OT..do other photographers talk to you?

[illy]

I've noticed quite a few comments were other photographers have been criticised for their choice of equipment when out and about taking pictures, does this happen often?

Personally i don't talk to other photographers that much nor they to me, but usually when we do it's very polite and just general discussions or an interest in something quite particular, but the conversations are never critical in any way.
--
http://illy.smugmug.com

 

[TheEye]

I've noticed quite a few comments were other photographers have been criticised for their choice of equipment when out and about taking pictures, does this happen often?

I sometimes get asked what camera I am using, often by other DSLR users. It's probably because I have blacked out the brand name on the camera, and they can't ID the Oly. Nobody has criticized me for using an Oly, but I have had guys with howitzer-sized gear storm past me huffing and puffing. I usually pass them a short while later when they are catching their breath.

Personally i don't talk to other photographers that much nor they to me, but usually when we do it's very polite and just general discussions or an interest in something quite particular, but the conversations are never critical in any way.

That reflects my experience.

--
http://illy.smugmug.com

 

[Mithandir]

I must look very frightening. I blame being tall and skinny, having long hair and wearing too much black

Heck, the other day I was wearing a T-shirt encouraging people to talk to me if they wanted their picture and still nobody talked to me. I am just too fearsome, I guess

In all seriousness, I think a lot has to do with culture. Here in Belgium the default attitude is indifference and apathy (or, if you prefer: a healthy respect for privacy )
--
Mithandir,
Eternal Amateur
http://www.shooting43.com/

Unless stated differently, any image I post is licensed under CC-by-nc

 

[HarbingerOfDoom]

Yes.

We talk about who is paying the bills on time and who is not for the work we produce.
Gear? Never.
--
Run for your lives.

 

[msusic]

Punch them in the face

--
Cheers,
Marin

 

[MitsosPap]

because when I'm out taking photos there is nobody around me. The mountain, the beach, the lake, the waterfall are not the most populated places.

But when I am with other photographers around the talk is very polite and basic.

I have read at an interview of a nature photographer, I don't remember who he was and where I have read it. He was asked what he likes most and least about photography. And his answer was "The other photographers"
--
--
Dimitris P.
http://photogrifos.zenfolio.com
http://photogrifos.deviantart.com
E-30
9-18, 14-54 mkI, 50-200 SWD, 50 f/2.0

 

[Bootstrap]

But rarely about gear.

Most of our discussions are polite and respectful. I suspect that many of the folks I talk to have never heard of DPReview.

Bill Turner

--

Please do not copy or edit my photos without my permission.

 

[Canis_Majoris]

Only usually if I'm using film gear, and then it's usually quite pleasant.

Usually it's people that spot an older film SLR/Rangefinder and remember owning something similar.

I don't usually get any digital folks talking to me though, whether I'm using my Olympus or my Canon DSLRs.

 

[vishu]

I am mostly asked the question," Does Olympus make DSLRs as well? " This is because in India, oly sells only P&S cameras, and only a few stores carry oly DSLRs. The next question is mostly about megapixels and in the end about digital zoom ( the latter mainly asked by P&S users ). The canon and Nikon users generally give a smirk or feel a bit sorry for me to be using an oly E 510. I take it as just plain old ignorance and let it slide....
--
Vishu Vyas

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

 

[Larry Lynch]

When Im shooting an Equine event, if other photographers are around they usually at least come by to say hello..

Out in the normal world of day to day wandering around to take photos I've only been approached when using the L-1 and then only by film photographers who thought I was shooting film...

Since this has happened more than once, I would guess it is the look and shape of the L-1 that catches the eye. Both times the "other guy" was very surprised that the camera was digital.

I guess it looks like a range finder... I tend to use it with the 14-42 or my Sigma 18-50 f2.8.
--
Sometimes I think.....

L.L. Mystic

 

[AccidntlTourist]

I have blacked out the brand name on the camera, and they can't ID the Oly.

Are you kidding?

I will give you the benefit of the doubt, but just in case you are serious - is it because you are ashamed to use Olympus?

I've noticed quite a few comments were other photographers have been criticised for their choice of equipment when out and about taking pictures, does this happen often?

I sometimes get asked what camera I am using, often by other DSLR users. It's probably because I have blacked out the brand name on the camera, and they can't ID the Oly. Nobody has criticized me for using an Oly, but I have had guys with howitzer-sized gear storm past me huffing and puffing. I usually pass them a short while later when they are catching their breath.

Personally i don't talk to other photographers that much nor they to me, but usually when we do it's very polite and just general discussions or an interest in something quite particular, but the conversations are never critical in any way.

That reflects my experience.

--
http://illy.smugmug.com

--
Will - AccidntlTourist
http://www.flickr.com/photos/accidntl/

(Please do not list equipment in your signature as this adversely affects searching. - dpreview)

 

[AccidntlTourist]

The canon and Nikon users generally give a smirk or feel a bit sorry for me to be > using an oly E 510. I take it as just plain old ignorance and let it slide....

I'm actually a pretty introverted / shy person, but because of my enthusiasm for photography I do actually approach other photographers and strike up conversations. Some of them seem caught off guard at first, but usually are friendly after the initial shock.

Now, I don't know about the "smirk", but I do often sense a little bit of arrogance from the CaniKons (I don't suppose I invented that word - maybe I saw it somewhere else). And, yes I do just ignore that arrogance (I've had too many of these CaniKons express genuine surprise when they've seen some of my shots - I'm a "come-from-behind" kind of competitor anyway - makes the victory all the sweeter).

