Why Do You Tell People Not To "Chimp"?

[Derrel]

The term 'chimping' has been attributed to Robert Deutsch of USA Today in 1999 - Open & Shut Case ; the video was done by Bert Hanashiro, also of USA Today and one of the founders of Sportsshooter (I've used resources on the site for several years).

While the video was having fun with it, chimping is usually considered in sports to not be best practice because if photographers are looking at the backs of their cameras, they're missing shots they should be getting. The action can be happening too fast for there to be time to stop and look at photos.

I think it interferes with the flow of shooting. I'm a longtime film photographer so am used to not seeing the photos til later; when I shoot digitally I usually don't stop and look at the photos til after a series of shots (however many that would be depends on what I'm photographing).

Glad to see more support for the origins and the correct use of the term. Kind of like the way the word bokeh is so often misused, it seems like many confuse the meaning of the word chimping with the occasional or infrequent use of the camera's LCD for review of exposure or focus.

 

[kathyt]

I need to see if there is a new definition of Mack because I have not seen anything close to it in this thread.

You just reminded me of a good song.

 

[JacaRanda]

I need to see if there is a new definition of Mack because I have not seen anything close to it in this thread.

You just reminded me of a good song.

Ahhh, remember it well. Sheesh, it's about time I take Wifey to a club and embarrass her attempting to do the smurf or moonwalk or something. Or, yell for her help when I injure myself trying to do either one. Best I just listen here and leave the rest alone.

 

[e.rose]

I'm always reading how-to and advice articles regarding some form of photography,
and the majority of the time the article will mention "chimping", regardless of subject matter.

For those of you that don't know, chimping is the process of checking your preview of shots you took either immediately after you
take them, or sometime during the shoot. I hate the term, but it's the most common term to describe this action.

One article I just read, advised to not chimp during an event ever. But to wait until you get home to look to see what you did.

It says:

Either you got the shot or you didn't, and checking won't change that. Wait until you get home. When you spend time with your nose down in the back of your camera, you're wasting your time, missing the show, missing other shots, and standing in front of someone who wishes you would move on already.

In my opinion, it's horrible advice. It's essentially saying, go through an entire shoot hoping for the best, and make no use of the technology that makes your life easier. If you blew the entire shoot, oh well. And doesn't really address all of the many possibilities of being efficient while viewing your LCD screen.
I have automatic preview on, so when I shoot a few I'll pull the camera away from my face, look at the shot to make sure the exposure is good and it's sharp, and continue. That takes maybe 2 seconds.

Let me stop here and present a disclaimer before I continue: If you successfully shoot without ever checking the LCD screen ever,
more power to you. I'm not going to tell you that the way you do things is wrong. It's been working for you this long, no reason to fix
something that isn't broken.

My question is for those who look down upon those people that look at their LCD screen. The technology that allows you to fix a trending
mistake in the middle of a shoot seems to be frowned upon. Why?

Sh*t man... I'm not gonna read through this whole thread, but I look at my LCD screen all the mother effing time.

It's THERE... why NOT?

I look at it. I'm not ashamed.

The only time that I try not to is if I'm shooting a concert or something like that where something can happen at any moment.

And with that being said, that doesn't mean I NEVER look at it... it means I look at it less *frequently*, and when I do look, it's a quick glance usually to see if I got the jump shot that just happened... or just to make sure my exposure is still on... especially if the lighting is uneven or changing.

but other than that... I look all the damn time and ain't nobody gonna change my mind about that.

 

[terri58 1]

The term 'chimping' has been attributed to Robert Deutsch of USA Today in 1999 - Open & Shut Case ; the video was done by Bert Hanashiro, also of USA Today and one of the founders of Sportsshooter (I've used resources on the site for several years).

While the video was having fun with it, chimping is usually considered in sports to not be best practice because if photographers are looking at the backs of their cameras, they're missing shots they should be getting. The action can be happening too fast for there to be time to stop and look at photos.

