Do people look at you weird when you're taking pictures?

[lamina]

I decided it was a nice day to go for a walk and shoot the area around my neighborhood. I had my D50 on my tripod, and for convenience's sake, didn't take the camera off the tripod, just carried the tripod with the camera still mounted, legs extended.

People were looking at me like I was the resurrection of John Lennon. Have any of you ever experienced that?

I also notice when I have my D50 in public, people look at me with either interest, or disgust (not sure why disgust)...

[devilot]

Yes. People look at me funny in the rare chance that I'm actually shooting. You see, I tend to appreciate photos of texture. So I often wind up laying on the ground or sitting on the ground to get some shots. So yes, inevitably, folks passing by give me odd looks. :o

It's no biggie. I just wish I could ever take some decent shots. :p

[aaron.lee2006]

All the time. Most people in my area smile at me because I am one of the only kids in my area that actually make time and take an interest in something I really love. I don't get "disgust" looks. I get interested looks.

[Doctor Q]

We were talking tripod photos in the John Hancock Observatory in Chicago recently, and we had the opposite experience. It seems that if you are setting up or using a tripod, people think you must be a professional or at least an expert, and they watch you while staying out of the way of your shot.

With a little point-and-shoot, it's every man for himself and people walk right through the scene you are trying to shoot.

[Westside guy]

With a little point-and-shoot, it's every man for himself and people walk right through the scene you are trying to shoot.

Unfortunately, with my camera on a tripod people go out of their way NOT to walk into the photo - and I've wanted passerbys in it!

[ppc_michael]

People tend to ignore me, or just momentarily glance and not react when I'm taking pictures. Probably because my camera's not impressive. ;)

But when I shoot video, my crew tends to draw a small crowd of people, some even ask to be in whatever I'm doing.

Silly peoples. :)

[jeffzoom91]

I usually get that feeling that I am getting shot in the back with eyes by anyone who passes if I am out shooting, but alot of the time, I shoot with my dad around, who almost always has a nice bit of white glass attached. However, now that I have my SLR, it is instant respect magnet, tripod or not. The bigger the lens (or sometimes body) the more people attempt to stay out of the shot...but there will always be those r-tards.....

[seenew]

I don't notice anymore.
Who cares, really? You should look right back at them, and make them feel awkward, like they missed something.

[Aperture]

When I'm out shooting, I always get strange looks. One little girl walked by me and said "Mommy look at his big fancy camera!" & yes, it seems the longer the lens the more people I attract.

[IscariotJ]

A short while ago, my wife and I went to the zoo, probably the busiest place we've been to since getting our SLR's. One thing I noticed, those with P&S cameras tended to close up and not let us in, while those with SLR made room....

[terriyaki]

I just don't even bother to notice anymore. I mean from time to time I do notice that I get a few curious stares when I have my camera slung around on my shoulder or hanging off of my neck.. but as I've become more comfortable with shooting in public I've realized that the less you notice the people who notice you, the sooner they lose interest in you. If that makes any sense.

[bartelby]

I sometimes get odd looks, but that's because I sometimes take the same shot with:
A Canon A1
A really, really cheap digital P&S
A decent Digital P&S
A Holga
and a Fisheye.:o

[Lovesong]

It's interesting- perhaps the first time I've felt that way was a couple of weeks ago. I was downtown where there was a marathon my GF and her friend were running. I was standing a little ways from the starting line with my 5D, a 70-200 f/2.8 with hood (huge white thing for those that don't know). There was a group of people that came by, also trying to take pictures, but when they saw what I was holding, one of them appologized, and told all her friends to watch out, " 'cause this guy is taking pictures." It made me feel a bit weird- I mean all I was doing was the same thing that they were- taking pictures of my friends.

[siurpeeman]

i get odd/mean looks from my friends, as they are not what you would call "picture people." it's sad, really, because i hardly have any pictures of my friends. :(

[Kamera RAWr]

People have definitely given me strange looks. In fact, its even gotten me a little "gun shy" with my camera, haha. Any suggestions for a remedy? Any potions? :p.

