Taping over camera names/types

It's dark outside.

I were going to say that. And photography means something like painting...writing with light. But what if one would paint with a darkness? We know about negative space so why not negative light? Perfectly exposed dark frames, that's not that easy. Of course, you can't cheat with lens caps but real photographers anyway don't use them...except for special effects!
 
I tape them over on all my cameras because they are distractions. A black blob doesn't attract attention. Camera names do.
I taped over all the names on my Graflex RB and t hasn't stopped anyone from coming up and asking a thousand questions. Like can I see the picture you just took.

Actually I never thought of that and it seems like a very good and logical reason. However I find my Leica is a great conversation starter with young barmaids. A better reason to keep the name prominent.
 
I taped over all the names on my Graflex RB and t hasn't stopped anyone from coming up and asking a thousand questions. Like can I see the picture you just took.

Actually I never thought of that and it seems like a very good and logical reason. However I find my Leica is a great conversation starter with young barmaids. A better reason to keep the name prominent.

+1 with you on this one. Although the last couple of times I've been asked about my camera, it's been young males.

Maybe I need to use different tape...
 
Exactly pointed out above: White letters on Black bodies makes for an eyecatching contrast that *catches eyes*. Those logos are designed to advertise the camera maker and the blacking out makes the camera just that more low key. I mostly do it and have since my days in the 90's as a working newspaper photojournalist when most of my work mates did as well.
 
I tape them over on all my cameras because they are distractions. A black blob doesn't attract attention. Camera names do. I can't tell you how many times I have been shooting an event, and constantly interrupted by people wanting to chat about my camera.

"Oh, cool, you have a Canon," or, "Wow, a 1D MkIV...can that thing really shoot 10 frames per second," or, "I've only got a T3i, but I'm gonna get me one of them 5D MkIII's." Or, they just stare into the lens, reading the name and model. I get almost none of that since I started taping over all the bright white words on the camera body.

Oh, and the 1D MkIV in your photo is really cool. I think it is the best pro camera Canon has ever made. And, yeah, I love 10 frames per second and super fast autofocus for sports! 😉

I think the 1DX is Canon's best ever.

What I wonder is if the photographer went through the effort to tape up some of the logos and model tags, why didn't s/he swap out the loud Canon strap? For every Canon I've purchased, I've also purchased a thin black Domke strap. The leatherette of those Canon straps eventually rips off and I don't like the width, either. But the loud Canon logo is the primary reason I don't use them.

honestly?
i am rarely approached in public...my general 'look' seems to naturally intimidate folks.

Haha... I get the most equipment enquiries while shooting weddings, where I have to be friendly and accessible-looking, at least, for the client's sake. At least one or two equipment comments per event. The last one I was cornered for 5 minutes by a guy who wants to ditch his day job and go full-time photography... I wasn't shooting my Leica that evening, which usually generates some inquiries from the ladies. I guess there is some ego boost as well, being told by a 20-something I look cool. 🙂 But that's not why I shoot Leica. Honest.
 
What are your thoughts on this?

062410_GK_CanonMkIV0006.jpg
My thoughts on this?
1) Its a Digital camera-feh!
2) It's a Canon camera-double feh!
3) The logo has been taped over-silly.
Can I go now?
 
Quite the opposite. I copy a photo of Leica's red dot, Nikon's logo, Canon, Zeiss, and what have you. Print them out on sticky paper, cut them out and stick them on Holgas, and other plastic 35mm cameras found in second hand stores. You know, like the Vivitar wide and slim, or Bell & Howell 35 and other plastic junk. Good fun.
 
Quite the opposite. I copy a photo of Leica's red dot, Nikon's logo, Canon, Zeiss, and what have you. Print them out on sticky paper, cut them out and stick them on Holgas, and other plastic 35mm cameras found in second hand stores. You know, like the Vivitar wide and slim, or Bell & Howell 35 and other plastic junk. Good fun.

+1. Made me smile.
 
You check out my avatar with the googly eyes. This is the new secret weapon. Nothing to read, but people often crack an involuntary smile.

D
 
Never...but hey on my bike frame I wrapped the whole thing with red duct tape...that way it doesn't show up in store front windows, drivers don't stare at it at stop lights and who cares what I'm riding, be it steel, aluminum or carbon...and no one asks...how much did that cost...
 
What are your thoughts on this?

062410_GK_CanonMkIV0006.jpg


To each his own (I don't tape over anything but if you desire to, then do it), but I got ask you really . . . do you feel that this camera / lens setup is less attention-grabbing because of the taping?
I don't.
Point this rig at someone and they very definitely will know that you have pointed a camera at them, tape or no tape.
 
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