I am mostly asked the question," Does Olympus make DSLRs as well? " This is because in India, oly sells only P&S cameras, and only a few stores carry oly DSLRs. The next question is mostly about megapixels and in the end about digital zoom ( the latter mainly asked by P&S users ). The canon and Nikon users generally give a smirk or feel a bit sorry for me to be using an oly E 510. I take it as just plain old ignorance and let it slide....
--
Vishu Vyas

Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

--
Will - AccidntlTourist
http://www.flickr.com/photos/accidntl/

(Please do not list equipment in your signature as this adversely affects searching. - dpreview)

 

[nick_webster]

I tend not to talk to other people particularly if I'm trying to get a shot of something, but if it has been a quiet spell and conversation does rear its ugly head then it has always been polite and certainly nothing derogatory about Oly.

Nick

 

[rssarma]

...when I'm carrying the E-P2 with the external EVF, almost without fail someone or the other thinks this is some sort of a "classic" camera and are pleasantly surprised when I point out its a digital PEN!

The only time I've been spoken to otherwise was when I was walking around once in the rain with my E-1 + 12-60mm lens; a guy standing under an awning shouted out asking why I wasn't worried about ruining my gear, I explained and we chatted for a few minutes.

Some images from that walk...











--
Raj Sarma
http://www.flickr.com/photos/rssarma
--
Follow me on Twitter: rssarma

Olympus enthusiasts from NYC Metro, join UKPSG:
http://snipurl.com/crc3n

 

[Rriley]

I have blacked out the brand name on the camera, and they can't ID the Oly.

Are you kidding?

I will give you the benefit of the doubt, but just in case you are serious - is it because you are ashamed to use Olympus?

i doubt its that

its an old street shooters trick popular with Leica users who probably rather not get beaten up and have their gear swiped. It is said to make the camera less visible,

--
Riley

any similarity to persons living or dead is coincidental and unintended

 

[Claus A]

--

... when the photograph annihilates itself as medium to be no longer a sign but the thing itself...

 

[seandbrown]

I have found that fellow photographers in the Canikon group are usually interested in the 4/3 gear in general. They usually don't know or understand the benefits of 4/3 in the first place. When I find people who are interested, I always offer to e-mail them shots from that day of shooting. It goes a long way in building respect for our niche of cameras and creates new friendships.

--
-Sean

 

[Timskis6]

I talk with other photogs quite often. It's often a negative experience, particularly in lighting-critical situations, where I'm pushing through the rest of them.

1) Leica photogs are the worst, particularly M8 users. Sorry guys, you just aren't open minded enough for me.

2) CaNikon users harp on my lense selection, or lack thereof. Usually they don't know the whole 4/3 story and lense lineup, which is understandable, because I don't know of every CaNikon lense either.

3) P&S users are the nicest, though they are baited quite easily. To them, nice pictures come from large cameras.

Ok, ok, this is being overly critical. I do have many nice chats with many nice photogs, but I rarely see a 4/3 shooter in the field. When I do, it's never an E1 or E3. Funnily enough, the majority of 4/3 shooters I see are using an E4xx or E3xx.







--
Tim
'I haven't been everywhere, but it's on my list.'
E3/7-14/12-60/35-100/150/50-200/25/EC14/EC20
http://www.flickr.com/photos/timskis6/

 

[pinnacle]

I've noticed quite a few comments were other photographers have been criticised for their choice of equipment when out and about taking pictures, does this happen often?

Personally i don't talk to other photographers that much nor they to me, but usually when we do it's very polite and just general discussions or an interest in something quite particular, but the conversations are never critical in any way.
--
http://illy.smugmug.com

I tend to use my E-3 with one of two lenses (or sometimes carrying both). I like to go to places like Saturday Market in Portland, Oregon and capture interesting images of people. The best lens for me to use for that is my 35-100. My problem arises out of its imposing size. I can't be anonymous. I regularly hear some guy say something like, "I gotta get me one of those someday!" Ninety nine percent of the men saying that have no idea what brand of camera I am using, let alone what the properties of the lens actually are. I get the occasional "That's a really nice lens you have there!" from women giving a cute little wink as they smile at me.

A lot of people don't seem to care as much about the quality of the gear they are using as much as having something that looks impressive. I am continually reminded of the prevailing nature of the way people think about how other people perceive them and not as much about what actually contributes ti their overall quality of their personal life experience.

Some of my more favorable experiences have been when I am buying or selling a piece of gear to another photographer at a Starbucks close by and we talk a little photog shop talk. Those conversations don't get into my gear is better than your gear or other silliness.

I think there is an ego component that can keep many of us from feeling comfortable talking to other photographers whom we otherwise don't know. We are afraid of getting into an uncomfortable conversation. Some people simply don't feel comfortable talking to strangers in public because of safety concerns.

I tend to talk with just about anyone about anything. I try to focus on common interests and find things that the other person may be able to teach me. If I happen to have something I can offer of value to the other person, that is fine as well.

Life is good.

Dan

--

Will I learn from life's lessons or will I lose my faith in the goodness life's promise had to offer?

 

[Cynops]

I remeber it from quite a while ago - excellent one !

As for your assertions... mostly agree !

Marc
--
http://mdezemery.zenfolio.com/