Annoyance Over Picture Requests

[egk4260]

I suspect it was far more likely an issue of not thinking than in thinking: “here is a chance of free portraiture by someone who knows what they are doing”. Probably just wanted a picture of the same scene that intrigued you and you were conveniently close. It has become so common to see people trying to get a shot and requesting help from someone nearby or of others seeing the process and volunteering to take the picture at any of these popular spots. Hope you were still able to get your shot as those perfect sunset moments can be fleeting.

 

[Mike B USA]

Take yet another cityscape photo that no other human will voluntarily look at or pause for a minute and help a couple who asked politely? Hmmm...

And to be snippy about it? Tsk tsk. I can't imagine. Let me tell you an absolutely true story that happened less than two months ago.

I was enjoying a nice lunch under a tiki structure at a fun waterfront bar/restaurant. There were about a dozen people at the table next to us with matching shirts. They were obviously celebrating something. They all got up and move toward the water for a group photo when one of them approached our table to ask for some help taking their photo. I quickly volunteered and took a couple of nice pictures of them. I asked what they were celebrating. They told me they were all proctologists and their group had been recognized in some manner I didn't completely catch. They were super appreciative of my help and then, right out of the blue, one of them offered, "If you ever need any proctology services..."

As Bill Murray said in Caddyshack, "So I've got that going for me. Which is nice."

 

[jsphoto1]

Hmm, I would think that the tripod, with the 3-way geared head, in and of itself is a pretty strong indication. Not that I expect them to know about tripod heads, but it was clear that I wasn't using JUST a tripod. Couple that with the fact that my eyes were glued to the screen as I was pushing buttons on the back of my camera (a DSLR, of course) and I think that the vibe I was giving off had to be quite different from that of someone holding up a cell phone.

 

[FrancoD]

Hmm, I would think that the tripod, with the 3-way geared head, in and of itself is a pretty strong indication. Not that I expect them to know about tripod heads, but it was clear that I wasn't using JUST a tripod. Couple that with the fact that my eyes were glued to the screen as I was pushing buttons on the back of my camera (a DSLR, of course) and I think that the vibe I was giving off had to be quite different from that of someone holding up a cell phone.

The gear you use is no indication whatsoever if you are working or having fun.

I consistently see birders around me with 10-20k worth of gear that shoot just for their own pleasure, besides, I sold camera gear for a living.

Not that I would interupt someone busy taking photos, my point is that contrary to what you think, no, there was no indication you were working.

 

[cutterpup]

Hmm, I would think that the tripod, with the 3-way geared head, in and of itself is a pretty strong indication. Not that I expect them to know about tripod heads, but it was clear that I wasn't using JUST a tripod. Couple that with the fact that my eyes were glued to the screen as I was pushing buttons on the back of my camera (a DSLR, of course) and I think that the vibe I was giving off had to be quite different from that of someone holding up a cell phone.

Sounds like you are a photographic hero in your own mind. I am very used to seeing folks with cameras of all types, except large view cameras, when I am out and about watching sunsets, at a festival, birding. Sorry, but nobody gives a rats behind what kind of camera or tripod or tripod head you were using. And your "DSLR, of course," is totally poser BS. Your vibe was a guy taking pictures, period.

A polite but firm, "I'm sorry but I'm on a deadline right now" would have all you needed to say. Politely. It is none of their affair if your deadline was with the setting sun or the cover of your latest book. But man, the vibe you are giving off on this thread is not attractive.

 

[Frankie J]

Ah, the old, "could you divert your attention from your task and your gear to help a poor stranger" ploy.
I wish I lived in a world where I could shut off all of my defenses and fully trust everyone at face value, but this is planet Earth. They could do a selfie without relying on the contributions of time from strangers.
All of this, like life, is conditional. Are we in a dark place far from help? Are the people requesting that you take a picture too old to victimize you and run away? etc.
There are no brownie points, there is no karma, stay safe first.

 

[jsphoto1]

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree a bit, or a lot. Plus, whether or not I was truly working, I was clearly concentrating and serious about what I was doing, especially in that moment. If I was just walking with my camera around my neck, different story. But I don't think it matters if someone, like a bird photographer, is just doing it for pleasure. Most golfers (save for the extremely few who do it professionally) golf for pleasure as well. That doesn't mean that they would appreciate it if you asked them for a favor while they were addressing the ball. I think it's rude.

By the way, not that you could know this from my post, nor could they, but I don't live that close to Jersey City. It took me about an hour and a half to get there (taking into account the heavy traffic this area is prone to), plus tolls, plus parking fees. And it was cold, especially by the water! Dare I say I was a "man on a mission." I mean, I was very serious about getting sunsets shots of the skyline, and wasn't about to go through all of that just to take shots for other people, which I think is fair.



PS. And here is one of the results of my effort!

 

[jsphoto1]

I would say that is by definition impolite to interrupt someone who is clearly doing something. I consider myself very polite, and I know that I would never consider doing that. I would look for someone who clearly isn't preoccupied.

 

[jsphoto1]

Hmm, I have to wonder, then, why they asked me and not anyone else who was there. Also, it's not the first time this has happened -- I ALWAYS get far more requests when carrying around my DSLR than my phone. It's just that usually I'm walking with it and not actually shooting (a time-sensitive sunset, no less), so it's not as damaging. But it would be quite a coincidence if it has nothing to do with what gear I'm using.

 

[atom14]

I'm only posting this here because I found that DPreview has this general discussion forum -- the question is about as non-technical as it gets!

