roger_michel Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 hans -- was the fellow carrying this bag or this camera by any chance??<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jean_. Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Hans, actually, no one asked yet about my equipment. When I quit my "low profile" way of working, e.g. by using tripod, many times people get curious and try to figure out what I'm photographing, turn their heads, or even stop. When two folks are standing watching, mostly another 2-3 join. I admit that I don not really like this, and start to feel silly with a groing desire to leave the scene.. but of course that's just me, these folks are just curious and having a good time at my expense ;-) Strangely enough, almost never someone actually starts a conversaton. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hans_beckert Posted February 17, 2004 Author Share Posted February 17, 2004 Jared: It just becomes very annoying if people are constantly stopping you, pointing at you and making comments, as if I were a leper. <p> '<i>I am not an animal! I am a human being! I...am...a man!'</i> The Elephant Man...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Allen Herbert Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Psss, lets have a feel of your lense,<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bob_lazzarini Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Hans,<p> If they weren't curious, except for the beggar, they would give a rat's a** about what you were doing, to whom, and with a weapon of mass destruction no less!<br> As was stated by others, I've had quite a number of excellent conversations with folks who were curious as to what I was doing when photographing with my Leicas.<br> I also had the opportunity to take some pics of some very interesting folk, NQA.<p> Brian,very funny! LOL<br> <i>The "Langley Bunch" talk non-stop about the car and the attackers die of boredom.</i><br> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_mark Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Hans, I found your post surprising, coming from a man whose photographic heros are, among others, Salgado, Eugene Smith, and David Douglas Duncan. The work of all three men is marked by a strong sense of sympathy and compassion. It's all right for us cranky landscape shooters to shoo away the curious, but if your ambition is to make great pictures in the photojournalist style, you may find that you need to open your heart a little and engage with the people around you. To address your question: my experience has been that when working with a camera on a tripod (the view camera in particular) strangers will always approach and ask questions. I have never minded, and, in fact, am happy to answer questions or let them look at the ground glass if they wish. Americans are curious and informal people. You will always be approached, unless you acquire a fierce attack dog, or something of that nature. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_r._fulton_jr. Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Hans---I've had that happen to me. It's no big deal. Go with the flow.<P>However, if it is driving you crazy (which apparently it is) go with Ray's suggestion. Tell the people you're working on ART. People usually have no idea what that actually means, plus they have no idea what to ask in the way of a question. They should just nod like they <I> do</> know what you're talking about and walk away. With luck they might actually be sorry they even asked. They will not have a clue as to what you're doing. <P> BTW, <I>what</I> are you shooting? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
grant_. Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 whats more annoying is you whining about it all..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
crackers_. Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 If you walk away, won't they think you're just a grumpy old bastard? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jay_. Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 <<Jay: That lens absolutely glows.>> That's the radioactive rare earth in the glass. In a few years you'll glow too. <<It is a delight to use, I assure you.>> I've used one. It's a f'ing bazooka. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gib Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 best thing you can do, Hans, is stay home and second best, dont post on this annoying forum where everyone doesnt seem to agree with you or your attitude - just a thought Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
doug herr Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Italics off </I> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger_michel Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 hans -- you rejected the idea that leica may be curious "about that german guy who bought the 560." i snapped this photo during a lunchbrak at solms. is this your beggar?? DBM -- very illuminating biographical information. the idea of hans replicatng salgado's approach but with a 560 says all we need to know i think. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger_michel Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 woops -- here's the pic:<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absinthe Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 </i> hmmm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
absinthe Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 mucho better Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
icuneko Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Roger, Are you sure that guy on the bench isn't the Hermes-Leica design coordinator? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hans_beckert Posted February 17, 2004 Author Share Posted February 17, 2004 David Mark , feb 17, 2004; 01:52 p.m. <i>Hans, I found your post surprising, coming from a man whose photographic heros are, among others, Salgado, Eugene Smith, and David Douglas Duncan. The work of all three men is marked by a strong sense of sympathy and compassion. It's all right for us cranky landscape shooters to shoo away the curious, but if your ambition is to make great pictures in the photojournalist style, you may find that you need to open your heart a little and engage with the people around you. To address your question: my experience has been that when working with a camera on a tripod (the view camera in particular) strangers will always approach and ask questions. I have never minded, and, in fact, am happy to answer questions or let them look at the ground glass if they wish. Americans are curious and informal people. You will always be approached, unless you acquire a fierce attack dog, or something of that nature. David</i> <p> <b> But every five minutes? </b> Enough is enough already! When, for instance, I go to zoos when there are crowds, it becomes annoying in the extreme. I cannot go about my business whithout a constant stream of gawkers, finger-pointers, and crowds of the curious.<p> Of course, when I am out photographing people, I seldom use this lens, and seldom do people comment. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
douglas k. Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Is this a relatively big problem in your life? If so, I envy you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger_michel Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 hans -- do you photograph in the nude?? i know that is very popular in germany and parts of austria. alternately, is it possible that children taped a small sign on your back?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roger_michel Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 stop the presses!! i just obtained this portrait of hans from his high school yearbook. i assume this answers the question. HANS -- PEOPLE FLOCK TO YOU BECAUSE YOU ARE DROP DEAD GORGEOUS!!!<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_.1 Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Hans baby, take it easy! Don't feel the need to immediately answer questions- just go about your business and the moments you have time to respond throw a few brief bits out. Most people will get the hint. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_.1 Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Oh wait you're the dude with the Rhino pic...never mind then tee hee! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bernhard Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Talking equipment - annoying? Listen to this: I once walked up to the counter in my (then) local (pro) lab, put my gear on the counter to drop of some film, when the girl (!) behind the counter asked "Is this a Leica ???" But as usually I blew it, stuttered and hence didn't get laid. Probably because the camera was just a Zorki, not a real Leica, which I'm sure would have done the trick. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
david_mark Posted February 17, 2004 Share Posted February 17, 2004 Hans, You are getting teased mercilessly here, and you have been an incredibly good sport about it. I don't think the problem you are having has a ready solution: big lenses will always draw the curious. One of the major attractions of the M cameras and lenses is that they are much less conspicuous than SLR cameras and lenses. Of course if you need a 560 mm . . . . By the way, in another post you ask whether Palle Christensen records for ECM. I think you may have merged two musicians into one: Palle Danielsson and Jon Christensen record for ECM. I can readily imagine you listening to austere nordic jazz while laboring in the darkroom. David Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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