Togging : Solitary or Social ?

[mumrar]

I have a few colleagues and friends who share my interest in railway photography, but the more effort a shot takes to do, the more drop out. For other sorts of shots I'm either out with my wife and son, or all alone with my self-critique. I'd love to find a togging buddy to do early morning stuff, landscapes and other stuff, but apart from here I have no way of contacting anyone.

 

[Trev4]

There was no option for all three so I have not voted.

I find if I am after wildlife I prefer to be on my own as I can just sit and wait as long as it takes without the risk of anyone talking keeping them away. .

It is great to be alone in the country, just watching and listening, then taking a shot when the opportunity arises. Equally it can be good to have the company of another togger, it depends on what your doing and what you want, to share experiences and bounce ideas around can be good too. So yes, I swing both ways (dont tell the wife though )

 

[Peter10d]

Living in Scotland and interested in Landscapes, you have to be prepared for a sudden weather let down, therefore any planned meetings are going to be difficult. I tend to head off at short notice on my own

 

[King_Boru]

I'm usually on my own, aviation isn't everyones cup of tea and the wife prefers turning a blind eye to having planes fly over me at 8 feet. Have been to a couple of photographers meets. It usually ends up being a beer fest circulating a rather over talked about subject of what camera manufacturer is the best. Kind of counter productive. Not all meets are like that of course.

 

[Lynton]

Have to agree with Tim above.....

If there's something YOU want to do, probably best to do it alone, but I have been on a few TP meets and out often with Damien, (Slimbert) and it's good to bounce ideas, get a different perspective on things, have a laugh, and I invariably stand on his dog!!! :shrug: or run over it's tail with the office chair by the computer.....

 

[AliB]

Both TBH.

With landscape I think you can do it quite successfully with a small group. (EG's Scottish epics being a good example) I can also see the attraction of just roaming off on your own and I did once jump in the camper and head off to the Highlands for a week and that was before I really got any decent kit.

With the people photography, I can shoot in a group quite happily and I'm always conscious of making sure the other get their shots. But I do much prefer being in control on a shoot, that way I get the shots that I want and I can spend a little more time trying to refine them. I'm aware that they still need refining but the more time I have on my own the more I can pay attention to detail.

So yes, a bit of both and so long as I'm learning, it's all good

I do understand the me time thing though. It's so easy to get caught up doing everything for everyone else, so me time is good too. Allows us to breathe.

 

[gembobs]

On the whole, I tend to shoot alone - whether landscape, or wildlife. If I did have anyone else with me, it is usually my family who whinge and moan at me for taking so long (I ignore them!)

Having said all that, my dad has recently got a DSLR and is wanting to learn etc, so he will join me now in taking photos, so in the future I will probably be more social!

 

[Harlequin565]

I'm an "all-three-er".

I enjoy the peace and quiet on my own with time and freedom to shoot what I want, how I want. Life at my pace is the best

However, I've been to 2 TP North West meets now, and have to say I really enjoyed them both. It's nice to talk about photography/equipment without seeing someone roll their eyes and the people I've met from on here are genuinely nice people (so far!) Certainly there's never been any elitism, with those that were obviously more clued in very happy to share their knowledge (and gear) with less confident photographers.

Also, in a larger group, you can sneak a peak at what they're photographing and have a chance to see things from a different viewpoint. Quite often at the last meet I'd see someone lying on the floor for a shot angle and then think to do it myself. One thing I've realised is that you can always learn something from other people. Ever had anyone watch you take a shot, then move to where you were standing to take the exact same scene?

And the voice in my head? That's the one telling me to stop and think before I shoot. Composition, background, lighting... nag nag nag

Ian.

 

[markw08]

We have had a few meets in Brecon beacons at 5am in the dark and snow, so for those meets it's safer in numbers.
But other meets we arrive at location and split up either individual or pairs then meet back later to move on..
It is a bit of social ending in pub or somewhere for grub..

By the way meet next sat in gower if interested..

For my own studies I prefer going alone so I can get pics taken quick and move on to next location.

Mark

 

[sworks]

a bit of both for me. If it's urbex then I go with somebody else so that we can look out for one another, sometimes after a difficult day at work going on my own is a good way of winding down and chilling out

 

[Daysleeper40]

So, who are the 18 people who picked option 3?

:nuts:

It depends what I'm shooting to be honest. OH and I go on a lot of zoo trips together but I have also been known to venture to animal parks on my own. All the other stuff - like my 52 last year and the macro / water drop attempts are solo ventures.

I love just wandering around the local nature reserve on my own taking shots and I tend to do better when I'm on my own (I think it's the lack of time pressure). I've never been on a big meet. I think a smaller meet with 3 / 4 people would be good but any more and I don't think I'd achieve a lot.

 

[mrtoad]

Camera time is "me-time" and alone time.
Am I the only anti-social one here?
How many people use photography as another way to socialise and meet up with friends and how many people enjoy it as alone time?

i dont...its me and the camera and the world...need to be alone to philosophise on whats in front of me

if its family snaps i am on auto pilot anyway

 

[simmosn]

Always alone