Why are some people such jerks?

[nemesis256]

Jerks is the more politically correct term, you can imagine which word I want to use.

So I was just at a local park shooting ducks in a pond (a couple of hooded mergansers mostly), and there were about a half dozen other photographers there. I was walking around the pond as the ducks moved. Most of the pond is lined with trees, so there aren't too many view points. This one guy at the end of the pond was also shooting the ducks (while smoking a cigarette no less (no offense to you smokers, but isn't that distracting?)). After walking back to his area a couple times, and after being there for a couple minutes, he claims my movement was disturbing the ducks. They were probably about 70 feet away, and constantly swimming around, occasionally diving.

Now I'm by no means noisy or fast when moving around while shooting wildlife. I take slow, quiet steps, especially when I know I'm visible. Was this guy at all right, considering their distance and that there were other people around?

[milosh]

1. He was not right.
2. When you encounter someone like him, just think of how poor his life must be when he behaves like that, and try to feel sorry for him. That will make you instantly feel better, will make the anger and frustration go away, and you will feel good about yourself.

[SwissJon]

I think what he meant to say is "You're disturbing me."...

Some people just don't like people. The reason they put themselves behind a camera is because then they can shut the rest of the world off.

[nemesis256]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I think what he meant to say is "You're disturbing me."...

That came across my mind as well. Also made my wonder why he would shoot at a public park in the middle of the city.

[metallion58]

My initial reaction to him, in my head, would probably be "Public park, public space. Shoot your camera instead of your mouth!"
But then again, since I'm usually easy going, I would just ignore the jerk.

[Bruce A]

Seems to me the guy might need to learn how to duck!

[SwissJon]

Originally Posted by nemesis256

That came across my mind as well. Also made my wonder why he would shoot at a public park in the middle of the city.

Same reason as you I would think.. He wanted to photograph the ducks..

I don't really understand why you expect a complete stranger to be over the moon and happy to see you.. He has no reason to be friendly or unfriendly, but he was probably not interested in making friends at that minute.. Don't worry about it, there's 100,000 people in Cambridge MA, he's just one person who clearly wanted a bit of space.

[NathanFranke]

Originally Posted by SwissJon

I think what he meant to say is "You're disturbing me."...

Some people just don't like people. The reason they put themselves behind a camera is because then they can shut the rest of the world off.

I thought that's what iPods were for. Clearly, he wasn't wearinig the "do not disturb" uniform.

Some people are jerks. Deal with it, and rest smugly in your superiority.

[UlpilotSC]

When he said that I would have said, "no this is disturbing the ducks!" and run at them screaming, making them fly off. Trying taking pictures now, a-hole.

Of course, that only would be a good idea if A. You are finished taking your own shots and have packed up and B. You think you can outrun him.

Nothing is quite as nice as putting a jerk in their place.

[homank76]

The smoke probably bothered the ducks more, hence why they were so far away to begin with.