How are LF photographers treated where you live?

I would like to learn about how the people where you live treat LF

photographers. I may end up in your town someday (and you in mine),

LF gear in tow, and I�d like to know what kind of response an LF

visitor would be likely to receive if he or she were to start

photographing in public.<br>

<br>

I�d appreciate it if you would describe only the place where you live

(or have recently lived), because times and sentiments change and

because a short time in a particular place, such as on a vacation, is

likely to be quite different for different people.<br>

<br>

(And no, this is not a troll. I am interested in this.)<br>

<br>

Thank you!<br>

<br>

<br>

<b>My place</b><br>

<br>

I live in St. Petersburg, Florida � on the gulf coast, across the bay

from Tampa. I have used LF equipment mainly on or near the beach,

but I have used it closer to the downtown area. In general, people

will just pass by and may make some comment or ask a short question.

St. Pete is quite casual (as many beach towns are), and people here

are used to seeing tourists wandering around. Also, we see a lot of

weird stuff here (tourists, drivers, tourist drivers), which may be

why people don�t usually pay much attention when I�m out with the LF

camera.<br>

<br>

There are quite a few places where I don�t feel safe photographing.

Highway 19, the major north-south road through the county, is quite

busy. I wouldn�t feel safe using a darkcloth near 19, especially in

the areas near Central Avenue (I�d like to, though, because the place

is a very schlocky urban jungle). Also, the neighborhoods southeast

of the intersection of Highway 19 and Central Avenue can be very

dangerous.<br>

<br>

I think that places near the gulf or the bay offer the most space and

safety, in part because people understand that someone would want to

make a picture of a sunset or of sailboats.<br>

I live in Santa Barbara, California. There is a well known photo

school here and it's a smallish town, so the sight of kids with big

cameras is fairly common. There are lot's of places I've been

where I wouldn't dream of setting up my 4x5, but here in SB I've

never felt the least bit uncomfortable. I've only been met with

friendly and sometimes amused curiosity. This probably has as

much to do with subject matter as anything else.

When i set up my 8X10", if there are people in the area, they usually show either interest in passing or, in the case of "older men" I mean 65 and up, will usually stop and either ask questions or relate their own experience with "plate cameras". LF photography is not only interesting because of the images you create, but because of the experiences that occure while making pictures.

 

I have never had a "bad" experience, but then I try not to forget the golden rule, do unto others...that means getting permission before setting up to shoot on private property, wether private or commercial.

I try to be an ambassador for photographers. The general public hears about paparazzis in the news and their sometimes extremem antics to get the shot, but I trya to show them that nopt all photographers work that way. (imagine a paparazzi that used a LF camera...other than Weegee.

I live in Poland. When I'm taking pictures with my monorail Horseman LE on the street I always meet some friendly people, who are ineterested why I'm shooting in the way they seen only in movies about old times. Often I meet other photographers and we have a chat. I like to shoot with LF camera, because people treat me better than when I'm shooting with nikon, they show more respect and understanding.

Of course like everywhere, you have to know where it is better not to go with your precious equipment.

 

Lukasz

In the Boston, MA area, people are always either curious and or respectful. There are a few photo schools in the area and you will almost always strike up a conversation with someone. In Rhode Island, don't go into the Federal Hill area (west Providence) as beautiful as the area is!!! You might get shot by the FBI or (I hate to say this) or the the local Mafia crowd. Boston overall is ok during the day. Roxbury or Dorchester isn't a place I want to be either.

Here in the mid-Atlantic states, my 4X5 and I are generally treated kindly and with curiosity. The inevitable question: "Is that a Hasselblad?".

In London and generally in the UK the response in public places is mostly curiosity and interest. But people have always been good-natured and stayed out of the way. Fathers with young children can often be heard giving wide-eyed (or sometimes bored) offspring a dissertation on the use of 'old cameras'. As above, older gentlemen may sometimes comment about having used something similar in their past.

 

Occasionally in places where I have asked to take photos the appearance of a monster camera instead of the expected 35mm can cause alarm, and reassurance can sometimes be required thst I am not going

to knock the bottom out of their postcard market.

