
As we passed, I asked if he got some good shots. He looked at me with my small mirrorless camera, compact and lightweight, and sneered. Yes, he actually sneered. And then he smugly told me that he only took good shots and good luck taking anything with my little point and shoot, then he brushed by me on his way down the steps heading to his car.
After a few seconds of impostor syndrome and a small pity party for my horrible photography skills, I squared my shoulders, mentally straightened my crown, smiled at my husband, and reminded myself that people who have to belittle others instead of being kind are insecure themselves. And I’ve taken some great shots with a little point and shoot camera, as have many, many others.
I didn’t let the other photographer’s attitude affect me. Instead, I went out and took the photographs that I wanted to take, and I didn’t do too badly, in my humble opinion. Are my photos award winners? No, but I’m happy with them, and that’s what truly counts for me.
And to that other photographer, the little camera that you sneered at as a point and shoot isn’t. It’s a fully fledged mirrorless camera with interchangeable lenses and can go from full auto mode (where the camera makes all of the decisions except where to point the lens and when to snap the picture) to full manual mode (where the photographer makes all of the decisions). And it’s lightweight and discreet. Good luck taking that huge camera of yours (BTW, I have one too and know how to use it!) into places where it’s not welcome, but my little camera is because it’s small. You’ll be stuck watching me take photos.