Shooting alone?

UjaiDidida · Feb 19, 2015

Hi there.

I have been photographing for years and I do landscape and urban photography. I usually go shooting alone because that's how I spend my time photographing. However people think it's rude to walk alone leaving them at 'home'. They might think I don't like to walk with them or I'm such an antisocial person. It's worse when it turned to be the time when I'm outing with them and they ask why didn't I bring my camera with me. I won't because I want to spend my time with them, not the camera. Anybody can relate my situation with yours?

jaomul · Feb 19, 2015

Everyone should make time for themselves and their own hobbies. If others can't accept that, it isn't your problem

mmaria · Feb 19, 2015

well...

I shoot alone, and can't shoot when someone is with me.

I shoot alone. Get it?

I explain why I want to be alone and that's it. I don't care what others might think, it's just the way it is. Can't really see the issue here.

"It's the camera and me" or it's "hanging out and talking, walking, laughing, whatever with someone."

I tried to shoot with people but I just couldn't concentrate on shooting.

Overread · Feb 19, 2015

None camera people are strange.

They expect that if you've got a big serious camera that to take a photo will take a second; no set-up; no hunting for the right angle; no waiting for the right light etc... The idea of taking minutes to hours for a shot is incomprehensible to them because when they take a photo it takes them a second.

This does indeed result in what you describe; where you go out alone or only with other "photo" people and tend to leave the camera behind when you're out with non-photo people.

There are several solutions to your problem

1) Convert them into photo-people! Yes let them join you; join in and take part in the hobby as well. Who knows they might come to love it. However in any relationship sometimes one needs to have something; a hobby or interest; that is "theirs" to do. A private thing for them or at least something personal that the other doesn't do.

2) Make sure they have hobby/free time as well so that when you go out shooting they go out or do something else as well. Or if not at the same times at least try to ensure you have equal times through the week to do your own hobbies. This way you're not leaving them alone; you're both doing your own things. It also means you don't end up having all the fun whilst they have little else to do.

3) Get a small cheapy camera to slip into your pocket whilst out with them (or if you've more budget consider micro-4/3rds cameras). That way you've got "A" game with you whilst you're out with them for the happy snaps

4) If its a concern that you're spending too much time alone; consider joining a local photography group and network with local photographers. A few photo-trips - heck even forums do meet-ups at places from time to time

sec · Feb 20, 2015

I think Overread hit the nail on the head. The cell phone snapshot people of the world just don't get it. They are perfectly happy to lift up that phone push the button and move on, and with the kind of pictures that result from it.

These people tend to get on my nerves with their impatience. It's the main reason I learned to travel on my own. I got tired of paying for trips I couldn't enjoy because of being constantly rushed or feeling that I was holding other people up.

I have learned to use this impatience to my advantage at times though. When I want to do something alone, I pick up my camera and a big lens or two. You can guarantee nobody is going to ask to come with me.

Overread · Feb 20, 2015

Yep its a reason I oft leave the camera behind if going out with family/friends because I find that by the end of the day I've lugged it around and not really taken many shots. To do photography, or indeed any hobby, well takes a degree of focus, concentration and time - and its all the harder to do that if you're splitting yourself from focusing on the shot and socialising with others. Heck even with other photographers it can be a pain sometimes.

shefjr · Feb 20, 2015

I shoot alone. Unfortunately, because of that it really limits how often I'm able to get out and actually shoot. I haven't been able to really shoot anything since the start of January. It sucks! Especially when I just got my new 14-24 2.8 and would love to get out and do a lil bit of landscape photography.

Designer · Feb 20, 2015

UjaiDidida said:
I have been photographing for years and I do landscape and urban photography. I usually go shooting alone because that's how I spend my time photographing. However people think it's rude to walk alone leaving them at 'home'. They might think I don't like to walk with them or I'm such an antisocial person. It's worse when it turned to be the time when I'm outing with them and they ask why didn't I bring my camera with me. I won't because I want to spend my time with them, not the camera. Anybody can relate my situation with yours?

I presume you're talking about some family member. Try taking that person along sometime when you are really shooting, and my guess is that they will become bored and never ask to go with you again.

waday · Feb 20, 2015

Designer said:
I presume you're talking about some family member. Try taking that person along sometime when you are really shooting, and my guess is that they will become bored and never ask to go with you again.

This. Absolutely this. My wife insisted on going with me several times until she realized how bored she gets.

HOWEVER, I will absolutely go on a few walks a year with her with my camera so she feels involved. We like 'getting involved' to a certain extent with each other's hobbies. I go to the yarn store with her and learn some knitting jargon. She goes on choice walks with me and has also picked up some jargon.

It's a nice compromise to keep us both happy with our hobbies.

Torus34 · Feb 20, 2015

I count myself among the lucky. My Lady's also camera-literate. When toting rigs we can be 'together' and yet be free to search for that elusive frame and moment. It also results in full understanding when, say, on a cruise one of us leaves the ship before dawn to catch the light while the other's still snug abed.
Perhaps, just perhaps, explaining just what it is you hope to accomplish with a camera [For me, it's final matted prints to hang on my walls,] will help.

Overread · Feb 20, 2015

Prints are a good idea - in the digital world its REALLY easy to view on the computer and not have shots go anywhere else. Now there is nothing wrong with that, but people are tactile by nature and if you show a really good few prints in the flesh chances are they would come to better understand and appreciate what you do and why.

Braineack · Feb 20, 2015

who exactly is complaining?

limr · Feb 20, 2015

Torus34 said:
I count myself among the lucky. My Lady's also camera-literate. When toting rigs we can be 'together' and yet be free to search for that elusive frame and moment. It also results in full understanding when, say, on a cruise one of us leaves the ship before dawn to catch the light while the other's still snug abed.
Perhaps, just perhaps, explaining just what it is you hope to accomplish with a camera [For me, it's final matted prints to hang on my walls,] will help.

I'm in the same boat, Torus. Not only is my boyfriend a photographer, he's also a film shooter like me, and we'll often go out for a walk with our cameras. When there are no shots, we'll happily walk and talk together, but when there are shots to be taken, the other is left to either take our own shot or just keep walking and the other will catch up. And he'll often go on walks on his own when I'm not available to go with, and that's fine.

We're lucky!

As for other people, I don't really hang out with other people too much, so no one ever complains that they can't come with me.