"Wow, lots of cameras...put your cameras down and enjoy the show!"
Guess how many people did? That's right: zero! 'Cause god forbid they just snap a few and then rock out like a normal person. Noooooo, they must get every angle in order to prove to their readers and friends that they were there, that they were at the cool show on the cool night with their cool camera. So cool.
Cameras are ruining everything. Everything.
I think I first realized this a few months ago, when I was getting ready to go to a party thrown by a media guy, but bailed at the last minute when I remembered that he hires photographers for his parties. Photographers who don't take "Please, no" for an answer. Photographers who won't allow you to have even a three minute conversation without sticking the flash in your face. At another party, I hastily took a sharpie to a cocktail napkin, writing "NO PHOTOS" and holding it in front of my face.
Much has been written about the classic struggle/symbiotic relationship between celebrities and the paparazzi. Much has recently been written about those photo sites like Last Night's Party and The Cobrasnake and how they turn willing regular people into "celebrities". But what about normal people who just want to go to a party and talk to other normal people without a camera being shoved in their faces? Who will speak for us? The answer is: me.
Camera Etiquette for 2005:
Concerts: If your burning, aching need for the validation that comes with proving you were at a concert gets the better of you, just take a few pictures at the beginning and then enjoy the show. Also, you might want to take a few moments of quiet reflection before doing so, to think about what rock and roll is all about, why you're there, and what the late Kurt Cobain might have thought of your flagrant disregard for the fact that someone is performing for you and others and all you can think about is website hits or something.
Parties: Some people go out to see and be seen. Other people go out to interact conversationally with people they find interesting. Pray for god to grant you the wisdom to know the difference, because, and I know this is really hard to grasp so read it several times if you need to: There are actually people who exist who are not in love with their own image and have no desire to be on your blog/website/flickr page. They just want to talk to their friends. You can usually identify this rare breed of human by the withering look they give you as you focus your camera 4-5 inches from their nostrils. Leave these people alone and find the media whores - trust me, they are at every party and being photographed by you is probably the only reason they showed up.
If a Photo is Taken: Ask the person before putting it on your website or Flickr. It's just polite, you know? It's common sense.
And, finally: This post is dedicated to the douche with the giant Jewfro and brown blazer at last night's show who not only spent the first HALF HOUR taking pictures of the band and otherwise blocking people with his giant freakish head (and blocking the band with his camera), but ended the performance by taking MORE pictures on his cameraphone. I just want to let you know that I fantasized about you last night: about knocking you down and beating you with your camera. It's definitely the first time the phrase "death rattle" has found its way into one of my fantasies! Anyway, I memorized the angle of your shots and Google searches blogs now and if it's the last thing I do I will hunt you down and find you and I will post a MEAN COMMENT on your blog without feeling any guilt or remorse whatsoever.
AMEN! thank you thank you thank you. you are so right it would be nice if people could be people again without worrying about appearing in some awkward or weird moment when they "go wild". I've hated cameras since I was a little lad and with the power of the internet I hate them with a firey passion. Look it's just like you said if the person isnt waving their hands around and screaming to have their picture taken then respect them and DONT!!
i can go on and on about this one subject but wont to avoid posting a novel.
One last time, Lindsay THANKS for sticking up for us!!
Posted by: foxworthy | October 15, 2006 at 07:06 AM