• Portfolio
  • The Archives
    • Postcards from NYC
    • Fuji X-Pro Gallery
    • From Here to There
    • First
    • Second
    • Third
  • Fashion Stories
    • English Rose
    • Venue 2
    • Room 517
    • Postcards from NYC
    • South Petherton
    • From Munich with Love
    • Digbeth Style
  • Press
  • Contact
  • Blog
  • Corporate
  • Film
  • Articles
    • Fuji – Just another camera company?
    • The Art of selling yourself
    • A stylish Recipe
    • Jessops + Hard times
    • Photoshop ? Warning labels ?
    • What is a Photographer ?
    • The Social Photographer.
    • TF, TFP, Testing, Tear Sheets,
    • It’s a Question of Models
    • Failed photographers teaching?
    • Just some workflow insight.
    • Jessops + Hard Times
    • Why watermark ??
    • My very own Book Project !
    • Photoshop video
    • X-Pro Image Gallery
    • Sigma SD1-M
  • Editing
  • Sign up / News

The Blog


Mar
9
2012
A little rant about Focus
Posted by dave@davepiper.co.uk on 09 Mar 2012 / 1 Comment



Focus On Imaging…… Over all a really fantastic event.

Congratulations to Album Epoca and Bowns.

Album Epoca winning best small stand.

Thank you to a whole number of people. But, there was a real lack of respect for the girls modelling.

The girls are there to work during the demos, not to model for every old man (or women) holding a camera. If people want to shoot one of the girls, they should ask. Not that I am trying start a problem but using flash during lighting demos is just not fun or fair, asking models to pose during a demo is not fair, asking the people doing to demos to move out of your way during the demos is not fair. Quite frankly. Treating the models like objects is not fair.

It was just an observation and over all feeling and such an awful thing to have to comment on. It did taint a fantastic event. @Focusonimaging.

There was quite a few times that things got close to being very out of hand on a number of stands.

Follow this post on FB here.

Vicki BrantI hate that, it’s such a pity when the girls are treated poorly. I adore all my girls and I’m their Aunty….. A huge amount of mutual respect !

20 hours ago · 
  • Mat Trimwell said Dave

    20 hours ago · 
  • Andy Watsontotal agree with you mate

    20 hours ago · 
  • Tom Wren-Photographymy opinion.. you stand there taking photos of the models and not demoing a camera, using your own , what possible reason would you be doing it?? to use in your ‘folio’ / because you can’t get models of that quality to pose for you? its a joke dave, maybe next year you should propose along with other pro’s that the models are men hahaha see how many GWCs (guys with cameras for the unknowing) would be snapping away !

    20 hours ago ·  ·  9
  • Dave Kai-PiperI would ban SLR’s

    20 hours ago ·  ·  2
  • Amy Rancewhen i was watching and learning there was this really annoying man in front of me with a huge camera and his flash. Not only did he block my view he was really distracting!

    20 hours ago · 
  • Andy Watsoni was trying to watch the demo with chloe and had 4 guys with cameras just come and stand in front of me. so i moved on the constant lighting looks good and the guy was gving a good demo but the focus paps got in the way

    20 hours ago ·  ·  1
  • Tara TaylorIt was ridiculous when there was a continuous lighting demo and the GwC’s were snapping away with their flashes firing- they don’t have a clue!

    20 hours ago ·  ·  1
  • Kwame Asiawquite amusing to watch the saddos with the long lenses grabbing shots of the models with them just stood there not even in pose mode. i witnessed this plenty over the 2 days i was there.

    20 hours ago · 
  • Lee Allengot into an argument on here with some one who according to his website “does photography for a hobby” yet charges for workshops so you can gain his vast knowledge. He told me he uses Focus to update his portfolio. I laughed and the conversation ended. This is one of the reasons I didnt go this year and prob wont go next:(

    20 hours ago · 
  • Kwame Asiawand some spoons on Purestorm have even got shots from Focus as their profile pics. oh dear!

    20 hours ago · 
  • Russell T Hillit was very odd on Monday, guys snapping like mad like they’d never seen a model before. They’re supposed to be photographers (!)

    20 hours ago · 
  • Dave Kai-Piperinfo@focus-on-imaging.co.uk — here is an e-mail … just in case people want to send any thoughts….

    20 hours ago · 
  • Edward ChesterGuys, seriously, different people go to these sorts of shows for different reasons. For a lot of people it’s just a day out – an opportunity to play with some kit they can’t afford or snap a few well lit models that would normally never pose for them. I’m not excusing being outright rude or pervy but if you’re doing a live demonstration to the public at a photography trade show you should expect to get snapped.

