Metadish, Fresh from NYC

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So we recently had a very odd exchange with the guy over at Pic Patrol.  We used one of his photos in a post and credited him for it.  But just to be sure we dropped him an e-mail and let him know.  We also thought the photos on his site looked great so we were curious about what kind of camera he was using.  Again, sort of mundane.  And we noticed that a lot of the shots came from the same neighborhood we live in and all very close to this one display at a local hardware store that we thought would make for a cool picture.  We suggested it would be a good thing to take a picture of and why…well, we’ll let you read the exchange:

Email #1: (My initial email) Hey Jack,

I just wanted to drop you a line and let you know I used a picture 
from your site of the Burrito Bar on Flatbush Ave.  I credited you 
right under the picture and we are willing to add any additional 
info or linkage you would like.

Please check it out and let us know if this is OK with you, if not, 
we will of course take it down.

Great site you have by the way, we love your photos.  We have a NYC 
site and would be interested in possibly using more of your photos 
for other articles if it ever comes up.  Let us know if you are 
interested as long as you are credited.

You can take a look at the post here: http://www.blognyc.net/news/
2006/01/burrito_bar_and.html

Take care,

–
James Poling

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Email #2: (His first response) All good!  (seriously that was it, not even a signature)

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Email #3: What camera do you use?  You’re photos are really beautiful.  I’m 
sure a lot of it has to do with the person taking the picture, but 
the camera quality is excellent.  I’ve been wanting to get a new 
one and been reading reviews.  Just thought I’d ask what you use.

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Email #4: Well, you’re right about the camera versus the person using it.  The 

brand of camera I’ve used for all of my pictures is the Nikon Coolpix 
line.  Their professional DSLR line is nice, but really overkill.   
I’m currently using the Coolpix 8400.  Previously used the Coolpix 
models 5400, 4500 and 990.

But the real/best tool I have is a tripod.  That’s the best way to 
get longer exposure shots and nighttime shots without a flash.

My best advice is to get whatever camera feels right for you that 
allows you to adjust the F-Stop and exposure times, get a tropid and 
experiment…

Thanks for enjoying my work!  And thanks for using the pictures on 
your site; let me know if you ever plan on using any more.

Best,

Jack

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Email #5: Not sure if you take requests, but if you are out in the next few 
days shooting, this seems like sort of your neighborhood. 
Pintchiks, the hardware stre on flatbush and bergen, has a display 
window facing flatbush with a guy sledding down fluffy snow, a sled 
and a snow shovel among other things.

I tried to take a pic of it with my crap camera but couldn’t get a 
good shot.  It completely reminds me of a museum display that 
you’ll see one day when a little kid asks his parent, mommy, what’s 
that white stuff, and we’ll have to explain that we used to have 
this thing called snow that would come down in this thing called 
winter we used to have.

Not sure if you’re shooting lately just thought if you happened to 
be by there, I’d love to use a shot of that.

Thanks,

James

http://blognyc.net

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Email #6: James,

This is crossing a line and very rude. I’m happy to help you when I 
had a pic to share, but I am not a personal photography service.

In light of this, I would like to officially let you know that the 
Burrito Bar signage photo is the first/last/only photo I am allowing 
you and your site to use.  You cannot use any of my photos on your 
site in any way.  And a copy of this e-mail will be kept on file for 
my lawyers review.

Good luck with your endeavors, James.

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Email #7: Wow, I did not expect that reaction at all.  I’m sorry I offended you.
It really was not my intent.

You can trust I won’t be using anymore of your photos.  I did not mean
to insult you.  I was asking more conversationally than anything else.
From some of the other photos I saw it looked like you lived in the
same neighborhood as me and I thought that would make for a good one.
It wasn’t like I was asking you to snap a picture on the Upper East Side.

I think you should relax a little and calm the fuck down.  Had I known
you were the bitchiest photo diva on the net I would never have
contacted you in the first place.

And if I had a lawyer I’d have him keep this on file and file it under
asshole brooklyn photographers who are ultra-sensative.

Take care,

James

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I don’t know maybe I was completely out of line asking the question, or is he just an asshole?  Any opinions?

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—admin