Why are some photographers so rude??

[Jaisus]

Maybe you should sell you're D80 and get one of these so next time all other photographers will know you mean business!!

and take a look at: Your Camera Doesnt Matter!!

 

[ernesto]

You could just amend the question to "Why are some people so rude"

There is no simple answer to that one though (parenting, schooling, society, intelligence, empathy towards others based on genetic personality type and so on)

 

[Phil Young]

In this situation I would ask him straight up "are you looking at me like that because I have a D80?".

What a snob. Stand up for yourself with those people and then annoy him by giving him advice. That will make you laugh ;-)

 

[srichards]

Best way to deal with gear snobs is to say 'I"m sorry you need such expensive equipment to get a decent shot'. If you're using a cheap compact then that will particularly irk them

 

[FourRingCircus]

I hope you don't all tar everyone who has expensive kit as 'gear snobs'. This makes you just as bad if you do.:nono:

You might think I was one of these people if you came across me and my kit, but the last chap I met would (hopefully) have a different tale to tell. I was out with a few long white things and three single digit bodies. He was close by with a three digit body and a kit lens. Did I sneer at him?? No! We got chatting and he ended up playing with my 500F4 on his body for a while.

Morale - Don't judge your 'gear snobs' on appearances alone.:shake:

 

[Yv]

Thread cleaned - one more word digging at each other and arguing about it WILL result in days off being handed out, please can you all take a step back and read a post thoroughly before taking offence at some perceived slight that isn't actually there to anyone else reading it.

Thankyou

 

[Phil Young]

Thread cleaned - one more word digging at each other and arguing about it WILL result in days off being handed out, please can you all take a step back and read a post thoroughly before taking offence at some perceived slight that isn't actually there to anyone else reading it.

Thankyou

Its not exactly clean, I still look like the bad guy.

 

[Yv]

Then rtm it and explain exactly how, because I have read it several times and I am not seeing it Phil. Nor is this going to be public debate.

 

[On the Huh]

Its not exactly clean, I still look like the bad guy.

No you don't Phil, not to me and I'm sure others who have read your other posts on here. Don't think that 4 ring circus guy really meant to offend anyone...There is another thread going on about gear snobs, perhaps that was taken into account too?

You're a cool guy, keep it that way.

 

[Phil Young]

No you don't Phil, not to me and I'm sure others who have read your other posts on here. Don't think that 4 ring circus guy really meant to offend anyone...There is another thread going on about gear snobs, perhaps that was taken into account too?

You're a cool guy, keep it that way.

Cheers pal.

 

[erictearle]

I had one guy with this attitude..."I have 4 L series lenses all worth thousands of pounds and 17 camera's, I'm a pro, I'm better than you, my shots are better, all I talk about is how many camera's, lenses and events I shoot, I'm the best, look at me"

I couldn't help but laugh inside

 

[itsdavedotnet]

Best way to deal with gear snobs is to say 'I"m sorry you need such expensive equipment to get a decent shot'. If you're using a cheap compact then that will particularly irk them

or, in the OP's case, the photographer was almost certainly a working news photographer, and a D80 would get obliterated on their first shift...

most of us who have professional reasons to have high end cameras are by no means snobby - what most people don't have a huge amount of time for though is someone getting in the way, taking longer than a professional would do if they knew they were blocking others, and faffing about.

 

[Laudrup]

Just stand your ground next time, it's only a press photographer.

 

[~*~ElmoHolz~*~]

Didn't think this post would get so out of hand...going to try and explain the situation fully...starting with replies...

Two thoughts:

Why were you standing so close?

If you get in the way of, or around, a press photographer when they are working you are likely to get shoved. It's usually nothing personal so get used to it.

The space was quite tight and the press photographer was asked to allow me to stand beside him to take some posed portraits of a group of competition winners and some of the cyclists. The press photographer was not interested in getting these shots, just the cyclists doing autographs etc. He had all the space in the world the other side and I did my best to not get too close to him, hence everytime I was nudged I moved along. However If I had not stood my ground I would had not done my job properly and got the shots that were asked for.

Not excusing the guys actions but a quick question but where was the sun when you were shooting?

If it was behind you there was probably a reason when he was on the floor to prevent his shadow being in the photo, your standing behind him could result in your shadow being in his shot. He would have been better to tell you that though but I maybe he thought you would be aware of that?

