How do you handle it when...

[John Di Leo]

<p>I don't think I am unique to say that when I am shooting for myself, being amateur, not pro, I get into a sort of zone. I know you've sensed that; you are in your own world and seeing with another set of eyes and the camera is an appendage of your body. When I am by myself and shooting that's one thing, but I find if I am with family or friends and I am "doing my thing, in my own world, focused," it never fails that someone--often someone WITH the ability to take a picture with their smartphone or P&S, will come up to me and tell me the picture I should shoot, "Oh, you know what would be a good picture? Go take a picture of such and such?" And 99/100 times it's NOT something I want to shoot. At all.<br /> Ok, maybe I am not the most diplomatic person, sometimes, but the answer I am currently using is, "you have a camera, you take it, yeah that sounds nice, go do it." Still, they will persist because I have a "big" camera "that takes good pictures" and I feel that I am maybe insulting them by not running around to take the picture they think would be "good." In short, I rarely do it.<br /> May not the the right place to post this, guide me if not, but how do you handle that without offending and not being distracted out of your picture taking mood?</p>

[john tonai]

<p>I kindly tell them, "Thanks, but I'm not interested in taking photos of that subject matter/place."</p>

[lex_jenkins]

<p>I say, "Cool, thanks! May I photograph you? Here, lemme borrow your camera/phone for a minute and I'll take your photo with your family/friends."</p>

<p>I'm never offended or distracted because even when I've planned to photograph something else, a passerby and chance encounter offers a new opportunity. Perhaps that's what life intended for me to begin with, rather than the cloud, tree, landscape, building, mushroom, or whatever else I thought I was supposed to photograph that day. Life is what happens while we're busy with our plans and itineraries.</p>

[John Di Leo]

<p>not talking about those chance encounters, and I agree w what you say, Lex, but maybe not making myself clear. I actually listen to what they suggest, but most often it is as John says above. Thing is I often can't get away with that blunt of an answer. Agree fully that life happens when you're expecting something else to happen and I'll shoot that, roll with it. <br>

So, I guess I am looking for the middle ground between accepting vicissitude with a smile and just saying no thanks. I had some tell me to get out another camera to shoot their idea. I do a lot of motorcycle travel and carrying equipment involves specialized packing that is sometimes somewhat time consuming to access and repack.<br>

Maybe there is no answer and that's the answer in itself.</p>

[jose_angel]

<p>I now take that photos, or try to chat with them. It is somewhat embarrassing, but now with the digital cameras I don`t care so much.<br>

Time ago, I was in a small village, with my 4x5" and a huge tripod, in front of an old building, and suddenly a couple appeared on a Harley Davidson. The driver asked me to take a photo of them, he must though he was the coolest in world with his bike and the girl... I told them "Why? I don`t want spend a sheet, I don`t meet you and it`s very likely that you will never see this photo". They got really offended and gone, making me feel the stingiest and disagreeable person there.<br>

But now I`m decided to follow Lex procedure... certainly way more constructive :)</p>

[raczoliver]

<p>I used to just take the picture, but recently I started politely saying things like "I don't find that too inspiring", or "yeah, it's nice, but the lighting seems a little bland now, so I'll skip it" or something like that. When I am with someone else who is into photography as well, I may also bring to their attention something I find nice or interesting, but because I get the feeling you describe quite often myself, I don't get offended at all if the other photographer is not inspired by my idea, or finds the lighting bland (even though it's obviously awesome). I also sometimes pay attention to what the other photographers are doing, and very often I don't see a picture at all wherever their camera is pointing. At other times they manage to give me some great ideas, but then I feel a little like a copy-cat.</p>

[yann1]

<p>Now I'm happy I'm not the only one...</p>

[mike_halliwell]

<blockquote>

<p> being amateur, not pro,</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>In my line of work that doesn't make a difference!</p>

<p>If I'm out on a cross-country course, maybe stationed by a specific jump, people will invariable come and stand behind or next to you because you obviously have a bigger camera and therefore must know the best position to shoot from.</p>

<p>The first thing they notice is their camera misses most jumpers because of the shutter lag. There then follows a discussion about why their cameras is/are getting smaller and smaller and mine isn't. Then there's the 'I've only taken 20 pictures and my iThingy doesn't have enough power to even check the weather forecast'...and I've taken 1500 on an EnEl4 already. </p>

<p>Most of them see me as a free 'Tech Teacher'...how do I get it to do this or that. Some of them try overly arty stuff and ask me if it's good or not....and that's where trouble starts.</p>

<p>It might look good to them, but no-one would buy it.</p>

<p>They ask 'Why Not? Have I tried?'. Well no I haven't.</p>

<p>They reply 'But they might like it if you did'...'Be something different wouldn't it?'</p>

<p>Yes it would, but I'm fairly certain they wouldn't like their horse taken on the diagonal, with only three legs showing and it's tail chopped off and looking into the Sun, with arty lens flare.</p>