    19 hours ago ·  ·  1
  • Dave Kai-Piper ?Edward Chester- i get that… it was a joke at times though. people rattling of shots at 7 fps with flash….. ? no.. that’s not on.

    19 hours ago ·  ·  2
  • Edward ChesterYeah, that sort of stuff’s out of order.

    19 hours ago · 
  • Tom Wren-Photographytotally disagree with edward.. if you are there watching a demonstration then watch and learn so you get better then maybe the models would shoot with you another time… others watching a demo etc are watching a listening hard to do when you’ve GWCs snapping , jostling and flashing in your ear/face.

    19 hours ago ·  ·  1
  • Dave Kai-Piper my friend Paul Hastiewas actually used as a human tripod….

    19 hours ago ·  ·  1
  • Edward ChesterWell, Dave, some people are just into that sort of thing ;)

    19 hours ago · 
  • Paul Hastietis sadly true – I am advocating the banning of camera’s at next years show….

    19 hours ago · 
  • Laura Hammond

    As a model i got really annoyed with them just from being an observer this time round. I was fizzing! No respect, no manners, just sad pathetic men with cameras takin the utter piss…sorry advantage… I had to laugh but really what i wanted was the photographers doing the demo to stick up for their models and ask people to not take photographes or they will be asked to move on. I personally wanted to tell them myself! Lol! Some were stood there takin over 1000 shots in a thirty min demo! And even had 2 cameras round their necks! One guy even brought his tri pod with him!!!
    19 hours ago ·  ·  2
  • Karl Bratbyfocus is like the new Muppet show!!

    19 hours ago ·  ·  2
  • Gareth PartingtonThat’s why I didn’t go in end, can’t stand the fat Pervy blokes shouting at the girls in a paparazi style.

    19 hours ago · 
  • Edward ChesterUnfortunately it’s the nature of the beast that if you have a public show that people have paid to attend you’ve got to expect them to take advantage of everything on offer… God I’m a cynic. Think I’ve been a journalist too long.

    19 hours ago ·  ·  1
  • Dave Kai-PiperI do see all side.. I really do.. but.. there are common lines of decent behavior.

    19 hours ago ·  ·  2
  • Laura HammondTotally agree Dave. There are ways and means. Ask first!!!

    19 hours ago ·  ·  1
  • Karl BratbyWPPI has none of this sort of behaviour

    19 hours ago · 
  • Lee AllenFocus is losing sight of who it’s for. The hobbyists and weekend warriors aren’t going to looking high end pro gear if it continues the way it’s going it will just be point and shoot stuff.

    19 hours ago · 
  • Neil Bowler

    I thought it was fairly pants this year. I’ve already seen a mass of Katie Green images plastered over the net.Flickr “WOW, awesome image, great light!”Thanks mate.Hilarious. Taking credit for Andy Kruczeks lighting set up.Pathetic!

    19 hours ago ·  ·  2
  • Rich BaileyI agree with you Dave about banning SLRs. The number of people with bulging camera bags barging round was very annoying. And the scrum of people at demos nearly fighting to get a snapshot of the models made it impossible to enjoy the excellent tuition / products that were on offer.

    19 hours ago ·  ·  2
  • Arron DobbinsI really wanted to learn lighting from some of the demos and workshops on offer but unfortunatley it was stopped by this exact thing.

    18 hours ago · 
  • Andy BainesBan cameras and also have pro only days :) only good thing good thing is they book my studio to try out there new toys

    18 hours ago · 
  • Andy BainesAlso you will find 100,s of websites with updated portfolios containing shots from demos still focus! Again another reason I didnt go again, you can watch the demos in a civilized manner

    18 hours ago · 
  • Sophia Louise Blakey

    Absolutely! While both the show and turn out were great, many visitors were literally trampled on by other photographers intent on pushing their way to the front and bending around the experts trying to give informed advice and tips. I just think that if you’re going to photograph a model whose time is being paid for by somebody else, you should have the courtesy not to impede the delivery of their message by trampling on those trying to listen. Right, I’ll jump off my soap box now.
    18 hours ago ·  ·  1
  • Arron DobbinsBtw Sophia you were amazing this week!

    18 hours ago · 
  • Sophia Louise BlakeyThanks Arron :)

    18 hours ago · 
  • Dave Kai-Piper I agree Sophia Louise Blakey, you handled it all very well indeed. as did Kasia Bober, Chloe-Jasmine Whichelloand all the other girls.

    17 hours ago · 
  • Arron DobbinsGet me next year dave. Youll have no GWC and just people wanting to learn and see demos.