It was directly above us, and I was standing beside him not behind.

Yup, if the guy is there before you and crouching in position, why are you coming and standing over him? An "excuse me" from the other photographer would be nice, but press guys often communicate with a friendly shove.

Again I was standing beside him and he was asked to move to allow me through, I was not too close either and said thanks for allowing me to the other side of him.

If you were a fellow pro, maybe you wouldn't have got in his way.
He sneered at your D80? It sounds to me you had made your mind up about him, or why mention this?


Sorry, he may well have come across an arse, but we only have your side of the story.

I only made my mind up about him after I got pushed again and again. I mentioned the sneering because he made it pretty obvious that's what he was doing, and it seems unnecassary....who cares if I haven't got a pro body or lens? at the end of the day its the result at the end that matters, not your gear.

When I started photography I noticed rude photographers ! No-one ever pushed me but they never got close enough!
I made a post about rude photographers at the time.
Now I just go out and shoot away without a care in the world. I'm there for me and no-one else! Just enjoy it

Thanks and I do/will!

If you weren't a girl I'd tell you to man up.

You describe a small press call and those can and do get a bit pushy as you have a limited window to get the right shot.

If you are shy and bashful and not prepared to get in there you won't get the shot, it will end and your boss will chew your backside.

It would be nice to be all pleasant and have all the time in the world, but that doesn't happen.

I am prepared for anything

You say you were "sent" to the spot to shoot? By who? Sounds like you wouldn't have put yourself there willingly?
And if he was already crouching down and he managed to bump into you then i would say you were encroaching his space,
And the whole looking at your camera thing, well im guessing he makes a living through photography and what you thought was a sneer was probably him just working out if you were in the same "club" as him and perhaps a little jealousy from you? I don't know so its only a guess.
But seriously, any event, happening, moment or location in public where people can gather to observe you will get pushing and shoving, its just in our nature to get to the front get the best spot and see the whole thing. Its only through being civilized we deem this behaviour as uncivilized or animal like. Common courtesy is the key but its not the law to be nice and the truth is, the world is full of not very nice people.
Im sure he ment nothing by it though and should you have confronted him about it then maybe you both might have learned something.

I met with a press officer from Sky, they were the ones wanting the shots as it was of their cyclists and their bus. The actual spot was not ideal, but given the small space it was fine and the best in the situation and I got all the shots I wanted. No no jealously from me just frustrates me the way people are like 'my camera is better than yours so i'm better than you' sort of attitude. I know everyone with pro equipment isnt like that either.

Maybe you should sell you're D80 and get one of these so next time all other photographers will know you mean business!!

and take a look at: Your Camera Doesnt Matter!!

Brilliant!!!!!!!!!!!

I hope you don't all tar everyone who has expensive kit as 'gear snobs'. This makes you just as bad if you do.:nono:

You might think I was one of these people if you came across me and my kit, but the last chap I met would (hopefully) have a different tale to tell. I was out with a few long white things and three single digit bodies. He was close by with a three digit body and a kit lens. Did I sneer at him?? No! We got chatting and he ended up playing with my 500F4 on his body for a while.

Morale - Don't judge your 'gear snobs' on appearances alone.:shake:

No I don't think everyone is 'gear snobs' I've met quite a few press photogs now and most of them have been lovely and even helpful.

or, in the OP's case, the photographer was almost certainly a working news photographer, and a D80 would get obliterated on their first shift...

most of us who have professional reasons to have high end cameras are by no means snobby - what most people don't have a huge amount of time for though is someone getting in the way, taking longer than a professional would do if they knew they were blocking others, and faffing about.

I was in no means taking longer than anybody else or 'faffing about', I was sent there to take some photos and that was that, same as the other guy.

 

[DemiLion]

Going back to Comrade Birdplop's reply:

If you weren't a girl I'd tell you to man up.

You describe a small press call and those can and do get a bit pushy as you have a limited window to get the right shot.

If you are shy and bashful and not prepared to get in there you won't get the shot, it will end and your boss will chew your backside.

It would be nice to be all pleasant and have all the time in the world, but that doesn't happen.

and your answer:

I am prepared for anything

I think that the answer is, clearly not; otherwise you wouldn't have been complaining on here.

