What My Dentist Taught Me About Photography

I’ve been shooting semi-professionally for about a year now. I can certainly say I’ve learned a lot and I know I have a long way to go. So I’m always trying to learn and refine.

Which brings me to a recent dentist appointment.

My dentist is using a new digital xray system and this was my first time experiencing it. From the customer end of thing, it’s not much different than the film method. They put that same film holder deal in your mouth, then they point the xray jobby at the circle by your face, and they fire away. The only real difference is that there’s now a cable in your mouth too, which goes back to the computer. You can see my roots via usb.

I think we can all agree that the piece in your mouth is uncomfortable at best. In the days of film I always remember the dentist making an effort to get that thing out of my mouth quickly to minimize the discomfort.

That wasn’t the case this time though.

The dentist would take the shot, then watch the screen for the image. If it looked good, they would move on to the next xray. All this waiting and decision making is occuring while the film holder is in my mouth. At the very least doubling the amount of time that lousy thing would be cutting into the inside of my jawbone. A measurable amount of rage would build up in me. While sitting their trying to think of ANYTHING to ignore the discomfort I started thinking about what was really going on. About why I can relate to what they were doing and why it was in every way unacceptable.

I can relate to what they were doing because as a photographer, I’ve been guilty of the same thing. Making a subject sit uncomfortably while I twiddle with a light or my camera. Not communicating about what I was doing and not letting them move for my own selfish reasons. Granted, I don’t have sharp corners being jabbed into their jawbone. But there’s no excuse. It’s abusive on the subject and in hindsight I suspect that the pictures won’t be as good. How good COULD the image be if the person’s been sitting on a rock in some strange pose for 10 minutes?!

To all my future customers, your comfort is a primary goal. To my past customers, sorry it took me this long to figure this out. I hope we’re cool now. Hire me again so I can prove it!

Tagged as: dentist, lesson, photography