Being A Tall Photographer

I'm 5'5"(165cm) and probably shrinking. To me (and let's be honest -- I'm biased), complaining about being 6 feet tall is sort of like complaining about being too rich. However, while I could help relieve you of excess money (pm me for wire transfer information if you're so inclined), I'm afraid all you tall folks with just have to suffer with nature gave you.😀 Anyway, if I need to see over a crowd, I pass my camera to my somewhat taller wife and let her do the shutter snapping.
 
robklurfield said:
I'm 5'5"(165cm) and probably shrinking. To me (and let's be honest -- I'm biased), complaining about being 6 feet tall is sort of like complaining about being too rich. (...)
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🙂

I agree. I'm 1.90m (6'2'') and although that's not especially tall for German standards -- it's tall enough for almost every girl on the planet. 🙂
 
Tompas said:
🙂

I agree. I'm 1.90m (6'2'') and although that's not especially tall for German standards -- it's tall enough for almost every girl on the planet. 🙂
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As someone who's pretty much the same height (I like to round down to 1.89m but it's actually closer to 1.90m) I have to say that I'm still fascinated by how much of a bonus that is with girls...and at concerts...and at the movies. Not so much on planes, though 🙂
 
I'm 6'2" and have never thought of it as particularly tall, I tend to think of anyone around Travis' height as being 'properly' tall. Perhaps its because I know quite a few Dutch guys and girls and they're often very tall...infact aren't the Dutch officially the tallest nation now?

Height has never proved a negative issue photographically,sometimes its a slight advantage ( I'm thinking press scrums etc) but it is a total pain when travelling Economy by air...and remember, I'm not 'properly' tall....poor old TravisL 😉
 
Being tall can be a problem to deal with. Yes, you do stick out in places like China and India. But sometimes it can be an advantage. You become a curiosity and become a magnet for people and then just relax and shoot away!
 
I'm 6'2" and in the Philippines, where I am considered tall. I never thought it got in the way of my photography, though. As one post said, it has to do more with body language - as long as you act naturally and not like you're doing something naughty, people tend to leave you alone. This works for me. :angel:
 
I'm also 6' 3" (around 191 cm) tall, and I have never thought it compromised my abillity to take photos among people. But I often crouch down to lower my shooting height because I figure that it provides a more normal perspective for most viewers.
 
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I'm 6'7. Walk everywhere with my camera. I hear ya about people looking at you like "holy ****". But whatever. Photograph them and keep walking. Listen to some music (sometimes the sounds of the city is nice) and do what you love to do. Period.
 
183cm sounds perfectly average to me 😉 I'm 193cm myself, and haven't really thought about this, haha. I guess I tend to bend down to lower my perspective - but I try not to look like "asian tourists" haha! (nothing personal, just a funny stereotype!)

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thirtyfivefifty said:
... I'm still a quiet 6'0" (183cm) guy who sticks out like a sore thumb in peoples' eyes when I'm nearby or while I casually walk by, so I don't subscribe to the idea that buying a new camera can somehow make you more or less invisible. ....

... Ultimately, I feel that my intimidating physical presence, and my utter clueless-ness when it comes to interacting with others AS a photographer with a camera at hand, is what's holding me back the most when it comes to my development as a photographer.
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Are you serious? I'm 5-11, 235 lbs (not all in the belly) and I feel I'm average height and non-intimidating. Your just an inch taller and probably 75 lbs lighter; who would you be intimidating? Just don't act or look goofy and you'll be alright. A smile always helps too.
 
Move to the Netherlands and you will be average height 😉

I am 6'1" and my wife alway's thought I was tall. Until she went back with me back home and she suddenly called me short. Compared to my fellow Dutch man 😱
 
I must be 6'1" or 2", I'm seventeen years old and I look like I am and I don't wear clothes which would make me invisible... And something even more intriguing for strangers: I shoot with a Kiev or a Zorki, depends what is my mood (most of the time my Kiev 4am). Old school, shinny, chromed cameras. I'm not invisible, but I smile and I talk to people. I think it's the key for me: I can't sneak on people without being seen, mission impossible. Maybe Cartier-Bresson painted his chrome black, I don't understand why someone being photographed shouldn't be aware of it. I photograph without permission, because I can do it by the law, but I don't want to be a jerk too...
Plus, I would never paint a Leica... Well I don't think I'll be able to afford Leica someday! hahaha
 
I'm just tall enough that I don't have to duck when going through a doorway so 6"4 or something ... never noticed any advantages with the girls but I'm an ugly bigger so that could be the issue.
I have found i have to crouch down a little when shooting the slr or rangefinder but not because of my height just to get a better perspective. Going to be shooting a tlr mostly from now on as it's on its way back from the tech ... I wonder if that will help my image.
No one has ever said much to me when taking photos and I guess if you don't look dangerous and engage with them in a positive way it's all good.
 
I'm 190cm, or almost 6'3'', and have not mastered becoming invisible in the HCB fashion. I actually never thought it was because of being tall; I always assumed I hadn't mastered becoming "one" with my camera that was the problem. HCB supposedly was able to shoot in these natural and fluid motions that made him blend in with the background. Perhaps much more practice with one specific camera will achieve that elusive goal.
 
As an old TLR hand, I do wish that the iPhone had the lens on the edge of the case.
Discretion aside, many press photographers carry a step ladder.
 
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