 

In France once I was shouted at in a way I thought might have been derisory but my French was not up to a definite translation so the benefit of the doubt is called for there. And as I was using a 1905 Sanderson something along the lines of 'get yourself a Sinar' might have been justified.

 

In Switzerland recently I was engrossed in focussing and on reappearing was met with a very polite row of walkers waiting along the path, all very concerned to stay out of shot.

South Dakota is good. The one time I was actually spotted by another living person he walked about a half mile to ask me if was having car trouble. Then we chatted a bit and he suggested a few other places I should go for some shots.

Here in the Midwest, how people treat you depends on the subject matter. In a city people are first curious about what it is you are photographing and then ask about the camera. The size of the camera seems to have a direct correlation on how serious people perceive your work. I have never been refused a request to enter someone's property or photograph on their land if I walk up to the door with a 4x5 or 8x10 on a tripod when I ask permission.

 

I did have a bit of a surprise when I was phtographing a natural gas pipeline that crossed the Missouri River on an interesting suspension type bridge. I was on a public right of way and after about an hour waiting for the right light a hwy patrol car stopped and I was questioned about my interest in the pipeline and asked for ID, professional credentials etc. Anticipating this kind of scrutiny with some subjects since 9/11 I carry a small portfolio of 4x5 contacts and portrait sales info to show I am not a terrorist scouting targets. The trooper was friendly but serious and said that a call had been made about someone 'snooping around' the pipeline.

I am also curious if anyone has had a similar experience?

 

Anyway, I have no problems as long as I show respect for property and those who own or maintain it and usually have an interesting and educational conversation with those indiviuals.

I live in Elkhart, Indiana, a small agricultural and industrial town on the Indiana-Michigan border. I've never had any difficulty photographing in this area and never been refused permission to photograph on private property. Adults ignore me, for the most part, while kids seem to have a passing curiosity about the big, old-fashioned camera. Most questions or comments are about what I'm photographing, not my equipment. I'll often let kids look at the ground glass, but that's the extent of my excitement. I'll occasionally come across a 35mm or medium format photographer; they tend to ignore me, too. A rather laid-back area, all in all.

<P>

The largest city in this area is South Bend, of University of Notre Dame fame. Never had a problem there, either, even in neighborhoods locally considered to be 'risky'. Of course, even a completely drug-addled dolt can take one look at my ancient B&J 4x5 and tell that it isn't worth anything... :)<P>

Mike

Last October I (4x5)was photographing some major power lines in Hammond Indiana with Sean Yates (8x10). We had three city police cars pull up to "investigate" after receiving calls about us. Earlier, in a park area, photographing "the natural scene" Sean attracted people like honey to a bear, all of them friendly and helpful.

While using my Crown Graphic in Yosemite, I was approached by a middle aged couple who wanted to know if I was Ansel Adams. My white beard may have been the only similarity. My wife said, "No, that's A** H*LE Adams.

 

Fill in the blanks (**) yourself.

<b>"How are LF photographers treated where you live?"</b><br> - Like royalty.<p>My path is strewn with rose petals on a red carpet whenever I walk out with my well-worn MPP Mk vii proudly brandished aloft to the thronging crowds.<br>"Ell eff! ....Ell eff!" They roar and chant, as I set up my knackered Gitzo with a screw missing, and disappear under my moth-eaten darkcloth.<p>When I finally insert a Toyo holder into the back, pull the slide and cock the shutter, there is a tense silence.<p>As the tiny echo of the shutter dies away, the crowd goes wild.<br>I take a small bow, and then prepare to fight my way through the hordes of autograph hunters.<p>But that's just a typical day in the life of an LF photographer, and you have to learn to take the adulation of the masses in your stride.

Pete,

 

Ain't it the truth.

 

BTW how did you get bold face type on your post?

