Rude "Professional" Photographers!
Nov 8, 2011 14:22:14 #
I had the same situation at a recent wedding I was shooting. This was an unusual situation, the bride, an Ethopian flew in her photographer from the east coast, the groom's family, from the bay area hired me.
The other photographer had his assistant, plus one videographer; I had one assistant, so there were 5 people on the scene, and it was a zoo. Every time I looked up one of the other camera persons was jumping directly in front of my shot. I honestly felt it was deliberate on more than one occasion. After a while, we were butting heads, because I needed my shots. I was being paid a sizable amount and it was really ridiculous, plus the camera people were walking into every scene with huge umbrellas. They distracted everything.
There needs to be some professional courtesy guidelines otherwise, the potential for minor battles can certainly arise, and certainly would not be good for our industry.
The other photographer had his assistant, plus one videographer; I had one assistant, so there were 5 people on the scene, and it was a zoo. Every time I looked up one of the other camera persons was jumping directly in front of my shot. I honestly felt it was deliberate on more than one occasion. After a while, we were butting heads, because I needed my shots. I was being paid a sizable amount and it was really ridiculous, plus the camera people were walking into every scene with huge umbrellas. They distracted everything.
There needs to be some professional courtesy guidelines otherwise, the potential for minor battles can certainly arise, and certainly would not be good for our industry.
Nov 8, 2011 14:26:15 #
One of the reasons I won't shoot weddings... unless I'm the ONLY photographer (with MY second shooters or assistants). There are many wedding photographers that are just really rude, and it's too tempting to drag them outside and beat some common sense & respect into them. But hey, I shoot divorces... and might even toss in a funeral. LOL
Nov 8, 2011 14:53:57 #
The key here is the quote marks around "professional". Most professional photographers I know would never act in this manner.
Having a camera and a model does not make one a professional photographer. I have had this happen to me many times (weddings, landscapes, you name it). My response is, "Excuse me. I'll be through in ___ minutes or so. Thank you".
Having a camera and a model does not make one a professional photographer. I have had this happen to me many times (weddings, landscapes, you name it). My response is, "Excuse me. I'll be through in ___ minutes or so. Thank you".
Nov 8, 2011 14:59:16 #
You can't solve rudeness of a professional, as there are many with "new high-end cameras" that assume it makes them the professional. Keep your sanity and like a wild animal, allow them to pass without exciting them. Oooops, did I call the "rude professional (or self-named semi-professional)" a "wild animal" with a narcissist sense of pride in their equipment?
A real professional knows his/her placement in the environment and takes shots accordingly. Most bystanders see a lens and walk around it so as not to diminish the frame.
Continue your quest of professionalism, even if others have not learned the etiquette!
A real professional knows his/her placement in the environment and takes shots accordingly. Most bystanders see a lens and walk around it so as not to diminish the frame.
Continue your quest of professionalism, even if others have not learned the etiquette!
Nov 8, 2011 15:42:03 #
les_stockton wrote:
Big Daddy, if you look anything like your avatar, I think they'd be afraid to piss you off.
Thats for sure what I was thinking! ;-}
Nov 8, 2011 16:32:21 #
In the words of Captain Woodrow F. Call (Lonesome Dove)...."I can't abide rude behavior in a man. I won't tolerate it." :lol:
Nov 8, 2011 16:33:37 #
Scott your smart enough and have the morality to understand what you did. I have to inadvertently done that and always tried my best to make it better. "Oh EXCUSE ME! i sincerely apologize for getting in you shot. Please continue". In reference to a earlier post that the bad guys always win I disagree because I can hold my head up and am able to say I'm a steward to better humanity. The point is it may also be counterproductive to train wreck the day by bringing attention to the problem to the client or model because they may get so upset they won't photograph well. Getting a card to deal with it later in a diplomatic way is the professional way. The whole business has turned upside down with current human trends and Technology and it's easier for people to get into the business. That means they don't all follow the same code of ethics unfortunately.
Nov 8, 2011 16:34:50 #
Nov 8, 2011 16:35:31 #
Nov 8, 2011 16:38:07 #
Hi Kathryn...I'm glad to see you also...betting you have a fantastic gallery....would love to view it (New England...WOW!!!).....you can find mine under david b spooner
Nov 8, 2011 17:44:05 #
BD: I sometimes just have to shoot and remove the intruder with Ps's Content Aware tool, but it is sure a lot nicer to get a clean shot in the first place. Of course, such intruders are not "Professional" even if they are "Commercial". But, the best sites tend to be in high demand, and you can't blame another photographer [whether tourist or commercial] from wanting to use iconic settings. But, you are correct. True professionals do not intrude on anyone else's set. I would be ashamed to accidentally step into the view of a small child with a point & shoot camera. Of course, we all should be mindful of other's rights to use public areas. And, if we haven't obtained exclusive use of such an area for some period of time, they have as much right of use as anyone else. I've seen photographers monopolize a setting for unreasonable amounts of time, thus preventing others from getting a coveted shot because the light is no longer right. Actually, I've been there as a tourist. There have also been times when others have intruded into my scene and I have simply asked them to please step back so that I can finish shooting. I try to project a friendly personality when I do so. Usually they politely step aside. Well, almost everywhere except NYC. Of course, I've never gotten to London or Paris yet.
Nov 8, 2011 17:59:06 #
Big Daddy wrote:
I couldn't believe last weekend... I was out shoot... (show quote)
BigDaddy,
Common, give me break!
Everybody his own opinion, but as a Euro guy I would not have taken it. I do not have a picture, they also will not.
And if they start giving me comments I am not afraid to respond. It has nothing to do "being a pro", but a form of mentality. These kind of people will never learn how to behave if nobody say or do something against it. If you let that person get away with it, he will do it again next time.
Later I will explain it to my clients.
Nov 8, 2011 18:23:50 #
DJ: Love your "tape" idea, but as a retired lawyer, I wonder if that might be an offense in some jurisdictions. For instance, closing off access to a sidewalk, or path, might be illegal. It might even be illegal to actually shut off access to just the area enclosed if it is a public park or other such area. I would want to check the local ordinances, and perhaps city hall. The local police might be able to give you some advice in this regard. I sure wouldn't want my client to see me cited for some violation during out shoot. Of course, the movie industry buys permits for such shoot and even shut down major road and highways for sometimes hours to get a scene shot.
Nov 8, 2011 18:48:12 #
BigD: Sure hope your "professional" photography skills match your claimed "professional diplomacy" skills.
Nov 8, 2011 21:02:18 #
I'd be tempted to get behind their clients with a mirror and reflect some stray light into their shots.
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