I think it interferes with the flow of shooting. I'm a longtime film photographer so am used to not seeing the photos til later; when I shoot digitally I usually don't stop and look at the photos til after a series of shots (however many that would be depends on what I'm photographing).

Glad to see more support for the origins and the correct use of the term. Kind of like the way the word bokeh is so often misused, it seems like many confuse the meaning of the word chimping with the occasional or infrequent use of the camera's LCD for review of exposure or focus.

It just makes me think of face ripper monkey....

Go, you chimpers! Go!

 

[bratkinson]

To chimp or not to chimp...that is the question...

Back in my film days, for me, and all photographers, you trust your meter, make the settings, and shoot. Period. For night shots, I'd bracket the daylights out of it, if time permits...nightscapes and other static objects, no problem. Moving cars, hope for the best. Fortunately, I didn't have a motor drive to really drive up costs.

But since going digital, I LOVE IT! I can see if I 'got it right' or not! No, I don't check the LCD at every shot. Once I 'got' the settings I want, I click away. The main exception being when some kids want me to take their picture and they want to instantly see the results. As I do most of my work at church events under perhaps 5-6 different lighting situations, I HAVE to check the results...histogram, framing, etc. It would be nice to remember what settings I used last time I was in each location...even just 10 minutes previous...or even writing them down...hey, I can't even remember what I had for dinner last night! That's one of the 'costs' of reaching Medicare age...AKA 'senior moment'.

Fortunately, I can fix most of my errors in Lightroom. A little more/less exposure here, a crop there, quickly delete the real BIG mistakes, etc. Referring back to a previous thread of the past few days...nobody sees my mistakes but me! And they are quickly deleted!

 

[Ilovemycam]

In the old days we had to pay big bucks to chimp...polaroid backs.

 

[pgriz]

I don't call it "chimping". It's intelligent use of positive feedback. Standard management technique - Plan-Do-Assess-Modify. Tethered shooting takes it to a even higher level, but it gets awkward if you have to move. In my case, it's exposure check, focus check, background and foreground check. Very useful if I'm shooting ETTL flash, as that technology gives rather variable results.

 

[AaronLLockhart]

I chimp. Shoot me. Maybe not in the same aspect that Darrel posted, but I do check my work throughout my shoots, event or not. I don't make noises, but if I see something I like or don't like, I might make a face.

Who cares, anyway? I mean, I could see how annoying it'd be to be accompanied by a photographer who is constantly going "oh oh oh, check this one out!!! Did you get this?!?!? I did!!!!"

However, I'm not going to make a bid deal about a photographer reviewing their own work, even if they make a face of satisfaction. It's their camera, their work, and their time.

 

[Ballistics]

The term 'chimping' has been attributed to Robert Deutsch of USA Today in 1999 - Open & Shut Case ; the video was done by Bert Hanashiro, also of USA Today and one of the founders of Sportsshooter (I've used resources on the site for several years).

While the video was having fun with it, chimping is usually considered in sports to not be best practice because if photographers are looking at the backs of their cameras, they're missing shots they should be getting. The action can be happening too fast for there to be time to stop and look at photos.

I think it interferes with the flow of shooting. I'm a longtime film photographer so am used to not seeing the photos til later; when I shoot digitally I usually don't stop and look at the photos til after a series of shots (however many that would be depends on what I'm photographing).

Glad to see more support for the origins and the correct use of the term. Kind of like the way the word bokeh is so often misused, it seems like many confuse the meaning of the word chimping with the occasional or infrequent use of the camera's LCD for review of exposure or focus.

Well, if you read the link posted in the post you quoted, it doesn't support your idea of the term.
Nor does your video.

Taken from the link

("Chimping"...a series of photographers all looking at their screens like monkeys!). Or better yet, "cross-chimping": defined as comparing your shot to the others.)

You don't have to be making noises, or sharing your shots. Not according to anything but you so far.

