Etiquette, do other toggers get on your **** ?

Trev Rich

Trev Rich

Suspended / Banned
Messages
3,836
Name
Trev
Edit My Images
Yes
Was at Corfe Castle spectating a re-enactment of ye olden days, taking a few photos of the battles, kids enjoying it. When some woman with a camera barges through, gets in front of kids and almost tramples on my son, continues to just carry on as though she had more right than others just because she had a DSLR...
Well I did too but I would never act like that, and the wife pointed out that Im a polite photographer.
I never get in front of other toggers, and wouldn't dream of barging in.

Anyone else get any experiences like this?
 
I was covering the Tank Museum's opening (new hall) that was coupled up with the 70th anniversary of the Royal Armoured Corps and I had to be quite forceful with other togs who were constantly elbowing at other people. The worst ones (no offence intended here, just an observation) were the older ones too. I had to be quite firm with a couple of them. That's before I even get into the museum's togs, who were awful. And then the museum had the nerve to ask me (through my boss) for a shot I took for use in their publicity.

I was there shooting our fanfare team by the way :)
 
I'm afraid it is. Some people are just like that. I will always try not to get in peoples way if they are taking photographs and I expect the same thing in return.
 
yep, school plays. yopu get there early get a nice seat at the front, perfect view of everything, everyone else sits down where ever. thing starts, your 10 rows back and 30 heads in the way, along with video cameras and such like.
 
every man and woman for themselves :bat:

Pro to pro it can mean a pay day or not. But if you are too pushy you will be frozen out. :razz:

I find if you trip over their shins they get the message. :eek:

If not the spike of a monopod works wonders :D
 
Try my best not to get in pepoles way, on the few occasions I have (without realising) have alway appologised.
 
Was at CHester zoo, waiting to lok through one of the windows in the Ape house. Man calls his wife over, bearing in mind he had had a good look, and so had their kids, so she comes over. Video camera in hand, she blocks the view for my 6 yr old and 3 yr old, keeping filming until the ape had gone back into his hidey hole. So not only could she replay the whole moment at home, soe only needed a few seconds to go "yep its and ape" (cos this is through glass, and she wasn;t david attenborough), but it meant that 2 children couldn't see the ape at all.

The misses made a few cutting remarks in earshot, cos she is much better at that kind fo thing than me.

Yes, ti wound me up
 
I must admit to having deliberately got in another togs way a few weeks ago. It was at a sports event and I had spoken with the coach and after the event had arranged a team photo. Just got everybody set up and I hear someone shouting at me to get out the way. Turn around and there is another pro tog jumping up and down and waving his arms at me to get out of his way so he can get the shot that I had just set up. I placed myself directly in front of him and got the shots I needed and then thanked the lads and told them they could go. Fair to say the other tog was not a happy camper. If looks could kill :)

If he had asked or even spoken up in a reasonable manner I would have stepped aside once I had finished and let him have his shot but demanding that I move before I have got my shot when I was the one who set it up was not going to get any co-operation at all.

As far as Joe Public goes there does seem to be a element (just as in anything else) who have no consideration for anybody else but woe betide anyone who steps in front of them. Just another reflection of the times we live in.

John
 
ChrisMClark said:
I was covering the Tank Museum's opening (new hall) that was coupled up with the 70th anniversary of the Royal Armoured Corps and I had to be quite forceful with other togs who were constantly elbowing at other people. The worst ones (no offence intended here, just an observation) were the older ones too. I had to be quite firm with a couple of them. That's before I even get into the museum's togs, who were awful. And then the museum had the nerve to ask me (through my boss) for a shot I took for use in their publicity.

I was there shooting our fanfare team by the way :)
Click to expand...

Hi Chris,

Are you in the forces?

I have fond memories of the tank museum
 
i was at the new years day parade in london 2 years ago, right at the end, the other side of the road from the ritz hotel.

