Anyone have good answers for annoying punters?

King Eric

You know the usual smart arses who when they see your camera, especially if you have a flash and a 2.8 lens on, ask the very original "You compensating for something question".

It annoys the hell out of me, i've told people before i'm compensating for the lack of ambient light but generally just get a vacant look back.


Anyone have good answers they give back? or different ones for hot boirds?

The other questions would be the "what zoom does that thing have?", or "why are you using flash when its sunny?"

magicbastarder

the question i most often get asked is 'do you work for the press'.
'yes, we're doing a story about this here tree'.

RCNPhotos

"Can I be your assistant", the amount of people I get that from, especially when doing gigs etc.

RCNPhotos

And also "get a picture of us", at gigs. Why the hell would I want a random photo of two eejits.

"Where are these photos going?"..."To the band"..."Oh, get a picture of us!"

Fajitas!

King Eric wrote: »

You know the usual smart arses who when they see your camera, especially if you have a flash and a 2.8 lens on, ask the very original "You compensating for something question".

It annoys the hell out of me, i've told people before i'm compensating for the lack of ambient light but generally just get a vacant look back.


Anyone have good answers they give back? or different ones for hot boirds?

The other questions would be the "what zoom does that thing have?", or "why are you using flash when its sunny?"

To the first one "Yeah, this is my small lens"

When people ask why I'm not using flash indoors, I usually reply "I'm good enough"


There was a thread very similar to this on Fredmiranda.com a few weeks back, was some very funny answers.

trooney

yeah, the aul "Oh, I didn't realise it was bright enough in here for no flash" comment happens a bit. I've found they become a little shyer if you fire a witty rejoinder such as 'Fcuk off you cnut' at them :cool:

Paddy@CIRL

Was in work one night playing with the 30D and the nifty fifty when some hero trys to explain to me why I should be using flash as the 1.8 is too tricky to use for people shots ??

I just said 'Really ? No idea about this camera malarkey, was told this was just a good entry level yoke. Have one of those 1Ds MKIII yokes on order for nights out, heard they much better?'

Oh the look of disgust on him ....

Thirdfox

I don't get asked these questions... need to buy a bigger lens (or lens hood )

georgey

Tell them your not compensating for something you are complementing something!!!

decsramble

King Eric wrote: »

You know the usual smart arses who when they see your camera, especially if you have a flash and a 2.8 lens on, ask the very original "You compensating for something question".

I've never had the compensating question, my camera is not that big but I'd like to think I'd reply "yeah, ugly people infront of the lens", though that might earn me a smack :-)

Masada

You know the usual smart arses who when they see your camera, especially if you have a flash and a 2.8 lens on, ask the very original "You compensating for something question".

"No, they sent me to help you find your penis"

or my personal favourate,

"Fuk off"

Noono

As i work as a sports photographer this is a subject very far from my heart. Its lucky the office doesn't equip me with a AK47 as i would be firing off more rounds than frames at matches. Everyday match i get this exact line
"Hey mister, take my picture!" (mostly in a dub accent)

ThOnda

I hear only questions what magazine I shoot for. I reply that for my documentary project to print a book about people in Ireland.

And being asked to take a picture? I didn't like it, but after that I have realised, that I can do that and I am trying to get a little more from that shot. Just look at thebaz's pictures, they look that people asked him to take a picture.

I think that it is only personal attitude and preference. If I was paid to take pictures of some event, e.g. sport event, I would reply to such questions what has been mentiond above :-)

Carrigman

I don't have any witty rejoinders but one of the funniest remarks made by a punter was to a friend of mine who has a view camera. He was operating it one day in Cork city with the camera on a tripod and the focusing cloth over his head. A young fella passing by said to him: "Hey Mister, do you also have a flash that goes: whooosh!?"

TelePaul

RCNPhotos wrote: »

And also "get a picture of us", at gigs. Why the hell would I want a random photo of two eejits.

Because the blonde one was hot!

trishw78

Fajitas! wrote:

When people ask why I'm not using flash indoors, I usually reply "I'm good enough"

I was asked that question at my brothers wedding and my new sister in law shoutted that answerish back before I had the chance

Cabaal

trishw78 wrote: »

I was asked that question at my brothers wedding and my new sister in law shoutted that answerish back before I had the chance

I've gottten the "are you compensating for something?" question alright, I've not yet got the flash question but must keep that answer in mind

Fajitas!