<p>I <em><strong>could</strong></em> try it, but not at the same time as my 'stock' shot.</p>

<p>However, I will always listen to their ideas and discuss stuff and offer help when I can, but not at the expense of my job!</p>

 

[Two23]

<p>It rarely happens to me because my favorite time to photo is in winter and in the middle of the night. Virtually no one lingers out in the cold after dark. In more populated places I'm just as apt to be shooting my 4x5, with my head stuck under the dark cloth. That offers me some protection as well. It's pretty unusual for anyone to interupt me anyway, but when they do I generally change the conversation and try to recruit them to my camera club.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

[Wouter Willemse]

<p>I fit the description, and yes, it happens. I usually just thank them, smile, and carry on. A few times, it happened that they actually made a really good suggestion. Once it resulted in a nice photo, and the other time I looked at my F3 with ISO200 film and saw the shot would need something like ISO800, so I thanked them all the same and told hem I brought the wrong gear. I really had to show the lack of a display to make them understand what I was on about, which made a nice bit of conversation.<br>

But most of the times it is tourists, and since I do not look like a local they think I'm one too, and hence that they help me get better holiday photos. If I see they're carrying some serious camera too, I usually explain that I live in the place, know it well and share some tips. Doesn't happen often, but it seems to go appreciated.</p>

[robert_bowring]

<p>People usually stop me and ask why I am still using film. When I start to explain why I like film and like working in a dark room instead of sitting at a computer their eyes begin to glaze over and they wander away. I guess that is one more advantage of using film.</p>

[Andrew Garrard]

<p>Clearly I don't look interruptable (or competent), because this never happens to me - though I've been known to offer to take photos of people if they're doing a tourist selfie. I clearly should try to be more serious.<br />

<br />

I suspect, when shooting digital, I'd respond "that sounds good, just let me finish what I'm doing here", which would likely take longer than they'd want to hang around and see if I actually followed through. If it's not actually interrupting me, I'd probably just take the snap they suggest, since it would take less time than arguing (unless it's "why don't you climb that cliff for a better shot?")<br />

<br />

On film, where it actually costs something significant, I'd just use the DoF preview button if I wanted to make someone go away. Most people can't tell whether there was a shot taken. On a 5x4, I'd probably just do the exposure with the dark slide in place.<br />

<br />

If I really needed someone to go away, I'd probably just explain that I was there for a specific style of shot, or on a specific project - possibly even implying that I'm doing so for a client, even though I'm amateur - and leave it at that.<br />

<br />

Actually, I tell a lie. One time this did happen: I was carrying a 500 f/4 and a tripod around the edge of a lake, planning to shoot wildlife and the (seasonal) bluebells. I had to walk past a playground, and a - I'd guess - ten-year-old asked if I'd take his photo on a skateboard. I had to explain that I really couldn't, because as a forty-year-old bloke on his own, I'd look like the world's least subtle paedophile if I did so (welcome to the UK's paranoia about this kind of thing). I may have scarred the child for life (I don't have children for a reason), but at least I didn't get another request.</p>

[rick_m.]

<blockquote>

<p>Lex Said: I say, "Cool, thanks! May I photograph you? Here, lemme borrow your camera/phone for a minute and I'll take your photo with your family/friends."<br>

I'm never offended or distracted because even when I've planned to photograph something else, a passerby and chance encounter offers a new opportunity. Perhaps that's what life intended for me to begin with, rather than the cloud, tree, landscape, building, mushroom, or whatever else I thought I was supposed to photograph that day. Life is what happens while we're busy with our plans and itineraries.</p>

 

</blockquote>

<p>I love this answer. And this attitude. +1 for Lex</p>

[MichaelChang]

<p>Among strangers, I sometimes wear a laminated ID badge dangling from my neck and people think I'm press, other times I pretend to be an Asian tourist with a Nikon camera who speaks no English. </p>

<p>Among friends, my stock answer is, with a heavy accent: "Nikon tai goo pitcher!". </p>

[John Di Leo]

<p>It is very interesting to hear all these responses and there is sort of a similar thread running through them, ie, the Lex response. (BTW, I would have posted this to the Philosophy of Photography forum, but that is a really tough crowd.) I mentioned that I am amateur, not pro, because I think that makes a big difference because a pro can say "I am on a job, sorry," or if it's the one who hired you, you would likely take the picture. <br>

I have no problem with strangers in this situation and likely incorporate them into a shot of my choosing and that does two things: It gives me a story to tell and it defuses their insistence on the photo they wanted. I write and post motorcycle travel blogs of my long distance solo trips (http://advrider.com/forums/showthread.php?t=990626). So, to all who say that the "interested" stranger leads to something possibly interesting, I fully agree.<br>

But again, the operative words here are "family" members and "friends," a more delicate situation. <br>

