I got called a weirdo for carrying a camera...

Walking about with my big white L prime (300 f/2.8) most people remark on the size of the 'camera'. Never had anyone say anything derogatory really.
 
Arkady said:
People make assumptions based on appearance - maybe those of you who've been challenged just look like wierdos...
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Care to elaborate? .... Just what exactly does a weirdo look like ... :thinking:
 
Laudrup said:
Walking about with my big white L prime (300 f/2.8) most people remark on the size of the 'camera'. Never had anyone say anything derogatory really.
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I have a theory - I think you are more likely to be challenged with a medium-size dslr.

In the mind of the casual observer: small camera = amateur, medium camera = up to no good, big camera = must have a good excuse to have one that big!

Also the confidence with which you march around makes a big difference.

Phil
 
Splog said:
Well F.Y.I. He's not right! ... :shake: .....:razz:
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Hey - checkout my avatar - nobody could accuse me of looking like a wierdo.....hmmmm:suspect:
 
philthejuggler said:
I have a theory - I think you are more likely to be challenged with a medium-size dslr.

In the mind of the casual observer: small camera = amateur, medium camera = up to no good, big camera = must have a good excuse to have one that big!

Also the confidence with which you march around makes a big difference.

Phil
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I think you're on the right lines with this

i bought a 400d with kit lens, never got stopped once.

then i bought a sigma 70-300 and have been called a perv in by some 'youf' (also was confronted taking a photo of someones house by their neighbour, well they did crash into my car, got told it was against the law etc)

since i bought a grip and a sigma 24-70 i've had no bother at all. i suppose it looks more pro to people as the camera appears much bigger.

I have now bought this and i'm hoping to take it out in public soon to see what happens :D

IMG00011-20090817-1710.jpg
 
i go get some funny looks with my small cam extended under my fleece
a sort of one breast look..in the middle
 
Arkady said:
How many cameras do you carry? Anyone?
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Two normally for me, the 24-70 on one and the 70-200 on the other and flash guns.

I go to lots of public events, markets, concerts, people know I'm around and I respect the people that I feel do not want their pictures taken.

I don't get hassle because I think I don't look like a weirdo, but I'm not even sure I look like a photographer :D
 
jaybiss said:
I have now bought this and i'm hoping to take it out in public soon to see what happens :D

IMG00011-20090817-1710.jpg
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Thats a similar to what i have. 450d, canon 70-200 and battery grip.

I have found that people are rather interested, used it at a public event a few weeks ago and a couple of people started talking to me about my hobby :)

So far no comments such as weirdo but i only take it out occasionally.
 
I never get any hassle if I ever venture in Nottingham to get some street shots.. the trick? Just wear my work ID round my neck and stop and stare up high at buildings sometimes looking as if I'm scoping it out, all official like.

While I realise that not everyone will have a work ID, just make something that looks like one and wear it. It's a pain, and you shouldn't have to, but anything to prevent hassle.

Echo the above about attitudes on the Continent; people just don't pay any attention.
 
not had much hassle with DSLRs, but absolutely no issues at all when carrying a trusty 'ol rangefinder ;)
... if only the digital ones were a bit more affordable
 
i always get called off for taking pictures of random things like a tree infront of a sunset, or someones car... hey your wife is good looking i cant help it :P
 
I haven't had any issues yet, and hopefully as more people get dslr's they will become less suspicious. I do tend to keep my camera in a bag and only whip it out when I want to shoot though.
 
Arkady said:
How many cameras do you carry? Anyone?

I usually go out with two - a long and a short - and I guess I look like what I am: a photographer - rather than someone with an interest in photography...if you get the distinction...

Also my kit, though recognisable for what it is to other photographers, also looks 'the part' to laymen...
I've never been stopped, hassled, questioned, or even 'looked at in a funny way'...
Maybe they think I work for the local paper/national paper etc etc...

People make assumptions based on appearance - maybe those of you who've been challenged just look like wierdos...
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I almost always work with two bodies - often a 24-70mm on one and the 80-200mm on the other. I've never been hassled - but then I don't creep around either - people see what I'm doing and assume I have a purpose - they assume, I think, that I'm press - and mostly they're correct! People love to see their picture in the local paper.
 
