How would you approach this person?

[threeinthenest]

Hello Photographers!
So, I have a situation that is driving me crazy. My boys are in basketball right now and there is a grandfather of a little boy on the team who shows up to every game with some AMAZING photo gear, some of the lenses-I don't even know which ones they are. Anyway, I would love to talk with him, it seems I always learn something from other photographers, but he is extremely unaproachable (sp). So do I leave him alone or be brave and speak to him? He is a big, bald man that wears motorcycle boots and a leather jacket-and really that doesn't scare me, its just that he doesn't seem to be.........I don't know, nice I guess. What would you do/say? Thanks in advance!!!

[PeteJaffa]

Get a grip first of all. He's probably a big cuddly bunny under his scary exterior.

[Travisj]

Well ya never know until ya try. I’d say go for it but be respectful about it. Don’t bother him if he’s trying to shoot or talk to someone. Approach in the same manner you would want. Even if you just go up and ask him if you can ask a few questions the worst he can do is say no. Best of luck, let us know what you do...;)

[Citizensmith]

So long as his isn't one of those Nikon weirdos. :)

Just ask him what he's compensating for, bound to get a good reaction!

[DVS_WiNdz]

Just go up and talk to him. I've had many people come up to me and ask me about my gear. They always come up to me and say nice camera or lens or something, and they start talking to me about my lens, if it's good or not. Then the conversation is started :)

[DVS_WiNdz]

So long as his isn't one of those Nikon weirdos. :)

Haha :lol:

[SoaringUSAEagle]

Do it during a half time, or before or after a game... I'm sure that wouldnt create any problems.

[Mike McCusker]

Ask him why he thinks he has to wear motorcycle boots and a leather jacket to be a man. That will break the ice, it always works for me (never mind the broken nose it wasn't much to look at anyway)

[gjl711]

Is he extremely unaproachable because he wears leather? Or is there something else like he goes off and punches out anyone who gets close. Why wouldn't you just come up and say hello if it's the former and if the latter, maybe staying away is best.

[elysium]

Wait till a pause in the game or after the game and approach him with a polite excuse me and just spill that you getting into photography and you dig his gear?

[matthew h]

tell him you will show him yours if he shows you his..............

[ajbalazic]

tell him you will show him yours if he shows you his..............
:lol::lol::lol:

[threeinthenest]

Okay, I just don't want to end up on one of those POTN threads, "What is the stupidist thing someone has said about your gear!"

John-NO its not the leather! He just seems to be a big tough guy, I should have used the word intimidating instead. Just walking up to someone and starting a conversation is NOT the way I am wired!

Thanks for all the advice-I'll let you know what happens Saturday!

[BillsBayou]

Just walk up to him and ask him about his gear.

Scenario 1: He talks to you and you get chat it up with a fellow photog. Good news.

Scenario 2: He beats you with his equipment. Good news. Then you can go home and read the imprints of the equipment in the mirror.*

(* the imprints will be backwards if you read them without a mirror.)

[shannyD]

nothing wrong with big bald men who wear boots. they are usually teddy bears.

and just because he has fancy gear doesn't mean he's an awesome photographer. how many times do we see threads on here that some dude had a 6k camera and complains that al of their pics are white? just because they have it doesn't mean they know how to use it.

I say talk to him and shoot the breeze with him. it won't hurt.

[threeinthenest]

Shanny-you are so right! I forget that gear isn't everything! thanks!

[erthpro]

Walk up and ask him a pointed question about his gear or his technique, its the greatest compliment you can give him. No small talk unless he seems open to it. Usually works for me in almost every situation.

[Citizensmith]

nothing wrong with big bald men who wear boots. they are usually teddy bears.

Yeah but big men wearing leather and referring to themselves as bears is a whole different meaning. :)

[BillsBayou]

Yeah but big men wearing leather and referring to themselves as bears is a whole different meaning. :)

Says the guy in curlers.

[John_B]

threeinthenest,
Be careful he might shoot you!.... With his camera :lol:

Just go up to him (when he isn't looking thru his viewfinder) and say, "Nice camera what model is it?" or something like that....

You never know he might enjoy talking to another photographer :)

[jptsr1]

Anyway, I would love to talk with him, it seems I always learn something from other photographers, but he is extremely unaproachable (sp). So do I leave him alone or be brave and speak to him? He is a big, bald man that wears motorcycle boots and a leather jacket-and really that doesn't scare me, its just that he doesn't seem to be.........I don't know, nice I guess. What would you do/say? Thanks in advance!!!

I get this all the time (its probably because I'm so handsome). Always makes me laugh to see people standing off to the side and then quickly looking down at their feet when I turn towards them. The best is the folks who cower in the corner of the elevator or cross the street when I'm walking. Just go up and say hi. If he's a jerk then it is what it is, just move on. I think you'll find that most of us who are bald and north of 6 feet are quite friendly. Its not like he's going to grab you by the ankles and beat the bleachers with you at his grandsons basketball game.

J.

[Mark_Cohran]

He's a grandfather and he's showing up at his grandson's games to photograph him - sounds like a big softy to me. Go up and strike up a conversation with him. If he doesn't want to talk to you, he'll let you know.

[threeinthenest]

ok, ya'll are so funny. Great advice.

[the_incubus]

He's a grandfather and he's showing up at his grandson's games to photograph him - sounds like a big softy to me. Go up and strike up a conversation with him. If he doesn't want to talk to you, he'll let you know.

But be careful. He might be the disgruntled grandfather who couldnt go shoot some nice BIF because the wife made him go shoot their grandsons game! ;):D

[Mark_Cohran]

But be careful. He might be the disgruntled grandfather who couldnt go shoot some nice BIF because the wife made him go shoot their grandsons game! ;):D

Nope - if you're a grandpa, you'll know what I'm talking about. He's just a big softy wanting to participate in his grandson's life. :) :)

[20droger]

I, too, am a follically challenged person of size (vertically and circumferentially). I have yet to dismember anyone for asking me a question about equipment or technique.

[rklepper]

Perhaps he seems this way as no one ever approaches him. Loneliness will do things to you. But, be ready to find out that he may like to be alone and this helps him stay that way.