Photography By Marc Loc: Lisbon, Maine

Hi...I thought I'd posted this earlier this week...but have not seen it listed here so will post again.

Recently my Fiance and I went on a leisurely photoshoot for fun and relaxation to one of our favorite places here in southern Maine. I should point out I have a mild case of Tourettes Syndrome with which my hand shakes occasionally and I use my tripod and release cable to get really clear photos.

We were shooting away when a couple approached us and the gentleman had a nice SLR in his hand. I said hello...nice day and then be got snobby and asked me...in a condescending voice..."why are you shooting in the bright sun with a tripod and cable release...it's probably 1/1000 second". I said "for stability". Before I had a chance to explain my issue...he said "get rid of that tripod and get a good one...throw it out"...a little puff of wind will blow it over"...and then walked off.

I have a relatively new MePhoto Roadtripper I got earlier this year and paid $200 for it...which on my budget is decent money.

Needless to say it put a damper on the shoot which we were just finishing anyway and I felt humiliated by his unnecessary comments. Once of out ear-range my Fiance called him a couple of names to me I won't write here...but it got me thinking...what did I do to deserve this? I was just being nice and got lambasted for it.

Lesson here...always take the high road...be friendly...and please don't make disparaging comments to anyone. Nobody deserves that.

For what it's worth...have a good day...and remember to please be kind to everyone.

Marc :D

jfrrn117 Loc: chicago

If someone is that ignorant and crass, imagine what his shots look like! Congrats to you for being able to figure out a way to deal with an ass, graciously, as well as finding a realistic way to deal with a handicap so you can keep on shooting.

Don't forget karma, this will bite him in the butt someday.

jsmangis Loc: Peoria, IL

Hello Marc, John from Illinois here. I have met a lot of wonderful people and a few jerks in my six plus decades on this planet. I always treat people with respect, and never give criticism unless someone asks me first. Too bad you ran into the one idiot out roaming around "down east". To bad there is not an "Attic" out there in the real world.

preachy Loc: Dover Plains, NY

You should definitely toss that tripod, Marc. Right towards that a-hole's head!!!!

Photography By Marc Loc: Lisbon, Maine

Hi John...I am 63 and my Fiance is 68. I don't do weddings and the like because of my ailment but like doing candids and landscapes and my Fiance is very good at Portraits. I know where are all kinds of people out there...too bad they seem to be in popular places.

Thanks John...makes me feel better with your kind words. Hope you can make it here to Maine sometime if you've not been...a wealth of photo opportunities here.

Regards...

Marc :-)

lighthouse Loc: No Fixed Abode

Marc, just to let you know, I am in pretty good physical health, I am mainly a land and seascape photographer, and I use a tripod under all conditions with 2 second delay.
My friend uses a tripod and cable release.
Bright sunny days, plenty of light, yep, I'm still on a tripod.

I think you should have put your Tourettes Syndrome to really really good use and told him to "Go F... Yourself".
You do not have to explain anything whatsoever to people like him.
You should not feel humiliated at all.

I am not familiar with that tripod at all and it may be that he is right about the tripods capabilities. But that is totally irrelevant.
He could have been civil and helpful and you three likeminded people could have had a wonderful chat while he imparted his experience to you. Thats what we do around here.
As it was, he was a complete A-hole and therefore he becomes a non-person, an insignificant spec who does not matter at all.
We have all met that person Marc.
Do not give him another thought.

Wahawk Loc: NE IA

The more public the shooting location, the more popular and it will also attract a larger percentage of the "uncouth" and "inconsiderate" examples of our craft and the general public as well!

If he had wanted you to take his photo, handheld, then you could have cut off his head in your compostion and then he would have left you alone!

Yooper 2 Loc: Ironwood, MI

Why do you think you did anything to deserve the man's impudence? There are ignorant, arrogant morons in the world that like nothing better than to put people down so they can feel better about themselves. Ignore what he said. It had nothing to do with you. He didn't even know you.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Welcome to the club. I've had people disparage my cameras, lenses, tripods, shooting methods, etc, without having a clue why I do what I do or what kind of images I produce. This can happen in the field, in camera shops, at photo workshops, & on forums like this. There are always folks who consider their methods and whatever they own to be superior, particularly if they paid a lot of money for their stuff. Usually those who belittle others are not great artists, they are gear collectors. Those who are great artists are seldom overly concerned about how others are practicing photography or with what.

Sherman A1 Loc: St. Louis, MO

You handled it very well and it brings to mind the old saying "better to be thought a fool, than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt", which is of course exactly what the individual did in this case.

Don't give this "gentleman" another thought.

bkyser Loc: Fly over country in Indiana

I would just like to congratulate you for taking the high road. To many of us, would have been just as rude back to him. I give you a hearty (digital) pat on the back, for proving that all photographers don't have the ego this jerk had.

The other thing I would mention is that honestly, "why" you use the tripod was none of his business. "For stability" was enough information. I just don't understand why in any hobby or profession, there are always those out there that can only make themselves feel better by putting others down, instead of feeling better, by making others feel better.

dooragdragon Loc: Alma , Arkansas

Marc, I understand your situation as I have breathing problems and even the simple freehand shooting with a heavy lens can cause me shake not to mention the crushed knuckle on right hand from a motorcycle accident 42 yrs ago and a right index finger thats 1/2 inch shorter then normal due to a work related incident 15 yrs ago ( yes its my shutter release finger).
Butt holes come in all shapes and sizes and the best we can do is ignore them and go about our business
Just because someone doesn't have a apparent disability does not mean they don't have issues.
Ignore the stupid twit and enjoy your outings and hopefully he will go pester someone else quickly.
Pete

JCam Loc: MD Eastern Shore

Marc, I think you demonstrated exemplary self control, probably a lot more than I, at 74 years young, would have.

Enjoy our hobby and to hell with him!

tejaswrangler Loc: South Texas

Hello Marc, sad that you had to experience poor behavior of a poor mannered fellow photographer, and I use the term fellow photographer very loosely. While this is a fun hobby, we will always encounter people like the one that you encountered. It is best to put a smile on you face, wish the jerk a happy day, then ignore him and continue forward to having a good day. That jerk is nothing more than a miserable man, one that is clueless of knowing how to respect his fellow man. Please have a great fun filled day! :thumbup: Tejaswrangler :)

phlash46 Loc: Westchester County, New York

There are a handful of hurtful people in this world. Ignore them and enjoy your day.