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The best photographers assume that all their viewers are from Missouri. For those of you who aren't, it's the joking reference to the people of that US state who are reputed to be the most skeptical in the nation. Think of Harry Truman...not a man to be swayed by promise or rhetoric. The original line that included the words " show me " are from 1899, but attitude still persists - and I applaud it. The people who are not prepared to believe without adequate evidence are just who we want in the camera trade.
At least they are now, when we have the digital photography system to work with. Now we can do what we boast and see what we say pretty nearly as fast as we do it. Customers have every right to ask to have the facilities that they are paying for demonstrated for them. Staff have every right to demand the same from the wholesale agents. They in their turn have the same with the manufacturers - the whole chain of supply should be such that demand made upon it can be satisfied.
But it goes further - the customer with the cameras and lenses that they have bought should then be able to show their subjects and clients real results from these. No-one should have to take the thing on belief, when it can be seen on an LCD or computer screen within seconds of shooting. Granted, no photographer likes to have the client or art type chimp them constantly - but they should be able to demonstrate that the pixels are indeed there at some stage of the business. Art may be art and temperment may be temperment, but there is a bottom line.
Likewise, the amateur artist who presents an image for viewing and possible judging should be stopped from trying to complete a bad idea or inadequate presentation by means of written explanation. Unless it is scientific imagery where technical explanation is necessary for a layman to grasp what they are seeing, pictures should tell their own story. Even if they lie, or if the viewer constructs an entirely false understanding, the image should be strong and coherent enough to show itself - Missouri style.
Note: In researching this article I happened upon a page that listed the advertising symbols for a number of US states. It would appear that Washington state - where I once lived - has no fewer than 29 " State " things...ranging from an official state waterfall to an official state vegetable ( The Walla Walla Onion ). Before you dissolve into laughter or rage over the Americans, look up what Western Australia has as state emblems.
We have an official state fossil but no state motto, according to Wikipedia. I know about that fossil - I've eaten in the roadhouses on the way east...never order fish...
The heading image - a Google image of what is apparently the Missouri state rock - Galena. Go on, google it for yourselves. They have a state lizard that is quite good looking.
