Help me understand picture takers.

Ducky

Ducky

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I recently attended a formal, semi-formal, dinner with about 300 Scots or wannabe scotts celebrating Robers Burns' birthday. "Burns Supper" celebrated by Scots all over the world.

I was using my Kiev 4am but everyone else was shooting p&s digi. In fact someone commented that I was the only photographer there :confused: . ( Idi have my digi p&s as well but it was in my pocket).

Anyway, when the bagpipes and drums marched in all the digi users crowded in front and shot picture after picture. Then they checked the LCD and took more pictures. Cell phone cameras were also there.

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People trying to see the band (noone had any trouble hearing them) had to stand on chairs or move to the side.

When the band marched out, there was more LCD checking.

What is this phenomanon? Is it permanent? What do they do with the pix?

I'd like your opinion.

Ducky

ps: I will post my Kiev shots when they are scanned. The above shot was using the Kiev with Kodak Gold 800 with the Helio at f1.8 and shot at 1/50.
 
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They want to freeze events in time that they consider important in order to ward off the certain knowledge that everything is impermanent, including themselves.
 
Pitxu said:
I couldn't even explain why I take pictures.

But did you enjoy the Haggis?

Pitxu.
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Aye, the haggis was properly addressed and attacked with 100 spoons. For the civilized it was served on plates at the table. :D
 
I think I also see one or two people recording the event for posterity on video cameras in your shot. When will these movies be viewed?

I borrowoed a video cam when I went on honeymoon to Goa. I spent so much time filming stuff that I feel I missed the main event! How many times have I watched what I shot? None. :bang:

I even foolishly cracked under pressure from Mrs H when our youngest was born and shelled out on my own video cam to record her growing up. You know: first step; first few words; birthday parties; school plays & the like. I just turned into a bloody camera-man on the periphery of events instead of playing an active part! :bang: :bang: Needless to say the video cam now rests at the rear of the wardrobe. As I don't yet have a scanner, I shoot snaps on my digi p&s to copy to my PC & email to anyone who wants a copy & I take a few "choice" shots on film.

It's nice to be involved again.

I guess at an event like the Burns Night you went to I'd take a snap or two, probably of the group I was with rather than the Haggis & the Pipers, it's just damned rude to rush to the crush at the front & block every bugger else's view, obviously this results in crap shots for you, and a missed/uncomfortable event for the rest of the attendees.
 
So only people who shoot an old film camera are photographers? The people were checkjing to see if their shots were exposed/framed properly I suppose, but I am sure everyone knows that. Actually, for an event like that (and many, many more things), why wouldn't one shoot digital? I doubt anyone will be hanging the prints on a wall from this. I prefer film and film cameras, but there is a time and a place for it. For sending people pics on the web via email, and for a lot of other things, a digital camera is sufficient and preferable.
 
So only people who shoot an old film camera are photographers? The people were checking to see if their shots were exposed/framed properly I suppose, but I am sure everyone knows that. Actually, for an event like that (and many, many more things), why wouldn't one shoot digital? I doubt anyone will be hanging the prints on a wall from this. I prefer film and film cameras, but there is a time and a place for it. For sending people pics on the web via email, and for a lot of other things, a digital camera is sufficient and preferable.
 
Your shot looks like a mini-version of nearly every school event my older kids had during their elementary and middle-school years. Thankfully, the video cameras and digi p-s cameras are thinning out as they move into high school. I always thought is was a typical Northern Virginia (read: yuppy) parent thing.
 
dannynono said:
I always thought is was a typical Northern Virginia (read: yuppy) parent thing.
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No, it's not. As far as Croatia (on the other side of the world, almost), things are the same.

I wouldn't really mind all thse digisnappers and cell phone "shooters" if only they had the remotest trace of any manners to speak of. No, no way... They all crowd in the front, oblivious to the fact that there are dozens (or hundreds, actually) people BEHIND them, trying to actually see the event. I've had countless situations where such cell-phone idiots not only bumped into me, trying to get their shot, but literally positioned themselves right in front of me, even thugh I had a camera and was obviously also filming/shooting (I ALWAYS position myself so as not to obstruct other photographers or other people in the audience)...

Sometimes having a REALLY large camera and the biggest flash you can find helps (it makes them think you're a pro, and it might keep them at some distance) - but the only thing that really helps is having "good elbows", and not being afraid to use them.... Or an assistant (with a baseball bat, if possible)... :mad:

In short, I tend to avoid any such "photogenic" events. You can't get a decent photo unless you're prepared to hire several bodyguards.

Denis
 
ernstk said:
Please. It's 'Scots'.

Ernst
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I wondered how long it would take someone to point that out.

I lived in Scotland (Corby, Northamptonshire) for about 6 years, a while back, and the locals often referred to themselves as "Scotch", which I thought was a definate "no-no".
 
So you mean that it's actually different than during the era when it was film point-and-shoot people? Surely, you must be jesting.
 
The last few P&S shooters I talked to don't off-load the pix. They carry the camera around and show their friends all the pictures they took.
 
MickH said:
I borrowoed a video cam when I went on honeymoon to Goa. I spent so much time filming stuff that I feel I missed the main event! How many times have I watched what I shot? None. :bang:
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Sort of like the old saw: "How did you enjoy your vacation?" answer: "I don't know, haven't got my pictures back yet!"
 
MickH said:
I wondered how long it would take someone to point that out.

I lived in Scotland (Corby, Northamptonshire) for about 6 years, a while back, and the locals often referred to themselves as "Scotch", which I thought was a definate "no-no".
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I thought 'Scotch' is what they drank!
 
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