Jerk with a telephoto

Photography in public without consent while legal, is indeed rude. Yet, it almost goes without saying that folks who make their living and/or their art by documentary photography are going to get the shot and leave their sensibilities for the light table. These types will not miss a shot.

However, the problem with the guy and the telephoto lens is that he persisted when he lost "it". He wasn't going to get anything "natural" from you folks after he was "made".

To my mind, he should have either moved-on or better yet, close-in, apologize for bothering you, chat, and if you guys were cool, request some posed shots.

I look at photography like poker, it can be a fun, it can be rewarding, but it isn't always friendly.
 
williams473 said:
Yes Woolen, I think the human interaction part is what makes the act different than taking the image at long range. I think it shows in the images, too.
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I agree.
You have to be in with the action to know what's going on and where to look for the shot.
 
Jason and Bob - good points both. Well I hate to cut out with the conversation so good, but man I actually have to WORK. Can you believe that? They want me to WORK here! I'll check in later tonight. I appreciate the conversation folks.
 
matt, i hope you don't think that i have been arguing with you all this time, just explaining how i do things.
i used to use long lenses many years ago but it now feels like hunting a rabbit with a machine gun, much overkill!
now i like the wide or moderate wide lens and move closer with my feet.

what i really prefer is when a hot young thing checks me out but that hasn't happened in a many a moon...;)
 
Ok,

I really do not see the difference, from the subject's standpoint, whether one takes the photo with an SLR/tele from a distance or rams a rangefinder in the subjects face. Historically, rangefinders were employed for street photography precisley because the are stealthy. No mirror slap, small, handy. SLR's overcome their noise and size issues by shooting from a distance. So what. Either way the subject gets photographed without his/her consent. Some feel violated, some don't. if you feel violated when someone takes your photo, why do you do street photography?
 
pesphoto said:
Bob, I hope thats not a self portrait.....
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It's cold in the North of England you know!

But to make my position clear on the subject.
Here's a picture of me taken by another RFFer without me knowing.

I'm the one with the cameras BTW :)
 

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Oh yeah! Folks with their paparazzi rigs are roaming the streets. To tell you the truth most of them are too fearful to hit the streets with 28mm lens. He or she would have to walk over to your side of the street to photograph you. Yipes!
 
Even when I get close I dont let them know Im taking their photo. Of course, not always possible, but I try.

ManVsWoman.jpg
 
The sheer hypocrisy and almost puritanical outrage at someone taking your picture/stealing your soul from a distance - and using the term being "violated" and a long lens in the same context is not only hilarious but quite disturbing considering the fact that you also mention that you "shoot street", or some variation of it.

You were walking down the street and you were visible to everyone and whats the fuss if one of those photographed you? You were not in drag or some other compromising outfit to demand privacy... Also whats the difference if he shot from a distance or right in your face - its not like in the wild west - its a guy with a camera not a gun.

Please refrain from calling random people "jerk" while they were just doing what you also 'pretend' to do - being a photographer.

I'm really sick and tired of these amateurs who point fingers at those who really are into this game and are not afraid to go out there and take pictures... Is it a case of sour grapes I don't know but if you want to shoot street then you can't be a shy alter boy.

Sorry for the rant...
 
Nh3 said:
The sheer hypocrisy and almost puritanical outrage at someone taking your picture/stealing your soul from a distance - and using the term being "violated" and a long lens in the same context is not only hilarious but quite disturbing considering the fact that you also mention that you "shoot street", or some variation of it.

You were walking down the street and you were visible to everyone and whats the fuss if one of those photographed you? You were not in drag or some other compromising outfit to demand privacy... Also whats the difference if he shot from a distance or right in your face - its not like in the wild west - its a guy with a camera not a gun.

Please refrain from calling random people "jerk" while they were just doing what you also 'pretend' to do - being a photographer.

I'm really sick and tired of these amateurs who point fingers at those who really are into this game and are not afraid to go out there and take pictures... Is it a case of sour grapes I don't know but if you want to shoot street then you can't be a shy alter boy.

Sorry for the rant...
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And breathe...
 
Can we as RF shooters start a 'gang' sign to tell other shooters to we're on to what they are doing.

To me with a street shot, you had better be able to explain to the subject why you took it. If your only answer is "I wanted your picture", that is really creapy. If you feel uncomfortable telling them why (Madam, you are incredibly ugly standing in front of fashion models), maybe you are not as dedicated to the art as you need to be.

Too bad you weren't 'carry'n' and you could have snapped his pic.
 
If asked, I give out Flickr Moo cards with my email address in case they want a copy emailing and tell them I'm 'doing a project'.

A gang sign sounds cool though. :cool:
 
Bobfrance said:
If asked, I give out Flickr Moo cards with my email address in case they want a copy emailing and tell them I'm 'doing a project'.

A gang sign sounds cool though. :cool:
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i do that too!
those moo cards are great.
i have part of a photo printed on them and i tell people if they want to see the whole photo then they need to go to the address on the back of the card.

joe
 
Here in New York City, I get "street-shot" all the time. It's incredibly annoying.

One time my wife and I were in the elevator in the New Museum, and some guy with DSLR started shooting us in continuous-shooting mode. In an elevator! Four feet away from us, no social interaction, just click-click-click-click.

My wife said in a loud fake stage-whisper, "I think this guy wants to be a photographer."
 
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