I guess it bothers people when telephoto is staring at their direction?

I've been noticing this a lot...a batter, soccer player, etc all in the subject but if there's someone behind watching, they are directly staring towards my camera often times. I mean I only have the 70-200 f/4L but assuming this is normal with sports? I can't imagine sticking super tele in their direction. Some people get nervous? It makes me nervous just looking at the photos later

maybe, just maybe they are watching what you are watching.....?

It sometimes seems the entire world has become overly paranoid about privacy. While there are certainly concerns about perverts, stalkers and criminals taking photos for illegitimate purposes, I think this is an overreaction to their loss of privacy in most other areas, such as in the on-line and corporate worlds.

You can't fight the Internet; if you want to use it you have little choice about giving up your privacy. You can't fight credit card companies, credit reporting agencies, franchise retail stores or even government agencies from collecting your personal details. You can choose to avoid them, but if you can't you have no option but to accept their terms.

All that is left is to challenge individuals you meet face-to-face.

At least that is how it is in the USA. I understand our friends in Europe and other regions have more consumer-friendly laws. But in the US your personal info is as good as currency among corporations.

pixelbasher wrote in post #16916095
maybe, just maybe they are watching what you are watching.....?

That's what I thought but nope, slight to the side and both were staring with an unhappy face. They weren't coaches either (as I talked to them about taking photos).

I need to find a better angle apparently.

bumpintheroad wrote in post #16916169
It sometimes seems the entire world has become overly paranoid about privacy. While there are certainly concerns about perverts, stalkers and criminals taking photos for illegitimate purposes, I think this is an overreaction to their loss of privacy in most other areas, such as in the on-line and corporate worlds.

That's the feeling I get. The funny thing is I noticed it more with Jr & Sr. soft/baseball practice from two different individuals. Seemed to be less with the parents watching the little leagues (but parents do sign off about photos being used for their brochure, website etc).

Aki78 wrote in post #16916065
I've been noticing this a lot...a batter, soccer player, etc all in the subject but if there's someone behind watching, they are directly staring towards my camera often times. I mean I only have the 70-200 f/4L but assuming this is normal with sports? I can't imagine sticking super tele in their direction. Some people get nervous? It makes me nervous just looking at the photos later

I shoot many thousands of high school sports photos each year since 2007 using from a 70-200 f/2.8 up to a 400mm f/2.8. Athletes here (Kansas) are used to cameras at sporting events. This time of year there are many state championships being held and there will be photographers by the dozen at the top events. A 70-200 f/4 wouldn't even get noticed.

http://zivnuska.zenfol​io.com

to really see if they are staring at you, stick your tongue out at them while you are are looking through the camera. See if you get a reaction.

Maybe they wanted their face in your picture and are giving you their "game face."

At most games I shoot, the players, student fans, and even the parent fans perk up and even revel in getting their picture taken.

Some of my most popular pictures with the students, players and fans alike, are of the kids in the stands cheering for their team.

May depend on how used to it they are with being photographed on the field.

I shot my first NCAA football game last year. During warm ups where photographers are not limited to a specific part of a field, I took photos of players stretching as well as coaches warming their players up. All of them pretty much ignored me completely and went about their business. I assumed they were just used to having cameras around.

Shot girls high school soccer tonight. There were THREE, count em, THREE 400mm f/2.8 lenses being used as well as a 200-400mm and several 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses. Lots of cameras with telephoto lenses are quite common and not noticed anymore.

I know for a fact it bothers the wary bride.

Yeah I felt outgunned at the soccer finals here in Arkansas. 3 guys has 400 f 2.8, one guy was shooting with a 300 f2.8, and me shooting with a 300 f4.

M_Six wrote in post #16934798
I know for a fact it bothers the wary bride.

Maybe it didn't have anything to do with sports or the telephoto lens.

Zivnuska wrote in post #16935291
Maybe it didn't have anything to do with sports or the telephoto lens.

I was shooting the 70-300L with a 1.4x TC. I was quite far away. I'm not sure if she was actually looking at me or not. It wasn't until later when I was looking through the images that I noticed her scowl.

Zivnuska wrote in post #16934770
Shot girls high school soccer tonight. There were THREE, count em, THREE 400mm f/2.8 lenses being used as well as a 200-400mm and several 70-200mm f/2.8 lenses. Lots of cameras with telephoto lenses are quite common and not noticed anymore.

Czbrat271 wrote in post #16934819
Yeah I felt outgunned at the soccer finals here in Arkansas. 3 guys has 400 f 2.8, one guy was shooting with a 300 f2.8, and me shooting with a 300 f4.

Holy cow! Were they from like the local paper or are they parents who happen to be into photography?

I was talking to a long time photographer for a local newspaper a few months back and he was telling me the newspaper owned all the lenses that he used out in the field including the big guns.