To All the "Anons" Out There
It’s actually pretty funny, but when I got my first comment from somebody named ”Anon” I really thought it was just an unusual name! I mean it sounds like it’s from a foreign country. And yes, I’m serious – I’m on the computer all day long and in my career in this industry I’ve meet thousands of photographers and there are just as many names in my head. I’m not always the sharpest tool in the shed! Plus, everybody can’t be named Bob, Sue, Mary or Bill…actually they can – I once did a dive trip and wanted a T-shirt that said, “Not Bob” because we had four Bobs with us!
Anyway, here’s my point this lazy Saturday morning (only somebody NOT having to shoot a wedding or portrait session today always refers to “lazy Saturday mornings”)! I’m tired of you guys that hide behind the anonymity of your computer screens. I’m not trying to violate anybody’s right of free speech, just wish that in the future if you have something to say, you’ll find a way to make your point without taking shots at people and put your name on your thoughts!
Many of you have had some really valid points – but at least from my perspective when you hide in the shadows of cyberspace and wonder if anybody will publish what you wrote it dilutes your message. Newspapers have done it for years, usually printing a controversial opinion and then writing “Name withheld upon request.” Well, this isn’t the newspaper, it’s a personal blog and whether the contributions are from me or a whole bunch of great friends and instructors, the blog is here to help.
I’ve got great respect for all of you who made a choice in life to become professional photographers. Your ability to stay focused (pun intended) has inspired me throughout my career, but in the future if you’ve got something to say then say it with the same pride that you click the shutter on every job – you don’t need to be a troll to make your point. It doesn’t mean you’ll always get published, here or any place else, but it at least means you’ll be standing up for something you believe in when your fingers start hitting the keyboard.
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This post has 7 comments
April 24th, 2010
Very well said Skip, I couldn’t agree with you more.
April 24th, 2010
YAY! That’s right on Skip. As far as I am concerned, if you aren’t willing to put your real name on your comment, it’s worthless. I don’t care what anyone thinks if they aren’t at least willing to put their name on it. My guess is that if you need to be anonymous, then you probably realize what you’re doing is wrong. I hope you delete every single comment that comes to this blog from an anonymous poster. I am only interested in the opinions of people I can identify. Thanks for saying what most people wouldn’t. Oh, and prepare yourself today to receive a bunch of nasty stuff from trolls
April 24th, 2010
be bold, be proud, be sure, be secure, be on fire, be passionate, be committed, be powerful. or don’t be.
April 25th, 2010
Words to live by!
April 25th, 2010
Good point Skip!
there have been way too many folks hiding behind a keyboard taking shots at folks. If they are bold enough to make an opinion be known in public about something, then they should be bold enough to stand up for it let themselves be known.
The world is a big place but the internet makes it smaller.
April 25th, 2010
Thank you for the post. I agree with you wholeheartedly.
I especially don’t like people who hide behind anonymity to hurl insults. If you have an opinion – own it. I can at least respect you then. Hiding prevents dialog, understanding and growth. You miss out on a whole lot of life if you choose to live it scared.
April 26th, 2010
True Elena that the internet makes the world smaller. Unfortunately it makes some men smaller too. So easy to hide behind a keyboard with the cloak of anonymity.
I think most of us can respect people we disagree with if they can at least have ownership of their opinions.