So I was out at Liberty State Park in Jersey City last night photographing the sunset over Lower Manhattan. I was totally in my "flow" state and not just looking around at the scene, but actually look at my camera's Live View screen, changing settings, zooming in and adjusting focus, etc. As my eyes are glued to the screen, all of the sudden I hear a voice off to the side asking "Excuse me. Can you take our picture with my phone?" I consider myself a nice guy who is usually very polite, but in this case I got somewhat snippy and replied "I'm kind of working here." Then I softened my stance a bit and said "give me a minute, please" and DID end up taking their picture. But, again, my initial response was kind of curt. As the kids say, AITA?

Also, do you find this typical (I'm still fairly new to this)? People basically seeing someone engaged in serious photography and thinking "Hey! Here's a chance for some free portraiture by someone who really knows what he/she is doing!"

How could you know or guess that? How would they be expected to know how "seriously" you were engaged in your activity. You have described your perception of a one-off situation - you haven't said it occurs to you often - that you found annoying at the time.

(of course, I'm not even a portrait photographer -- I do landscapes and cityscapes for fun and am trying to break into real estate photography professionally)? Just want to know if this is essentially part of the deal. Thanks.

"Part of the deal" would seem a reasonable expectation if you are in a touristy area with lots of people milling about. But I don't know that you can expect to divine, by posing the question here, if there is a [standard protocol] for dealing with it. Not everybody would necessarily be so as taken up in their task as you were, and could possibly spare the time to oblige a passer-by with little bother to themselves.

I found yours an entertaining story, and your response one that is neither right nor wrong.

atom14.

 

[Craig Gillette]

Let me start by saying I worked for the Big Mouse for a while. Cast members were encouraged to assist guests with pictures. Guests often know that a Cast member will take their picture. The Photopass cast will take your picture with your camera, if they aren't working a guest, no line, etc. Most guests can recognize the right time or right cast members to ask. Some people don't.

I've been in a variety of "touristy" places and been asked to take a picture. Just a "real camera" (or an approachable smile) is often enough to suggest to someone you might be able to help. Often, the person seemed a bit hesitant, maybe embarrassed, often not comfortable with English. And I've asked others to take my or our pictures. I usually look for someone with a "real camera" and hopefully a Sony. It helps if they aren't intimidated by the camera. And phone users often ask or can be asked, too. It's usually easy to be polite and help and most if asked are also polite and will help.

If busy at it, or working, most folks can see that. It can be a bit annoying but it's usually easy to pause them or just apologize and turn down the request politely.

 

[alcelc]

I might do one, or two, if I am not working on my shot...

Otherwise, no!

Shooting a Lotus Flower show a couple of months ago. A group of senior visitors nearby, could be a group tour arranged by some social services organization. An old lady approached asked me to take a picture of her (by her phone). No problem, as I was walking around looking for the right angle for my shot. Did it. Her friend came, did it too... Oop, a few senior people were in a queue... Sorry, I walked away.

 

[ajscullard]

It happens a fair bit and I used to comply, but it got very annoying. On one occasion, it was a distraction theft. I turned away from my gear to take the picture and their associate grabbed a camera and lens out of my bag and made off. Several thousand dollars worth.

So now I either politely (and with a smile) say "sorry, I'm busy working" or if I'm in a bad mood, I tell them I charge £300.00 an hour or part thereof and do they want to sign a contract? Once bitten, twice shy

 

[Ozzie SD]

Most likely they are looking for some help. They see someone with a camera and think that that is the person who can best help them. (That guy probably knows how to take a picture.) So it is not really strange they ask you for help. Whether or not you want to help them is up to you.

I think it is a general thing. If you are looking for help you go to the person who you think can help you in the best manner. If your wallet is stolen and you see a cop, you will walk to him/her instead of a random person. If you want your picture taken and see someone with a camera, you probably walk to him/her first because he/she probably can help you.

 

[gary0319]

Dedicated camera use, and the industry, is in decline….we can all help, when we get the chance.

 

[1cb]

Sometime (or so I have heard...) people ask you to take their photo with their phone so that they can be in the photo without the arm stretched out.

just a possibility.

this 100%

just relax and go with it. People are way to tense these days.

 

[jsphoto1]

Thank you, alcelc. It's nice to see that there are SOME rational people around here. Others seem to almost feel as if there is something wrong with taking this seriously!

 

[jsphoto1]

Understood, but I still think it's kind of rude. It's like they're prioritizing their desire for a picture over my desire for the best possible shot. And, to be fair, I'm doing the opposite. But I would never intentionally interrupt someone in the middle of something to ask for a favor -- at the very least I would wait for him/her to look up. That's true whether's it's a photographer clearly practicing his/her craft, a golfer addressing the ball, or people playing chess in the park clearly staring at the board, etc. That's all I'm saying!

 

[Doug J]

Thank you, alcelc. It's nice to see that there are SOME rational people around here. Others seem to almost feel as if there is something wrong with taking this seriously!

I noticed he didn't have a problem with 2 people requesting his help, but walked away when a que started. This is a bit different than your scenario.

You seem to believe only people that agree with your rant are rational and take photography seriously. I expect there are many who disagree with this, serious photographers with different perspectives.

Why did you start this thread, asking questions and for opinions, it seems you're truly not looking for opinions, and have already made up your mind?


Cheers,
Doug

 

[jsphoto1]

Huh? He specifically said "if I am not working on my shot."

I was clearly working on my shot.