what kind fo camera is that?

[todd_tiffan]

It never fails when I'm using the 4x5 in a public place (which I try to avoid), someone comes up and asks, "What kind of a camera is that?"

Then if I don't want be rude, I have to give them a lenghty explanation, which sometimes has turned into a mini-workshop. So to quell the curious, I was thinking of printing up leaflets I could carry with me and hand out when I get questioned. They would explain a view camera and compare/contrast it with 35mm medium format. I'd even include a bibliography in case they wanted more info.

 

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Has anyone ever done this? How do y'all handle the questions?

 

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Just wondering.

 

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T

[alan_gibson1]

I spend a couple of minutes explaining. If I don't have any more

time, I say something like "excuse me, I have to get back to work

before the light changes."

 

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I'm never rude, because a curious onlooker sometimes turns into a

client.

 

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The most fun was in India, where I had to allow a good ten minutes

after taking the camera out of the rucksack for the crowd to disperse.

[ellis_vener_photography]

If I haven't closed the shutter yet I invite them to look through the view finder. If i have time I'll show the how the picture changes bya simple rise and fall or

tilt movement. If I have made Polaroids, I show those. And I hand out a business card if it seems appropriate. I actually got 4 years of annual report work once

from a company by doing just that!

[tony_brent]

That's one of the most fun parts of using the big boxes for me. People

love to put their heads under the cloth when I have the 8x10 set up. I

have made a few clients that way also; make sure you have some

business cards handy. If I have time and have the Polaroid back with

me it is no trouble to make one for them, especially if they have a

couple of kids with them. It also tends to get you invited back to

that spot in the future.

[chad_jarvis1]

I normally just fire a couple of warning shots into the air. This

usually will cause the crowd to disperse rather quickly.

[doug_paramore2]

Todd: I agree with the others that part of the fun of using large

format is the looks and questions you get from others. I also think

you have a good idea for a handout/bio. Why not a photograph of you

with the camera and contact info on the front side and a bit about

large format photography and cameras on the back plus a short

artist's statement about what you are trying to do with your

photography?

Also, the curious onlookers are a good source of locations to shoot

if the people are local residents.

I usually let them take a look under the darkcloth and can chat with

them while I set up the shot. Just explain you need to work before

the light and conditions change and you have to get busy.

Doug

[sean_yates]

I usually shrug my shoulders, hold my hands palms upwards and say

something like "Oh it's not mine, I just came along and found it

sitting here."

[triblett_lungre_thurd]

I usually fold the legs up on my bogen and commence tah swangin it

like a drunk with a pool cue....but that's my large format "style"

don't you go a-stealin' it frum me.

[dimitri]

Having read all the answers I think I can now formulate my response to any poor soul that dares ask any questions.

I thing that having a shotgun tied to the legs of the tripod and set on auto fire while I swing it like a madman and at the same time pinning bussiness cards and info leaflets on the piled bodies will do the job. It will land me also a number of clients (and I will not worry that they might run away). Of course all the time I have to keep a sharp watch for any light changes that might distract me from educating the locals.

[jim_galli4]

....or you could move to Central Nevada and become completely transparent. Invisible. J

[james___]

I don't know why it is so upsetting to answer the publics questions about the old time cameras we use. I shoot down on the boardwalk at the beach and I love the young girls who come up and ask me about my gear....er....camera. The people who ask the questions are usually polite and appreciative of the answers. And I don't mind shooting some film of the young gals. The only real annoyance is when the local derelicts come up and start jabbering. I just humor them and then ignor them.