how do you feel walking round with a tripod?

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mrwall

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the other day I was walking in my local woods with my little girl, camera and my Tripod over my shoulder, I get looked at like I'm some kind of alien! have been to the same woods on my own and got even more strange Looks!

one other time I really did not think what I was doing, top of Belmont in Bolton on my own in the carpark get out get the tripod out started to snap the 3/4 moon, look around and see 3 or 4 parked cars and a couple of shocked looking faces see me stould there with a camera!!...got back in the car and drove off quickly before I got lynched :)

anyone ever feel out of place with a camera and tripod?

we live in a so called "free" country but sometimes a look on someone's face says otherwise.
 
All I feel is an ache in my shoulder!

I often wander arund with the GH1 round my neck and one of the SLRs on a tripod slung over my shoulder.
 
Since buying a Tamrac Expedition 8x I don't have to carry my tripod with me any more, just attach it to the back of the rucksack. Lovely.

<tongueincheek>
End of the day, you're not doing anything wrong and if anyone decides to 'lynch' you and you can't get to your phone quick enough to call the police at least you have a heavy tripod for 'dissuasion'.
</tongueincheek>

Just relax. People are always going to look and stare at you with your camera and tripod. I've been doing this photography lark for about 2 and a half years now and people look strangely at me when I'm out and about - the trick is all about acting confidently. You know you have a right to be there. You know you're not doing anything wrong. Don't look guilty because you're not and trust me, people - on the whole - will not say nor do anything. And if they talk about you then why do you care - do you know them? Do they know you? No. Get on with your photography and enjoy your hobby, who cares what randoms think?
 
Think may be you just thinking they were starring there were probably just watching you taking photos, Ive often been out up the view point Belmont, no ones ever bothered me, they probably have seen a tripod before, is it just you conscious of carrying one, Ive never had any trouble with myself and carrying one
 
I went to our local woods a week or so ago with my tripod and all I got was friendly hello's.
Even when I was rolling around on the floor trying to shoot macro dandelions.
Ive also taken it into Gloucester Cathedral and had no issues.

I wouldnt take it into Sainsburys though!
 
I look at it this way, It's them that have the problem, not me!
 
if they do suddenly have a problem... well, it's you that's already holding a heavy metal club ;)
 
It doesnt bother me at all THB, i used to get all paranoid about shooting out in the day with or without a tripod but now i couldntd give a monkeys.

Majority of the time I get interesting questions from passers by and have never had any bad words from anyone. I think id tell them where to get off if i did anyway lol!!
 
I get people look at me hundreds of times. The thing is that is all they do just look at you so it dont really bother me.
 
mrwall said:
anyone ever feel out of place with a camera and tripod?
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Well, I've been asked to move on by security at the London Eye once and once by the GLA building, but that was their problem, not mine.
 
I am very happy being seen out and about with my gear and tripod. Its another photography tool, simple as that and if others have a problem with this..........tough.
 
I don't have any problems when carrying mine. People tend to talk to me more and seem to assume I know what I'm doing. I went for a walk around Buttermere last year and one guy helpfully stopped me and started telling me where the best places to stand were for the 'traditional' photos of the area which was nice. Only thing I worry about is turning around too quickly and knocking someone out when it's strapped to my rucksack.
 
I think its because a lot of people think a P&S can compete with most big cameras so why you lugging all that around when all you need is the latest P&S, some people are just intrigued as to what your actually shooting, especially if they can't the picture you can. I.e your shooting a grubby building rather than a nice meadow lol
 
I went into Tesco's to take some photos of their fish counter ,,( I was doing an AV and had the pics of boats , docks, fish auction and fish and chip shop ) , but i chickened out when i got to Tesco's and took my compact in .:lol:
 
I'm not bothered if/what people think. I'm doing nothing wrong, so why worry? It's their issue not ours.

I've honestly never really felt out of place with my camera or gear though, and I've definitely never felt intimidated/looked at suspiciously. Could be because I'm young, well dressed and a very clean cut looking guy, and I usually have my girlfriend with me which always helps. It's sad that we (we being the collective public of the UK) judge based solely on appearances so much, but it's just the depressing reality of modern living.

I've been approached plenty of times by people curious as to my equipment, what I'm shooting etc... But only in a friendly way, and I've had some lovely conversations due to this.

Just be yourself, go about your business as you normally would. You aren't doing anything wrong so relax. The more you stress about it the more "dodgy" you could be perceived as, it's a vicious circle!
 
Skyline On Fire said:
Just be yourself, go about your business as you normally would. You aren't doing anything wrong so relax. The more you stress about it the more "dodgy" you could be perceived as, it's a vicious circle!
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Couldn't agree more. A while back I used to find it awkward in some situations but got over it eventually. I have learnt that people are normally just intrigued and wonder what I'm doing.
 
WP-UK said:
Couldn't agree more. A while back I used to find it awkward in some situations but got over it eventually. I have learnt that people are normally just intrigued and wonder what I'm doing.
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Exactly.

It's like if we, as photographers, walk past someone with an easel and a whole set of paints laid out on a table, we would be naturally curious as to what they were painting, what equipment they are using, how it's looking etc... Most of the general public are just the same way regarding our equipment and subjects.
 
The thing I've noticed is that the 'older generation' are very keen to spark up conversations about photography, subjects, gear and photoshop :lol:

Never had my age group (34) or less show any direct interest when walking past with tripod on my shoulder.

Maybe location has something to do with it as I only take my full rig out in the countryside never inner city.
 
