Is this weird to anyone?

There are very few photography enthusiats amongst my circle of friends and colleagues. I could see myself sharing my portfolio as this fellow did. I don't think it's odd. Some people are just more outgoing than others. I would consider it a compliment that someone would share their treasured photos with you Dan. Like many have said already, isn't that what we do here? We should find this 20D guy and tell him about POTN!

i had that happen to me once at a friends picnic but this was way before i even knew what photography meant (esp to me). i couldn't understand why he was showing me his camera, his flash, lens, pictures, portfolio, was telling about actors/model friends who would come to his nj apt for shoots, was telling me how he was moving to miami to pursue his photography......but now looking back i understand. i hope he's doing well.

you were very nice for listening to him. that's all you had to do and that's what you did.

I'm always happy to talk phptography & that's how I should have put it above. I don't want to talk above someones head & see his eyes glaze over.

LOL Well I have had something kind of similar happen. Last year while I was shooting an extreme bike competition, one of the competitors came over and struck up a conversation. He was in his late 20's but could pass for early 20's, no problem.
Anyway, he asks about what all I shoot. Then out of the blue, o you ever shoot any porn?" I had to kind of hold back a laugh and just replied that no, I haven't done any porn. He then informs me he does a lot of it with his P & S. If I am interested he has a stack of them in his car.

I declined the offer and since my youngest son, 12 at the time was there, I kept an eye on this guy. Turns out he was pretty cool. He just liked talking girls out of their clothes to pose for him.

I think it's a good idea!

When I went on holiday to India, one of my fellow travellers was a photographer (he was retired and now spends a lot of his time on photography). He specialises on photographing people. In India that's easy (many people like to be photographed and sometimes they even come to ask you to make a photo of them...), but in other places of the world (for example right here at home!) people generally aren't to keen on being photographed by a stranger.

So he had a small book with photos to show people what kind of photos he makes, and it helps him to break the ice if he meets somebody that he'd like to photograph.

Not so weird, I can see where the guy was - he was establishing his credentials really.

Any correlations with other pursuits? Other solutions must be out there, at least there must be a better way than carrying a portfolio to impress strangers...

Some golfers wear different colored jackets or just a tie so that on occasion at the 19th you know your place..

Some cyclists wear a yellow jersey. Hmmm.

I know, what about a POTN Op-tech strap?

I still think it werid and although I said I wouldn't do it, I'd be happy to chat to someone if they showed me their pics. Each to their own.

I guess I was just taken back unexpectedly. It's good to hear everyone's opinion. The bottom line is that everyone is different. Now the whole porn thing is a different beast all together.

Danny Boy wrote:
Now the whole porn thing is a different beast all together.

I'd assume he'll have less trouble finding strangers that might be enthusiastic about looking at his pictures

Best regards,
Andy