I very much doubt that his attitude was primarily about your kit, but more about your demeanour.

In these days of massive cuts, pitiful shift rates and non payment, press photographers can be a bit protective of their role, especially regarding citizen journalists/weekenders (which he obviously took you for).

Nudging and shoving is all part of initiation/character test, and in this case you fell short.

The correct approach is to either shove back or respond with a comment along the lines of "knock it off, will you" or "b****r off and let me get my shot."

Coming on to a forum and starting an "Oooh, what a nashty man" thread is a definite fail; especially when you have no idea who might read this.


Put it down as an experience and learn from it. If you really want to do music and festivals, things can get considerably worse in the press pit than a couple of nudges.

 

[onona]

I made a few trips to this year's Edinburgh Fringe and apart from the performers, I amused myself watching the photographers and, I hate to say this but the rudest all seemed to be using Canons.

Now this isn't an attack on Canon owners, I know many and they are really nice people but it just seems strange that so many seem to behave like that.

What a remarkably pointless and silly thing to say. It's like the "I'm not a racist, I have black friends" crap - you evidently have some pointless gear prejudice and are now imagining things as a result of it. Honestly, obsession with gear bands that so many photographers have is completely pathetic. You actually looked at what brands of camera people were using? Wow.

I made a few trips to (1)_______ and apart from the performers, I amused myself watching the (2)________ and, I hate to say this but the rudest all seemed to 3)________.

You could replace those spaces with:

(1) any event name;
(2) any profession; and
(3) have any hair colour, eye colour, clothing brand, footwear brand, type of pet, type of car, certain hair style, fragrance, taste in food, sexual fetish, etc

And it'd still be a completely pointless observation because correlation does not equal causation. In such cases, pointing out these kinds of details is not only unnecessary, but makes it look like you have some kind of axe to grind.

 

[onona]

I very much doubt that his attitude was primarily about your kit, but more about your demeanour.

In these days of massive cuts, pitiful shift rates and non payment, press photographers can be a bit protective of their role, especially regarding citizen journalists/weekenders (which he obviously took you for).

Nudging and shoving is all part of initiation/character test, and in this case you fell short.

The correct approach is to either shove back or respond with a comment along the lines of "knock it off, will you" or "b****r off and let me get my shot."

Coming on to a forum and starting an "Oooh, what a nashty man" thread is a definite fail

On the contrary, the spectacular fail here is your pathetic show of chest-beating, Neanderthal, knuckle-dragging alpha male assertiveness and petty condescension towards, as you put it, "citizen journalists/weekenders".

"Nudging and shoving" is part of your super little club's "initiation" and this person "fell short"? Oh boo hoo, how sad. I guess you fail to comprehend that some of us operate on a higher level than grunting and poking like cavemen. It evidently hasn't occurred to you that some of us aren't interested in passing an initiation into a club of apparent troglodytes.

 

[DemiLion]

On the contrary, the spectacular fail here is your pathetic show of chest-beating, Neanderthal, knuckle-dragging alpha male assertiveness and petty condescension towards, as you put it, "citizen journalists/weekenders".

"Nudging and shoving" is part of your super little club's "initiation" and this person "fell short"? Oh boo hoo, how sad. I guess you fail to comprehend that some of us operate on a higher level than grunting and poking like cavemen. It evidently hasn't occurred to you that some of us aren't interested in passing an initiation into a club of apparent troglodytes.

Cut the patronising attitude. You aren't intelligent enough to pull it off well.

I'm presenting the facts, not promoting them.

I'm a working press photographer, so this happens to be something that I know just an ickle bit about.

Personally I happen to think that the people that pull this type of crap are incredibly insecure and usually not good enough to cut it without throwing their ego about, however and this is the salient point the facts are the facts.

Sorry to disappoint your rampant outrage, but I'm actually quite the modern man. No other choice about it having been predominantly brought up by two women.

 

[~*~ElmoHolz~*~]

Going back to Comrade Birdplop's reply:





and your answer:




I think that the answer is, clearly not; otherwise you wouldn't have been complaining on here.

I very much doubt that his attitude was primarily about your kit, but more about your demeanour.

In these days of massive cuts, pitiful shift rates and non payment, press photographers can be a bit protective of their role, especially regarding citizen journalists/weekenders (which he obviously took you for).

