Talking photography with strangers?

eddie1960 · 07-14-2011, 12:34 PM

Originally posted by TomK

Or "I have a Canikon, why don't you have a real camera like mine?"

didn't he say non photographers interrupting was annoying already

philbaum · 07-14-2011, 04:49 PM

I was taking a picture of a street lamp area in a park after dusk, and a guy comes up and asks what kind of camera i have. I say: "Ahhh... its just an old Pentax", as i'm standing there with my K5, DA-35 and nice tripod, thinking this might be a good place to get mugged

. He was jittery and nervous like he was coming down from some sort of high. He said something about cameras, then asked me for a cigarette, which was pointless as i don't smoke. Then a couple walks up and he gets a cigarette from them. meanwhile i'm packiing up my stuff and heading back to my car before the couple leaves.

There are times when you really don't want to be carrying a large investment in well known equipment

eddie1960 · 07-15-2011, 07:18 AM

Originally posted by philbaum

I was taking a picture of a street lamp area in a park after dusk, and a guy comes up and asks what kind of camera i have. I say: "Ahhh... its just an old Pentax", as i'm standing there with my K5, DA-35 and nice tripod, thinking this might be a good place to get mugged

. He was jittery and nervous like he was coming down from some sort of high. He said something about cameras, then asked me for a cigarette, which was pointless as i don't smoke. Then a couple walks up and he gets a cigarette from them. meanwhile i'm packiing up my stuff and heading back to my car before the couple leaves.

There are times when you really don't want to be carrying a large investment in well known equipment

Ha I can identify with that, i've walked through some pretty dodgy areas at 4 am with a bag full of gear, being approached by crack heads and hookers and drug dealers
that's why my normal bag is a converted messenger bag that looks pretty beat up - better to look like an old punk bike courier on the way home from a night out than a photographer

**luftfluss** · 07-15-2011, 11:24 AM

Among non-photogs...

Men: "Hey, nice camera! I bet it takes really good pictures." Me: "Yep, have a good one..."

Women (20's & teens): "Take my picture!" Me: "Sorry, I don't do portraits."

Women (30+): "Are you a pro? What kinds of pictures do you take? etc." (starts walking with me) Me: "Heh, I'm not a pro..." Pleasant and occasionally flirtatious conversation ensues.

Among photogs...

Photog: "How ya doing? See anything good? What kind of camera is that? Pentax? Oh. (I pull M 28 out of my pocket and hand it to him) Hey, that's a cool lens!" After this we check out each other's cameras & lenses and examine photos. It's usually brief and pleasant.

I've never encountered any overt Canikonsnobbery, even among the FF shooters. Everyone's been more interested in the photos and/or the opportunities for photos. Then again, I try to avoid people.

Lloydy · 07-15-2011, 04:20 PM

There are times when you really don't want to be carrying a large investment in well known equipment

Only once has some smackhead challenged me wanting to steal my camera.
i told him that It's insured, and I would smash the camera to bits, either over his f****** head or on the ground before he's going to run away with it.
I was by then swinging the K10 around on it's strap.

He sloped off, I took pictures and the police arrested him. Result.

kenafein · 07-15-2011, 07:24 PM

When I first got my k100d my wife and I headed for catalina. It so happened Canon was holding an event. Met a guy with a 5d mk2. He was very nice to a green shooter and said I should come along to the events. Canon set up several photo ops and I went to one of them. Couldn't spend our whole anniversary taking picks, but I've been lucky not to run into any brand snobs yet.

yeatzee · 07-15-2011, 07:39 PM

Originally posted by kenafein

When I first got my k100d my wife and I headed for catalina. It so happened Canon was holding an event. Met a guy with a 5d mk2. He was very nice to a green shooter and said I should come along to the events. Canon set up several photo ops and I went to one of them. Couldn't spend our whole anniversary taking picks, but I've been lucky not to run into any brand snobs yet.