I've found if I demur I get the feeling that they feel insulted. On a recent ride to North Carolina, our group of 5 riders are stopped on an backroad somewhere. There's a house with an American flag. I am shooting "stuff" with my Sony RX100 II that I carry in my pocket for these impromptu stops. Another rider tells me to take a picture of my motorcycle saddle, a bland leather black seat, with the American flag in the background, because "that would be really cool." I consider it for a moment and reject the idea. I say that my little Sony with no viewfinder might have a hard time "capturing that" ok I'm lying, of course it could, but I choose not to. He tells me to get out my "big camera" (d700) to take it and I said "you take it with your smartphone." And I get the refrain that my camera takes much better pictures. I don't know if that went over so well. But I am talking about that kind of thing.<br>

Again, maybe there is no answer on how to say Hell No and Leave Me Alone in a kind gentle way, so you grin and bear it.<br>

Thanks for the responses. Interesting.</p>

[Two23]

<p><<People usually stop me and ask why I am still using film. When I start to explain why I like film and like working in a dark room instead of sitting at a computer their eyes begin to glaze over and they wander away. I guess that is one more advantage of using film.>></p>

<p>When I'm using my 4x5, the most common question I get is, "Can you still get film for that?" My droll reply is always, "No, but I keep using it anyway." There's often a long pause, after which I crack a smile.</p>

<p>Kent in SD</p>

[raczoliver]

<p>I may be insensible, but I don't think I'd have a problem telling them nicely that I don't feel like taking the DSLR out for that shot, because I don't find it interesing enough. I don't think anyone should be offended by this answer. If they really want that shot, maybe this will even inspire them to pick up a "big" camera themselves next time.</p>

[kohanmike]

<p>One time that stands out for me is when I was shooting posed shots of a quartet singing group in a side room from where they were performing. Some of their relatives and friends were standing around and as I was lining up the four, one of the friends kept interrupting, saying they should pose over here or over there. It got so annoying that I turned to her and abruptly said, "who's the photographer here, you or me?" It certainly shut her up, but I also realized that I need to be more courteous and never did it again.</p>

[John Di Leo]

<p>Hi, Oliver...this is a first...suggesting that I am sensitive. 8-)<br>

Often, what I want to say is "why don't you grab a warm glass of STFU," but I suspect that wouldn't go over very well. And, yes, Michael, that kind of thing. If it were a stranger I'd have no problem saying I don't want to do that, but from family, often close, and friends, it becomes harder. Again, I always listen to the suggestion, but rarely do I follow through on it, unless, as I said, I incorporate them into MY picture. Maybe my answer is what works best for me, telling them to go take the picture themselves, in a courteous way.</p>

[5711]

<p>when i got time for that, i go with lex<br /> funny thing, this actually got me some jobs..which is crazy.<br /> when i am in a hurry, or in a bad mood<br /> i usually manage to smile at them and nod.<br /> that's all.<br /> sometimes i tell them, yeah i got a big ass camera but it is the photographer who takes the photos by using a camera, not the other way round. i try to explain that equipment matters somewhat but id rather see a photo with a good idea that is not ultra sharp than a boring "perfect", standard image..<br /> i guess it is only natural that people who do not really care about photographs think, that bigger cameras do make better photos.<br /> people who own a big ass camera should know why and be able to explain it.<br /> if someone offers his or her ideas for free...well...say thank you and move on<br /> also i have to mention that kents awnser is a good one, i liked that :)</p>

[chip_chipowski]

<p>John, I think I know exactly where you are coming from. It is usually a friend or family member: "what about x" or "take a photo of y." I generally try to either make a placating comment ("oh, that looks nice") or maybe take a placating photo and move along. When that person is my wife, the comments sometimes take a "director's tone." I am usually comfortable telling my wife I want to take the photos I want to take. When it is a friend, I am more likely to tell that person they have a great eye and thanks for pointing out something interesting. </p>

[John Di Leo]

<p>yes, Chip, that's exactly it. It is a pet peeve of mine and I think it bothers me far more than it should. It bothers me during photography even more than my job.<br /> At work when someone tries to tell me, I listen and discuss and consider, but the photog thing just gets under my skin. So, the fault prob lies in my reaction rather than the stimulus.<br /> There was a famous jazz/R&B pianist here in New Orleans named James Booker. He died about 15 years ago. My wife and I saw him once at Snug Harbor, a small music club in Faubourg Marigny, an area just outside of the French Quarter. Great setting. Solo performance. A guy from the audience, a little, ok a little MORE drunk, got up and decided it was a good idea to sit next to James on the piano bench between songs. Without missing a beat, James looked slightly to his right, to the interloper and says words I will never forget and I often quote, "Ah plays alone." Drunk fan, crestfallen, moseys back to his table and James continues.<br /> Those three words say it all and it is how I feel when some one is telling me what to shoot, "I plays alone."</p>