The strange things people do when they see you out taking pictures.

[Nobie]

I have observed so many interesting behavioral patterns when it comes to the mass public and when they spot somebody with a camera. For instance, I'll get looks and comments when out and about taking handheld shots...but break out the tripod and WHOA! Watch out! All of a sudden people trip over their feet trying to see what's going on. I find taking night shots in and around downtown dangerous. I attract too much attention, let me rephrase that...my tripod attracts too much attention. Drivers will start trying to see where my focal point is and start veering off the road, sometimes right at me!

Then there are the people that just can't understand why somebody is lying on their belly, taking a shot of a rusty fire hydrant in the middle of downtown rush hour.

But, my favorite...you're taking tripod shots and really focused on what you are doing and here comes the inevitable stranger that asks, "So, takin' pictures?"

Another fact that just amazes me is just how many people can't tell the difference between a picture camera and a video camera. This past weekend we were shooting an ad in the middle of a downtown intersection complete with an assortment of strobes, reflectors, etc. The crowd we drew was humorous, almost as funny as how many asked what movie we were filming. And on a side note, while on that shoot, I counted 9 amateur photographers wandering the streets of downtown with cameras in hand taking shots of everything from fire hydrants, to steaming manholes, to graffitti, to roadkill. It was amazing how many of us are out there.

[RexK_Cozumel]

Originally Posted by Nobie

Then there are the people that just can't understand why somebody is lying on their belly, taking a shot of a rusty fire hydrant in the middle of downtown rush hour.

Just dont do this in London you might get reported to the police as a terrorist.

[geotography]

Ryan,

I have had several of those movie camera questions as well. My Pentax K10d looks a tad like its on steroids with its battery grip attached and maybe that compels the movie-cam question. Interestingly, the latest high-tech, digital video cams are really small now.

Geo

[Ewie]

Hey Nobie, I know how you feel. I'm definatly NOT a paparazzi style photographer but my wife works in the film industry doing PR and promotions and I occasionally get roped in as the "Official FOX Photographer". (probably cause I'm cheap!)

Anyway, a few weeks ago we were at a local music festival and had some models dressed up to promote the film 27 Dresses. I was running around shooting away while the models walked among the crowd and did their thing; then low and behold, this young guy leaps out of the crowd, drops on one knee and proposes to one of the girls!!



I'm amazed I got the shot at all I was laughing so hard!!

Anyway he comes up to me afterwards and askes if I'm from the New Zealand Herald (local paper) Joking, I say "no, but it'll probably appear on YouTube." He ran off screaming at the top of his lungs "Waa Hoo, I'm Gonna Be Famous!!" What a laugh....

Then of course the old "hey that dudes taking photos, lets jump in the shot!! This just plain bugs me.



We could go on and on and on......

[Mstee4eva]

Lol, that was really funny (Ewie).
Your gonna always get the crazy and the just plain old stupid, lol!
I get asked at times, I think by people who think you have taken there picture can they see what your taking pictures of? Lol That would require you touching my camera ahhhhhhhh no, lol.
I just say I'm taking pictures of everything, which I usually am!

[CanuckNicole]

Funny (and GREAT) shot with the dude proposing! LOL

My husband and I also get some odd behaviour and strange looks. The funny thing is, if it's ME with the camera and tripod we get strangers asking what we're doing, that kind of thing, but are generally friendly. If it's HIM, lookout! Apparently a man with a camera and tripod (sometimes) is almost always the nefarious, up-to-no-good type zooming in where he shouldn't be zooming We've encountered this at our daughter's dance recitals, soccer games, with our kids playing outdoors...the only place it doesn't seem to bother anyone is hockey practice...go figure
If anyone has some advice or similar experience, I'd love to know we're not alone

[Car2n]

I have a park across the road from my place that has one of those water splash pads the the kids run around through the various water spouts etc. I'd love to set up over there and take some pics of the kids playing with the water.
I don't even dare,,,

[Saralonde]

Originally Posted by Nobie

Then there are the people that just can't understand why somebody is lying on their belly, taking a shot of a rusty fire hydrant in the middle of downtown rush hour.

I don't get it. Doesn't everybody do that?

[Laurence]

Over the weekend I was at the Santa Monica Pier with my tripod shooting the ferris wheel at night. I still had on my prescription sunglasses and I got cold so I pulled up my hood on my jacket. I must have looked weird because a LAPD helicopter started flying around and a police truck drove past me to get a closer look. I guess they figured I was harmless. Maybe it had nothing to do with me but it just seemed funny.

[Canadian Mum]

Originally Posted by RexK_Cozumel

Just dont do this in London you might get reported to the police as a terrorist.

ROFLMAO!!

I am in a small town of just over 500 people. When they see me with the camera, they assume that I am shooting something for the local monthly paper (since I am the editor) and they have one of two reactions - run away or ham it up so they can be in the paper.
I find it really frustrating when I am just trying to check out my camera and work on figuring it out more. When I am just playing around.