I crawled about 300 feet flat on my stomach and face down, through thistles, sheep poo and cow poo to get a photo of a bird at the weekend.
Then went shopping at morrisons on the way home looking like i'd been dragged through a hedge backwards :lol: so i'm definitely a weirdo carrying a camera and proud of it :D
 
Werecow said:
I crawled about 300 feet flat on my stomach and face down, through thistles, sheep poo and cow poo to get a photo of a bird at the weekend.
Then went shopping at morrisons on the way home looking like i'd been dragged through a hedge backwards :lol: so i'm definitely a weirdo carrying a camera and proud of it :D
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:lol:

:nono: ... :thinking: ...you may be carrying a camera... :shrug: ...but imhgo you're just plain weird... :suspect:


;)





08.gif

 
I've not really had anything from the general public. I'm 18 so it's doubtful I'd get labelled as a p*** or a pervert. I've also got a prime lens on my camera most of the time which makes my A700 look like a huge bridge cam :p Although even an 18-70mm which has less range than most compacts gets labelled as a pervert lens with ridiculous range by most people. I did get stopped by the police when I was with my friend doing some light trails off a bridge (they thought we may have been throwing stuff off the bridge), but I showed them the photos and they said "oh cool" and let us get on with it :D
 
i don't really do street photography and although it's not my number1 desire i'm very discouraged from any photography in public due to the whole terrorism thing. i remember being told in newcastle station i couldn't use a tripod, but i was fine without one. tbh i just left and didn't come back.
 
silverstar189 said:
i don't really do street photography and although it's not my number1 desire i'm very discouraged from any photography in public due to the whole terrorism thing. i remember being told in newcastle station i couldn't use a tripod, but i was fine without one. tbh i just left and didn't come back.
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not using a tripod in public areas like a train station is pretty much common sense.. nothing to do with terrorism...
 
I got a round of applause in Lewes from the crowd watching the Freedom march earlier this year. but then I was in Uniform and had just ran up the hill in front of the parade to get a shot looking down ( I should also add that it was warm and I was sweating a touch!)
 
I get this twice over, I like to drive my car in the winter with the top down, on my way to take pictures.
 
mj4456 said:
I get this twice over, I like to drive my car in the winter with the top down, on my way to take pictures.
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Now that is wierd.:D
 
Im only 15, most people my age think im wierd etc..

But to adults I assume i'm seen as a kid who's doing a hobby rather than setting something on fire or something else ridiculous.
Older people have acknowledged me with "afternoon" and a smile.
I quite like the fact that i'm not seen as threatening to anyone, as im sure if i had a hoodie on just lurking in the street the older couple would've avoided walking near me.
 
I must admit ive thought the worst when ive seen someone with a camera in the park by a kids play area.

But really im pretty sure if it was someone dodgy they would be doing it in secet while sitting on a bench by holding their phone up like they were texting, not in plain sight.

I cant understand anyone making comment for someone just having a camera :/

I guess people dont understand anything that isnt included in their own lives.
 
david700 said:
When I carry my camera, IM NOT A TERRORIST, IM NOT A PAEDOPHILE, IM A PHOTOGRAPHER.


david700
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I wanna get that printed on a tshirt and wear it when taking pics in public. Luckily i've never had any abuse.....yet
 
I was out in local park shooting today, some people were nice, even had a little chat. Then the mothers with their children (it was a school closing time) all ran away from me like I was the plauge. I only had a fisheye lens with me!
 
I reckon I might start carrying 2 cameras at all times, maybe hang a guitar on my back, wear a pair of big dirty waders and a fishing hat, and maybe top it off with a mankini. If asked I'll say I work at BT.
 
Just read through all this...... I'm now too knackered to add anything!


We were shooting a large footy tournament last year. And this 6ft skinny, Corduroy jacket wearing tree hugger type came upto Dave( Who had a Canon 5D and 400mm F4) and asked if he was a parent? Dave said no! Carried on shooting. He then kept asking questions. Why are you here? Do you have ID? Dave then asked him the same questions, as he was getting totally cheesed off. The chap had no kids there but he was an Uncle. When Dave asked for ID Captain Corduroy started getting all funny.

Which resulted in a 'You show me yours and I'll show you mine!'

So our chap showed his drivers licence which just happened to have his Police shield next to it........

Never saw him again he varnished, like an old Oak table. Vanished ran off.

Never trust a guy who wears corduroy, has one eyebrow and looks your old Geography teacher!!!!

MAYBE YOU CHAPS THAT GET HASSLE LOOK LIKE GEOG TEACHERS??????

After doing 7 years scenes of crime. I never saw any p*** cases. Child abuse came from relitives or neighbours. It was always someone the kids knew and trusted. Now child neglect from parents???? That was alot higher where parents did not give a toss......

Funny ol world... Great Britain.


'Do you have brother madam? you do? Does he have a Corduroy jacket with elbow pads and read a map and know where Boliva is? I'd watch him if I were you!!!!!'
 
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