It's true

Though I have to say, my posts on this thread, I'd never say to a punter as in the title, moreso the 'blokes with cameras' or know-all's that hang around.

rymus

often, when asked the same old "do you work for a newspaper?" I'll reply with "no, I'm just a rich pervert".

or "take a picture of me and my friends" gets "I would if ye were anyway goodlooking" in response. Only if the group is smaller than 5 though... One thing nobody needs is a bunch of pissed off hormonal teenagers around.

K_user

My favourite is when people, usually tourists, ask you to take a photo of them with their camera and then ask if you know how to use one. Despite the fact that they asked you in the first place because of the camera you are carrying around.

A few years back, at my youngest sisters graduation, I was taking pictures of my family when a very huffy photographers assistant stepped between us. She told my sister that there were professionals inside and that dodgy amateurs couldn’t be trusted. She got fairly red faced when she was told who I was… :rolleyes:

Cabaal

Talking about professionals, many years ago (back in late 80's) my dad was at a political event and he was talking photos of it with his Pentax SLR.

A local photogragher for a paper approached him and told him that if he didn't get rid of the camera that (he) the news paper photogragher would leave.

Given the situation and my dad not walking to rock the boat he went and put his camera out in the car, if it was me I would have told you man where to go.

nerve of some bloody people

Thirdfox

K_user wrote:

My favourite is when people, usually tourists, ask you to take a photo of them with their camera and then ask if you know how to use one. Despite the fact that they asked you in the first place because of the camera you are carrying around.

To be fair - some the the new consumer cameras have weird things that you don't find on dSLRs e.g. face detection, pet detection, smile detection so it might be a good idea for those tourists to give you a quick run down of how to use their camera.

If I'm feeling particularly nice, I pop out their SD card, put it in my camera and take the picture with my camera for them...if I'm feeling generous

Thirdfox

Cabaal wrote: »

Talking about professionals, many years ago (back in late 80's) my dad was at a political event and he was talking photos of it with his Pentax SLR.

A local photogragher for a paper approached him and told him that if he didn't get rid of the camera that (he) the news paper photogragher would leave.

Given the situation and my dad not walking to rock the boat he went and put his camera out in the car, if it was me I would have told you man where to go.

nerve of some bloody people

Do they have any legal right to do that? I know that some gigs etc. have an official photographer and other people are barred from taking photos but surely at this event there was no such restriction?

I would have stood my ground too. Know your rights (and your obligations) and you shouldn't have a problem.

Cabaal

Thirdfox wrote: »

Do they have any legal right to do that? I know that some gigs etc. have an official photographer and other people are barred from taking photos but surely at this event there was no such restriction?

I would have stood my ground too. Know your rights (and your obligations) and you shouldn't have a problem.

It wasn't a restricted event or anything like that, frankly I think the photographer was just being a bollox thinking he's more important then everyone else

rymus

K_user wrote: »

She got fairly red faced when she was told who I was… :rolleyes:

Why? Who are you?

brav

rymus wrote: »

Why? Who are you?

There were a good few clues in his post...

A few years back, at my youngest sisters graduation, I was taking pictures of my family when a very huffy photographers assistant stepped between us. She told my sister that there were professionals inside and that dodgy amateurs couldn’t be trusted. She got fairly red faced when she was told who I was…

Need another clue?

mike65

"Not I'm not following you"

As I found myself being confronted by some fella on Merrion Square.

Mike.

oshead

A couple of times i've been asked 'Who you with?' (Presumably newspaper). I look over my right then my left shoulder and say with a really puzzled expression 'Huh?'...

Xios

King Eric wrote: »

"You compensating for something question"

"So's your face"
Then when answered back, change your response to "so's your ma"
Then if still getting answers, move to "so's your ma's face"

rymus

brav wrote: »

There were a good few clues in his post...

only family? pshaw.. just because it's your sister doesnt give you the right to obstruct the pro's :P

Muineach

hmm what I do is set my Canon 430x flash to manual and set it to the highest setting it will go , nah only joking did that to myself :rolleyes: took a long time to see properly

decsramble

Cabaal wrote: »

A local photogragher for a paper approached him and told him that if he didn't get rid of the camera that (he) the news paper photogragher would leave.

Jaysis, I'd have told him "fine p**s off then, the dole office is around the corner"

Merrion

King Eric wrote: »

"You compensating for something".

Look through the camera at them then say "Yup - something that side of the lens"

Fajitas!

Regarding the pro at the political yoke, if a photographer is hired, there may be a clause in the contract to say that they will be the only photographer at the event...



I've put it into a few of my contracts with bigger companies - Last thing I need is another fellah coming along trying to steal my business, though I would argue that the other photographer would leave, not I.