I was right up by the fence (didn't push, got their nice n early!) and firstly, this tog shows up in a hi-viz jacket with a 1DMk2 (i think) on the other side of the crowd barriers, and just looks at me, standing their with my ol praktica in hand, and gave that "better then thou" look.

when the next group of dancers/big band/whatever shows up, he INTENTIONALLY! stands right in front of me so I can't get a shot of anything going past!:bang:

firstly I think "ok, perhaps its just a shot or two and he will move on", but he doesn't, so I after patiently waiting, ask politely for him to move so that I can get a few shots for my Photography A-level coursework -and point out he is blocking the view for many others inc. little kids!

he just ignores me and carries on. I ask him again and he sneers at me and tells me to f-off!

What cheek!

at this point PC plod has caught on, along with some of the parade attendants, and asks him if he is an official registered tog at the parade. he says yes, and they ask him for ID, but he doesn't have any (he was lying -wasnt "official" at all!), so they tell him he can't be on that side of the barriers and ask him to move back.

he ponders off for a few minutes, until I find he is pushing his way through the crowd(making a kid cry!) to where I am standing, and then just shoves me in the face with his elbow:eek: B*****D!!!

he blocks my view again, and I had enough! every time he raised that canon, I shoved him in the back. I saw in his little LCD that all his pics are blurry!:nuts::nuts:

after a bit he starts swearing and so pc plod comes back and tell him if he doesn't shove off, he will get arrested! ..... that finally got rid of him.

sorry for long story, and thanks to that one nice pc plod that I have ever encountered!:thumbs:
 
I like to think Im quite polite as a photog for example at gigs if I'm walking along the pit and see someone trying to get a shot from the other side of the gate Ill stop and let them get their shot, even if it is with just a iPhone or P&S camera.

I cant stand photographers who think they are the dogs [PLEASE DON'T TRY TO BYPASS THE SWEAR FILTER] and just walk infront of everyone else - sure some people do it on accident, but its quite obvious when people are just blatantly arrogant.
 
I agree James. That's the approach I take too. No matter why I am where I am. It's general manners, respect and politeness.

If someone stands in my way, I'll wait for them to move. If they don't I'll sulk a bit and move myself...I'm too much of a wuss :p

Unfortunately, it's not limited to photography, you get rude people in every walk of life. I pity them more than anything to be honest :D
 
I tend to toe the polite line when everyone else is doing the same, but when people start pushing in/ahead i either put them in their place or join the scrum. Every situation is different usually... :shrug:

What tends to help me is having a face so battered and beaten up (as one nameless ex friend here used to say [too often for my liking] - a face only a mother could love) that not many fancy their chances with me. If looks could kill and all that... :lol:
 
To be honest If I see someone trying to take a photo I move out of the shot straight away as common courtesy but never had anyone knowingly walk in front of me when I am taking one so guess I must be lucky.....so far
 
hepburn said:
What tends to help me is having a face so battered and beaten up :
Click to expand...

hhm surely they should be worried about the person who does the battering not the person who gets battered :)
 
I cant say i've noticed anybody ever intentionally getting in my way, there is the occasional time that people get in your way but it's always looked accidental.

I usually try to avoid getting in peoples way.
 
Marcel said:
Unfortunately, it's not limited to photography, you get rude people in every walk of life. I pity them more than anything to be honest :D
Click to expand...

Got to agree with that statement. It is just the way of the world these days, unfortunately. There is a general lack of manners and respect in general and not just when it comes to photography.

There certainly is a kind of arrogance when it comes to photography though and I don't know what that is all about.
 
I notice alot of people who just love getting the way of my shots, and people who just can't help but ask if I am into photography when I am stood there holding a DSLR, they even chase after me sometimes, But people getting in the way is easily fixed when I come walking up with my hoodie and hat, comes in use sometimes even though im not like that I guess?
 
I think a lot of it is awareness, many people walk in front of photographers because they are in their own little world and just do not see them. As photographers we tend to be more aware of other people using cameras. My wife often laughs at me as I walk around people taking photographs, or duck below the lens if I cannot get around them and am in a hurry.

