people who act like "morons" when they see you have nice camera / tripod...

I dont know about you guys but I have had to deal with some folks who are total idiots when shooting with SLR & tripod.

this includes :

1) having a knucklehead think I was part of the paparazzi while doing seascapes and following me onto the sidewalk - when he was one of hundreds on the sand - I literally had to pull out the cell phone and say - "I am calling 911 if you don't back off"

2) having security at a shopping mall surround me for doing a architecture shot of the buildings while literally hundreds of people where taking photos with their cell phones.

3) having a guy approach me screaming "Mr photographer - Mr photographer - Mr photographer - take my picture"

any of you guys have stories about any screw heads or idiots doing weird things ????

TRIODEROB said:

I dont know about you guys but I have had to deal with some folks who are total idiots when shooting with SLR & tripod.

this includes :

1) having a knucklehead think I was part of the paparazzi while doing seascapes and following me onto the sidewalk - when he was one of hundreds on the sand - I literally had to pull out the cell phone and say - "I am calling 911 if you don't back off"

2) having security at a shopping mall surround me for doing a architecture shot of the buildings while literally hundreds of people where taking photos with their cell phones.

3) having a guy approach me screaming "Mr photographer - Mr photographer - Mr photographer - take my picture"

any of you guys have stories about any screw heads or idiots doing weird things ????

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They are your fellow human beings sharing most of the billion years of history with you. They are like your brothers and sisters. Learn to love them; at least, learn to tolerate them with a smile, will ya?

I was photographing an attractive lady at an outdoor shopping mall. Nice lighting and decent backdrops. In the middle of the session, up came a security guy. I was not sure what to expect since often photography in malls is prohibited. He Looked me and I looked at him. I just said, "She is very pretty, isn't she." He responded , "yes she is.". Then we talked a bit about photography and I let him bomb one of the pictures.



I was also photographing the Old Executive Office Building in Lafayette Park, when I guy came over and told me in no uncertain terms to take down the tripod. Since he was armed and a member of the Secret Service. I acquiesced.

--
Jim
http://www.pbase.com/jcassatt

I've been flashed by women while shooting in Hollywood more times than I can count, I try not to let it bother me too much.

I only had one true moron incident, taking nighttime shots (>30-sec Shutter speed) in Santa Fe - A guy who was a DJ wanted to know why I was taking his picture, reality check - he was so far away as to not be visible in the wide angle shot and he was moving so as to be completely blurred out.

Instead of asking me about what I was shooting and requesting that I don't use any shots in which he could be identifiable He rushed me with demands to know why I was shooting him!
He was a party DJ and MC and felt photos of him not published by him were an exploitation of his working/clubbing identity.
I politely told him that he was not visible and NOT the subject of interest, I was in Santa Fe after all who cares about some club flake on the streets with such a beautiful city to photograph?
When he started to become insistent that I review my pix for him and delete anything he didn't like I stood up and firmly said no, at 6'1" 275 I was double his scrawny weight and I guess that was enough for him to check his attitude. The EGO on that guy! jeez.
Had he pushed me beyond that (I have a long fuse) I would have taken him to school to learn some manners - old school.
Some folks feel there should be no limit to their douchebag behavior and they are absolutely right, as long as they fully accept that there should be no limit to the response.

Peacefully yours,

Frankie J

TRIODEROB said:

I dont know about you guys but I have had to deal with some folks who are total idiots when shooting with SLR & tripod.

this includes :

1) having a knucklehead think I was part of the paparazzi while doing seascapes and following me onto the sidewalk - when he was one of hundreds on the sand - I literally had to pull out the cell phone and say - "I am calling 911 if you don't back off"

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You get these types everywhere

TRIODEROB said:

2) having security at a shopping mall surround me for doing a architecture shot of the buildings while literally hundreds of people where taking photos with their cell phones.

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This one ....they may have just be doing their job.....lots of places have no tripod rules and lots of malls have no photo rules......harder to police with a phone.

TRIODEROB said:

3) having a guy approach me screaming "Mr photographer - Mr photographer - Mr photographer - take my picture"

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ANY time I shot a concert for a rock band .....and generally the more ROCK the band the more it happened, if there was alcohol being sold (and when wasn't there), at least one drunk (often several) would want their picture taken and get snarly if I didn't.

The old "I am out of film" still worked for a few years with digital.

On the way home from gigs was another frequent, take my picture opportunity......though sometimes Women would want me to photograph the autograph they just got (no matter where it was......and some would want me to forge the autograph too!).

TRIODEROB said:

any of you guys have stories about any screw heads or idiots doing weird things ????

Click to expand...

People NOT wanting their picture taken is MUCH more serious sometimes..... some ethnic groups find it REALLY offensive

TRIODEROB said:

any of you guys have stories about any screw heads or idiots doing weird things ????

Click to expand...

Not really, but I recall going to a small petting zoo in a park not long after getting my Canon 6D and Tamron 150-600, and hearing a staff member say to another: "Oh, the media is here".

I think most of you know this, when people wave and/or wants to be photographed.