Cabaal

Fajitas! wrote: »

Regarding the pro at the political yoke, if a photographer is hired, there may be a clause in the contract to say that they will be the only photographer at the event...

I've put it into a few of my contracts with bigger companies - Last thing I need is another fellah coming along trying to steal my business, though I would argue that the other photographer would leave, not I.

I can understand that to a degree, but he didn't even ask my dad why he was taking photos, my dad was there because my mother was involved in the event.

From hearing things over the years about this photographer, he sounds like a right bollox based on the different stories I've heard

decsramble

Fajitas! wrote: »

Regarding the pro at the political yoke, if a photographer is hired, there may be a clause in the contract to say that they will be the only photographer at the event...



I've put it into a few of my contracts with bigger companies - Last thing I need is another fellah coming along trying to steal my business, though I would argue that the other photographer would leave, not I.

Surely trying to enforce a no other photographer clause is nearly impossible these days since, camera phones aside, every second person probably has a digital camera in their bag or car and at a big event there could be a couple of amature DSLRs as well? As a pro, when you add the clause do you apply it just to other professionals or everyone with a camera? Would you look at the gear and decide based on that? Have you ever tried to enforce the clause and how did the client react? Would you regard a blogger as someone stealing your business? Just curious.

K_user

brav wrote: »

Need another clue?

The assistant didn't!!

K_user

rymus wrote: »

only family? pshaw.. just because it's your sister doesnt give you the right to obstruct the pro's :P

God forbid!!!

Fajitas!

decsramble wrote: »

Surely trying to enforce a no other photographer clause is nearly impossible these days since, camera phones aside, every second person probably has a digital camera in their bag or car and at a big event there could be a couple of amature DSLRs as well? As a pro, when you add the clause do you apply it just to other professionals or everyone with a camera? Would you look at the gear and decide based on that? Have you ever tried to enforce the clause and how did the client react? Would you regard a blogger as someone stealing your business? Just curious.

I had meant another professional.

Eg, if I was hired to shoot a wedding, and another photog turned up and started shooting it, telling people where to buy the photos. Similar with events. I don't care much for people with camera phones, or indeed, cameras in general as long as their not getting in my way/annoying me.

Never had to enforce it, though I know a business in Dublin that has had to enforce it on several occasions, and tbh, I'd rather have it in the contract than not have it in the contract. If another photographer did turn up, I'd just have a quiet word with whomever is after hiring me/organising the event, and take it from there.

I don't get you as to a blogger stealing my business? As in someone taking photos for their blogs?

Stephen

Cabaal wrote: »

From hearing things over the years about this photographer, he sounds like a right bollox based on the different stories I've heard

I think I know who you're talking about Cabaal This is in Kilkenny, yeah?

decsramble

Fajitas! wrote: »

I had meant another professional.

....

I don't get you as to a blogger stealing my business? As in someone taking photos for their blogs?

Cool.

As for bloggers that came from the earlier comment of a photographer at a political thing from the local paper. If a blogger was in the audience and the photographer had a no other photographer clause they could use it to get rid of the blogger. That may suit the newspaper more than the photographer. Though I dont know if that has ever happened.

Fajitas!

I don't know myself. I don't do newspapers really. Money sucks.


I'm sure something like it might have happened, but I reckon it would be moreso in the case that an event or story has been sold to a specific newspaper. If there's someone else taking snaps at it, the newspaper'll not be happy - particularly if they get published. (Lawsuits, wheeeeeeeee!)

randylonghorn

Cabaal wrote: »

From hearing things over the years about this photographer, he sounds like a right bollox based on the different stories I've heard

Stephen wrote: »

I think I know who you're talking about Cabaal This is in Kilkenny, yeah?

Have had occasion to use photographers in Kilkenny a few times recently, and while I have found a couple of them to be slightly tempermental, there is definitely one who stands head and shoulders above the rest ... so I reckon I could identify him too!

Never actually employed him (I was warned!) but he turned up at an event on behalf of one of the local papers, and basically followed the in-house photographer around, waited until he had lined up a group shot or whatever, and then basically shouldered him out of the way, made some slight adjustment to the line-up (for the sake of it!) and took his own shot, then walked away and let the guy I had employed take his shot ... the very overt message being that our guy was "second-best", even if he was the "official" photographer.

I was quite ready to tell him to fo, tbh ... but our own guy (who is normally quite good at asserting himself, in fairness!) persuaded me to let it go for the sake of (local) peace.

I did however make contact with the relevant editor, and pointed out that we were quite happy to provide him with professional standard photographs at no cost to himself ... an offer he was loath to refuse, obviously!

So we haven't had any more problems with Lord High Camera Lens since ...