Ever get tired of being behind the lens and never in front of it?

[wykdfantasy]

Photographers often spend so much time behind the camera it isn't to often they get a chance to be in front of it. I pitch the question why is that? Do you all think it is a personality trait that plays into it, or just a matter of location and timing? Now I understand the Pro photographers who are being paid to shoot and event, that question is not aimed at them because it is obvious who is the subject of thier shoot. I am aiming this at the amature/semi pro (ok, or off duty pro) who shoots personal / family events and vacation trips for fun, not when asked to do so.


My example:
One thing I notice about being the resident photographer in my deployed ARMY unit, is that since I have by far the nicest camera around, everyone always loves thier pictures taken, however I notice they almost never return the favor although everyone around me has point and shoot cameras. So if I wasn't the photographer I would be one of the people in the picture, I guess I am just not that vain to often 'ask' to have my picture taken.

I have taken some great shots by in large part due to the knowledge I have learned here and some day when I learn to use photoshop little plan to share a few great shots I have taken here.

[flaky]

its a shame that u never get a record of the occasions showing u in the pic!

[puzzle]

Interesting point, but you do have the 10sec timer which could give you the possibility to set up the shot and then quickly dive into it of course.

[wykdfantasy]

Yes that is a point, but you don't always have a tripod on hand, any durring events like this, usually you don't, especially walking around the streets of Iraq in my situation!

But often times at family events or vacations again you don't walk around carrying a tripod to theme parks or beaches, things of that sort. So that would rely on other people in your party to say "Hey (insert photographer name here) let me get a shot of you doing or standing...."

[rklepper]

Ask, it is the only way.

[John_B]

wykdfantasy,
Get one of the subjects to hold a mirror :lol:

I personally don't miss it, I like taking the photo, not having the photo taken of me. However there are times I want to be in and thats one of the reasons I have a tripod :)

[wykdfantasy]

I don't mind much not being in all the photos, it just sucks when someone asks for a photo of me, (when i was at those places i took the photos) but all i have are shots i took. Just one of those things, that I ponder if other people have a similar situation. I wonder also, if everyone around you knows you are taking photos of them all day, do they ever wonder and stop to think if you want a photo taken of you or is that the reason that you are the photographer and they are the subject? I like to pose questions to see point of views, I am not concerned that "I am not in enough photos", just wondering what other people think when "you 'are the photographer".

For me the enjoyment is remembering what I saw, not what the people around me saw. In perspective, the people around me see me in the place, I see the world around me, and that is what I shoot.

[neilwood32]

I love not being in the photo's.

I dislike getting my photo taken (not strongly though) which may have something to do with it.

One of the reasons I dont mind not having my photo taken though is that I find that I enjoy capturing the moment both in my mind and the camera and i find that shooting helps in this process.

[lukeap69]

that's why you have friends. just remember to set the exposure and focus first. :)

[kauffman v36]

theres a reason im always behind the camera...i like it that way. lol. ive gotten into arguement with family members who want me to be in a photo.

[Jdumas]

Hand your camera to someone else. I do this a lot with people I trust and that are not a clutz.

EOS 1n, Sigma 20mm, Fuji Neopan 1600 and CS3. I set the exposure for my wife by metering off the wall. Taken the morning after my daughters birth. I love this picture, thanks honey!

[FocalPrincess]

Big fat nope, I'm quite happy BEHIND the camera!

[5x5 photography]

I do not like having my picture made so I am cool with being behind the camera.

[PhotosByEric]

The only time I mind is when I'm editing and realize I'm not in any of the pics with my wife and kids. Guess I could just hand over the camera to the DW but I don't trust her with it:lol: