A Question for you guys

When I bring my camera out and take pics (like in a resturant or mall) people look at me like "what?". This kind of makes me want to put it away and not take pictures where people are. Do you ever get that "why is he taking pictures" look and how do you get over it?

This is why I like birds.....

...and powerful zoom lens'

I use an empathetic approach to the subject. I think about where I am, what I'm doing, and when it's obviouswhether or not I'd want some stranger taking my picture at that moment. If it's something like a sporting event or other public venue where there are lots of people, I don't have a problem with it, nor do I expect anyone else to. In fact, I can't recall anyone ever taking exception to me pointing a camera in their direction.

On the other hand, I'm not sure I'd be very thrilled about someone photographing me in, say, a restaurant or out for a walk with my wife.

I guess it boils down to the reasonable man approach.

Agree with belmondo, unless someone can fill me in on how to be discreet with a 10D+grip+lens. I hate that look!

I just ignore it


N

Somewhat off topic, but I discovered a couple kids using a cell phone camera in the men's room at the local mall. I must've given them enough of a dirty look that they got out of there very quickly.

Package shots for the magazine Gay Man Living?

I am not taking pictures of people. I am talking about more of these shots: https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=52670(mall) and https://photography-on-the.net …?t=52352&highli​ght=market. I was in a Chinese place yesterday and they had a chocolate fountain and chefs cooking. Shots like those. Most of the time I don't want people in the pics I take.

Another of the mall:

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Very crude and very unfunny, Jeff.

Question for you....why do you care what they're thinking? Unless you're taking pictures of them, whatever they think of you is irrelevant.

Ditto ...

Unless it's some fine looking girls request to have their photo taken

Can't believe this can happen in civilized country. Here in Finland security guards can only hold you while the police arrives (if needed), they do not have rights to take you to another location for interrogration! Sounds like Russia.

There a laws in every country which say where you can shoot without permission and where you can not shoot anything without permission. Here the main rule is that private properties and closed events needs a permission from owner or represetantive. Of course there is often debate about what a private property means in some borderline cases: if situation is not absolutely clear then it is only polite to ask permission. Other than that I can shoot anything and anyone as much as I like - of course interacting and communicating with people as is any social happening - either with eye contact and small gestures or small talk. Communicating with people is one of the reasons I shoot so I take it more as fun as a neccessity.

That is 100% illegal. You had every right to not go with them, call the police and your lawyer. Security has no power except to stop people stealing and calling the police.


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I don't shoot in malls a lot, and I won't after this. Unless it says "no cameras" I will still bring them in and the only thing they can have me do it turn it off (which I would). I am *pretty* sure they have no legal action. It also bothers me that they spend $xx million of tax payer dollars and I can not take pictures. But, lets not get into that, that is another place, another time.

I was taking photos at a fire last night. I'd have liked to get a full frame photo of a fireman in full gear (gas masks etc), with flash, but I was kinda scared (not scared, can't think of a better word though) what their reaction might be. Of course I didn't get in their way.