 

-Steve (Not A. H. Adams)

I live in the Fort Lauderdale area, and shoot 4x5 handheld as well as on a tripod and some 35mm & 6x6 stuff. I find that generally you'll find a mix of responses, and quite often an occasional sneer from someone who doesn't want their picture taken, but overall at the different public functions I haven't had too many problem when shooting handheld. I find tho that all of the city properties such as the top of the library parking garage, and Port Everglades are of course are off limits now. In fact the Port was off limits before 9/11 and I got stopped in there once by the police asking what was up, and they chased me off. In general everyone down here is paranoid between 9/11 and the child kidnappings happening. Alot of the areas are putting up guard gates into their areas (if their not a gated area already) so alot of the streets where you can get intracoastal or canal views are off limits that way. I also seem to attract my fair share of people asking what I'm doing, and have been asked to leave probably 10% of the time. I've also been asked what I was going to do with the pictures, and if they were for print, in which case it was always stated that I couldn't. It usaually starst with; "can I ask you what your doing...." The gay population down here seems more uptight than most, and they have no reservation about stating their attitude against your photography of their property. I've have met a couple tho that were just really nice, and have had very nice conversations with them, but then we're talking about artist as well, so they understand the art. You can just about forget about shooting on private properties such as downtown buildings as you will be run off. Even shooting on streets will get some not so friendly looks. Overall the FL area is pretty much full of paranoid, egocentric, self obsessed people, and I would not hesitate to tell people to move someplace else. Of course you can go into the Everglades and shoot, if you can get into it, but then in the summer you get the mosquito's, and in the winter the foliage looks crappy. Nature is another thing, but how many guys are shooting nature with 4x5.

<b>Calgary Alberta, Canada</b>

<p>

As with most cities in Canada people are reserved and courteous. When taking photos in town I always allow an extra bit of time to explain for the 100th time what I'm doing and why I use such an "<i>old</i>" camera. I've never been accosted by property owners or by anyone else for that matter. Except maybe the odd down on their luck type looking for change.

</p><p>

In the country or mountains on the odd occassion that I do run into people they usually try very hard to keep out of the picture and give suggestions for other pictures further up the trail.

</p><p>

I have left equipment all over the place, van windows wide open etc and have never had a problem with anything walking off.

</p><p>

I was out taking pictures of an old abandoned brewery (a sad event!)and the security guard wandered up to me. He took a long look at my camera, gazed towards the direction of my interest, and his only comment was "nice clouds".

</p><p>

The long and the short of it is, you will feel safe here.

</p><p>

Eric

TONOPAH, NEVADA

 

Complete indifference. You will be invisible unless I happen to drive by and see you.

THAT'S IT! I'm growing a beard. A white one, of course.

 

While I shoot mostly hotels during the very dark hours

of AM, its the drunk executives that either want to

pose or impart their alcolic breath in my reflex viewer.

 

As I treat everyone with the greatest of kindness, it

never fails to be returned.

Where ever I photograph, I wish I could think of a one-sentence way to explain that while under the dark cloth passers by do not need to inconvenience themselves to stay out of the way. Everyone thinks that that is when we're exposing the film! It seems about half think my Technikardan is a cine camera. I do have a white beard but no one has ever mistaken me for AA; I'm too thin maybe. The tripod does occasionally alarm officious types like security guards etc. Some times I'll hear some one stage whisper to his wife or children that "that guy obviously doesn't know what he is doing because..." I take that to be a form of envy. All of this is part of the fun. The only problems are 1) I lose my concentration and make a mistake like forgetting to close the shutter and 2) not nearly enough young ladies want to chat.

 

All these observations seem to apply where ever I am. If I am in a place where people are nice (like Santa Barbara) then they're nice to me too. If not, then I don't think LF photographers are singled out. In "bad" neighborhoods I don't worry much either but I probably would not into a real den of inequity either without asking some one to watch my back. In Oakland, for example, if a black man wants to chat, invariably he knows a little, or a lot, about Gordon Parks for instance so we talk about him.

 

But one almost common behavior that I cannot understand is that some people driving by will repeatedly honk their horns. I never know if that is other LF types expressing solidarity or changelings expressing mindless ridicule.

I frequently photograph with my 4x5 at the Fruitlands Museum in

Harvard (the town, not the university), Massachusetts USA (www.fruitlands.org).

 

One gentleman approached me and asked "What publication are you

shooting for?". Another gentleman approached and asked me to

photograph his collection of Shaker furniture. A trio of delightful

English tourists (elderly women) politely waited for me to finish, then approached, curtsied, and asked if I wanted them to pose.