    17 hours ago · 
  • Ian MossA great pity that people act that way. It seems that, having paid their entrance fee, many people feel entitled in some way to act in an acceptable manner. When I used to cover the motorshow I would never go any day the nobbys were let in.

    17 hours ago · 
  • Katja OgrinI don’t get why people bring their cameras along anyway, I never bother, I go there to check out stuff, the last thing I want is to drag my heavy bag with me. And, yeah, the number of creepy looking male folks milling about with their cameras is staggering, don’t think I’d want to be a model there (not that anyone would ask me).

    17 hours ago ·  ·  1
  • Mark Actonyou think it was bad this year: I remember seeing a gwc trying to put a compact up a models skirt whilst she was posing in the edge of a catwalk….this was a few years ago but still it doesn’t change. Banning slrs will just bring out the phones and compacts I guess. Not sure what the answer is…maybe a trade only day?

    16 hours ago · 
  • Ian MossFor the motorshow, the press day was the only one to be at!

    16 hours ago · 
  • Mark O’Grady-PhotographyI have to agree with Dave, I did notice that when I stumbled upon Damien Lovegrove doing an informative continuous lighting demo for what looked to be a great product it was a bit over the top. A bit more respect for the models, the photographer doing the demo and also the other punters who were there to watch and learn wouldn’t go a miss.

    14 hours ago ·  ·  2
  • Dave Kai-Piper I am sure Damien Lovegrovewould agree.. I got very silly at times.

    14 hours ago · 
  • Chloe-Jasmine Whichello

    At Europes biggest annual imaging show the Talks, demos ,workshops and exhibitors were oustanding . It boasted Lara Jade, BRUCE SMITH FASHION PHOTOGRAPHER, Damien Lovegrove, Andy Kruczek, Westcott , Lencarta,Martin Oliver , Trevor Yerbury, Dave Kai Piper & Mark Cleghorn to name a few.. All the wonderful, thankful messages, emails and tweets from people who took time to listen to & appreciate the talk , and who purchased the Chloe-Jasmine Whichello Coffee table book were so appreciated. Personally speaking I think the whole “photographic circus” process was a bit disrespectful, especially when established, celebrated professionals are willing to give their valuable time and energy to budding photographers. Objectification of the models is disquieting,(Granted, the job necessitates a performance, however,) grab shots in between poses, taking photos with IPhones, lewd directions & aggressors circling around snapping rapidly away in silence alters the role from willing participant to powerless victim.
    10 hours ago · 
  • James Madelin

    ?Sophia Louise Blakey was great at looking some of them dead between the eyes and saying “I think you’ve done enough now”, “Righto, now you need to go and buy an orbis®”….. and other combinations thereof… but goodness me having been to 20++ tradeshows it was worse this year. Weird. Might have to work something out for next year. LOVELY to see (and actually meet properly after a year of largely online remote friendship) you guys. When are we all doing this again ?
    5 hours ago · 

 

Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Google +1
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • Email
  • Print
  • Digg
  • http://blog.dafyddowen.com/ Daf

    ha – yeah know what you mean – seen it at many an event not just Focus on Imaging.
    I sometimes wonder why – don’t they know people or have the social interaction to use ModelMayhem etc ?
    Also worth wondering – who the hell takes their camera kit to such a show – they’re all about trying new kit.

  • Recent Posts

    • Mixed Lighting & the X-Pro
    • Postcards from NYC
    • Location shooting with the X-Pro
    • Lighting For Location (workshops)
    • ‘Theatre’ in Lynchburg
    • Photo Blog + Update !!
    • Wrong Room
    • Steve Richard | Photographer
    • Fuji – Just another camera company?
    • Photography is Dead / Guest Blog
  • Twitter Updates

    • Good Afternoon ! Good Evening and Good Night !! 25 minutes ago
    • @FCPcoffee oh.. I need to sort some prints for your walls !! 26 minutes ago
    • @FCPcoffee Zaza !! everytime !! 26 minutes ago
    Follow @davekaipiper
  • Categories

    • Archive
    • Cameras
    • Editing
    • Educational
    • Fashion
    • Location
    • News
    • Nudes
    • Portraits
    • Review
    • Videos
    • workshop
    • Written Article
  • Enter your email address to subscribe to this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

  • Search the blog

  • Meta

    • Log in
    • Entries RSS
    • Comments RSS
    • WordPress.org


Share this:

  • Facebook
  • Google +1
  • Twitter
  • StumbleUpon
  • LinkedIn
  • More
  • Email
  • Print
  • Digg
loading Cancel
Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
Email check failed, please try again
Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.