When I was a pro and doing weddings, I always let those that had cameras take any shots they wanted of shots I had set up, after I had got mine, I have often taken the camera from them and taken the shot for them and have always offerred suggestions as to how they may get a better end result. I always found that when it came to my taking shots in which they were involved they were much more co-operative and helpful.

Did I lose some sales? quite possibly, but they would not have been at every part of the wedding, so there were always some sales. I always looked upon it as a unofficial backup, if for example a roll of film was ruined in the processing I knew that there would have been some exact same images as I would have had and it would not have been such a disaster, I would just of asked the B&G to contact their guests and asked for the use of their negatives.
 
Pretty much agree with what Ed says. I was the same when I photographed weddings, I'd often end up with a dozen cameras draped on my arms whilst I took the group shots, the goodwill was more than worth it. A bit of courtesy goes a long way in everyday life and makes me feel better too. When driving, I have no problem reversing back to let someone through on the lane and give them a smile and a wave. Out photographing, I find it's worth having a chat or at least making eye contact with other photographers, ask if I'm in the way and move out of shot, most times it's then reciprocated.

Life's too short to be grumpy all the time. :)
 
If someone deliberately walks in front of me when I'm trying to get a pic (and I've got nothing better to do) I try to follow them around for a while then get into as many of their shots as possible with my tongue sticking out. If they're shooting video, this gets expanded to mildly obscene gestures. I have also been known to ask male photographers taking pics of their child (if they or brat have offended me) if they know who the child's father is.
 
The twitchers at Bassenthwaite were particualry rude on Saturday.I just moved a bit and cranked the tripod right up.I can`t be azzed arguing with rude people.
 
When attending the unvailing of the Les Dawson statue in St Annes I noticed it wasn't just other photographers that the photographers had a disregard for.
They were all so desperate to get the shot they wanted that they completeley destroyed one of the decorative flower beds by trampling all over it. I even heard one complain about mud on his shoes!!!!
 
some of the photographers at the agricultural shows can be a pain in the bum, for the past few years i've been doing a few commissions for some friends and the ones taking photos of the working hunter classes have a tendency to just walk through you if they want to get somewhere it can be quite annoying. though i have noticed it's usually the same group of people at certain shows
 
I was on the receiving end of a rude tog yesterday - though I taking part in the event rather than taking pictures.

He was in the worst place he could possibly be for the situation and was refusing to move - even though taking two paces to his right would have removed the imminent danger.

Had I more time I would have explained the error of his ways rather more vociferously than I did.

Sometimes I see behaviour that indicates that not only do some people keep their brain in a jar when out for a drive, they do the same when they set out to take pictures giving no regard for their own safety or the safety of others.

B.
 
So far I have never had a photographer get directly in my way.
However at mallory park earlier this year I do recall one photographer who wanted to have a paticular spot so badly that when we moved off for a bit he parked his van as close to the spot as possible, effectively preventing anyone from using the area for 6-8 feet in either direction. I did wander off thinking 'What a cock' then.

Now me I'm a polite photographer. If there are other folk with cameras I generally engage them in polite conversation and this for the most parts this breaks down a few barriers and everyone gets good shots. OK, the mallory park cock was just blanking nearly everyone who was there and when someone moved to give him a chance he didn't even utter a thankyou. Arrogant pro I think, but I shall remember his face and make no consessions next time I am there.
 
fracster said:
The twitchers at Bassenthwaite were particualry rude on Saturday.I just moved a bit and cranked the tripod right up.I can`t be azzed arguing with rude people.
Click to expand...

What did they do Frac? Some die hard twitchers can be a pain.
Did you get any pictures?
 
In regards to photographers getting in the way, I haven't had that yet luckily, although I have witnessed it.
I'm always conscious about getting in peoples way and if I see someone taking a picture when I'm walking past, I quickly get out of the way, usually with a smile and a thanks from the person taking the picture.

Just general manners and consideration for others.
 
BellyBoy said:
What did they do Frac? Some die hard twitchers can be a pain.
Did you get any pictures?
Click to expand...