[shieldyoureyes]

You should look right back at them, and make them feel awkward, like they missed something.

Lol! I'll have to try that. I get weird looks all the time...I don't pay any attention to it now, because I am doing what I love and I can care less of what they are thinking.

[Plymouthbreezer]

Yeah, it happens. Like Aperture said, the longer the lens, the more looks you get, or so it seems.

[baby duck monge]

The bigger the lens (or sometimes body) the more people attempt to stay out of the shot


I've found that to be more or less true, as well. And I have to admit that sometimes, if enough people aren't moving out of the way, I flip my lens hood out to make the camera look bigger. Works almost every time.

[Plymouthbreezer]

I've found that to be more or less true, as well. And I have to admit that sometimes, if enough people aren't moving out of the way, I flip my lens hood out to make the camera look bigger. Works almost every time.
Also a good strategy.

When I shoot at sporting events, people often ask me if Im working for the Yearbook at my school, or some school, or why I'm shooting. More often then not, I just shoot for people who I know on the field, or occasional school/city commission.

If I just go out to shoot in the city, or fields, or wherever, people usually understand, and often, make attempts to talk to me. I guess anyone with a big camera gets to feel some of society's fascination with the Photographer; it's almost a mythical, heroic profession.

[janey]

I've found that to be more or less true, as well. And I have to admit that sometimes, if enough people aren't moving out of the way, I flip my lens hood out to make the camera look bigger. Works almost every time.

i don't know about you, but i notice a dslr way faster than i would notice any point and shoot camera mostly because of the size. with the latter it just looks like they're holding up something, not taking pictures :(

i occasionally walk through people trying to take pictures only because i just don't notice that they have a camera. sucks, and i hate it when people do that to me, but it happens.

[Scarlet Fever]

i get some weird looks from people when i point the camera in their direction and follow them around...

[j26]

i get some weird looks from people when i point the camera in their direction and follow them around...

Is that everywhere or just changing rooms :eek:

When I (rarely now) get to shoot, or have to take shots for family events, I do notice that people take the pictures a lot more seriously when I have my D70 that when I pull out Mrs 26's P&S.

[iBlue]

Yes. I get kind of nervous about it because I really don't know what I'm doing and it's a rather nice camera. :o

You don't know weird looks until you walk around taking pictures of a garden gnome though. :p (long story)


http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonTowerOf_thumb.jpg (http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonTowerOf.jpg) - http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonViewN_thumb.jpg (http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonViewN.jpg) - http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonThames_thumb.jpg (http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonThames.jpg)

Apple Store on Regent Street:

http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonAppleLift_thumb.jpg (http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonAppleLift.jpg) - http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonAppleSt_thumb.jpg (http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonAppleSt.jpg)

http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonPhoneBox_thumb.jpg (http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonPhoneBox.jpg) - http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonTube_thumb.jpg (http://blue.yo-momma.net/upload/files/1/Gnome/WillardLondonTube.jpg)

:D

[Abstract]

There was a group of people that came by, also trying to take pictures, but when they saw what I was holding, one of them appologized, and told all her friends to watch out, " 'cause this guy is taking pictures." It made me feel a bit weird- I mean all I was doing was the same thing that they were- taking pictures of my friends.

That's funny. "Watch out everyone! Guy with big camera coming through!" Maybe you should bring pylons and box out your own space around you while you shoot. I'm sure people would jump out of the way and make sure they never EVER enter your space. ;)

I get stares from people, but only because I'm a student and apparently, I own a "gun" camera. I usually reply with "Thanks, it's not bad", but.....to be honest..... I don't really know what that means other than that it's some sort of compliment.

[Crawn2003]

I get looks all the time with my Nikon but you really haven't been looked at until you pull out a 4x5 view camera with a huge tripod attached...

