Taking pictures with an iPad

[It's Not Lupus]

First time I saw someone take a picture with an iPad was by an older man at a wedding last year. I thought it looked a bit ridiculous, but didn't really think any more of it.

I've just noticed from random comments on the web that some people seem to hate anyone doing this. Don't get why some people feel so strongly about this.

Maybe if people are behind you or you're taking a selfie, I see it as inappropriate.

 

[Red Storm]

You can find hate groups for everything that has ever existed from random comments on the web.

First time I saw it was in a museum in London. Lady was walking around taking photos and recording using her iPad. Seems like it would be a pain having to carry that around for hours.

 

[tdawg]

If I had gobs of money, I'd knock the ipad out of their hands and then give them cash to replace it and buy a pocket camera or iphone.

 

[Gillbot]

http://thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=padhole

 

[Bman123]

http://thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=padhole

That site is too funny

 

[Ravynmagi]

I don't feel strongly about it, but I do think it looks a bit silly. Who owns an iPad, but doesn't have a smartphone?

 

[Zaap]

I think people hate it for two reasons. The first is when it comes off like another hipster in "hey look at me! I have an iPad!" mode.

The second is when you're in a crowd of people trying to see something, and you've got people holding up iPads like cameras (or worse, always on viewscreens) blocking the view (or screwing up normal camera shots) of people behind them. (annoyance factor of this amplified x1000 the more people start doing it at once.)

I witnessed this first hand when the space shuttle rolled through the streets of LA earlier this year and we went to go see it with my family. Several people in a row had iPads held up to take photos/videos- and the type of person that sees no problem doing this in a crowd of people will also tend to leave the iPad hoisted up and view the event through it, never realizing they're blocking everyone else's view behind them. Even the biggest, longest-lens camera possible isn't as obstructive as someone's iPad held up, let alone a whole row of twits with them.

So even though it probably makes sense sometimes to snap photos with an iPad, it's one of those things that's ruined for everyone else by a certain element that has to take it to an annoying level.

 

[TheStu]

I think people hate it for two reasons. The first is when it comes off like another hipster in "hey look at me! I have an iPad!" mode.

The second is when you're in a crowd of people trying to see something, and you've got people holding up iPads like cameras (or worse, always on viewscreens) blocking the view (or screwing up normal camera shots) of people behind them. (annoyance factor of this amplified x1000 the more people start doing it at once.)

I witnessed this first hand when the space shuttle rolled through the streets of LA earlier this year and we went to go see it with my family. Several people in a row had iPads held up to take photos/videos- and the type of person that sees no problem doing this in a crowd of people will also tend to leave the iPad hoisted up and view the event through it, never realizing they're blocking everyone else's view behind them. Even the biggest, longest-lens camera possible isn't as obstructive as someone's iPad held up, let alone a whole row of twits with them.

So even though it probably makes sense sometimes to snap photos with an iPad, it's one of those things that's ruined for everyone else by a certain element that has to take it to an annoying level.

Plus in a lower light environment, that large bright screen really sticks out.

I was at my niece's HS graduation last weekend, at least a dozen people were holding up their iPads.

 

[ChronoReverse]

It's one of those things that really exemplifies how people just don't care about everyone else around them.

 

[Ravynmagi]

I might have a solution to this problem. I notice how at all kinds of events there are lots of people taking pictures of the same thing. Whether it be big annoying tablets or small annoying phones.

I think we are missing an opportunity here though. We could send in professionals to take pictures of these events and perhaps even other people to write or talk about the event. These pictures and stories could be put online. I think I'll call them photographers and reporters. I predict in the future these "photographers" and "reporters" will make the need of thousands of people taking pictures of the same thing obsolete!

 

[Skott]

I personally see no problem with it as long as you are not blocking peoples view. I've seen guys with great big honking cameras that get in the way more than anything else. Also notice everyone is bitching about an iPad? If it was an Adroid tablet would people complain? A lot of anti Apple hate going on I'm thinking. For the record I do not own a tablet so no brand prefence. Yet.

 

[zerocool84]

I personally see no problem with it as long as you are not blocking peoples view. I've seen guys with great big honking cameras that get in the way more than anything else. Also notice everyone is bitching about an iPad? If it was an Adroid tablet would people complain? A lot of anti Apple hate going on I'm thinking. For the record I do not own a tablet so no brand prefence. Yet.

Yes if it was an android tablet people would complain the same because it's the same thing but they do it with iPads so oh well.

 

[Capt Caveman]

It's one of those things that really exemplifies how people just don't care about everyone else around them.

Please explain? Why should they care that you're some how bothered by them using a tablet to take photos/video? Maybe, people should not care what other people do, especially when it has no affect on them.

I used my N10 at my brother's house too take video of my nephew. I could have pulled out my N4 but why? Oh noes!!!

 

[WelshBloke]

It doesn't annoy me but it does perplex me.

Ok, people use phones to take pictures. Phones take OK photos but they are small, pocketable and always with you.

Why use a tablet? They are bulky, take crappy pictures and you look like an idiot when you do it. If you're going to carry something bulky around to take pictures take a decent point and shoot camera. You'll get better pictures and you won't look like a wanker.

 

[Crono]

I notice that a lot of middle aged and older people seem to be the ones doing this, usually guys (and sometimes women) who are are enthused about the technology but aren't necessarily computer hardware enthusiasts a la AnandTech users.

I think typically they like using iPads for everything and may or may not have smartphones. One person I met who uses an iPad for photos uses it as his organizer and just finds it easier to do everything on it including photos.

I don't have a tablet at the moment, but my smartphone has a better camera than any tablet I have ever owned, so it's not something I would do.

 

[ChronoReverse]

Please explain? Why should they care that you're some how bothered by them using a tablet to take photos/video? Maybe, people should not care what other people do, especially when it has no affect on them.

I used my N10 at my brother's house too take video of my nephew. I could have pulled out my N4 but why? Oh noes!!!

In case you didn't notice, I was referring to the post about people who hold up large tablets blocking the view of people behind and blinding people with glare.

This type of tablet photo taker won't notice, being too self-righteous that they're allowed to use a tablet the way they want instead.

 

[GTRagnarok]

 

[Rottie]

I have seen some foreigners using iPads at the museum I thought it was funny to take pictures. I only use it at home.

 

[Crono]

I can beat that.

 

[Zaap]

Also notice everyone is bitching about an iPad? If it was an Adroid tablet would people complain?

Yes, it would be equally annoying if it was an Android tablet.

Me, I've *never* repeat *never* seen anyone do this in a crowd with an Android tablet. I've seen tons of iPad owners do it.

My take: the type of person that does this in an annoying way is probably the type that's trying to be 'trendy' and show off, or older people as someone here mentioned, that are kind of clueness about any sort of social etiquette with their new toy. Not only are there nowhere near as many 10" Android tablets with cameras, the type of person that seeks out and buys an Android tablet over an iPad (yes, anecdotally speaking) is probably less of a 'trendy' showoff or a clueless oldie, and therefore less likely to be a twit with their tablet. I'm sure there are exceptions, and in that case- yes, it'd be equally annoying. (When blocking people's view, creating glare, etc.)

So it's not a bash-Apple thing, just that let's face it, Apple rules the tablet space and attracts the more 'trendy' types.

 

[lopri]

I don't see anything wrong with it though personally I haven't had an opportunity.

 

[Eruditass]

There's nothing wrong with it. The best camera is the one with you, and if they have their iPad out, then it's the best one. Of course, most of them do take pictures of crap and not any artistic ones, but that's besides the point. The point is that it looks funny.