Nudging and shoving is all part of initiation/character test, and in this case you fell short.

The correct approach is to either shove back or respond with a comment along the lines of "knock it off, will you" or "b****r off and let me get my shot."

Coming on to a forum and starting an "Oooh, what a nashty man" thread is a definite fail; especially when you have no idea who might read this.


Put it down as an experience and learn from it. If you really want to do music and festivals, things can get considerably worse in the press pit than a couple of nudges.

What I meant was i'm prepared for anything in the future now.

It wasn't music or a festival I was at, but I already know how that can be when there's A LOT of photographers it can get a bit 'elbows flying everywhere'...mainly accidental (i hope) or cause everyones trying to get the best shot. The situation I was in was not like this and the guy was clearly just being rude in my opinion.

The forum post has not been a fail at all in my opinion as I was asking for other people's experiences and thoughts on the matter so in my eyes it's help me see that it's a common thing in the world of press photography, and got some very helpful responses.

Thanks to everyone who answered, and didn't have a go at me for asking if this was the norm (after all I am relatively new to this), at the end of the day that's what a forum is for right - people raising their opinions, thoughts, answers etc.

'Nudging and shoving is all part of initiation/character test, and in this case you fell short.' Seriously....this guy was testing me?

 

[Yv]

On the contrary, the spectacular fail here is your pathetic show of chest-beating, Neanderthal, knuckle-dragging alpha male assertiveness and petty condescension towards, as you put it, "citizen journalists/weekenders".

"Nudging and shoving" is part of your super little club's "initiation" and this person "fell short"? Oh boo hoo, how sad. I guess you fail to comprehend that some of us operate on a higher level than grunting and poking like cavemen. It evidently hasn't occurred to you that some of us aren't interested in passing an initiation into a club of apparent troglodytes.

Cut the patronising attitude. You aren't intelligent enough to pull it off well.

I'm presenting the facts, not promoting them.

I'm a working press photographer, so this happens to be something that I know just an ickle bit about.

Personally I happen to think that the people that pull this type of crap are incredibly insecure and usually not good enough to cut it without throwing their ego about, however and this is the salient point the facts are the facts.

Sorry to disappoint your rampant outrage, but I'm actually quite the modern man. No other choice about it having been predominantly brought up by two women.

Its only thursday evening, this one stops right here, right now guys....

______________________________________________________
the lines drawn under it before it goes any further

 

[DemiLion]

Its only thursday evening, this one stops right here, right now guys....

______________________________________________________
the lines drawn under it before it goes any further

Sorry Yv!

 

[shaylou]

I was very lucky yesterday and got the opportunity to shoot at the start of the Tour of Britain. I was sent to shoot the riders in front of their tour bus and there was only this one other photographer there. When I arrived he sneered down at me when he looked at my camera (a D80), not surprised as he had a couple of Canon's and large lenses so I didnt think anything of it. but what really annoyed me was as soon as I moved a tiny inch he kept pushing my legs back (he was crouched down of the ground - I was standing). I dont understand what right he thought he had to keep pushing me...let alone even touch me!

Thoughts anyone?

Did you say anything to him? I wonder why you would treat him any different than anyone else. If a person was pushing on you in a store wouldn't you say something to them to get them to stop?

 

[shaylou]

As you get older you'll come to realise that not everyone has manners nor are the polite. Unfortunately they are everywhere and its one of those things. Just have to do your best to ignore it i suppose.

Your right, I guess as a photographer we like to think of ourselves as members of a special group that adheres to a higher standard. That is why people like this stand out so much to us.

 

[realspeed]

I was doing a video at the Black Country Living Museum some time ago. it happened to be the day they were reinacting the Chain Makers Guild strike. A TV crew were also there doing the same thing. With this crew was a lady just wandering around being a right nuisance getting in everybody's way without a thought about others taking photos. She must have thought she was the "IT" girl or something prancing around like she did. I did eventually tell her to clear off to put it mildly. Absolutely clueless or couldn't care.

Realspeed

 

[~*~ElmoHolz~*~]

Did you say anything to him? I wonder why you would treat him any different than anyone else. If a person was pushing on you in a store wouldn't you say something to them to get them to stop?

No I was too focused on what I was doing to be bothered to say anything, but if it had got more violent I would of. I've never had a problem with anyone pushing or shoving in shops as you kind of expect it when its busy, and usually in shops its like a one off thing.