Another man, who I think had a bad case of "bellows fever", came running up and asked me a thousand questions, until his wife came out of the museum store, at which point he pretended not to have talked to me.

 

I've been thinking of writing an essay entitled "The Panache of the

Large Format Camera". Break out that view camera, swing your dark clothe rakishly over your shoulders, and watch as strangers attribute you with mysterious and marvellous photographic powers...

When I use my LF in public it's impossible to shoot because of all the questions by the public. I like the question <i>Can you take color pictures with that thing?</i> <p>LMAO!

hi:

 

i have lived either outside of providence rhode island or outside

of boston massachusetts. i use both 4x5 and 5x7 formats, and i

am usually in urban centers, rural parts and 19th century

industrial wastelands --- never had any problems. people pretty

much keep to themselves. there is the occasional interested

peron that ask you what you are up to or if you are "making a

movie" or something.

 

the only place i ever had a problem was in south boston ... but

that was more about my "ethnic extraction" not what i was doing

with a camera.

In the various parks and neighborhoods in Chicago, I've been pretty well ignored or just chatted up. I hear the Loop can be less pleasant, with police nudging you on for blocking traffic, or doing something commercial without a permit.

 

In rural Pennsylvania, people tend to presume I'm from some governmental office, surveying the land. I got an earful from an old farmer who was happy to let me know that it was good that someone was finally paying attention to the bend in the creek right there, because it flooded all the time. I explained I used to be from there, and was doing this for my walls back in Chicago, and he just happily chatted right along, with me now as a compatriot, rather than an employee from the DER (PA Dept. Evironmental Resources) who needed goading into action.

 

Worst I ever got was a sneering, "and that takes *such* better pictures than this." (holds up a generic P&S) To which the answer is, "yes, but only if you buy the complete package including the photographer."

Matthew-

I'm in NW Washington State, and since it's so beautiful up here,

there's a lot of snappin' goin' on. That said, though most folks

don't know what I'm using, they're interested and polite if I'm

polite. My favorite comment is when the swaggering young man

walks away with his sweetie, and to impress her, says, ' He

doesn't know it yet, but his lens is on upside-down'. Don't look

for problems, they won't search you out.

I mainly take LF pictures inside cathedrals in England as the gear's too heavy for much else (P2 kit & 058 tripod). Most people keep away apart from the one's who are photographers who sometimes ask things.

 

If the "general public" talk to you, they ask if you're on commission doing the next Pitkin guide for the building (a series of guidebooks with spot on pictures in them - mostly). If only I was that good. You can get some really daft questions that show they haven't a clue and then they get the compact out and the flash goes to take a picture 70 yards away - not a prayer and it'd be a miracle if they get anything on film. (OK, religious cliche's ending :-) )

 

I try to keep myself to myself in the places as they are initially there for worship and sometimes Vergers will offer to rope off an area so I can get a shot but I haven't felt I could do it yet.

 

I've had people looking across as though they're casing the place waiting for me to go under the darkcloth - one teenager made me distinctly edgy until he came up and said he was doing a photography course and was interested in how I was doing things.

 

Over here you generally pay a few pounds to use a camera and they expect you to have a compact, at most an slr. I get some suspicious looks when I turn up with the gear as you feel they are desparate to prove you're professional and charge you the appropriate rate - I've started carrying my business card to hopefully prove I'm not trying to dupe them (I'm a mechanical engineer so the technical camera side of LF interests me). I didn't have the problem when I used my Bronica.

 

I don't generally take town scenes due to being a bit paranoid about some of the inhabitants of the local areas (Yorkshire). It's probably me but I'd rather be safe than sorry...

 

LOL at Pete - just like it always is ;-)

 

The most infuriating thing I used to experience was on long exposures, I'd put a black card in front of the lens if someone walked into the shot. You could see people stood 50 yds away thinking you were a prat for doing it and finally sombody asked why. I'd have loved to have told them it was because I was waiting for some idiot to get out of the way as they were stood in front of the lens but didn't want to start an argument. It's a nightmare trying to get just 10 small minutes of clear aisle without some "person" wandering across. Pleeeeze God!!

 

Enough of the ramblings...

 

Andrew