TomasV Loc: Haddon Heights, NJ

What's the most annoying thing you guys have ever heard about yourself as a photographer? What grinds your gears?

The thing that annoys me the most must be "Tomas can take photos, he has an expensive camera".

JPL

Happened about a year ago.
How could you take photos like this, you must have a very special camera

Jandjeby14

When I get this one, I am tempted to respond, "My Mother and Grandmother were wonderful cooks. They had a good stoves.

rgrenaderphoto Loc: Hollywood, CA

On an Alaskan cruise, I noticed a sun halo in the thick fog as we sailed into Glacier Bay. Fellow Passenger asked me if I had a camera that, "could shoot through the fog."

vonzip Loc: cape cod

The one that get me is when they ask "Are you a pro" when I'm shooting with the Nikkor 200-500. A big lens does not a photographer make.

OddJobber Loc: Portland, OR

"Do you shoot weddings? I have some friends that don't have much money."

LoneRangeFinder Loc: Left field

Reply: “They’ll have even less money....”

Or:

“Then they shouldn’t get married.”

Or my fav:

“Do they have any friends with a cell phone?”

jcboy3

I often deliver photos within 24 hours, but sometimes I have multiple events and it takes 48 hours:

"I like your pictures, but why does it take so long to deliver?"

But what grinds my gears? A call hours before the start of an event:

"Our in house photographer is going to the event. We won't need you."

BassmanBruce Loc: Middle of the Mitten

On the rare occasion I am mistaken for a pro I ussually get a big head about it, same with the great camera comment.
I guess I just love flattery! I understand that most don't know better but no problemo.

nicksr1125 Loc: Mesa, AZ

The "we won't need you" should be backed up by a contract with a 72 hour cancellation clause.

tdekany Loc: Oregon

Bugfan Loc: Toronto, Canada

I was in a public park on a moon lit night. The moon was full and there was a bit of a haze that created a lovely effect. At the edge of the park were huge hundred year old pine trees. The scene was magic. So I set up my tripod and my camera aimed towards the moon filtered through the trees. I fussed for a while to get my exposures right (this was in my film days) using a hand held meter. Finally I was ready and I took the picture using a cable release.

Looking around I seemed to have attracted a crowd which is usual when you're using a tripod. Suddenly one brave soul came up to me and asked what I was doing. So I patiently explained pointing to the lovely scene and explaining that I was taking a picture of that scene. The questionner thought about that answer for a while and then screwed up his face trying to understand. Finally he asked "but how can you take that picture without a flash? It's dark outside."

Another time I was in a ravine that was somewhat dark from the tree canopy. I looked under a log and found a little cluster of mushrooms that looked like something from a Disney cartoon. I set up my macro tripod that goes straight to the ground. I set up mirrors to get some sunlight under the log. Then I mounted my bellows and my macro lens on the camera and placed them on the tripod. More fussing adjusting mirrors and establishing exposures I was finally ready and I took the picture. Once again all this activity attracted a crowd, I would never believed that there were that many people in the ravine that day. They too asked what I was doing so I explained.

In the end that picture cost me an hour. First there was the set up and the fussing and then it was letting everyone peek through the view finder to see the picture. Today it's easier, I can show the picture on the camera immediately but that wasn't possible in those days.

GoofyNewfie Loc: Kansas City

Love these!

via the lens Loc: Northern California, near Yosemite NP

Sounds like a Chris T question to me...

BlackRipleyDog

I did an art show with a large 6 panel piece hanging on the back drape. A real attention getter. A woman asks me rather rudely if I used Photoshop. I replied that I could not do that piece without it. She says she could of. And then walks off. I sold the piece later in the day to a doctor.