What is the rap for carrying and shooting a dslr?

tecboy · Feb 28, 2014

Interesting where I go with my dslr. When I go with friends, they asked me your camera is very expensive. Even my neighbor said that. When I'm volunteering at the art school, everyone knows I'm a photographer. They are appreciating what I'm doing. Seems like if I go to different community, I feel difference. If people don't know I'm a photographer and just carry my dslr, I wonder what are they thinking? What is the reputation for carrying and shooting a dslr? I hope people don't think I'm a paparazzi!:mrgreen:

Josh66 · Feb 28, 2014

Maybe it was a "more affluent" community, where people walking around with expensive DSLR's slung over their shoulder was not out of the norm?

Derrel · Feb 28, 2014

Opinion that strangers hold of D-SLR users:

imagemaker46 · Feb 28, 2014

I've travelled everywhere sometimes with two camera bodies, one with a 300 2.8 and have never had the impression that anyone looked at me and thought I was anything more than a guy with cameras. Perhaps you are wondering why no none is asking if you are a photographer.

I see more people walking around with high end gear and wonder if they know how to use it.

Josh66 · Feb 28, 2014

HA!

I think I mis-read your post the first time around, I was thinking you were wondering why some people didn't make a big deal of it, but now it seems more like a "what if" scenario.

Anyway, what I said still mostly applies. It all depends on where you go. In more affluent areas, DSLR usage will just be more common, so - not so much attention. It's 'normal'.

But, yeah, people see the camera, and all they really see is how expensive it is. If you're in an area where most people can't afford something like that, it will naturally draw more attention.

runnah · Feb 28, 2014

What is the question? Do I give a **** what others think? Nope!

tecboy · Feb 28, 2014

I was hanging around with one photographer, he has small body and long lens, and he uses full auto all the time. The funny thing is one lady asked him, "Are you from the press?"

Scoody · Feb 28, 2014

tecboy said:
I was hanging around with one photographer, he has small body and long lens, and he uses full auto all the time. The funny thing is one lady asked him, "Are you from the press?"

I was hired to photograph a Christening last Saturday. There were quite a few people there photographing the event with point and shoot cameras and cellphones. There was only one other photographer that had obviously been hired to be there besides me. There were over a dozen kids being Christened that day. During a break in the festivities I approached and talked a little shop. Man, what a disappointment. He said he had been photographing professionally for 30 years. I asked what settings were working for him in the low light of the church and he said he was going full auto. He only shoots in full auto. Jeez! Why don't you just use your phone in that case!

robbins.photo · Feb 28, 2014

I think the reaction I generally get is "Holy crap, I think it ate a photographer. Look, it's carrying the guy's camera"

Lol

minicoop1985 · Mar 1, 2014

I normally get "What the hell are YOU doing with a real camera? Have you figured out how to turn it on?" I'm getting there. One of these days, I'll find that power switch.

sashbar · Mar 1, 2014

If you carry one big expensive DSLR people think "Must be a rich guy". If you carry two big expensive DSLRs, people think "A photog. Must be poor".

xj0hnx · Mar 1, 2014

Scoody said:
tecboy said:

I was hanging around with one photographer, he has small body and long lens, and he uses full auto all the time. The funny thing is one lady asked him, "Are you from the press?"

Click to expand...

I was hired to photograph a Christening last Saturday. There were quite a few people there photographing the event with point and shoot cameras and cellphones. There was only one other photographer that had obviously been hired to be there besides me. There were over a dozen kids being Christened that day. During a break in the festivities I approached and talked a little shop. Man, what a disappointment. He said he had been photographing professionally for 30 years. I asked what settings were working for him in the low light of the church and he said he was going full auto. He only shoots in full auto. Jeez! Why don't you just use your phone in that case!

Yea, what's he thinking, doesn't he know they are paying him to dick around with his settings, not make sure he gets the moment. Yea sure, in a studio, under conditions you are controlling manual all day, but when you are shooting something where the light may be changing, things are happening fast, there's no reason to stay on manual just to be "pro".

vimwiz · Mar 1, 2014

Yea, what's he thinking, doesn't he know they are paying him to dick around with his settings, not make sure he gets the moment. Yea sure, in a studio, under conditions you are controlling manual all day, but when you are shooting something where the light may be changing, things are happening fast, there's no reason to stay on manual just to be "pro".

Totally agree. Take a lot and pick the best, dont want to miss any action.

D-B-J · Mar 1, 2014

I shot my friends band last night in a little pub, and I got "Are you doing this for something in particular, or just fun?" And one of the workers in the pub asked me to tag them in the photos on Facebook. It didn't seem to bother anyone. I think it just depends. Some people are really interested, but I think most couldn't care less unless you disrupt them somehow.

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