I’m just completing a month long trip around SE Asia and have just about had it with the throngs of smartphone and tablet snap shooters (not photographers) who clog every venue I visited. Personally, I have two iPhones and three iPads but rarely use them for taking anything other than something interesting like a sign or other local oddity and usually just for my records. I do, however, take the occasional selfie and may have someone take a quick tourist shot of my wife and I in front of something noteworthy. Other than that, I use my Canon 5D III with a long enough lens that I can breach the wall of smartphones in front of me. I do recognize that these “tourist” photographers have just as much right to take shots as I do but it’s the way they take those photos that drives me crazy. Here are my main issues.
1. They must always stand a long way from their subject so that the entire background is included. This means that for some length of time the lane between them is technically closed while the photographer (I hate to use that word) fidgets with the camera and/or the subject goes through several modeling poses so that the shoot can be completed. Inevitably, the shooter and subject change places and repeat the process.
2. With groups, everybody wants every picture taken with their camera which means that the particular location is closed for a while. Maybe someone should invent a selfie-stick that holds 4-6 smartphones so that they can get it done with one click.
3. In order to take a picture with a smartphone or tablet you must raise it well above your head in order to get a clear shot and in most cases a small adjustment with your DSLR will get you around them for your shot. The worst situation is the tablet user when they hoist what appears to be equivalent of a large sign up to take their shot. Sometimes I wish they would turn the tablet on selfie mode so they could see the annoyed people behind them. I attended a few cultural performances (water puppet show, etc.) and was steaming when a lady in front of us with an iPad appeared to want to video the entire performance and who was totally oblivious the attendees behind her.
4. Lastly, selfie-sticks are really annoying because they are not just used for selfies but for all of their photos. They walk around with a phone on a three foot pole and in large crowd it is just not that practical.
We unfortunately live in an age where everybody on the planet owns a device capable of taking pictures and where in the old days only people with actual cameras taking actual photos would be trying to get the perfect shot of something that they deemed important. Oh do I yearn for those days.
bdk
Loc: Sanibel Fl.
Some of those peopel will enjoy taking pics so much they will buy a real camera. Till then, just trip them and let them fall out of the way.
You probably should just stay in your home ...
With me - I do not "hate" that new stuff... I just do not have the NEED for it. I do have a computer - (Duh!!!) and my cell-phone. NO!!! It is NOT a "smart-phone" ( it is about 6 years old and it IS a "Flip-Phone" ---- And I can NOT (WILL NOT) "Text" on that damn thing.... Nor do I capture Snap-Shots "photos" on it. I have several CAMERAS for doing Photography - (I like making large prints) = i.e. = 8X10 to 40X60.
When people text me - I do NOT receive it - My "text" feature is Turned Off.... If "they" (who-so-ever) wishes to TALK to me - "they" can TALK to ME. I only do VOICE....
We are loosing our personal communication skills - as well as Out Writing Skills because People are by "nature" Lazy Asses.
This is just Me --- Others will and should have their own way of doing anything.
They have the same right as you are being there. I never bothered by those things. Why when everyone has a camera it's unfortunate? You want to reserve the right to someone like you only?
James R wrote:
With me - I do not "hate" that new stuff... I just do not have the NEED for it. I do have a computer - (Duh!!!) and my cell-phone. NO!!! It is NOT a "smart-phone" And I can NOT (WILL NOT) "Text" on that damn thing.... Nor do I capture Snap-Shots "photos" on it. I have several CAMERAS for doing Photography - (I like making large prints) = i.e. = 8X10 to 40X60.
When people text me - I do NOT receive it - My "text" feature is Turned Off.... If "they" (who-so-ever) wishes to TALK to me - "they" can TALK to ME. I only do VOICE....
We are loosing our personal communication skills - as well as Out Writing Skills because People are by "nature" Lazy Asses.
This is just Me --- Others will and should have their own way of doing anything.
With me - I do not "hate" that new stuff... (
show quote)
Yes when the kid text me I don't reply. I always pick up the phone when they call. Because of my work I was issued an Iphone and expected to reply to text messages. Well that's part of my job.
This is how these places will be remembered by future generations. Embrace the crowds and find a way to include them in your photos.
Or buy a post card.
--
Mark Bski
Loc: A sleepy little island not far from Seattle
If I looked like this, I'd be taking selfies too.
Shellback
Loc: North of Cheyenne Bottoms Wetlands - Kansas
James R wrote:
With me - I do not "hate" that new stuff...
We are loosing our personal communication skills - as well as Out Writing Skills because People are by "nature" Lazy Asses.
This is just Me --- Others will and should have their own way of doing anything.
Better watch out or the personal communications skills will fall off because they are too "loose" - note about writing skills should pop in here...
Think about it. Not only I am not bothered by those people I think they would be good subjects for me to take pictures of.
A few years ago I saw the visual standout at Arches National Park where very large tablets were held in both hands and rotated clockwise & anti-clockwise to frame the shot. It reminded me of a person driving a car and using the steering wheel. Something just looked wrong about that whole action. It was then I realized times have changed.
Peterff
Loc: O'er The Hills and Far Away, in Themyscira.
Perhaps we should just put up signs to the recommended selfie location, it might thin the crowd a little!
Or suggest that it's really cool to get a selfie on rail road tracks in every place you visit, it's a once in a life time opportunity...
...
Look at us, bet you can't do this!
Where'd they go? They sure were cute!
Terrible how Americanized some foreigners are getting! Before you know it they'll be pissing and moaning on forums!
Yeah, us real photographers should have the right of way :( LOL, GET OVER IT. They have as much right to do their thing as you have. Did you ever wonder what people think when you are aiming a big camera with a 300mm mounted to it in there direction. Maybe they be saying "look how important he looks". Maybe get out of the way or maybe just strike a pose :) Oh well don't mind me, just having one of those days.
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