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I've heard people complaining about "Uncle Bob" taking pictures at events. From context, it sounds like Uncle Bob is an annoying guy with a camera?

What is an "Uncle Bob"? What is the background of the term "Uncle Bob"? Is he based on an actual individual, or is it more a stereotype?

scottbb
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    I know this is a stack website, but I presume we're not talking about this poor chap: 'Robert Cecil Martin is an American software engineer and author. He is a co-author of the Agile Manifesto. He now runs a consulting firm called Uncle Bob Consulting LLC' otherwise this could be off topic ;) – Crazy Dino Nov 20 '17 at 16:08
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    @CrazyDino lol. From your comment, I can surmise you answer questions by asking Google and using the top hit to Wikipedia... ;-) – scottbb Nov 20 '17 at 16:10
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    Well... I did google it to see what comes up. Damn if I had to google it.. does that mean I'm Uncle Bob :O – Crazy Dino Nov 20 '17 at 16:12
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    Well a lot of people on StackExchange (due to the dominance of StackOverflow) probably consider Robert Martin annoying because he advocates an ordinary standard of professionalism among programmers. –  Nov 20 '17 at 16:45
  • a light-hearted question, but not one that solves a problem for anyone I think. – osullic Nov 20 '17 at 18:38
  • @benrudgers right? Why should I have to be accountable in my software development practices? – scottbb Nov 20 '17 at 18:41
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    @osullic Well, its presence actually does solve one problem (albeit trivially minor): I was commenting to somebody about an Uncle Bob, but we didn't actually have something I thought was germane to point to. Sometimes terminology or basic concepts need to have a placeholder page. – scottbb Nov 20 '17 at 18:43
  • I have no idea if they exist... but what's a female Uncle Bob?.. – Crazy Dino Nov 20 '17 at 20:58
  • Good stuff: How to be an Uncle Bob (from the Toronto Star): https://www.thestar.com/photos/masterglass/2014/06/24/masterglass_55_wedding.html – scottbb Nov 20 '17 at 23:54
  • Can questions at photo.stackexchange.com have 'Uncle Bobs'? I think the comments to this question and all of the answers indicate who it might be... – Michael C Nov 21 '17 at 10:51
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    @CrazyDino A 'Mom w/camera' – Michael C Nov 21 '17 at 10:53
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    If you have absolutely no idea what this whole "Uncle Bob" business could be referring to then you are the Uncle Bob :\ – CodyBugstein Nov 21 '17 at 17:51
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    For further explanation of the TERM... Uncle Bob see https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCS4NdCbeBU – Wolf Nov 22 '17 at 15:51

4 Answers4

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Uncle Bob is not actually your Uncle Bob.

Uncle Bob is the derogatory term used by professional and semi professional photographers to describe a 'man with a camera' and occasionly someone with 'all the gear, no idea'. There isn't a clear definition of Uncle Bob, and he can be found in many guises, this is my experience so feel free to mix and match:

