I have been taking pictures in public places, at events and weddings and in the "public eye" professionally and recreationally for a very long- lone time. Seems to me that most folks are polite and friendly. Usually people just let me go about my business without interruption. Even in a public parks, the zoo or on the street, I find that most folks will not walk in front of me when I am getting ready to shoot. Occasionally someone will com over, inquire about my gear and I am always kind and polite. People who are seriously interested in photography may engage me an a conversation and if I am not crazy busy, in the midst of an assignemnt, I certainty don't mind stopping for a chat.

In my own situation, I am a local business operator- I have a studio and good public relations is important to me. I always hand out business cards and quickly tell folks what I do. I have actually met some of my best clients "on the street"!

I have shown up in places with everything from an 8x10 view camera to 35mm equipment. My old film SLRs were so worn out a beaten up, I don't remember anyone being impressed with any of that old stuff. One bystander asked me where I got the "golden' camera- all the black finish was worn off and the brass was shinning through!

I never get aggravated when folks say that I have a good camera that takes good pictures or that I take good pictures because I have a good camera. As long as they know I take GOOD pictures, my answers is "YOU BET- I can take some good pictures- of you! Oh- they gotta pay me a lot of money too!

What's with will all this resentment of folks with cell phone cameras- good for them! I'm for anyone who likes to take pictures and have fun! It's a good way for kids to get acquainted with photography- the talented ones will advance to better gear if they are encouraged and inspired.

I was never an "equipment" snob". We all know, those of us who know our craft, that good photographer make good pictures- good camera just make it more fun and a bit more convenient.

Magic words for getting along with folks when shooting are PLEASE, THANKS, EXCUSE ME- some folks are surprised on how far those word can get you!

Oh, ain't nobody ever tried to rip of my gear- perhaps because I am big and kinda ugly! Age has endowed me with bad case of perma-frown, but I try to smile as much as I can!

Try setting up a 4x5 in a national park to photograph something. The funniest thing I have experienced was on the patio of the El Tovar Lodge at The Grand Canyon. I put the tripod in place, pulled out the 4x5 and was placing it on the tripod when I heard, "Stand back folks. Give him room. He knows what he's doing". That was from another guest at the lodge. I had everything I could do to keep from laughing uncontrollably.

I do courteously thank people who compliment my camera equipment, then go on about taking the photograph.
--Bob

I have a couple of cameras. A Canon EOS 600D fitted with an 18 - 270 lens, that I use when I go somewhere where I don't know what I'll be shooting. And, a Canon EOS 1Ds Mk3, usually fitted with a 24 -105mm L series or other lenses if I know in advance what to expect. Either way, in these days when everyone uses a phone to take pictures and anyone under the age of about 25 doesn't know what a viewfinder is, I often get total strangers come up to me and say "That's a nice camera". I'm tempted to reply "Oh, is it? thank you, I was worried I may have wasted a lot of money". I wondered how everyone else responds to this.