gun porn
So, is it odd that this disclaimer:
It should be noted that I took this picture myself using the self-timer on my camera. You should never, EVER point a gun at anyone*—even if you just want to take fun pictures—even if you’re 100% certain it’s unloaded. It’s a very bad and dangerous practice to get into.
Shows up on a pic? Probably not since you don’t want to make the list.
May 18th, 2007 at 9:16 am
Actually, the only thing that makes me cringe is the finger being on the trigger.
However, it’s an artful picture and to take pictures of firearms, sometimes you have to bend the rules. Besides, the barrel isn’t pointed at the camera and even if it was, as long as he was willing to see it destroyed (the camera), a timer works fine.
May 18th, 2007 at 9:20 am
Also, take a look at one of my pictures here.
In order to take this shot, I had to occasionally put myself in front of the muzzle. I ensured the gun was unloaded (visually and tactilely) and, being a Glock, since no booger hooks were on the bang switch, the safety was most definitely engaged.
I would hope that image would never make it as an Idiots With Guns picture!
May 18th, 2007 at 9:33 am
Xavier’s list has been under some pressure for a while for omitting pics from “respected” gun people that are similar to some of his idiots.
Xavier responded to the critisism, iirc, by saying that using mirrors and timers would allow a barrel shot while not automatically qualifying as an idiot. Xavier said he assumed these gangbanger/wannabe types didn’t user mirrors and timers, while most respected photogs do. Our photographer here did use a timer; he may have said so specifically to avoid the list, who knows.
Separately , I agree with Robb #1: the only thing I saw amiss was that his finger is in the trigger guard.
May 18th, 2007 at 9:36 am
Too make it clear, (and continute the pattern of double posts,) I find the Idiots with Guns list informative and interesting. I hope he continues to post, as it’s been over 2 months since his last one.
May 18th, 2007 at 10:21 am
John, as a photographer myself, I’m not even sure me shooting (sans timer) down the barrel of a gun that someone else is pointing at the camera constitutes idiocy. It’s hard to get your focus without looking through the viewfinder.
If I personally check the weapon I don’t see the problem. Yes, the model may reload while I’m not looking but at that point they’re trying to kill me anyway.
It’s just hard sometimes to determine the level of safety the photographer used when shooting which is the true measure of idiocy.
May 18th, 2007 at 10:21 am
(double post for consistency 😉
May 18th, 2007 at 10:33 am
Oleg has lots of good gun porn, but he seems to only _rarely_ violate any of the rules. I don’t think he has a single finger-on-trigger photo… only a few with the muzzle pointing remotely near the camera. More so at A Human Right
May 18th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
The only thing I’ll say is that, with a pistol grip shottie, that looks like a good way to give yourself a black eye.
May 18th, 2007 at 12:35 pm
Oleg is great, and if he had a finger-on-the-trigger, barrel at the camera shot, I know that he would have taken appropriate precautions.
Personally, the 4 rules should be ingrained so hard that it’s difficult to actually perform something like this, but when you do you should at least know you’re being safe.