We had 6 kids with us,aged between 7 and 14, it would not have killed the twitchers to move away from the front for a few mins so that they could see the nest through the pre-mounted RSPB scopes,would it? Kids get bored easy and they would have lost interest fairly quickly.I ended up locking the camera up on the head and tripod and holding the kids up so that they could see the nest

One of them barged past me spinning the camera around on the head, I think I must have looked rather displeased,or growl;ed or summat, as they muttered an apology and left straight away.

The ladies from the RSPCA were fabulous though,all credit to them,especially the one from Ireland, she spent ages explaining stuff to people,she seemed really keen to pass her obvious knowledge on...........:thumbs:

But yes, the female was sat and the male was away over the lake hunting.The buzzards were knocking about and we saw a female sparrowhawk.There were loads of songbirds around at the bottom viewpoint which kept us all entertained for ages.........:)
 
It sounds like you had a good time despite some of the twitchers.
The RSPB people know their stuff, especially if it's some people from the local group. There are a few volunteers who do a superb job and keep the nest observed 24 hours a day.
The new sighting area is higher up than the old one as the birds decided to move so they had to change it :lol:
The old one had quite a lot of space but I haven't been up to the new one so I don't know what it's like.
 
Generally don't have any problems, most of the amateur togs at events I go to are in the same boat, and are pretty courteous to each other. Yeah, the official fellas can sometimes be annoying standing smack in front on the other side of the fence, but I guess they're entitled to. Only had one issue I can remember from non-togging public, last week funnily enough - a drunk bloke getting upset with the size of my nature trekker bag!
 
SuperAP said:
funnily enough - a drunk bloke getting upset with the size of my nature trekker bag!
Click to expand...

Probably thought it was better suited to carrying beer than photographic equipment :D
 
I've been in a number of Press Scrums and in those circumstance it's every man for himself IMO.

However, out and about and there is no competition for the shot (money on the line) I'd hate to think I ruined someone's shot regardless of the camera they are using, I think it's just manners. Pay it Forward and all :)
 
Never had a problem with twitchers at Slimbridge, in fact one at the kingfisher hide made the point of pointing out the kingfishers to us (I couldn't see them right in front of us!) and let my son look through his spotting scope. He even made a little room for us and our cameras.

I once had an issue with the local press. Our local pub team that I took photo's of every week for 4 years made it to the local cup final, which we won. I'd taken along two bottles of fizz for the classic team shoot at the end and the local tog pushed his way in front of me after I'd set all the shot up. Not to one side but directly in front. I just shoved him aside and kept shooting then had words afterwards.
 
SimonTALM said:
I've been in a number of Press Scrums and in those circumstance it's every man for himself IMO.

However, out and about and there is no competition for the shot (money on the line) I'd hate to think I ruined someone's shot regardless of the camera they are using, I think it's just manners. Pay it Forward and all :)
Click to expand...

At a family event and all photos are personal, no official event togs... it's not just other togs you need to be polite to, its other spectators and kids, they have just as much right as you do.
 
I think the thing is, we have all done it, wondered into someone else's shot accidently whilst busy looking at something else to point your camera at, but once you realise, it is at least good manners to apologise. However, to deliberately get in someones way at a public event is :bang:
 
Where I work as a free lance photographer. It's at a Rock Club, there's two other site toggers. But because it's dark but lit because of the strobes but also VERY LOUD and I always take 1-4 shots and move around the stage with other togs doing pretty much the same thing we always end up getting in the way. But we've pretty much made up our own "Hand signal" Language to know where we're moving. And if one is in the way a few flashes beind them makes them know they're in the way. And we always talk before hand to know what "shots" each togger is going for, Which helps :)
 
kevmalone said:
When attending the unvailing of the Les Dawson statue in St Annes I noticed it wasn't just other photographers that the photographers had a disregard for.
They were all so desperate to get the shot they wanted that they completeley destroyed one of the decorative flower beds by trampling all over it. I even heard one complain about mud on his shoes!!!!
Click to expand...

Going back a few years when Neil Kinnock was standing for PM he visited Neval Hall hospital, what a shambles, togs were even climbing the flower stand to get a shot (it collapsed lol) it was worse than the pole tax riots!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top