How would...

John Mc

John Mc

Suspended / Banned
Messages
742
Name
John
Edit My Images
No
Get your other half into photography?

Over recent months she's grown to become my best friend, practically joined at the hip. We share a lot of common interests, Pc gaming, Gym 5 days a week, Same tv programs. I'm lucky to have her. But I try to get her to come take photos with me and she'd rather sit at home playing on the PC. I wouldn't mind having a Photography buddy to go places with, and I'd like it to be her. But whilst she has been interested in learning about using a DSLR, She doesn't seem interested in putting it into practice.

Next year, I plan to go away in late September, early October. Ideally up to Skye or the outer Hebrides to photograph the landscape and wildlife. Whilst I know she'd enjoy the wildlife aspect of the trip, even if its just the occasional walk. I'd still like her to accompany me to take photos of landscapes and sit and wait on that one shot of a certain bird that I might not get a shot of.

So, General question, What did you do to get your partner into photography? Or what can you suggest. It's not important to me that much if she generally doesn't get into it, but at least I can try.
 
You could always tether the camera to the PC then she can control it like a computer game :-)

I'm not expert but would suggest getting her involved with something that you know would instantly provide some create results. Then if shes pleased with her efforts then she will be keen to move onto more tricky stuff.
 
Its a good question.

I'm into the same dilemma in a way. I've been with my OH for 5 years and into photography longer.

She shows interest in the end results but not really interested in the process of creating the images.

I am hoping to upgrade to a 5dmk3 soon and will 'give' her my 500d to use when we go away or out in the hopes she will get the bug. Even if she just sticks to automatic and snaps away I would be happy.

Sadly I doubt my OH would have any patience to sit for ages n wait for a birds etc but hoping she would like it for events and more action photography.

Does she have a compact or anything like that?
 
She does have a Point and shoot, but it has no charger at the moment. Mainly uses her phone. I'm hoping to upgrade to a 7D with a 150-500 sigma over the next year, so the 500D would be surplus and a back up. But mines is the same, Loves the end shots, especially animals. So I'm hoping booking to do a wildlife tour would encourage her, Or just general days out to the Zoo.
 
Mine's not that bothered about photography but is happy to either tag along with me if I go snapping or for me to tag along with her if we're out for a walk (and hang about if I want to stop for a snap). She's very photogenic herself but hates herself in photos! She's even happy to carry some of my kit. I'd be more than happy if she ever did get into photography - she has a good eye for a photo but little inclination to take much more than snaps with a compact.

Seems to be working for us - been a couple for 26+ years and married for 6! Must be love...
 
pocquet said:
She shows interest in the end results but not really interested in the process of creating the images.
Click to expand...

Same with mine, loves the photos I take and gives great feedbacks including on how to improve, she says her problem is don't like to carry around the heavy equipment. I guess I have an easier job because once the camera is in her hands, it's quite hard getting it back. Although I'll always get it back eventually when she gets tired and wants a mule. :lol::love:

In an ideal world, I'd get her the Sony RX1 and I'll have the Leica M 240. Unfortunately both are waaaaay out of our budget. haha.


The digital age is easier to get into photography. The instant feedback screen is first step, perhaps shoot tethered and ability to see the results and do touch-up straight away. In terms of waiting for the wildlife, you can offer conversation and topics while you two wait.
 
Last edited:
She might catch an interest if one of her friends did too, or if it could become a talking point for her socially. This is the primary driver for most (obviously not all) women taking up new hobbies/activities, ever noticed how half the office joins a gym at the same time? The social aspect needs to be appealing enough, or it's got no hope.

I'm trying to get my GF into cycling/mountain-biking, she's never had a bike (even as a kid) and it's an impossible task to a) get her interested and b) get her out of a "fear of failure" (or fear of looking daft) mindset.
 
Last edited:
Lyonspride said:
She might catch an interest if one of her friends did too, or if it could become a talking point for her socially. This is the primary driver for most (obviously not all) women taking up new hobbies/activities, ever noticed how half the office joins a gym at the same time? The social aspect needs to be appealing enough, or it's got no hope.
Click to expand...

I like photography because it means i get to spend time on my own :lol:

I'd like to get my husband into photography too. But whilst he is quite supportive and likes coming out on walks with me etc, he has no interest in taking it more seriously. I'd like him to join the local camera club with me (i don't want to go on my own, i'm quite shy :lol:) but he says its my hobby and he doesn't want to get into it aswell. Someone needs to look after the kids when we're out ;)
 
I would not try to get anyone to do anything if they show little interest from the start. I share many interests with the wife but photography as such is not one of hers, she does things that I don't have an interest in also. Ironing for one :thumbs: Imho it is healthy in any relationship to both have a bit of space from each other.
 
Part of the appeal of photography is getting away from er indoors, it'd be like asking me to take her to the football or her asking me to go to her book group. No chance. Join a camera club or find a friend with a camera.
 
Much the same for me.
I bought a Nex 3 for my wife for Christmas and she seems to be getting more interested in the process rather than the end result.
I bought another one for my daughter as she is going off to Italy for a month in the summer before university. She too seems to have caught the bug.
The only problem is when all three of us go out for a walk together...
 
If you have enough in common with her already, why worry that she's not into photography? If you end up marrying her, you'll be delighted to have a hobby she's not interested in, to get you out of the house ;-)
 
Got to agree with BB above - why do you need to? If she's not interested, she's not interested. Having shared interests is great but having desperate interests is very healthy for a relationship too.

Photography is probably the only thing my husband I do have in common lol
 
Tell her she cant do it, that usually gets their dander up :) She will soon be togging.
 
I gave my other half my 550D when I got my 5D2 and 7D to see if she'd get on with it and she took to it like the proverbial duck. She started off with a basic kit 18-55 and 55-250 set up and was happy with that for a while. She then decided she wanted a longer lens for wildlife shooting so she got a Sigma 120-400 OS and added a 70-210 f4 and an 18-135. Then when the 650D came out she got one of them and sold the 550D eventually.

It's a great thing to get your partner to enjoy the same things you do, but just be aware that if they like it so much it can get doubly expensive if you do.
 
My wife and I met in 1979 at a camera club. We married in late 1980. I think she was impressed with my equipment! I had Pentax, she had Praktika.

We still have the same kit tucked away.

We both lived in the same part of London. Without knowing it we worked in the same industry (I as an aerospace engineer and she as a procurement manager at the MoD!)

As an aside part of my perks was access on trade days at the SBAC Farnborough air shows. I loved taking my photo gear along and always shot Ektachrome.

In 1984 I was cataloguing my 1976 Farnborough shots and I got to some panned shots of a Sepecat Jaguar flying very very low along the runway a few times.

So I was using a desktop viewer when on 2 really good shots there was a face with a camera taking shots. Yup twas the missus 3 years before I met her! Found a few more in the stationery display area.

At the time I was concentrating on the aircraft. Easier on the trade days!

In essence we did have a lot in common and we met in a camera club of all places!

She and I use photography in our working life. She in her H&S role at a heavily used facility with a heavy footfall and I in the Environmental, Pollution, Impact Assessment and Carbon Management field.

This has an impact on time for the hobby side of photography but it is our 33rd Anniversary this November. Must be doing something right! We are going to disappear to Ireland on a photography tour we had to cut short 20 years ago, as soon as we get the proverbial window!!!

In the end I did not have to convince her on the photography front. That said, however, I want a 7D - she says "but you have all the kit at work" - maybe but it belongs to the company...... But she retorts "you own the company......"

Women!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top