My wife says I stole her passion

[Kbarredo]

So my wife was into photography before I was.i really wasn't interested. She mostly shot as point and shoot had no idea what aperture and shutter speed was. But she still liked photographing. One day I decided to pick up the dslr we bought and read the full manual and took test shots. One thing lead to another and I started liking it. Then I read some stuff and watched some youtube vids and got much better. One day I asked why my wife stopped taking pics. She said because I took her dream job away and was copying her. I've kinda lost some moral here. What do you guys think about this. I honestly feel like crap but everytime i try to teach get she forgets or she refuses to read anything. I don't know I'm facing a mental wall right now. I'm feeling guilty for trying to get an apprenticeship.

 

[Crystal]

What about all the husband & wife photography businesses out there - that could one day be possible for you? Don't feel bad about chasing what you want, just make sure that you encourage your wife.... And maybe get someone else to teach her things -instead of you. Good luck with it!

 

[Joshonator]

Buy her a dslr?

 

[MissCream]

Honestly, not to be mean but she's acting like a child. I would be ecstatic if my husband showed any interest in photography!

 

[Kbarredo]

Buy her a dslr?

I did our only dslr was an anniversary present. Then she started to lose interest in learning and just kept point and shooting. I figured that i should at least get the most out of the d5000 and learn to use the full potential of the camera.

 

[Jarmo]

Honestly, not to be mean but she's acting like a child. I would be ecstatic if my husband showed any interest in photography!

I don't know the full story, but this is indeed what it sounds like. I don't think you did anything wrong OP.

 

[fokker]

Yeah, maybe talk to a marriage counsellor instead of a bunch of internet photographers

 

[manaheim]

Yeah, maybe talk to a marriage counsellor instead of a bunch of internet photographers

Maybe not literally, but the point is still good. Keep in mind you're talking to a bunch of nameless faceless people on the web.

That said, sounds like a defensive reaction to me. Sounded like it was more than she was willing to (or able to) handle before you took it on, and now you've taken it on, so she's redirecting her problems and blaming you for them. (and yes that's a total armchair psycho-analysis, so seriously... consider the source here... I'm not a therapist)

Were I you I think I'd try talk it through with her, and if that doesn't work, I'd try to downplay what I was doing with photography a bit. That may be hard where it's your wife, though... in which case, depending upon severity, you may need to drop it altogether in the interest of marital stability. I'm not suggesting it's a good or healthy thing, but it sounds like you're being a bit more introspective over the whole thing than she is... and often in those cases, the more rational person tends to have to make the sacrafice.

 

[ngaerlan]

So many couples out there strugle with something in common with eachother, as people grow old commonality seems to go aways, so let your wife know that it's good to have something in common, and say sorry to her for "stealing her dream" eventhough you did nothing wrong but took an interest to her interest.

Nino Gaerlan Photography

 

[Gaerek]

Yeah, maybe talk to a marriage counsellor instead of a bunch of internet photographers

I'm going to have to second this. It seems to me that there's more going on than that. I would be thrilled if my wife showed interest in photography. She actually has a great eye (better than me) but has no interest in learning.

In the end, you're asking a bunch of random photographers on the Internet about relationship advice. It's not really photography related. Even if counseling isn't needed, sit down with her and have a talk about it. Part of the problem just might be you're the one with the camera now, and she wishes she could use it more. Really though, sit down and talk to her. Find out why she feels the way she feels and find out if there's anything you can do to get her excited about photography.

 

[Village Idiot]

Tell her to get in the kitchen and make you a sandwich.

 

[Village Idiot]

Yeah, maybe talk to a marriage counsellor instead of a bunch of internet photographers

Maybe not literally, but the point is still good. Keep in mind you're talking to a bunch of nameless faceless people on the web.

What, I didn't make a valid suggestion?

 

[SnapGeek]

Wow...

 

[jake337]

Tell her to get in the kitchen and make you a sandwich.

Peter Griffin "less talky, more fetchy.."

But seriously. She's most likely upset because all her friends would tell her how much they like her photos. Now they're telling her how much they like yours. Everytime you go out, just give her the camera. You can learn and become better at home. Maybe pick up macro. You take pictures of the bugs and she can take pics of the kids. Fair?

Another option may be a micro 4/3rd type system for her. You said she likes to use the equipment as a p&s, so you may as well get her a very, very nice p&s for a gift. Maybe a Nex camera with nikon mount adaptors so you can share lens when she's ready to learn more.

 

[sanderso]

As was said earlier: get her her own camera.