Like this (Isn't me but gives you the idea)http://www.yosemite.org/newsroom/clips2005/september/WilsonCamera.jpg

People will stop and actually stare at me. I'll pull the dark cloth off and they will either go on their way or stop and start asking me questions. The most often question I hear is "Is that really a camera?" or plainly "What is that?". I find it funny just for the simple fact that you hardly ever see these cameras out in public anymore.

~Crawn

[devilot]

A HolgaMe too. :o Plus, mine's got tape all over it and everything. :D I definitely get stared at when I whip out that Holga. Teehee.

Crawn2003, I haven't used a 4x5 myself yet, I fiddled with one in my B&W medium and large format class, but didn't actually shoot. I was actually given this beauty (not a photo of mine, mind you):

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/images/yashica635yashinon.jpg

And as soon as I get my lazy butt into gear and test it out to make sure it all works, I'll be shooting with it. :D And I know I'll get some looks for using it. :p

[Abstract]

You don't know weird looks until you walk around taking pictures of a garden gnome though. :p (long story)


Agreed. :o

[Abstract]

(continued)

There's around 20 photos in the set. :cool:

[AlexH]

Lol, I like the garden gnome series. Good work. ;) :D

Back to the topic, yeah, I get weird looks sometimes, but I live in a National Park (Hot Springs National Park), so most people probably just think I'm a dorky tourist, especially when shooting in the Historic Downtown District.

[Lovesong]

That's funny. "Watch out everyone! Guy with big camera coming through!" Maybe you should bring pylons and box out your own space around you while you shoot. I'm sure people would jump out of the way and make sure they never EVER enter your space. ;)


I was actually thinking about a nice set of flashing lights and a megaphone :p

[jayb2000]

Ahh, they look at me weird even when I am not taking pictures... :p

Some people do, but it seems to depend on if you are obviously trying to get them in a picture, AKA "Street Photography", or if you are just shooting a building, landscape, beach, etc.

Also, as Terriyaki said, if you ignore them, they ignore you more quickly than if you look at them or try to talk or whatever.

But yes, with a DLSR, I get more inquisitive looks than I did with a P&S.

[Crawn2003]

Me too. :o Plus, mine's got tape all over it and everything. :D I definitely get stared at when I whip out that Holga. Teehee.

Crawn2003, I haven't used a 4x5 myself yet, I fiddled with one in my B&W medium and large format class, but didn't actually shoot. I was actually given this beauty (not a photo of mine, mind you):

http://www.kyphoto.com/classics/images/yashica635yashinon.jpg

And as soon as I get my lazy butt into gear and test it out to make sure it all works, I'll be shooting with it. :D And I know I'll get some looks for using it. :p

Nice, really nice. My grandparents had one of those and an old collapsible bellows polaroid camera. Great find!

~Crawn

[SilentPanda]

I love walking around with my D50... you can do pretty much anything you want and get away with it... I'm a fairly "try to be normal" person but when I have the camera out I feel free, like I can do any silly thing in the world and nobody will care.

I do find it funny when I'm downtown trying to take pictures of the area and whomever might be passing by and people try to get out of the way... maybe I should hang signs off my tripod, "Please walk in front of the camera. No... seriously."

[.JahJahwarrior.]

I showed up to volunteer at a local dinner/fundraiser event for a Crisis Pregnancy Centre, and had my camera with me. First thing someone in charge said to me was "Oh, are you are photographer for tonight?" It was pretty funny. Then they made me carry around heavy plates of appetizers, offering them to everyone. Killed my arm. Later, I was having trouble shooting photos, jello muscles can't hold a camera steady.

I am the volunteer coordinator for Cornerstone FL music festival, I'm staff. I got a friend who's a photog an "in" with all of the stage managers, so he could shoot all day on all the stages if he wanted. Later, I stopped by to shoot a few pictures, and the security guy, who was one of my volunteers, but whom hadn't met me, wouldn't let me backstage! I'm like "Dude, you work for me!" and he's like "the in charge guy said no one gets in!" It was pretty funny in hindsight, I had to go get someone else to convince the guy that I really was staff.