Yeah Its no fun having some guy start going off about how much better his stuff is or how bad pentax is. I've had it happen multiple times before :ugh:

adr1an · 07-15-2011, 07:45 PM

Originally posted by yeatzee

I've had it happen multiple times before

I once offered some advice to someone about flashes that THEY asked me for in person at a pub - they later went home and changed their status update to "why would I bother listening to someone who shoots Pentax....."

yeatzee · 07-15-2011, 07:53 PM

Originally posted by adr1an

I once offered some advice to someone about flashes that THEY asked me for in person at a pub - they later went home and changed their status update to "why would I bother listening to someone who shoots Pentax....."

Wow what a d^&$..... unless that was sarcastic and joking around

**ChrisPlatt** · 07-16-2011, 03:11 PM

I work discretely, often with just a pocket camera, so I seldom get questions.
When I do I don't mind. It gives me a chance to spread the gospel of film.

I am far more annoyed when I run into a gang of photographers,
each with requisite big honking DSLR, long lens and photo vest.
I'd rather leave than compete. I can always come back later...

Chris

Lloydy · 07-16-2011, 05:39 PM

Originally posted by ChrisPlatt

I work discretely, often with just a pocket camera, so I seldom get questions.
When I do I don't mind. It gives me a chance to spread the gospel of film.

I am far more annoyed when I run into a gang of photographers,
each with requisite big honking DSLR, long lens and photo vest.
I'd rather leave than compete. I can always come back later...

Chris

my idea of hell................

**Michaelina2** · 07-16-2011, 06:34 PM

When folks ask if I'm with the newspaper. I just smile and move along.

Once someone approached me and attempted to start a conversation that I didn't wish to pursue. My response was a clumsy gesture and a mumbled "No speak English...' Worked great.

I've never had a real problem that I know about, however...

Cheers...

TomK · 07-16-2011, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by Michaelina2

"No speak English...' Worked great.

Hmmm - not in NYC or NJ

07-14-2011, 04:49 PM	#17
philbaum Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Port Townsend, Washington State, USA Posts: 3,659	There are times when you don't want to stand out I was taking a picture of a street lamp area in a park after dusk, and a guy comes up and asks what kind of camera i have. I say: "Ahhh... its just an old Pentax", as i'm standing there with my K5, DA-35 and nice tripod, thinking this might be a good place to get mugged . He was jittery and nervous like he was coming down from some sort of high. He said something about cameras, then asked me for a cigarette, which was pointless as i don't smoke. Then a couple walks up and he gets a cigarette from them. meanwhile i'm packiing up my stuff and heading back to my car before the couple leaves. There are times when you really don't want to be carrying a large investment in well known equipment Last edited by philbaum; 07-14-2011 at 05:09 PM.

07-16-2011, 06:34 PM	#27
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,302	When folks ask if I'm with the newspaper. I just smile and move along. Once someone approached me and attempted to start a conversation that I didn't wish to pursue. My response was a clumsy gesture and a mumbled "No speak English...' Worked great. I've never had a real problem that I know about, however... Cheers... Last edited by Michaelina2; 07-17-2011 at 05:00 AM.

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07-14-2011, 12:34 PM	#16
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	Originally posted by TomK Or "I have a Canikon, why don't you have a real camera like mine?" didn't he say non photographers interrupting was annoying already

07-15-2011, 07:18 AM	#18
eddie1960 Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Toronto Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 13,667	Originally posted by philbaum I was taking a picture of a street lamp area in a park after dusk, and a guy comes up and asks what kind of camera i have. I say: "Ahhh... its just an old Pentax", as i'm standing there with my K5, DA-35 and nice tripod, thinking this might be a good place to get mugged . He was jittery and nervous like he was coming down from some sort of high. He said something about cameras, then asked me for a cigarette, which was pointless as i don't smoke. Then a couple walks up and he gets a cigarette from them. meanwhile i'm packiing up my stuff and heading back to my car before the couple leaves. There are times when you really don't want to be carrying a large investment in well known equipment Ha I can identify with that, i've walked through some pretty dodgy areas at 4 am with a bag full of gear, being approached by crack heads and hookers and drug dealers that's why my normal bag is a converted messenger bag that looks pretty beat up - better to look like an old punk bike courier on the way home from a night out than a photographer

