Shooting with others, or Not

[esearing]

I have very few friends/relatives who like photography as much as I do. But in the past I have always enjoyed shooting with someone rather than going out alone. There is more personal focus and inward thought when you are alone but I enjoy the company getting to the particular spot. Shooting with Family around always feels rushed to me since I carry both 4x5 and 35mm gear. there is also fear people will see you have thousands of dollars worth of gear and are just waiting for you to leave it unguarded.

So my poll/question is: Do you prefer to shoot ...
1) Alone
2) With Spouse or family member(s)
3) with Friends
4) with Other photographers you meet through clubs or online
5) With others but only in workshops
other?

 

[Vics]

Alone. Ten characters.

 

[daveleo]

If I am out literally only to make pictures, I don't want anyone anywhere near me.
However I always have a camera with me when I'm with friends and family and I love snapping away with them.

 

[Godfrey]

I enjoy going out to do photography with others, but always do my actual picture taking by myself, or with an assistant who isn't shooting—just helping me.

Photography takes a tremendous amount of personal quiet, energy, and intense concentration. I cannot apply that while I'm trying to be social and enjoying conversation with friend(s) and photographer(s). I can do that on the way to a site, briefly while on-site and looking around, and casually with an assistant who is concentrating on different things. But I can't actually do it in collaboration with another photographer while we're both trying to make our shots; it's too much distraction.

Most of my friends in the photo universe operate the same way.

Of course, carrying a more casual camera kit and snapping with family and friends is a constant. But that's not what I'm doing when I go out to do Photography.

G

 

[FrankS]

For me, photography and motorcycling puts me in a zone is contraindicated to social interaction. I withdraw into myself.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I'm too social, if I'm not alone, I'll keep on talking instead of walking and taking.

 

[rscheffler]

Alone, for the best results and ability to work a location at my own pace. Second best is with others that share a common interest and are willing to wait, or, we stay in one general area and individually explore at our own pace.

I often travel with my GF and every time we're out for a walk through someplace new, she ends up blocks ahead of me before turning around to see where I am... 🙂 It's worse if there are other friends along, since they'll all continue on. One time I ended up several km behind by the time night fell...

 

[back alley]

i do almost everything alone...

 

[AlTheKiller]

Strange. I enjoy the company of others while shooting.

Alone, I second guess myself, become socially awkward, and anxious.

 

[Phil_F_NM]

If I'm out walking to photograph and I'm intent on seeing, I'd much rather be alone.
If I'm out walking with a friend, then that's what the walk is for. Once in a while a photo opportunity pops up.

Phil Forrest

 

[photomoof]

I cannot imagine taking photos with others unless they are working for me, or I am working for someone.

 

[FrankS]

Al, how can one be socially awkward by oneself? 🙂

 

[gb hill]

I have very few friends/relatives who like photography as much as I do. But in the past I have always enjoyed shooting with someone rather than going out alone. There is more personal focus and inward thought when you are alone but I enjoy the company getting to the particular spot. Shooting with Family around always feels rushed to me since I carry both 4x5 and 35mm gear. there is also fear people will see you have thousands of dollars worth of gear and are just waiting for you to leave it unguarded.

So my poll/question is: Do you prefer to shoot ...
1) Alone
2) With Spouse or family member(s)
3) with Friends
4) with Other photographers you meet through clubs or online
5) With others but only in workshops
other?

I have few friends period.😉 George Thorogood likes to drink alone so like him, I prefer to shoot alone.

 

[BlackXList]

I'm used to doing a lot of street stuff on my own, but I also like wandering around exploring places with my GF, and of course I'm shooting whilst doing that. It's never caused a problem or made it harder. If anything, sometimes it's opened up conversations that wouldn't have happened otherwise.

 

[sjones]

Alone, always alone.

 

[lxmike]

ditto, alone, always alone, (mind you l am an only child)

 

[johannielscom]

Preferably alone. I hardly ever feel a need to share my physical and mental creative space with a companion when shooting

 

[BLKRCAT]

both, but Im selective as to who I shoot with. Ive gone to some photo meetups and its always hard to shoot with a gaggle of people with cameras walking around you. Its fun to socialize but I never expect anything good to come from it imagewise.

 

[Rick Waldroup]

I like to shoot alone.

 

[ForestCap]

Alone, or with people who don't spray and pray.