I'm still a little paranoid, but now only around children (despite having two myself) I still feel like people think I'm some sort of pervert, but other than that nothing much bothers me anymore.
 
TCR4x4 said:
I went to our local woods a week or so ago with my tripod and all I got was friendly hello's.
Even when I was rolling around on the floor trying to shoot macro dandelions.
Ive also taken it into Gloucester Cathedral and had no issues.

I wouldnt take it into Sainsburys though!
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I'm from Gloucester area too and also find people are quite friendly when they see you with photography gear.

IMO if people are staring at you because you have a tripod or a camera then they need to get a life. What do they think you're going to strap a stinger missile on it in the middle of a beauty spot.

One possibility, especially at night, maybe it's a popular dogging spot and they're giving you evils because you interrupted their fun :D
 
mrwall said:
anyone ever feel out of place with a camera and tripod?
.
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If its women looking at me I just assume they are leching because I'm such a great looking bloke :love:

While if its men I tend to assume they are envious because all the female eyes are on me ;)

Why would they be looking at the tripod :shrug:
 
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I have yet to go out with the tripod but I find I get strange enough looks anyway with just the camera. More so when I'm stood staring into the sky or trees whipping my head round not to miss anything or running around bending down into bushes to take pictures of bugs and such like.

People tend to try and walk past me slowly and quietly so as not to disturb my mental breakdown, unless they have a dog with them that just comes running over to see what I'm doing there and looking at and they look horrified ha. :exit:

I usually care too much about what people think of me and worry about it a lot, but when I'm looking through the camera at something it's like there's nothing else there my concentration is only on what I'm taking the photo of, until I pull the camera down and see people staring at me with odd looks.

The way I see it though is they might be jealous of my hobby and/or interested. And at least I'm out there having a hobby to put my interest in.

Every time I see someone with a DSLR camera now I'm always looking trying to see what it is and what lens they have etc.
 
Seeing this question really made me think...

When I first started out, I never used a tripod. If I saw a shot, and couldn't get it without a tripod, I would just let the shot go - looking back now, I think about all the different opportunities I've missed. And it was simply down to the fact that I was (at the time) a 15 year old lad. And modern day perceptions tend to say... That's not really normal.

But today, as my confidence in photography has developed; HELL, I ain't missin' a shot just because I don't fit the stereotype of a binge drinkin' weed smokin' teen!! (not saying all teens are like that ;) ) just get slightly annoyed when people say, 'what do you do with your Friday nights?' and I reply going for a walk with the camera and tripod!! For there reaction to be laughter and 'no really, what are you doing on Friday night?' :)

But anyways... Just act like you know what you're doing with the tripod and it's not so bad. :D
 
A chap came up to once and asked why I had my camera on a tripod. I explained it was dark and I was using a long exposure.

"Can't be a very good camera then," he replied. "Mine is a modern one with a flash built in."

:bang:
 
mrwall said:
this is what I was getting at in the carpark in Belmont, lots of cars with "couples" in!!
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on the other hand may they were looking for you to join in and get some shots of the action :nuts:
 
The way i look at it, you'll probably never see them again and they'll never see you again. Dont let some stranger ruin your chance to get some good shots.
 
I was out the over the weekend with my new Siggy 150-500 taking some pics of wild birds when a smart elderly couple came up to me and said, "Ahh, here's a man who will know"

If you have a biggish looking lens everyone thinks you are expert! We then had a very pleasant five minute conversation. Photography can be a great ice breaker.
 
I went out with my tripod for the first time the other day and a couple stopped and watched me set up and the chap just said oh its a fancy camera. He then produced his P&S and procceded to tell me how great it was.
He then had the cheek to ask if I minded taking a photo of them with it. I agreed and offered to take one with mine which I could email to them.
I got a email back from him asking how much one of those "Fancy cameras cost as he had to get one"
 
beckyboy1 said:
I went out with my tripod for the first time the other day and a couple stopped and watched me set up and the chap just said oh its a fancy camera. He then produced his P&S and procceded to tell me how great it was.
He then had the cheek to ask if I minded taking a photo of them with it. I agreed and offered to take one with mine which I could email to them.
I got a email back from him asking how much one of those "Fancy cameras cost as he had to get one"
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:lol::lol:

Oh the cheek!
 
Most of the times when I get the looks it more out of people's curiosity. It also very often leads to a pleasant conversation about gear, techniques, etc...
 
Nothing much bothers me nowadays, but the best one I had was when I was shooting a model in a public place (near a forest). I had the rather stunning female model in pose, 3 lightstands with beauty dishes and softboxes setup and was shooting away. A group of young lads (18/19 yr olds) walked past me, stopped to watch me photograph the model and then all started laughing and pointing and called me a faggot.

Now... I still to this day dont understand that one... its a young beautiful woman? duh!
 
jamesoliverstone said:
Now... I still to this day dont understand that one... its a young beautiful woman? duh!
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I presume that in their tiny minds a real man would be doing something other than taking her photo :cuckoo:
 
jamesoliverstone said:
Nothing much bothers me nowadays, but the best one I had was when I was shooting a model in a public place (near a forest). I had the rather stunning female model in pose, 3 lightstands with beauty dishes and softboxes setup and was shooting away. A group of young lads (18/19 yr olds) walked past me, stopped to watch me photograph the model and then all started laughing and pointing and called me a faggot.

Now... I still to this day dont understand that one... its a young beautiful woman? duh!
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:D:D:D Thats the limit of their vocabulary I expect James, numpties!:bang:
 
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