Maybe I should just accept that it's gonna happen. Case closed :bang:.

 

[gm43uk]

What a remarkably pointless and silly thing to say. It's like the "I'm not a racist, I have black friends" crap - you evidently have some pointless gear prejudice and are now imagining things as a result of it. Honestly, obsession with gear bands that so many photographers have is completely pathetic. You actually looked at what brands of camera people were using? Wow.

I made a few trips to (1)_______ and apart from the performers, I amused myself watching the (2)________ and, I hate to say this but the rudest all seemed to 3)________.

You could replace those spaces with:

(1) any event name;
(2) any profession; and
(3) have any hair colour, eye colour, clothing brand, footwear brand, type of pet, type of car, certain hair style, fragrance, taste in food, sexual fetish, etc

And it'd still be a completely pointless observation because correlation does not equal causation. In such cases, pointing out these kinds of details is not only unnecessary, but makes it look like you have some kind of axe to grind.

Yeah whatever

 

[Marion_Frances]

People are rude ALL through life, let go and move on. It's their problem not yours. I expect he treats everyone like that. Well done for not biting at the time1 Hope you got the shots you wanted.
Marion
www.marionfrances.co.uk

 

[Daryl]

Comrade Bird Plop???????

Funnier than than being Press tog!

 

[DemiLion]

Comrade Bird Plop???????

Funnier than than being Press tog!

Translate Desantnik from Russian to English!

 

[Daryl]

Hehehehe cracking.

My Ex wife (Czech) Had a best friend. Hotter than a roof top covered in Sparrows. Her Surname translated in English to 'Behind the small mouse!'

Could never look at her same after that. ( not with out my tongue hanging out)

 

[On the Huh]

Translate Desantnik from Russian to English!

Десантник: Desantnik is the English translation. ;-)

 

[The Greek]

Some rude an nasty people on here too, well one in particular.

 

[On the Huh]

Some rude an nasty people on here too, well one in particular.

Well that looks like you are the one looking for trouble.

 

[odd jim]

I was very lucky yesterday and got the opportunity to shoot at the start of the Tour of Britain. I was sent to shoot the riders in front of their tour bus and there was only this one other photographer there. When I arrived he sneered down at me when he looked at my camera (a D80), not surprised as he had a couple of Canon's and large lenses so I didnt think anything of it. but what really annoyed me was as soon as I moved a tiny inch he kept pushing my legs back (he was crouched down of the ground - I was standing). I dont understand what right he thought he had to keep pushing me...let alone even touch me!

Thoughts anyone?

Maybe he was just trying to touch you up?

 

[SuperAP]

It's not that some photographers are rude, it's some people are rude.

That's why I do nature

 

[crofter]

It's not that some photographers are rude, it's some people are rude.

That's why I do nature

what he said

 

[DemiLion]

It's not that some photographers are rude, it's some people are rude.

That's why I do nature

Good point. I take nature shots whilst I'm on press calls for relaxation!

 

[desantnik]

I take nature shots whilst I'm on press calls for relaxation!

I take calls of nature whilst trying to take press shots.... stops people standing too close

 

[DemiLion]

I take calls of nature whilst trying to take press shots.... stops people standing too close

IA drills on a shoot:

1) Check light level

2) Check location of nearest bog

3) etc

 

[jamesoliverstone]

Well, funnily enough this happened to me in Cambodia yesterday!

I was shooting in a street market here and an american guy just came over and asked me what Canon I was using (he saw the strap apparently).

I turned around and before I even managed a reply, he said "oh, its the old mk2" and then went on how I should get the mk3 like his. He then went on to ask why I was using cheap Sigma lenses and not "the proper canon ones".

So, apparently my 5dmk2 and the 85mm 1.4 Sigma are old outdated crap... well, you learn something new everyday.

So, he offered me his business card and said I should check out his work and I can see what the top of the line canon has to offer. Well, I said I would email him some photos taken on my crappy mk2 and he can see if there is a difference.

He then went on to start saying how Nikon's were all crap and at that point I said my goodbyes and left as quickly as possible.

I did however giggle when I watched him following me around the market shooting exactly the same shots as me from the same angles I was using

It really does just go to show that some people are just plain idiots...