And around school events, I get asked lots of things. "is that an expensive camera?" "Are you a professional?" people assume I'm shooting for yearbook, which I'm not. The head photog for yearbook did a presentation on photography for her senior project this year, and it sucked. She had some factual errors. Her picture examples sucked. And you know what I noticed when I was looking through my yearbook? They used some of my photos, without my permission or even letting me know, and they gave me no credit for them either!!!! I probably emailed them over to the editor in chief, a good friend who is also a bit of a photog, we email pictures back and forth for critique, and she probably thought that I was ok with them using them in the yearbook. I don't have much of a problemw ith it, but professional courtesy says they should have asked and given me credit for them.

I whipped out my 500mm lense the other day at an event. "Wow, that's a big camera!" And people moved out of my way. I was taking pictures at church and someone asked "what zoom is that?" I explained it was a 6mp sensor, so I could easily zoom in by 10 or so probably. Later I realized that they probably thought it was a zoom lense, but it's a fixed focal, 135 f2.8. They woudln't have understood if I explained it like that though.

And lastly, I get wierd looks from the shutter noise. If it's quiet, people turn and look at me. Some ask to see the picture. Others ask what the noise was. Some tell me I have a noisier shutter than their camera. I have one friend who says that all the time, and he claims to be a photog. He carries his gear around in the cardboard boxes it came in and he's yet to show me a picture he took. :)

[freebooter]

In Korea, I get stared at all the time, whether I'm taking pictures or not. If I stop for any length of time and get down to shoot something close-up or with a tripod there will usually be some half-cut, middle-aged dude hanging over me by the time I'm done. :rolleyes: whatever :rolleyes:
If I ever get me a big flash, look out for your retinas you rude b*st*rds! :D

[Doctor Q]

I know what you mean, .JahJahwarrior.. In my case, I volunteered to help out at a conference doing odds and ends like stuffing registration packets and escorting conference speakers in and out (hey, I'm a male escort!) and instead they "volunteered me" to be the conference photographer. I had to get both informal shots of the social gatherings and more formal shots of conference speakers.

I didn't look official in any way, so I just had to act official and ask people to pose and smile for official shots or ignore me for candids. I was a bit nervous -- what if I didn't take good photos? -- but they were happy enough to put my photos in their newsletter, and they've asked me back for repeat performances twice since then.

[jeffzoom91]

More specifically, if you are a Canon Digital Rebel owner (of any flavour) it seems that the "considerate" factor lessens considerably if you have a silver body. However, the opposite is true if your lens is white. I guess Nikon was thinking of this when they decided to keep all their bodies black.

Another attention-getter, if you just want people to admire you, or at least turn a head, is to shoot a few burst shots, or just a few shots real close together, the P&S'ers immdiately turn my way. Especially with the REALLY loud shutter release.

Another thing that is wierd, is that some people seems to think that because i am holding an SLR it must be a film camera, because digi point and shoots are the new hotness.

I've had a 5 minute arguement with someone at Circuit city who tried to tell my mom that this 9 mp fuji POS would take better (or as good) as a canon (at the time) 20D. Since we were out shopping for a camera for her, I grabbed some memory cards of a few flavours before I left. Took a shot with the 20d, then stuffed the card in the fuji, took the same shot. Walked over to the largest display in the building, him in tow, which happened to be attached to a computer (1920x1200 24 inch) plugged it in and ALMOST got him fired. They asked me to leave. I rofl'ed the WHOLE way out.

[compuwar]

I get looks all the time with my Nikon but you really haven't been looked at until you pull out a 4x5 view camera with a huge tripod attached...


I got interrupted less often with my Canham MQC 5x7 where I actually did have time to talk while setting up the shot than I do with my D2x. But with the 400/2.8 on it the 2x actually made me go to a bigger tripod than I had with the 5x7...

People have definitely given me strange looks. In fact, its even gotten me a little "gun shy" with my camera, haha. Any suggestions for a remedy? Any potions? :p.

