Unfriendly Facebook

I’ve been noticing that Facebook is getting less friendly and more contentious. And I’m not talking about pages devoted to politics, the environment or the economy. I’m seeing it on, of all places, analog film photography and classic film cameras buy/swap/sell pages.

Recently, a newbie analog photographer posted a question on a film camera page. This person had just shot her first roll of film in a Nikon FE and couldn’t figure out how to release the film so she could wind it back into the cartridge. While many of the people commenting directed her to the little button on the bottom of the camera, several people went off on her about being too lazy to read the owners manual before using the camera. One person commented that perhaps people with limited technical skills shouldn’t be messing around with old film cameras.

I personally think it is wonderful that young people are discovering film photography. The more people shoot film, the longer companies like Ilford and Kodak will keep making it. We should be helpful and encourage people just getting into this hobby. Not shame them for asking a question. I’m sure we’ve all asked a dumb question or two in our lives. I know that I have.

Over on the buy/swap/sell pages, it is very common for people to make cruel comments about the prices that people ask for their gear. I have experienced this myself. A film camera is worth whatever price the buyer is willing to pay. If the price is too high for you, just move on. What purpose is served by making the seller defend his or her price? Over the years, I have found lots of great bargains when shopping for gear. And many times, I have paid way more than I should have just because I wanted a camera or it was in particularly good condition. And I never sell my cameras for cheap because I have spent time finding really good examples and in most cases, I’ve invested in having them properly cleaned and serviced. So far this year, I have had to delete two camera listings on Facebook just because the comments became so vitriolic.

It wasn’t always this way. At least on the photography pages. I’m not sure why either. Seems there is a lot of anger and frustration in this country right now and it’s spilling over into places that are supposed to be easy and fun.

I can’t change the world, but I am going to make a personal effort to be friendly, helpful and thoughtful whenever I comment on social media. Maybe it will rub off. Just a little.