Why does everyone hate Ken Rockwell?

adamcircle · Mar 24, 2014

I want to talk about something that is pretty important to me and has been bugging me for a while. I made an account for just this purpose. I just read a post on this site in which people hated on Ken Rockwell. In this one instance, he said that the 10 with arrows around it on Nikon lenses means that you will have to throw it out after ten years, when what it really meant was that China regulates the materials in it or whatever.

In this instance, it is clear that he made a mistake. The article was changed.

What I do not understand, however, is why all of his other articles receive so much hate. I have searched the title of this post in Google already, don't send me to another thread, because I have already read the one on this site and one on another site. What I mainly saw though, were comments on his writing style and forgetfulness and less on his photography advice. I actually really like his writing style, he comes across to me as authentic and carefree.

Could all you Ken haters point of specific misinformation regarding photography? I know that he exaggerates some things and says that certain lenses are the best ever. I don't read his site because I want to read a textbook, I enjoy his writing style, and anyone with even a little intelligence knows the difference between hyperbole and fact.

The reason this has been bothering me is that I read his entire website last summer when my family and I were at the beach. I am not an idiot and I didn't feel like I was being manipulated or mislead at all in his writings. I learned a lot and the improvements in my photography were huge and immediate, and I can't understand why someone that helped me so much can be hated by so many.

Thank you.

tex · Mar 25, 2014

His is largely an opinion site, but it has some valuable stuff on it, such as overviews of legacy lenses. They aren't quite reviews, but they can be helpful---they have helped me a couple of times.

People pick on the more controversial things he says and blast the whole site---very baby out with the bathwater, imo.

Bobo Hodls · Mar 25, 2014

He tends to make provocative proclamations for the sake of web traffic.

I don't hate him, I barely give him much thought. The only time he comes to mind is when topics like this arise.

Greg A A · Mar 25, 2014

While Ken Rockwell might not be the best authority on everything photography his site serves a purpose with some good overview info. He covers a wide variety of history on cameras and lenses that is sometimes useful and interesting. I like what he has done, recognizing the benefits and limitations. This is no different than anything else one reads on the web as far as needing to verify with alternate opinions. The website is old school web design but it doesn't get in the way of finding info. Give him a break for putting something out there.

Glen Barrington · Mar 25, 2014

I don't hate him, but his site never really 'took' with me as a destination site either.

I think there is a trend in the photographic community to feel a bit of contempt for any blogger though. It's as if the act of "presuming" to write about subjects you have a passion for makes you think you're "special" and everyone else feels the need to "take you down" a bit. I don't know of a single current blogger that has escaped this. It seems the more successful you are, the greater the need some people have to marginalize you.

The only blogger I know of who never got much of that sort of static is Andrzej Wrotniak a blogger who concerned himself primarily with 4/3s. But his blog tended to be technical in nature and less opinion driven and he never went commercial, his work is clearly a labor of love. Even so, I bet if we look hard enough, we'll find some unkind and mean spirited comments about him!

joyclick · Mar 25, 2014

It is fashionable to "hate' some one who is more accomplished and successful than those who hate could ever be.It takes petty minds to hate him. Hating him, they think enhances them otherwise they mediocre beings.

Intio · Mar 25, 2014

Reminds me of that scene from Casablanca:

"You hate me, don't you Rick?"

"If I gave you any thought I probably would."

gollywop · Mar 25, 2014

. . . I would say the word hate is overly strong and being misused and misapplied here. I am sure there are those who do hate KR, but I wouldn't say there are legions that do. He may well at times be subject to disregard, disrespect, ridicule, and indifference. But for the most part I would think people take him or leave him, sometimes the same person doing both.

--
gollywop

Jim Cassatt · Mar 25, 2014

I enjoy reading Rockwell's stuff, and occasionally I learn something. However, he does have to be taken with a big grain of salt. He speaks only in hyperbole and talks out of both sides of his mouth.

Then there are statements that simply are misleading. As an example, a few months ago he published some pictures of his adorable kids using fill flash from a Fuji 100s. The point he was making was quite valid. That is the on camera flash syncs at any speed making fill flash an automatic cinch for shooting at large apertures to blur the background without resorting to hi speed. sync. The problem was that the lighting was from the on-camera flash was very flat. So I use his examples in my photography classes to show the problems with using in camera flash to light a subject.