Smile at them, nod, say "Hello!"... Ask them if they can hold the look while you take a picture... :)

[.JahJahwarrior.]

The funniest thing happened to me today, while I was ruminating on this thread as I sat taking pictures. I was running sound and lights and everything for my school's (well, it used to be my school :) ) k5 and 6th grade graduation. I was trying to get a good picture of every kid getting the diploma to give to the office people, if they wanted them. I'm sitting there with a DSLR with a noisy shutter (*ist DS) and a 500mm lense.

I sit down, take a shot. Then this lady steps in front of, in front of the soundbooth. I move to the seat on my left, a good two feet away, and before I can take the first photo, she moves over in front of me again. I move to the right and one photo later her head is blocking my lense. I moved to the left, same thing. I decided to just stand.

She wasn't even trying to block me, she was talking with someone or something. She didn't ever notice or acknowledge me in any way. After a two page thread about how people treat you with a big lense in tow, I found this hilarious. They didn't appreciate my laughter :)

[Westside guy]

She wasn't even trying to block me, she was talking with someone or something. She didn't ever notice or acknowledge me in any way. After a two page thread about how people treat you with a big lense in tow, I found this hilarious. They didn't appreciate my laughter :)

Dude, you had a 500mm lens. You could've just whacked her in the head with it - problem solved.

[Clix Pix]

My neighbors just smile indulgently when they see me crouched or lying among the flowers with my mini-tripod, my camera and a macro lens.... :)

[murfle]

My neighbors just smile indulgently when they see me crouched or lying among the flowers with my mini-tripod, my camera and a macro lens.... :)

I see from your sig that you have a D200. Do you use your mini-tripod with that? If so, what model is it?

I was going to pick up a smaller one, but the guy at the camera shop pointed out that the weight of the lenses would just make the setup fall over. I hadn't even though about it, so I just walked out of the store..

[oblomow]

I see from your sig that you have a D200. Do you use your mini-tripod with that? If so, what model is it?

I was going to pick up a smaller one, but the guy at the camera shop pointed out that the weight of the lenses would just make the setup fall over. I hadn't even though about it, so I just walked out of the store..

A gorrilapod SLR Zoom with Manfrotto ballhead will be able to carry that load.

[Clix Pix]

I see from your sig that you have a D200. Do you use your mini-tripod with that? If so, what model is it?

I was going to pick up a smaller one, but the guy at the camera shop pointed out that the weight of the lenses would just make the setup fall over. I hadn't even though about it, so I just walked out of the store..

Actually, I use both the D2Xs and the D200 with that mini-tripod. It is a Berlebach Tabletop Tripod and works pretty well with a Really Right Stuff BH-40 ballhead on it. B&H carries the Berlebach line, but I got mine locally in the DC area.

ETA: It is a wooden tripod, model# 50031. Here are the specs:

Maximum Height
13.8" (35.0 cm)

Maximum Height w/o Column Extended
13.8" (35.0 cm) [no center column]

Minimum Height
2.6" (6.5 cm)

Folded Length
10.6" (27.0 cm)

Load Capacity
17.63 lb (8.00 kg)

Leg Sections
3

Leg Lock Type
Twist

Independent Leg Spread
Yes

Center Column Sections
0

Center Column Type
None

Center Brace
No

Spiked Feet
No

Head Type
None

Head Mount Thread Size
1/4"-20

Weight
1.32 lb (0.60 kg)

[murfle]

Thanks for the info to both of you :)

[epicwelshman]

With my lens collection limited to, well, one lens I don't look as hardcore as some when I have just my camera. When I slap my SB-600 flash on top though, then people give me looks and sorta move out of my way!

[Zer0]

Well.. In tokyo it does'nt really matter how big a lens you're holding, cuz then guy next to you seems to have a bigger or similar sized lens :eek:

But yeah people will try to stay out of your pic no matter if you have a DSLR or P&S :)