'Selfie tourism' - AIBU?

Well, other people would probably think it was ‘quite sad’ that someone who describes themselves as an ‘amateur wildlife and nature photographer’ would not be trying to photograph somewhere or something (natural phenomenon or animal) seldom photographed, but trundled along to a sunflower field specifically set up, not for the crop, but for the selfie opportunities.

I mean, it’s not ‘nature’, really, any more than quirky corners set up to attract selfie-takers in big cities. Why not go somewhere where no one else is? There are highly unlikely to be slews of selfie takers photographing horseshoe crabs in a rock pool.

Agree in general (though to be fair you were taking photos too, rather than experiencing the moment).

When I see these selfie-takers, I feel like saying "Out of all the billions of photos on the planet, why would anyone care about yours except you? Nobody else will ever care, either now or in the future".

Just pointless.

I mean whats the difference between you taking pictures of sunflowers to them taking pictures of themselves next to a sunflower.

Why is yours less cringeworthy.

"People who specifically go to a location to get the perfect photo"

Isnt that precisely what you were doing?

I couldn't have put it better myself.

As sad as seeking validation from MN by posting their opinion in AIBU. Is something missing from your life? You don't know them, you don't know their motivations for posting, and you don't even know if they are posting. They could well be keeping the photos for their own portfolio, they may post them for friends and family to see, they may post on a superpopular account for an income stream, they could post because they think they look great and want to share! So many reasons to have a photoshoot in a sunflower field designed for taking photos in, and all are as valid as your desire to take photos just containing the flowers. At least they aren't posting here with an air of moral superiority.

There I was with my little DSLR camera trying to get some nice photos of sunflowers, and I couldn't believe the number of people who clearly thought the place existed for their own personal photo shoot.
...
... rather than just taking a moment to put their phone down and be present.

🤔

I think people get to choose what they want to do with their free time and we shouldn't dictate. Obviously visitors should be accommodating of each other, but I don't have a problem with people spending their time doing things that I personally don't enjoy but they do.

Maybe they find it sad that you go to a sunflower field and take photos for you to look at later and not show anyone else.

Different people derive pleasure from different things but most people can understand that.

One could say the same about taking a pointless photo of a sunflower that will sit on your hard drive for years, never seen by anyone, because you've placed some kind of objective measure of worthiness on sharing it. I think that's really sad. That you think so little of your own ability.

As i said, at least they have the guts to actually put themselves out there and share it. Its much easier to hide away and snipe at other people than it is to be brave and run the risk that you invite sometimes negative opinions on your photos.

Exactly this. Just because you’re taking a photo doesn’t mean you get priority!

I voted YANBU because I really don't "get" why these places exist but after reading some of the responses here I've changed my mind.

I went to a pumpkin patch a year or two ago and I don't know what I was expecting but a field of pre-picked pumpkins and some props was not it. I want to take truly candid photos of my child that reflect the activity he was enjoying. I'm not paying money to go somewhere that exists for the sole purpose of taking fake candid shots.

But you went to a place that exists for photographs and then seem surprised that people are taking photographs... Sure, I'm not into selfies but I'm not into landscape or nature photography either and to say one is more worthy of the space than the other is rather snobby, in my opinion.

But, as explained, it’s not always about seeking validation. I do it for the memories.

I was at Stonehenge recently and a woman was asking people to move so that they weren't in the background of her photos. Last year in Hollywood we went into the theatre which is used for the Oscars and another visitor demanded that we stop looking at the displays on the stairway so that they could get a photo.

It’s definitely getting quite bad in places. I’m all for a good old fashioned quick photo, but I can’t bare this influencer style photoshoot that goes on in places, and also how even people taking a “normal” photo have become so rude and entitled.
I went on a big holiday a couple of years ago visiting various places, and it quickly became tiresome having to move aside for people’s photos. I’ve come a long way to see some sights and I want to stand and enjoy them, not make way for people’s photos. The worst memory for me was standing by a beautiful, still lake in a small bay, with me and Dh stood there looking out admiring the view. A woman asked if we could move out the way whilst she took a photo, I sighed but did it anyway as by this stage I was sick of having this happen everywhere we went, but after the photo told us we could go back to standing there now she was done 🙄

Are you not looking for validation of your opinion? If not, why post?

This was a thing in Victorian or Edwardian times too, except it was photography studios with painted backdrops rather than real places. You could hire fancy suits and fur coats to look rich and successful.

Quite ironic if you ask me!

The sunflower gardens around us promote the location for photo opportunities. Same as pumpkin farms, pick your own Xmas tree. It’s part of the experience. I don’t go to these places but I’m sure if I did I’d take my camera, as you do.

I haven't seen a selfie stick for years! Clearly I'm not hanging out at the right places!

The point is the same as the point of adding another photo of a sunflower to the world. There are already millions and I other than your enjoyment there's no objective benefit. Other people have amateur portrait photography or modelling as hobbies. They're no more or less worthy. I could say to you if you can't appreciate a beautiful place without taking a photo, and you are taking you photos to say 'look at meeee' as the photographer, and have further posted this thread to again say 'look at meee' as the worthier enjoyer of a photo op. I'm sure they could go without social media but they don't want to. Their choice

Oh, so is the moral failing in the sharing of their photos? Or in the taking of the photos? Or is it both?

Just trying to get some clarity on why you're judging them so hard or why you think your photography is much more worthy than theirs. At least they've got the confidence to share theirs.

Maybe that's what this is really about. You wish you had the guts to share your photography too and you're looking at them thinking "who on earth do they think they are?"

Not sure who told you that you have to be a professional photographer to share your photos, but you don't.

Indeed. By someone posting their opinion of them on - social media.