Zone8 · Mar 25, 2014

adamcircle said:
adamcircle wrote: Could all you Ken haters point of specific misinformation regarding photography?

Who is he anyway? (Only kidding - if you want people to slag you off, just try helping someone on DPR or on the Internet - there is always one or more who love to show how ignorant they are by just slagging off someone whilst at the same time adding nothing of value themselves - and most of these self-acclaimed "experts" are totally anonymous) ;-)

--
Zone8: Although I am a handsome genius, when I stand in front of a mirror, I vaguely recognise the ugly idjit standing on the other side!
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JulesJ · Mar 25, 2014

I don't.

Photofunster · Mar 25, 2014

Eh, well welcome to the forum. Happy that you finally found reason to join the club...

Don't be so shy, step right up and say what ever is on your mind.

Ken R is ok by me, Thom too.

Heck I enjoy most websites that share photography info... never enough to read and learn from.

Chas

fishy wishy · Mar 25, 2014

adamcircle said:
The reason this has been bothering me is that I read his entire website last summer when my family and I were at the beach. I am not an idiot and I didn't feel like I was being manipulated or mislead at all in his writings. I learned a lot and the improvements in my photography were huge and immediate

Now we know it's a wind-up.

Ken is not a professional photographer, he is a dad with a camera that makes money on click-throughs by talking about camera gear in a colorful way. That is all.

Ed B · Mar 25, 2014

adamcircle said:
I want to talk about something that is pretty important to me and has been bugging me for a while. I made an account for just this purpose. I just read a post on this site in which people hated on Ken Rockwell. In this one instance, he said that the 10 with arrows around it on Nikon lenses means that you will have to throw it out after ten years, when what it really meant was that China regulates the materials in it or whatever.

In this instance, it is clear that he made a mistake. The article was changed.

What I do not understand, however, is why all of his other articles receive so much hate. I have searched the title of this post in Google already, don't send me to another thread, because I have already read the one on this site and one on another site. What I mainly saw though, were comments on his writing style and forgetfulness and less on his photography advice. I actually really like his writing style, he comes across to me as authentic and carefree.

Could all you Ken haters point of specific misinformation regarding photography? I know that he exaggerates some things and says that certain lenses are the best ever. I don't read his site because I want to read a textbook, I enjoy his writing style, and anyone with even a little intelligence knows the difference between hyperbole and fact.

The reason this has been bothering me is that I read his entire website last summer when my family and I were at the beach. I am not an idiot and I didn't feel like I was being manipulated or mislead at all in his writings. I learned a lot and the improvements in my photography were huge and immediate, and I can't understand why someone that helped me so much can be hated by so many.

Thank you.

I hardly ever go to his site and don't agree with some of his comments but, even Ken Rockwell admits that he sometimes says things just to get a reaction and have some fun.

I met him once, in New York, and he's a nice guy who also happens to be a lot more successful than some people give him credit for being.

Yes, many people seem to "hate" Ken Rockwell and that's okay with Ken because Ken, is laughing all the way to the bank.

Pantyhose Bandit · Mar 25, 2014

Its easier to hate than to concede that somebody has a point.

MoreorLess · Mar 25, 2014

Pantyhose Bandit said:
Its easier to hate than to concede that somebody has a point.

I'd have thought you'd be insanely jealous of a contradictory blowhard with limited artistic talent who HAS made a good career out of it.

In kens favour he's infinitely more interesting to read than you are and his site does have some decent info on older lenses. Much of the hate comes from how unsuitable he is as a guide for new buyers and how many of his reviews seem geared to maximise hits/income.

Glen Barrington · Mar 25, 2014

The older I get, the less certain I am of either.

jvkelley · Mar 25, 2014

joyclick said:
It is fashionable to "hate' some one who is more accomplished and successful than those who hate could ever be.

Let's rephrase the question then: Why does Ken Rockwell seem to be more hated than other bloggers are just as accomplished and successful as him?

rj conklin · Mar 25, 2014

hate is caused by fear and ignorance.

Glen Barrington · Mar 25, 2014

but irony can emulate fear and ignorance for the purpose of making a point, and irony always has a touch of ambivalence in it.

Why does everyone hate Ken Rockwell?

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