One time, I was photographing a building with a tripod. Then someone came in direct front of my camera, put the phone out and did a call. He relaxed there. Behind and around me was enough place. I asked nicely if he want go a little to the side, then he looked angry and was reluctant. I don't understand this.

On the other way, in Germany many people and the law have problems with street photography. Which is why sometimes I get in trouble.

I suppose I'm lucky that I can't think of anything really negative that comes to mind. But I do have some funny pictures of random people that wanted their pictures taken. Later when I show my friends the pictures I've taken, they ask me "who is that?" and I say "I have no idea, but he wanted his picture taken." My friends shake their heads at me.

I could tell stories, seriously.

People who have nice cameras and tripods can act like rnorons too. You know what they say: The Universe is composed of protons, neutrons and rnorons.

(PS Cautious deliberate typo, seeing as mods have censored & banned me for using the 'm' word in the past! :-| )

Some woman at a fun-fair was theatrically alarmed that her kids wold be in my shot. She hoiked them out of my FoV and I thanked her kindly.

Generally, people say "that's a nice camera" although the Hasselblad 500 got a "cash in the attic!" - I'm still ruminating on the precise meaning of that one.

57LowRider said:

... the Hasselblad 500 got a "cash in the attic!" - I'm still ruminating on the precise meaning of that one.

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If you're in the UK this might be your answer

I can only recall being confronted once, by some girl on a beach in Jamaica. I was on holiday and took a snap of the beach - yes she was in the photo but so were loads of others! I'd taken a photo and then she came marching over. It was film so there was no image to delete but she wanted the film. I politely told her to XXXX off!

I've had a few instances where I was about to take a photo and someone waved to say 'no thanks' and I have respected their wishes.

But these are a few cases out of many years so probably as a statistic a fraction of a %.

People showing interest is another matter - I'm happy to chat a while to anyone interested in what I'm doing.

merops said:

57LowRider said:

... the Hasselblad 500 got a "cash in the attic!" - I'm still ruminating on the precise meaning of that one.

Click to expand...

If you're in the UK this might be your answer

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Aah, now I understand. Thanks. Although, it's actually quite a modern camera, about 1970.

I have been in all of these situations. A tripod always attracts attention. Some perceive you as a threat, and others see you as a guru who can give them some advice. Occasionally they perceive you as a hard-working amateur or professional, and they make it a point to stay out of your shot (even if they aren't anywhere near it).

When there is an obvious touristy reason for taking photographs, I am usually not the only one with a tripod and nobody cares. When there are fewer photographers you stick out more. I have been in a park on the waterfront that has some playground equipment and had a parent confront me because he thought I was going to turn around and photograph his kids (I was shooting in the opposite direction). I told him, "I have my own kids...why would I photograph yours?" That's another thing... when I'm photographing my kids on playground equipment, and other kids are nearby, I can tell the other parents are getting antsy because of my big camera (I don't usually use the tripod on the playground). Other parents are more likely to capture a photo of someone else's kid using a cell-phone. My 80-200mm f/2.8 lens isn't going to do that, and if your kid is in the background they will be blurred beyond recognition.

When I lived in Washington, DC I usually did not have problems around touristy sites, but in other locations security would treat you differently from photographers without tripods. Sometimes I would get harassed by security staff who singled me out because of the tripod, while they did not bother other nearby photographers (including some who carried DSLR cameras). The inside of Metro stations was one such place. Before 9/11/2001 you could take photos inside of Metro stations. After 9/11 they made it illegal, but it was rarely enforced. They would enforce it for tripod users but not casual snapshooters. I have also been places where I was told that no commercial photography was allowed. I said that I was not a commercial photographer, and they allowed me to keep shooting... but the tripod made me look commercial.

By far the most common incidents are other photographers who just want to talk shop. I don't have a problem with it unless they overstay their welcome while I am trying to concentrate on what I'm doing (or when I am pressed for time). I'm friendly, approachable, and happy to talk shop up to a point. I get it... when I pass by a photographer with a tripod I used to always look to see what gear they are shooting with. These days not so much... I'm more interested in the subject matter and technique... and if/how they are using specialty items like reflectors, diffusers, filters, etc.

The worst though? That's when I'm using a 9-stop neutral density filter to shoot very long exposure shots (sometimes minutes in length) and someone wanders in front of the camera to talk to me because they assume I'm in between shots :-x

Sean

I only object to those who act like maroons with no brians.

Doss said:

People who have nice cameras and tripods can act like rnorons too. You know what they say: The Universe is composed of protons, neutrons and rnorons.

(PS Cautious deliberate typo, seeing as mods have censored & banned me for using the 'm' word in the past! :-| )

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Very true and a know it all photographer acting important and not approachable catches people's attention. Be nice and friendly and there will rarely be a problem. Using a tripod during the day is asking for trouble in public places. Take idiots picture when needed and offer to delete images if someone is concerned their image could be used inappropriately. It's the right thing to do.

The thread heading has a false premise. Some of those people are NOT acting, they really are morans.

Here is me making that point clear :

...and you need space to shoot those sandy beaches. :-(

Are you a pro photographer?