 

[kathyt]

I've never told anyone "Don't chimp."

But -

really? that guy is a chump.
it was a real stretch to get 9 reasons...and the last 3 weren't even reasons at all.
you look stupid?
batteries don't last as long?? not really a super huge concern. a few seconds to change a battery.
you apparently cant use peripheral vision if you pull the camera away from your face for 2 seconds?
going to miss a "moment"? you could miss the same moment adjusting your ISO, or flash power, or shutter speed...same 2 seconds.
and the worst...you wont learn to get comfortable with your cameras settings...you might as well tell someone the same thing for using A or S modes.
that guy spent more time making goofy faces and pretending to "miss" photo opportunities than he did making any relevant points.

I dont chimp every shot... but i DO take a look at screen when i change settings.
the view screen is just another tool on your camera. the flagship models have it same as the entry level.
I guess there's always someone that has to decide what the "right" way to use your camera is.. i mean, heaven forbid you chimp and your shoot NOT turn out to be a total and epic disaster.

Yeah, this guy isn't working for me either. The points he made were dumb. The one I hated the most.....the one about just looking at them later in pp! Hell to the NO! Listen, it is getting warmer outside. There are warm, golden UV rays to be had. (with sunscreen of coarse) The last thing I want to do is sit inside on my computer, and spend unnecessary time going through crappy photos. I read in a book once that when you cull you either love it or you hate it. Keep or delete. That is my motto.

 

[jake337]

I chimp. Shoot me. Maybe not in the same aspect that Darrel posted, but I do check my work throughout my shoots, event or not. I don't make noises, but if I see something I like or don't like, I might make a face.

Who cares, anyway? I mean, I could see how annoying it'd be to be accompanied by a photographer who is constantly going "oh oh oh, check this one out!!! Did you get this?!?!? I did!!!!"

However, I'm not going to make a bid deal about a photographer reviewing their own work, even if they make a face of satisfaction. It's their camera, their work, and their time.

Or it might not even be work. They might be taking snaps of their kids and enjoying the fact that they can see them right away.


The only reason I try not to do it is because I am trying to envision an image and create it, not snap away and see if the images I captured are relevant to my vision. But even if I have a lot of pre-thought into an image it's still nice to be able to check and see if I'm on the right track.

 

[Ballistics]

Yeah, this guy isn't working for me either. The points he made were dumb. The one I hated the most.....the one about just looking at them later in pp! Hell to the NO! Listen, it is getting warmer outside. There are warm, golden UV rays to be had. (with sunscreen of coarse) The last thing I want to do is sit inside on my computer, and spend unnecessary time going through crappy photos. I read in a book once that when you cull you either love it or you hate it. Keep or delete. That is my motto.

+3 - Poorly thought out list.

 

[rexbobcat]

Yeah, this guy isn't working for me either. The points he made were dumb. The one I hated the most.....the one about just looking at them later in pp! Hell to the NO! Listen, it is getting warmer outside. There are warm, golden UV rays to be had. (with sunscreen of coarse) The last thing I want to do is sit inside on my computer, and spend unnecessary time going through crappy photos. I read in a book once that when you cull you either love it or you hate it. Keep or delete. That is my motto.

+3 - Poorly thought out list.

"Yeah it may have been out of focus but it kind of looked interesting."

Ain't nobody got time fo dat.

 

[Benco]

I don't see the problem with checking photos in camera, if you can do it then why not? and if it makes me look like an amateur...so what? I am an amateur. As for the OOOOOOOH AHHHHH definition of chimping then I'd say it's irritating but if that's what an individual wants to do then fine, that's up to them, I'm certainly not going to tell them they shouldn't be doing it.

For myself I'll check every couple of shots or so provided that:

1. I know exposure is going to be tricky.
2. I know there's time to do it.

Otherwise not, I'll keep my eye in the viewfinder and shoot away trusting that the settings I've made will work.
I'm hoping that with experience the former will become less of an issue.