07-15-2011, 11:24 AM	#19
luftfluss Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: NJ Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,627	Among non-photogs... Men: "Hey, nice camera! I bet it takes really good pictures." Me: "Yep, have a good one..." Women (20's & teens): "Take my picture!" Me: "Sorry, I don't do portraits." Women (30+): "Are you a pro? What kinds of pictures do you take? etc." (starts walking with me) Me: "Heh, I'm not a pro..." Pleasant and occasionally flirtatious conversation ensues. Among photogs... Photog: "How ya doing? See anything good? What kind of camera is that? Pentax? Oh. (I pull M 28 out of my pocket and hand it to him) Hey, that's a cool lens!" After this we check out each other's cameras & lenses and examine photos. It's usually brief and pleasant. I've never encountered any overt Canikonsnobbery, even among the FF shooters. Everyone's been more interested in the photos and/or the opportunities for photos. Then again, I try to avoid people.

07-15-2011, 04:20 PM	#20
Lloydy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 1,114	There are times when you really don't want to be carrying a large investment in well known equipment Only once has some smackhead challenged me wanting to steal my camera. i told him that It's insured, and I would smash the camera to bits, either over his f****** head or on the ground before he's going to run away with it. I was by then swinging the K10 around on it's strap. He sloped off, I took pictures and the police arrested him. Result.

07-15-2011, 07:24 PM	#21
kenafein Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Southern California Photos: Albums Posts: 4,082	When I first got my k100d my wife and I headed for catalina. It so happened Canon was holding an event. Met a guy with a 5d mk2. He was very nice to a green shooter and said I should come along to the events. Canon set up several photo ops and I went to one of them. Couldn't spend our whole anniversary taking picks, but I've been lucky not to run into any brand snobs yet.

07-15-2011, 07:39 PM	#22
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675 Original Poster	Originally posted by kenafein When I first got my k100d my wife and I headed for catalina. It so happened Canon was holding an event. Met a guy with a 5d mk2. He was very nice to a green shooter and said I should come along to the events. Canon set up several photo ops and I went to one of them. Couldn't spend our whole anniversary taking picks, but I've been lucky not to run into any brand snobs yet. Yeah Its no fun having some guy start going off about how much better his stuff is or how bad pentax is. I've had it happen multiple times before :ugh:

07-15-2011, 07:45 PM	#23
adr1an Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Canberra Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 739	Originally posted by yeatzee I've had it happen multiple times before I once offered some advice to someone about flashes that THEY asked me for in person at a pub - they later went home and changed their status update to "why would I bother listening to someone who shoots Pentax....."

07-15-2011, 07:53 PM	#24
yeatzee Veteran Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Temecula Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,675 Original Poster	Originally posted by adr1an I once offered some advice to someone about flashes that THEY asked me for in person at a pub - they later went home and changed their status update to "why would I bother listening to someone who shoots Pentax....." Wow what a d^&$..... unless that was sarcastic and joking around

07-16-2011, 03:11 PM	#25
ChrisPlatt Site Supporter Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Rockaway Beach NYC Posts: 7,697	I work discretely, often with just a pocket camera, so I seldom get questions. When I do I don't mind. It gives me a chance to spread the gospel of film. I am far more annoyed when I run into a gang of photographers, each with requisite big honking DSLR, long lens and photo vest. I'd rather leave than compete. I can always come back later... Chris

07-16-2011, 05:39 PM	#26
Lloydy Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Shropshire, UK Posts: 1,114	Originally posted by ChrisPlatt I work discretely, often with just a pocket camera, so I seldom get questions. When I do I don't mind. It gives me a chance to spread the gospel of film. I am far more annoyed when I run into a gang of photographers, each with requisite big honking DSLR, long lens and photo vest. I'd rather leave than compete. I can always come back later... Chris my idea of hell................

07-16-2011, 08:45 PM	#28
TomK Inactive Account Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: NJ USA Posts: 281	Originally posted by Michaelina2 "No speak English...' Worked great. Hmmm - not in NYC or NJ