Why are people so oblivious to photogs?

Randi wrote in post #10622130
I'm sure people don't pick a spot to sit/stand/walk/etc thinking, "Oh, you know, I might be in someone's shot..." I think if people had that conscious thought, they probably wouldn't do it, but I'm sure most people don't even realize it... especially people who aren't photographers. Visitors to the spot are just trying to enjoy the beauty of the scenery just as much as the next person, and they shouldn't have to be worried about being in the wrong place at the wrong time because they could potentially be disturbing someone's photograph. People just don't think like that, nor is it necessary for them to do so.

I agree. I don't see any reason why people should feel any special obligation to watch out for photographers. Rarely has the tableau been created specifically for photographers (Kodak Hula Show, yes; Grand Canyon, no)--we're usually the ones seeking to use it in a less common manner.

spkerer wrote in post #10623917
Some forms of photography will break you of that habit quickly. Photographing a working fire scene with massive amounts of water coming from different angles and different times, things falling of the structure, hose lines hopping around, etc. It keeps you on your toes and aware. But it's also quite fun.

I realise that ( also sports etc) require an attention split between the action and safety but in general we do lose track of reality when behind a camera.

Sorry...

I meant to say photographers are just more sensitive.

"Clam" (See "Sand In...")

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10623991
Sorry...

I meant to say photographers are just more sensitive.

"Clam" (See "Sand In...")

Oh yeah I remember that post!

CS5 Content Aware Fill is your friend

Yeah I find that every one is pretty much oblivious unless they're a photographer or something along the lines of creative images. I was at the fair and this videographer was working for a new station getting shots of some of the rides. I was walking and noticed him set up and begin to shoot. Well I waited before walking across his frame. He stopped and told me to go ahead, he also thanked me because I was the first person to ask or wait all night :P. People got to live with them, if some one's doing there job let them work!

I find that most folks, if they see me, apologize if they get in the shot. I don't think they intend to mess up your shot, but just don't notice what you're doing.

garyark wrote in post #10627091
I find that most folks, if they see me, apologize if they get in the shot. I don't think they intend to mess up your shot, but just don't notice what you're doing.

Like the OP said, oblivious.

Why should people be on special look out for camera people? When I'm out an about, I don't look for cameras. If happen on through and notice some one setting up a shot I stop and wait.

Do we as photographers want to carry around special tape like the police and tape off an area with "WORKING PHOTOGRAPHER DON'T CROSS"?

I don't believe it's the public's job to be on the look out for us photographers.

Mark

Playing devils advocate on this. If you're at a zoo, amusement park, parade or anything similar. There are going to be so many people there with cameras how can you seriously enjoy yourself if you have to pay attention to every single person there with a camera, so you won't be in their photo. I mean yes it would be nice to avoid doing that but sometimes you're walking and couple of other people are walking to the right of you. Same side at the person with the camera. So you can't see the camera anyway because of the other couple. Doesn't make you rude..you just could not see it.

dugcross wrote in post #10627141
Playing devils advocate on this. If you're at a zoo, amusement park, parade or anything similar. There are going to be so many people there with cameras how can you seriously enjoy yourself if you have to pay attention to every single person there with a camera, so you won't be in their photo. I mean yes it would be nice to avoid doing that but sometimes you're walking and couple of other people are walking to the right of you. Same side at the person with the camera. So you can't see the camera anyway because of the other couple. Doesn't make you rude..you just could not see it.

once again i'll bring up the example of the story of the guy with the gear at the jacksonville, fl zoo.

i went there with my fiancee a few months back and packed light, d200 with a superzoom and a pocketful of batteries. no flash since it upsets the little critters. just brought a garbage bag for the florida rainstorms.

next to one of the bird exhibits was a fat guy with a nat-geo style photographer vest, 1d with 800mm and a teleconverter. he carried his gear around in plastic milk crates on a dolley. he parked his crap in front of the exhibit, set up a tripod, and proceded to take up all the space available, and gave nasty looks to the kids that swarmed around him and 'ruined his shot.'

i asked him how he managed to paint his lenses white like that without damaging them, and took photos of his gear with my nikon to drive him off.

...

it's a matter of etiquette.

if you're in the middle of effing nowhere and someone gets in your shot, it's rude. if you're in a public place making an ass of yourself, you can't claim ownership of that real estate.

dontcallmeash wrote in post #10627213
once again i'll bring up the example of the story of the guy with the gear at the jacksonville, fl zoo.

i went there with my fiancee a few months back and packed light, d200 with a superzoom and a pocketful of batteries. no flash since it upsets the little critters. just brought a garbage bag for the florida rainstorms.

next to one of the bird exhibits was a fat guy with a nat-geo style photographer vest, 1d with 800mm and a teleconverter. he carried his gear around in plastic milk crates on a dolley. he parked his crap in front of the exhibit, set up a tripod, and proceded to take up all the space available, and gave nasty looks to the kids that swarmed around him and 'ruined his shot.'

i asked him how he managed to paint his lenses white like that without damaging them, and took photos of his gear with my nikon to drive him off.

...

it's a matter of etiquette.

if you're in the middle of effing nowhere and someone gets in your shot, it's rude. if you're in a public place making an ass of yourself, you can't claim ownership of that real estate.

Wha? They actually let this guy in with a dolly of milk crates. Wow!
Had to laugh though with I got to the part of the garbage bag for the Florida rainstorms. You have that right, if you live in Florida that's an automatic thing to do. I never go anywhere with my camera without a garbage back in my back pocket just for those rainstorms.

dontcallmeash wrote in post #10627213
once again i'll bring up the example of the story of the guy with the gear at the jacksonville, fl zoo.

i went there with my fiancee a few months back and packed light, d200 with a superzoom and a pocketful of batteries. no flash since it upsets the little critters. just brought a garbage bag for the florida rainstorms.

next to one of the bird exhibits was a fat guy with a nat-geo style photographer vest, 1d with 800mm and a teleconverter. he carried his gear around in plastic milk crates on a dolley. he parked his crap in front of the exhibit, set up a tripod, and proceded to take up all the space available, and gave nasty looks to the kids that swarmed around him and 'ruined his shot.'

i asked him how he managed to paint his lenses white like that without damaging them, and took photos of his gear with my nikon to drive him off.

...

it's a matter of etiquette.

if you're in the middle of effing nowhere and someone gets in your shot, it's rude. if you're in a public place making an ass of yourself, you can't claim ownership of that real estate.

I've never been to a zoo where one person could possibly take up all the space to see an animal enclosure. I see nothing wrong with what he was doing - he has every right to be there as everyone else does. So what if other people were annoying him?

I am glad when people are oblivious to me as a photographer as I can then make photographs of people doing what they do.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10623991
Sorry...

I meant to say photographers are just more sensitive.

"Clam" (See "Sand In...")

Oh yes, you're the one that wanted me shot!