diensthunds

My brothers graduation. I had a lady stop directly in front of me. A throat clearing and an "excuse me" didn't get her attention, neither did a "mam can you please move". The "LADY GET THE HELL OUT OF THE WAY" did though.
I don't like to be rude and I understand sometimes people just don't see you there because they are concentrating on what they are looking at / for. But given they should take a moment or two to look around and see if they are in anybodies way is only polite.
More often then not I have people stop just out of frame while I am trying to compose a shot, I notice them and they have the "oh I'm so sorry I don't want to get in your way" expression, usually accompanies by a verbal "sorry" for having to walk in front of me. Granted I hadn't taken a shot and they weren't actually blocking my shots it's nice that they are still trying to stay out of the way and being considerate of my shooting lanes. I always give them a "go ahead" to move across and a polite "it's ok" or "you are fine" to let them know I appreciate them being considerate.

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Why did you not go directly to the person that hired you and explain the situation? Let them know that his guests were interfering with the job he was paying you to do. When I was doing weddings, a clause in the contract specifically covered this issue.

watchcow Loc: Moore, Oklahoma

I did. At weddings I work for the bride no matter who is writing the check. the bride was flustered and unable to make any decisions with this kind of shock. This lady shows up after abandoning her little girl and has never offered more than an occasional birthday card in 19 years. The Father was avoiding the situation, so I had to keep bugging this lady to get out of the way until it was wildly obvious no one was going to do a thing about her but try to ignore her.

It was sort of this surreal situation. Like the "SEP" (somebody else's problem) field generator mentioned in "The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy." A device used to make things invisible because people naturally want to ignore something that is not of immediate interest to them.

I don't walk out on jobs. The people that should have been responsible were being unresponsive, so you deal with it or do something about it yourself.

watchcow Loc: Moore, Oklahoma

A lumedyne belt pack works really well too. A lady at a family reunion I shot once was really interested in photography and appointed herself to be my assistant. Sort of cool because she knew everyone and did introductions and helped navigate through the crowd and get pictures of everyone. I need to climb up on a table to get a large group shot and she offered to take the camera. So I had it to her and she is holding it with the lens and flash facing her, ready to hand it back once I was on my perch. I didn't figure out if she got bumped or if she was just piddling with the camera, but somehow she managed to push the shutter button and the flash was close enough to her dark jacket she was wearing that is melted the synthetic fabric. I thought she would drop the camera for sure but she held onto it dancing around slapping at that hot spot on her chest thinking she was on fire.

Dngallagher Loc: Wilmington De.

Message sent and received clearly!

:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Madman Loc: Gulf Coast, Florida USA

Interesting situation, I hate violence but... I have used my Vivitar 283 at full power as a weapon; wow, is it effective!

n9iui Loc: Indiana

Yeah, I miss that little *POP*! from my old Strobonar!

Moles Loc: South Carolina

It's part of photography in the fast lane. I feel your pain. At
Sochi and at World Cups, I have to compete with forests of 400mm lenses rather than just smartphones.

Whatever you do, please don't resort to violence as others have suggested.

Erg

As a parent at many recitals, performances, and now a wedding I will say that the official photographer rarely gets the memory shot of my child. The candid moment with the leap and the smile or the grand gesture and with the perfect 3/4 view.

When I'm forced to leave my camera at home and buy the dvd, it's always a disappointment. Not that the official photographer's a hack - they may be better than I am (though I'm pretty good). But they don't care about the subject I care about. Nobody else wants an entire dance recital focused on one girl in the back. I do.

I don't stand up in front of your camera and I don't use flash and I don't hold an iPad over my head.

I also spent many years as an official videographer for school productions. I always set up my gear where it would be hard for standing people to block it. Usually meant tripods along the side and/or back with long lenses. Not always the most comfortable position to work from, but the parents WILL stand up and they WILL walk in the aisles. If you want to get a clear shot, you have to plan ahead for it - beyond just being in the middle of a clear spot.

When you're getting ticked off at grandma wanting a picture of her grand-child, stop for just one moment and answer this: Who's paying for those kids up there? Who's spending hours helping them practice? Who's volunteering to make sets and costumes? Is that child as important to you as to her? Maybe you should be planning ahead so you're not in her way...

One Camera One Lens Loc: Traveling

I would like to find the turd that came up with the word SELFIE.........just another word for the dictionary, selfie, is that the best anyone can do,selfie, is that like playing with your self........................lol

Shutter Bugger

Not where I come from. I know of a 10yo that instantly
recognized "cunning stunts" as a Spoonerism.

The question was asked; "whats the difference between a billy club and a magicians wand... A magicians wand is for cunning stunts"... Before the other 1/2 of the answer was given, the ten year old boy was in hysterics. Funny thing was, the majority of the adults did not get the joke until
the second 1/2 of the answer was revealed.

jimmya Loc: Phoenix

I did a career in broadcast television photo journalism and some of the things you mention sound very familiar... like people walking in your shot, pushing and shoving for position. I remember those days very well.

DebAnn Loc: Toronto

I feel your pain. I now tap rude people on the shoulder and say, "Excuse me, am I invisible?" Sometimes they apologize and move, but not always.

bjprovo Loc: Northeast CT

I am a teacher at a high school and spend hours upon hours every year attending events and taking pictures for no charge. Most photographers are pretty good about knowing their surroundings and keeping out of each others way. One time I was standing in the end zone all by myself, sparse crowd. And some photographer hired by some parent walks right in front of me and sets up to take his pictures right in my sight line. Usually I just move but this was the third incident during the school year and I called him on it none too nicely. He got upset with me and giving me grief about it not being my field. The violent scenes that took place in my head never came true, but man, these people seem to be everywhere.

gessman Loc: Colorado

...and the irony and the funny thing is that that is exactly what they think about you. :roll: