The original iPad didn’t have a camera. And the world was better for it.

Since the iPad 2 came out with front- and rear-facing cameras, 10-inch tablets have been used to take photos. And just about everyone agrees that taking a picture with an iPad makes you look like a complete tool. As the differences between a smartphone and a tablet blur together and the word “phablet” becomes part of the vernacular, maybe this becomes less of an issue. Then again, when you’re in a crowd and the person ahead of you obscures your view by holding up a gigantic iPad to take a picture of what you’d rather see live, maybe not.

Also, tablets—maybe iPads in particular—have lousy cameras. Even the new iPad Air only got an upgrade to the front-facing camera, specifically to make it better for FaceTime chatting; the back is still just a lame 5-megapixel iSight camera. Apple says the low-light shots are better, but as my late grannie used to say, “you can’t shine a turd.”

Sure, it’s possible the iPad is the only device that person has. Maybe the squatter doesn’t own a smartphone or a standalone digital camera. And taking pics with the iPad means you can instantly manipulate photos using one of the many awesome editing apps available. But…but…but c’mon, you look like a total dork! And what if you drop it? Then you’re out a camera and a lot more.

Take a close look at these pictures of people caught looking foolish using the full-size iPad as if it were a Nikon. These were culled from many sites, including the Tumblrs dedicated to collecting these kinds of pics, notably Look Stupid Taking Photos with an iPad(Opens in a new window) and People Taking Pictures with iPads. They represent the worst of the worst, examples for you to aspire to run away from.

And do us a favor: if you see someone else snapping a photo with an iPad, capture the evidence on camera…just not using your tablet.

Famed Director Meets Famed Politician
Perhaps the most egregious use of an iPad-as-camera by a famous person: director Spike Lee taking shots of President Barack Obama.

[Official White House Photo by Pete Souza.]

The “Sexy” Mirror Selfie
About the only way this woman could have gone more wrong with this shot is if she made a kissy duck face.

[Image source(Opens in a new window)]

From the Wrong Side
Maybe you’d be better off using the front-facing camera, so you can properly frame that selfie? No? Okay. Keep going.

[Image source(Opens in a new window)]

iPad on the Rocks
This guy is a slip and fall away from calling AppleCare and getting laughed at. Why not just take your iPad to the bowling alley and use it to knock down pins?

[Image via Jamie Love(Opens in a new window)]

Picturing the Big Hole
Welcome to the most majestic view in all of North America, the Grand Canyon. Viewed through your non-Retina display iPad, that must look great.

[Image source(Opens in a new window)]

Desert Cows of Africa
Seriously? You’re taking pictures of road kill and decided the best device to use is a giant iPad? Did you store it inside the pocket of your sport coat after that?

[Image source(Opens in a new window)]

Going to Great Selfie Lengths
I like to think this one is a parody of all those people taking iPads to the mirror to get a shot. This guy and his 27-inch iMac certainly get the same crazy-to-the-hilt effect.

[Image source(Opens in a new window)]

Crazy Eyes the Troll
And in case you wondered just how bad the iPad mirror selfies can get, here’s an insane kid with a mohawk. I’ll let you guess what he’s implying with his other hand.

[Image source Greeting Loved Ones(Opens in a new window)]]