Attitude toward photographers in deep south

J

jojoman2

Guest
Hi guys,

I'm planning a road trip through the deep south. I've really only photographed in New York and Colorado, and I'm wondering how the attitude toward folks brandishing a camera differs from state to state. In New York City everybody is wearing a camera, and sometimes I go entire sessions without any negative reactions to my presence. Often that is not the case, but at least folks have a general understanding that they can be legally photographed without their permission when in public. I'm not sure if people everywhere know that. Have any of you photographed in the south?

Cheers,

Jon
 
Some people carry guns and they have big dogs, with signs around their homes that announce "NO TRESPASSING" ... :) The American SE may have some of the highest murder and rape rates in the country.

Still, getting mugged in the streets of NYC may be more scary for most people.
 
I've never had a problem, just remember good manners go a long way down here if someone asks why you're photographing something or someone. As a general rule Southerners really don't care what you do as long as you're not causing problems for them.
 
Before I started photographing I drove down to North Carolina and Tennessee. I encountered a few confederate flag license plates and quite a few more trucks with monster sized wheels. It's a different culture to be sure. I've also met plenty of nice people during my teenage years playing baseball up and down the east coast... I used to play in Georgia, Florida, Virginia, North and South Carolina, usually in the heat of summer. At least the heat won't surprise me.

I generally try to befriend everyone I photograph if I have any sort of interaction with them beyond snapping the picture. Courtesy is your best friend as a photographer.

I figure if I use a camera that looks like (and is) an antique, the reaction to my work might be a little better. I have a feeling my Rolleiwide is going to get a lot of use. Obviously I'll have to change my approach from the way I photograph on the busy streets of New York City.
 
it'sawhat? said:
I've never had a problem, just remember good manners go a long way down here if someone asks why you're photographing something or someone. As a general rule Southerners really don't care what you do as long as you're not causing problems for them.
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Thanks for the tip. That's exactly the attitude I'm hoping for when I meet people.
 
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This is the first part of the route I'm planning. After this I'm going to hit some of the northern cities like Chicago and potentially Boston. I have family in Denver, so I'll be stopping there to develop film from the first half of my trip.
 
Looks like your map is headed right through central SC. Our region has not had an "official" meetup in a long time. Keep us posted and maybe we can put something together.
 
burancap said:
Looks like your map is headed right through central SC. Our region has not had an "official" meetup in a long time. Keep us posted and maybe we can put something together.
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That could be a lot of fun. I'll certainly keep the forum updated on my progress. I'm currently judging how long I can stay where based on the college friends and relatives I have in each region/major city around the country. I thought it would be best to organize a trip like this while I still have those connections, and with them free places to stay.
 
You will have a great experience overall throughout your long and exciting trip. RFF members are wonderful people at such meetings.
 
raid said:
Some people carry guns and they have big dogs, with signs around their homes that announce "NO TRESPASSING" ... :) The American SE may have some of the highest murder and rape rates in the country.

Still, getting mugged in the streets of NYC may be more scary for most people.
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Raid..

I think Chicago now has the highest murder rate....

And,yeah, I have no trespassing signs-that's to try and keep the ))*^$#@ missionaries from bothering me.

Frankly, most of the south views Florida as a suburb of New York.
 
MrFujicaman said:
Raid..

I think Chicago now has the highest murder rate....

And,yeah, I have no trespassing signs-that's to try and keep the ))*^$#@ missionaries from bothering me.

Frankly, most of the south views Florida as a suburb of New York.
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Haha I don't plan on doing any trespassing and I'm certainly no missionary. I'll probably figure out pretty fast wherever I go if I can get away with shooting candids with my Leica or if I'll need to take a slower approach with my Rolleiwide and engage my subjects more directly.
 
The Rolleiwide will get you all kinds of comments from young women. For reasons I can't understand, everytime I'm photographing at the flea market, at least one young woman walks over to see my Mamiya C33 and ask me about it.
 
Wherever you go, peoples' reaction will depend more on your personality than their's.
I am reclusive, quiet, semi-un-sociable kind of guy. My wife is the exact opposite of me. People take *forever* to get comfortable talking me, but in 5 minutes with my wife, they're all hugging and sharing life stories like family.
Really depends on you, not them.
 
MrFujicaman said:
The Rolleiwide will get you all kinds of comments from young women. For reasons I can't understand, everytime I'm photographing at the flea market, at least one young woman walks over to see my Mamiya C33 and ask me about it.
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Yeah that's the thing about the Rolleiflex. It's an item of curiosity. I've actually been hired on the spot as an event photographer because I was wearing one in the right place at the right time. The Rolleiwide was mighty expensive even at the bargain price I bought it at, but it is one heck of a camera, especially for someone with a affinity for wides.
 
In larger cities I don't think there's much of a difference anywhere in the US.

Very small towns are another story. Very small towns are probably the worst. I suggest you make an inexpensive, small-sized photobook of your work. If anyone becomes suspicious you could show them the book. This serves two purposes. First it distracts the from worrying about your photos being plastered all over the WWW. Second, it shows them your intentions are not creepy.
 
daveleo said:
Wherever you go, peoples' reaction will depend more on your personality than their's.
I am reclusive, quiet, semi-un-sociable kind of guy. My wife is the exact opposite of me. People take *forever* to get comfortable talking me, but in 5 minutes with my wife, they're all hugging and sharing life stories like family.
Really depends on you, not them.
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This is a very good point. I studied acting for a few years in college, which helps a bit. Not that I put on a false personality while photographing, but acting boosted my confidence significantly in my interactions with folks. I'm pretty easy going and, in my experiences so far, have managed to work with all kinds of people well while photographing (in the northeast). There are, of course, people who are simply not receptive to being photographed at all.

I think of myself as a guest wherever I photograph and try to respect everyone as if I were in their home, especially during negative confrontations.
 
willie_901 said:
In larger cities I don't think there's much of a difference anywhere in the US.

Very small towns are another story. Very small towns are probably the worst. I suggest you make an inexpensive, small-sized photobook of your work. If anyone becomes suspicious you could show them the book. This serves two purposes. First it distracts the from worrying about your photos being plastered all over the WWW. Second, it shows them your intentions are not creepy.
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Also an excellent point. I know Bruce Davidson carried around one of his books while he was working on Subway. I'm going to invest in business cards and a small portable portfolio of my work in some form or another so I can show I'm an artist and that my motives are pure.

Thanks so much for all the advice, everyone.
 
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