Join Now
Join ePHOTOzine, the friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more for free!
Quote: The Circus has started already this year in Northumberland. On Sunday I was at Cresswell ponds at Druridge Bay Northumberland photographing Owls, as were one or two other togs. Suddenly a convoy of eight offroaders came blasting down the small lane, showering the many puddles all over the place, then a load of Muppets in orange, yes thats right orange high viz coats lept out with their camera gear, all shouting into two way radios! This stupid inconsiderate action promptly scared any wildlife withi miles away. From the markings on the 4x4s it looked like a foreign trip, Belgian or Dutch. After they had scared everything away they promptly left, leaving us in peace and quite, and the Owls again.
What sort of company behaves like this? Do they and their clients realise what they are doing? I have witnessed this before at St Abbs Head but never before in Northumberland. 
Im a long time Northumbrian birder, and even before digital came along there were photographers who often disturbed birds to try and get a shot.
These days with the advent of digital gear being carried by all and sundry and pagers mobiles and internet sites, any rarity is swamped by the birding paparazzi. No fieldcraft of respect or others, many no longer report finds because of the bad behaviour. I keep finds to a discreet few these days, such a shame really.
My greatest irritation is the huge battalion of monstrous egos (all nationalities here) who plunge themselves right in the middle of your carefully set up location shot, drape themselves over the sculpture or landmark in an exaggerated Hollywood style posture then affect an inane grin so that their acolyte can take a picture of them with a Mickey Mouse camera. I call these shots 'Me Ats' as their purpose is to bore family and friends rigid with a whole series of these with a commentary that starts
"This is me at......"
Me At egos seem to have no regard for others at all. There were hundreds of them when we went to the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia and they shoved their way into almost every shot I set up. I was near homicidal by the end of the trip!
Do you think that we photographers, particularly those of the wrinkly old bat tendency like myself, are a little lacking in patience?
For me, that's one of the best reasons to buy a ten stop filter. In anything less than blazing sunlight, the click-and-run crowd just disappear from your photos. I once stacked three nd filters in a church to bring the exposure time up to five minutes after I realised that no one stuck around more than thirty seconds. Works a treat.
Quote: Me At egos seem to have no regard for others at all. There were hundreds of them when we went to the City of Arts and Sciences in Valencia and they shoved their way into almost every shot I set up. I was near homicidal by the end of the trip!
I always find that a quick bash on the side of their head with a 300m f2.8 and an apologetic "sorry, didn't see you with this lens on" normally does the trick. 
Quote: I always find that a quick bash on the side of their head with a 300m f2.8 and an apologetic "sorry, didn't see you with this lens on" normally does the trick
not on the head but tapped a woman on the shoulder with mine who had barged her way to the front and then stood right in front of my lens! I'd been stood for ages in the rain at a particular vantage point and was well peeved that she had the nerve! 
The torch run was spectacular for annoyed photographers - the patient ones who had waited not getting in peoples way. One lady in a wheelchair had been sat for ages and along came a family taking no notices of police or barriers and stand in front of her pushing themselves into the road and with it the crowd behind because they could no longer see. People with camera phones pushing from behind and hitting you on the head, the smell of BO was nasty at times but you have to stand your ground hey?
Bash too many people on the side of the head with a large telephoto and you'll probably end up eating it. Boisterous behaviour from photographers is surely one of the things that makes people so willing to casually disregard them. If I have too many people drifting into a picture I tend to see it as divine intervention, or an atheist's equivalent—my fault—for being so damn unoriginal or for expecting a clear shot in a popular tourist destination at mid-day. These realisations make me either extremely patient, or I walk off, depending on how much sleep I've had.
I have to say after reading these comments
agree yes! there are so many rude photographers out there, but that's life...and reading the comments..some good lessons to learn
.. get a hat that says go on try it!(or jacket) with the words
stand in front of me, at your own peril with a crazy dog picture to match
sorry...just wanted to join in
But lots of great friendly photographers too
Quote: not on the head but tapped a woman on the shoulder with mine who had barged her way to the front and then stood right in front of my lens
My biggest pet hate are those that think they can walk up to anyone and take a picture of them in the street even if they complain and ask them not too, pulling out that stupid get out of jail card.
The last one that did that to my wife and kids got a punch on the nose, there`s no telling some people
Quote: It may be reasonable to express an opinion about specific people you have met, but generalised remarks are not reasonable. One has been removed. People have offered balance here for some remarks; as such these can stay.
The point of this thread is that of behaviour, not nationality.
It is actually commonplace for people to generalize based on their experience and a photographic forum is maybe not the place to be deciding on freedom of speech, no one has made any remarks which are unjust and all are based on their own experience, neither has anything libelous been mentioned as far as i can see. One of the problems in this country is people are afraid to stand up and be counted and say what they think for fear of someone telling them they shouldn't or cant. We have not fought two world wars to secure our freedom not to be able to enjoy it have we ?
This is not a dig at the moderators comment either as they are doing their job trying to keep the forum a safe and happy place so good on them, but really us English should take after our predecessors and stand up for ourselves !
Quote: This is not a dig at the moderators comment either as they are doing their job trying to keep the forum a safe and happy place so good on them, but really us English should take after our predecessors and stand up for ourselves
X2
Quote: The last one that did that to my wife and kids got a punch on the nose, there`s no telling some people
There is no law against photographing people in the street. Many photographers on this forum do it. Street photography is perfectly legal. There are laws against using violence on people. I am surprised you have had so much trouble with photographers, Paul, It's not something I've ever found major problem when out shopping.
What do your children say when they see you assault someone?
I seem to inhabit a different world from some people here. I've rarely been treated rudely by other photographers, they tend to be quite friendly. I find people do queue most of the time. There is occasional rudeness but most people are are not rude at all. Plus, I spend three to four months a year in France and can say from personal experience that they queue just as we do. They are more polite than we are, not because we are rude so much as because the English are much more 'in your face' and brash than the French are. They are regarded as stand-offish because they are much more reserved than the English, more like we were in the 50s, really.
I'm glad to have led the charmed life I have, it must be horrible to meet so many nasty individuals. Maybe it's because I'm six foot six with a barrel chest and 'love' and 'hate' tattooed on my knuckles
Add a Comment
ePHOTOzine, the web's friendliest photography community.
Upload photos, chat with photographers, win prizes and much more.
Related Content
Join Our Free Newsletter
Awards
Current Competitions
Olympus 'Portraiture' Competition - Win £1000 Worth Of Gear!
30th April 2013 - 31st May 2013
This month, to celebrate the launch of Olympus' new micro site Olympus Image Space, Olympus are giving you the chance to win £1000 worth of Olympus gear!...
Featured e2 Photo
May's Photo Month
Check out ePHOTOzine's inspirational photo month calendar! Each day click on a window to unveil new photography tips, treats and techniques.
