Asked to shoot strangers

I'm sure it has happened to most of us at some point. Out doing our own thing when a stranger walks up with arm stretched out, holding a camera. "Would you take our picture for us?"

I'm happy to help, but...

My first reaction has stayed within my mind. "Sure, I'll take your picture, but I'll use my camera and here's a card where you can go and download it within the next month...no cost." I haven't done it because I wonder how creepy that would be to someone. "What? You are going to have my picture and put it online? Forget it."

So I usually grab their camera, hope that it is on full auto (usually a p&s and they don't know otherwise) and click hoping that I got the picture they wanted. Today I had a little different experience that I appreciated. She actually described what flowers she was wanting in the background. The problem was that they were probably 20 yards from where she was sitting and I don't know how her p&s is going to focus, what the DOF is going to look like, etc. So knowing what she wanted helped, but I would have felt better to use my 50d and my lenses than her camera.

Has anyone ever taken the picture with your camera and given the complete stranger instructions on how to download the pic? Does it creep people out?

I tell them to contact my email and I upload it to my smugmug with a password.

I had a group ask me just last week while I was shooting some riverfront pics. It was obviously some kind of family reunion. After seeing their camera and lens, which were not really ideal for the job, I put their card in my camera for the shots, and then gave it back to them.

whuband wrote in post #16058539
I had a group ask me just last week while I was shooting some riverfront pics. It was obviously some kind of family reunion. After seeing their camera and lens, which were not really ideal for the job, I put their card in my camera for the shots, and then gave it back to them.

That is an awesome suggestion. I would never have thought to use their card. Did you change your resolution to High End JGP?

sirquack wrote in post #16060975
That is an awesome suggestion. I would never have thought to use their card. Did you change your resolution to High End JGP?

I agree. I like that suggestion a lot and the reminder to drop out of RAW and into JPG. With a 50d it would be a bit more problematic because most cameras (I think) are using SD cards and I'm still using a CF, but that would be the only drawback.

Thanks all for your input. Appreciate it.

I usually grab an email or business card and send them a copy of one taken with my camera. I met some nice people visiting the st Louis Arch from france. The shot I sent them ended up in their corporate publication.

whenever someone grabs me, i just take the picture. maybe two pictures. if they don't like it, oh well. what did they expect from a stranger?

I usually take their camera, check if it is on automatic, ask them to take several steps back and then run like hell...

Years ago my kid was taking a swim lesson at the local high school pool, she was about 5. There was an especially photogenic boy and his mom made some comment and me, Mr. Friendly, told her; "Sure; give me your EMAIL and I'll send you a link.

My wife about strangled me ... she was a pretty mom. Oie! Hey; I'm married, not dead! But truly; I just wanted that mom to have some good shots of her kid. I posted and sent them; she downloaded and I never heard from her again. So; it worked out as intended.

whuband wrote in post #16058539
I had a group ask me just last week while I was shooting some riverfront pics. It was obviously some kind of family reunion. After seeing their camera and lens, which were not really ideal for the job, I put their card in my camera for the shots, and then gave it back to them.

wow I never thought of this before, but it's such a great alternative! - so far I just took the photo with their camera, whatever it was

chikung wrote in post #16090186
wow I never thought of this before, but it's such a great alternative! - so far I just took the photo with their camera, whatever it was

Careful. I once shot a friend's wedding. Long story, but in short, I put the 7D card into my 5Dii.

Later; all RAW photos taken after the switch were corrupt. Fortunately; the ceremony shots were OK and the Small JPG I always take simultaneously were enough for the rest of the album shots.

Tough way to learn to never shoot on a card not formatted by that camera. Maybe its usually not a problem but it can be.