What’s Your Preference?

FDCPR · #1 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 05:42 PM

As many of you know from what posts I do put up and even the comments I make, the focus I have is wildlife. I am not a professional in the sense that I derive my living from taking photos. Now, I mainly shoot birds as that is what the area I live in has to offer, after taking a ten year hiatus from big game photography. I approach this subject like I approach most everything I get involved in, learn everything I can about the subject and try to take increasingly better photos. One of the easiest ways to photograph wild birds is to observe their behavior and establish a pattern. I then place myself in an area that will allow me to capture them the way I want. This sometimes takes more time than I like, so I want to make the best of the situation.

After three afternoons and several hours of observation I figured it was time to shoot on a species I wanted better photos of. Yesterday I stopped in the location and confirmed the birds in question were feeding in the area in their normal patterns. I knew I had a twenty minute window when they flew away to get in, set up, and be ready for their return. I moved to the area, set up the tripod and started playing the waiting game.

I noticed another person enter the area about two hundred yards away, there are lots of fishermen in the area but I know their haunts and stay away from those areas, we each do our own thing in separate areas. This person spotted me and started walking in my direction, I tried my best to ignore him but with crime at the level it is here I always keep an eye on who is in the area. Every time I would glance at him he would wave, and I'd kinda nod my head to him. I tried to convey by my lack of enthusiasm that yes I see you, hello, but leave me alone. At about a hundred yards I notice a tripod sticking out of a backpack, so I realize he is a fellow photographer. At fifty yards, he kinda yells and asks me if I am a photographer. I don't say a word just nod my head, yes. Inside I am screaming to myself, no I just stand here with a camera and tripod so idiots will come and talk to me. Then he asks, what are you shooting here. I answered that I was TRYing to get some shots of a certain species of birds. He replied, oh birds, here I took some today, and then proceeds to show me everything currently on his camera. Needless to say I never saw those birds again.

Now I am not an antisocial person, I love communicating with others and looking at other photos, but not when I am in the field. I see other photographers every now in then in this area, I avoid them and we all end up comparing notes in the parking area once the light is gone.

Now to pour salt in the wound, and really the reason for this long rant is pretty much the same happened this morning with a different person. Maybe I expect too much by expecting other photographers to not interfere and disrupt what I am doing. Hunting is now somewhat politically incorrect and something I gave up several years ago, but in over thirty years of chasing big game pretty much world wide I never had another hunter approach me in the woods, a little acknowledgment of each other mainly for safety reasons then to each his own.

Am I expecting too much from my fellow photographers? Outwardly I am nice when this happens as I do own a company and never know when the person is associated with a customer. Inwardly I am using every piece of profanity I know to hopefully let it enter their mind to LEAVE.

l.k.madison · #2 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 05:53 PM

Finding a way to store a large poster in your camera bag that folds out to say "I'm shooting wildlife and trying to be as discreet as possible, I would love to have a conversation with you, but the birds won't stay if I do"

There's just some rude people out there, regardless of where you are. You have a right to shoot wildlife however you choose, but they also need to show you respect at the same time.

I face the problem nearly every day (my day job is a newborn photographer for a hospital) when I'm trying to calm a baby down for pictures and Dad/Mom/Grandma is screaming at them to open their eyes. Yes, while baby eyes are adorable, screaming at your newborn isn't the way to calm them down.

Saralonde · #3 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 05:58 PM

I assume these are newbie photographers anxious to discuss their new found hobby. Unfortunately, because of the availability of dslr cameras, there are quite a few out there. Maybe l.k.madison is right about carrying a sign...

spicoaster · #4 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 06:00 PM

It sounds like you're taking pictures because you enjoy it and thus it's a hobby of yours. However reading your post, it seems like you're stressed out about your hobby. Breath in, breath out and enjoy whatever the day throws at you - remember the saying about lemons ....

Murtasma · #5 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 06:13 PM

Are there more secluded areas around you were these birds visit? Perhaps finding a location nobody really knows out will be the only way you can work in peace. If it's a park there are going to be people there. If they see you sitting out there with a large lens on mono pod or tripod hiding in the bush that will draw attention from fellow photographers.

If I noticed someone like that attempting to take pictures of wildlife I wouldn't bother them but I would sure watch them for awhile. In large public places such as parks you often see people walking around with DSLRs taking pictures. I really haven't had any fellow photographer come up to me asking questions and showing pictures.

Perhaps you look too friendly.

Carl911 · #6 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 06:41 PM

Maybe you could dress up in a tree outfit that way they will either not notice you or think your completely mad and most likely give you a wide berth...lol

FDCPR · #7 (**permalink**) 09-08-2009, 06:45 PM

Really I have no problem with helping anyone, just not in the middle of shooting after spending hours to set it up. Maybe I do need a sign.

As far as finding a more remote area, I am about as remote as it gets here, this is a tiny island. If I want more remote I need to get on an airplane and fly 3,000 miles. I guess the big thing is deal with it, but I do plan to start kindly educating the ones that come up to me in proper etiquette.

For me I view this the same as someone wanting to chat while I am putting on the golf course. Golfers everywhere know not to do that. It is very possible I do get too stressed, so I am practicing my breathing and holding my tongue.