  • Not necessarily bad people.
  • It's Uncle Bob's attitude rather than photographic ability. Prepare for arrogance if they think they have one better picture than you.
  • When found at events, they can usually be found taking a large amount of photos of their loved ones. On rarer occasions they somehow wangle themselves a photo pass and believe they're in the big leagues.
  • They can be seen shooting in P for Professional mode
  • Will happily tell you how his gear is better, and how much it cost to try make you think you're inferior.
  • No regards to professional etiquette. Will happily get in other photographers' way.
  • Can masquerade as a professional.
  • Remember photographer waistcoats back from the days of shooting film at sports event? Well they're not quite dead yet...
  • Especially at weddings they've been known to stand intrusively close to the hired professional to try get the exact same shots.
Crazy Dino
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    Half tempted to turn this into a community wiki. Thoughts? – Crazy Dino Nov 20 '17 at 16:22
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    I'd say this is a good candidate for community wiki because the term "uncle bob" is a potential wedge between insiders and outsiders and does not translate clearly across cultures...what is Uncle Bob's name in Portuguese? On the other hand, I don't really like the term. 'Amateur' captures everything without necessarily being pejorative and translates more clearly across cultures. IMO, describing photographers as 'Uncle Bob' pulls this site in the wrong direction. YMMV. –  Nov 20 '17 at 16:51
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    @benrudgers Its why my second paragraph begins about it being a derogatory term. I wouldn't classify amateurs and uncle Bob the same. BUT it does have a place amongst the terms and slang used by photographers (nifty-fifty is another example, if you're versed in photography you know what it means, but everyone else gives you a strange look). I can't see this question remaining for long, I expect it to be locked rather quickly because of the derogatory nature, but I can't see the term becoming common place on the site because of one question. – Crazy Dino Nov 20 '17 at 17:01
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    Uncle Bob is always an amateur, but not all amateurs are Uncle Bobs, eh? – Wayne Werner Nov 20 '17 at 17:36
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    Uncle Bob always compliments your camera for all the good pictures – Viv Nov 20 '17 at 19:15
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    @CrazyDino I can't see the term becoming common place on the site because of one question. I wouldn't quite say "common", but certainly a understood term-of-art on this site. The term has already been used on the site in answers to at least 7 questions. Their use is pretty clear in context, but in all cases, there's zero explanation. – scottbb Nov 20 '17 at 20:19
  • @WayneWerner I wouldn't say that necessarily. It's their demeanour rather than photographic ability. – Crazy Dino Nov 20 '17 at 20:55
  • @Viv BUT his camera will be better! – Crazy Dino Nov 20 '17 at 20:56
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    AFAIK Uncle Bobs shoot exclusively in M, because that's what they think pros do. – Agent_L Nov 21 '17 at 16:20
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    Uncle bob often has the holy f/2.8 zoom trinity, and will wonder why you get better pictures with a 50mm f/1.8. – Eric Duminil Nov 21 '17 at 20:21
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    I'd be wary about throwing words like "professional" around, unqualified. Uncle Bob might be a professional. The important differentiation is that they're not the paid photographer at this event, and that they're being disrespectful to or obstructing the actual photographer. The enthusiasm, outcome and attire are all secondary markers. You can be an enthusiastic amateur with high spec kit at an event without becoming Bob. – Oli Nov 22 '17 at 09:22
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    @Oli. It's all about attitude. A true professional would not be disrespectful to anyone paid to be there (in fact i think pretty much any professional would leave their gear at home if they knew there was someone working). If you're obstructing someone supposed to be there, doing a job, you're Uncle Bob. (If you notice I never touch on amateurs or ability at all). – Crazy Dino Nov 22 '17 at 09:50
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    @CrazyDino Sure but you've qualified it now. A true professional is a good photographer. You're adding meaning to the word. I think it's telling that we assume —especially here— that a professional photographer is a hard working and skilled photographer, good at their job, etc. Plenty of people make livings from something they're not particularly good at. Don't get me wrong, I think the tone of the post is fine, I just think there's an assumption when labelling Bobs that they're boastful amateurs. – Oli Nov 22 '17 at 09:55
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    Also consider that photography isn't a single discipline. A nature or sports photographer likely has no more idea the expected etiquette than the other guests at a (eg) wedding. (Although I'd pay to see a 800mm f/5.6 peering out at a wedding). Anyone can be a Bob. – Oli Nov 22 '17 at 10:00
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    USA's got too many spying 'uncles'. – Overmind Nov 22 '17 at 13:49
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    @CrazyDino No true Scotsman would ever obstruct another fellow photographer! BTW, "professional" means "one who uses job X as his main source of income". A professional can be unskilled and obnoxious, as long as he can still sell his work. – Agent_L Nov 22 '17 at 13:49
  • I'm not particularly skilled as photos go, even for amateurs, but I would summarize this answer, with comments, as defining Uncle Bob as arrogant attitude with incompetence that aggravates the irritation that would be caused by arrogance alone. The list of qualifiers above don't seem to really complain that "Uncle Bobs" could perhaps be a tad more skilled at photography, but adding incompetence to arrogance is like adding insult to injury. – Christos Hayward Nov 23 '17 at 15:17
  • 'They can be seen shooting in P for Professional mode'. I actually see this completely the other way around. I think the guy using P-mode may very well be a very skilled photographer, and the guy who critisizes it and assumes that he is only using it because it is the only mode he can use it the 'uncle bob'. – Orbit Apr 17 '18 at 12:41
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    @rickboender I think you're missing the point.. I'm not talking about the P-Mode. I'm talking about the idea P meaning professional... – Crazy Dino Apr 17 '18 at 14:18
  • @CrazyDino: I guess i did miss the point then, nevermind. – Orbit Apr 17 '18 at 15:10
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    Uncle Bob is to a photographer a Bloody F#@! User to programmers and Average Joe to anyone else. – Crowley Jul 19 '18 at 08:32
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In the context of a shoot, Uncle Bob is usually a very affluent gent (or has enough money to spend on some prosumer or pro gear) whose photography knowledge is usually at amateur levels, whose company was asked for by the event attendees, but whose photography was not.

He has a habit of wanting to "talk shop" with the photographers who are being paid to work the event and generally, gets in the way. Sometimes he even tries to shoot over your shoulder as you pose a subject.

Uncle Bob is very eager to share his work, and to his credit, gets some keepers. But, he'll always deliver faster than you and his keepers could mean lost sales to you.

I remember one of my first gigs ever - and was using a 20D with a 50 f/1.4 and 100 f/2 to photograph a dance recital. I was the official photographer and ran the cards out of the auditorium every 5th dance or so, so that we could sell on-site. I got stopped by Uncle Bob on one of these runs; his question was why his photos were not coming out like mine (1 Series + L glass in his hands)? Classic Uncle Bob. (My response was, "I'd be more than happy to discuss after the event, but in the meantime, we'd appreciate your business if I've taken any shots that you like")

But, as photographers, I think it's important to note that we can all become Uncle Bob. We all want to shoot, we all like to shoot, and sometimes, we are the ones invited to an event where our company is wanted, but our photography is not.

So, don't be Uncle Bob.

OnBreak.
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    To the degree Uncle Bob can undermine a professional's sales, that seems more a matter of the professional not producing work that the market will pay for than anything else. If a professional's photographs are fungible, that's not Uncle Bob's fault. A photography business mode with a value proposition competing with free is not Uncle Bob's fault, either. –  Nov 20 '17 at 17:00
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    @benrudgers - When the options are great-photo for $$ or meh-photo for free, one will very quickly lose business. I've literally posed a subject and arranged lighting to have Uncle Bob shoot over my shoulder. Of course, he didn't have the lighting I had, but he did have the meh-good-enough-photo. You're right though - this is highly market dependent. In my case, it was high school senior photos where sessions were free (contracted to the studio). Can't say I've ever lost a wedding because of Bob. – OnBreak. Nov 20 '17 at 17:07
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    Picking clients for whom the free version is not a better alternative is market segmentation. For high school senior photos, the experience of having one's Uncle Bob take the picture probably adds value that cannot be captured in a high-volume photography abattoir. Uncle Bob may have done baby photos and first day of school and will do some wedding shots too. A senior picture is not about the photographer. –  Nov 20 '17 at 19:12
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    @benrudgers - You've got a point - and I would hold no ill-will toward a contracted lead or Bob for wanting to forgo my shots in order to have Bob do things. What is wrong with the mentioned situation is when Bob shoots over my shoulder. Now, if Bob wants to take mr./ms. class senior out on location himself, more power to him. Also, in contracted situations, one doesn't pick the clients. All class seniors are sent to the contracted photographer for photos, and it's all about the up-sell from zero to client. – OnBreak. Nov 20 '17 at 19:47
  • The technical quality of my senior photo is sufficient not to to remove value, but as good as it is, it doesn't add any value. The value of the photo is it reminds me of Leonard and John and a blue bong in the studio parking lot. A drunk ran over Leonard Thanksgiving 1984. Heart attack got John a couple of years ago. Interacting with the photographer was as transactional as checking my balance at the ATM. Can't blame someone for realizing that decades on Uncle Bob being there will matter more than lighting quality. Can't blame the photographer for being transactional. –  Nov 20 '17 at 22:30
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    @benrudgers - We're going to have to agree to disagree. In my book, shooting over another photographer's shoulder is akin to plagiarism. It's also one of the most over-reaching examples of Uncle Bob's bad behavior, and it's these types of shots that could rob a shooter from an honest wage. I'm afraid that you won't be able to convince me that Uncle Bob's endearing qualities justify his over the shoulder shooting. That's just bad etiquette, and there's no excuse for it. Cheers, – OnBreak. Nov 20 '17 at 22:59
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One of the defining characteristics of Uncle Bob is the effect he has: he is somebody with a camera, who must be managed in some way, or whose repeated actions have a cumulative negative effect on those around him.

The canonical Uncle Bob prototype is usually found at weddings (as mentioned in the other answers as well):

  • Uncle Bob is the guy standing 10 ft behind and to the side of the wedding photographer also shooting the group shot. He might be polite enough to give plenty of space out of consideration to the photographer, but unaware he's still causing problems because some people in the group shot are looking at him instead of the photographer.

  • During the reception, everybody has their smartphones or point-and-shoot cameras taking pictures of the couple cutting the cake, and all of the other events in the reception. But Uncle Bob is the one whose flash is repeatedly ruining the photographer's shots of the special moments.

The dead giveaway in these situations is when the wedding photographer has to tell the wedding planner (or whoever the wedding party has chosen as "person-herder") to manage Uncle Bob, who is making it difficult for the wedding photographer to capture the shots the wedding party are paying for. For instance, see Jay Lance's answer to the question, Should I have a wedding contract provision for actions outside my control?, where he specifically has an "Uncle Bob" clause in his contracts.

But Uncle Bob can also be found elsewhere. In the question, Photographic courtesy?, the OP was trying to record an unamplified vocal performance in a high school gymnasium. In this case, Uncle Bob's camera was making excess noise with focus confirmation beeps for each shot. Had he known (or thought) to turn off his focus confirmation beeps, I don't think he would be Uncle Bob.

scottbb
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  • I don't think the recording incident was a case of Uncle Bob. Someone sitting in their seat taking photos is normal at a high school event. Taking out unwanted noise in post is a normal part of live audio recording. The cowpoke at their first rodeo probably wasn't the photographer. –  Nov 20 '17 at 23:28
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    @benrudgers A little from column A, a little from column B, I suppose... Thing is, silenceable noises such as audible focus confirmation beeps and writeback confirmation beeps are annoying and avoidable. They are inconsiderate to the performers at an unamplified chorus / concert, and inconsiderate to everybody else around them. Their act of recording or capturing the experience is unnecessarily adding unwanted nuisance to the experience for people around them. – scottbb Nov 20 '17 at 23:42
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    Obnoxious "focus assist" LEDs in dimly lighted contexts might be a visual analog to the beeps... I'm ashamed to admit that on one occasion I was the Uncle Bob in that manner, unbeknownst to me at the time. :/ – junkyardsparkle Nov 21 '17 at 06:11
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An Uncle Bob situation exists (for you) when either of your parents has a male sibling named Robert. In photography, particularly event photography, it refers to someone (not the hired event photographer) with a camera and little, or no, awareness of his getting in the way of the professional hired to photograph the event. We don't call this person an Aunt Roberta because women typically have far more innate awarness of situational propriety than do men.

Mark R Russell
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    I don't know... there have been a few times a 'Mom w/camera' gave just as much trouble as an Uncle Bob. – Michael C Jul 27 '18 at 03:30