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DPChallenge Forums >> Photography Discussion >> Are you a solitary or social photographer?
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Showing posts 26 - 50 of 80, (reverse)
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 03/12/2007 11:52:49 PM · #26
Solitary only because my wife doesnt want to come help. I would welcome company, especially if going through bush, an extra set of eyes can catch things I miss.

Message edited by author 2007-03-12 23:53:44.
 03/12/2007 11:58:06 PM · #27
I can be both but I do notice that majority of the fotos that were taken in solitude are far better than those that I shot with people and friends around.

uuuuhhh crap, I am most of the time surrounded by people.

Message edited by author 2007-03-13 18:17:00.
 03/13/2007 12:04:21 AM · #28
I like it both ways. Sometimes if I have a shot in mind already and the timing of natural light is crucial, I'll prefer solo. If I'm downtown wandering around in shady locations I like to have someone with me for safety.

The other day I went shooting with a regular photog pal. He's much more of an introvert than I am and is easily embarrassed when I move furniture around in places to suit my shot, or tap people on the shoulder and ask them to move to the left a bit, etc. He especially gets freaked when I drag him somewhere where we really aren't supposed to be (like behind the ropes or through a closed door.) So we're in the Providence Library last Saturday and we've jumped over the velvet rope and eased through some partially open doors and navigated a stairwell to the really old part of the building...I'm just shooting away at the various architectural features and he's shifting his feet looking nervously from side to side. All of a sudden we hear an elevator ding, and out pops a security guard. I thought my pal was going to have a heart attack when I casually started chimping and paid no attention whatsoever to the security guard. The guard watched us from a distance, but did not approach. As we escaped unscathed, I saw my friend had actually broken out in a sweat! I laughed and asked him why he kept coming out with me, 'cause he knows I'm likely to get in trouble. :)

Later, at the pub, when he was flirting with a cute girl and I was shooting them with my camera "Just a little closer, you two - I've got backfocusing issues..." and "One more time - I think your eyes might have been closed..." and he'd gotten the girl's e-mail address so he could send her the pix...he turned to me and said "Now THIS is why I keep coming out to shoot with you!"

I think the key to shooting with a group is patience, and the ability to amuse yourself while you are waiting for someone else.

03/13/2007 12:08:26 AM · #29
Solo...Basically It's annoying to have someone staring while I take a hundred pictures of the same thing while doing contortionist moves...
 03/13/2007 12:11:01 AM · #30
I like to work alone but I love to cover events that evolve lots of people so I guess both. If I'm out in the field shooting then I prefer to be alone.
 03/13/2007 12:20:34 AM · #31
I am completely content to shoot on my own. Sometimes, that's exactly what I need to refresh and regenerate.

Other times, I love shooting with a group, especially if they are better than I am. It's like having another set of eyes to look through. My shots are uniquely mine, yet I may have begun by looking at what the others are viewing.

The Red Rock GTG last year was absolutely wonderful. We had nearly 20 people there, yet very few shots were the same. At one time, we had 5 laptops out on picnic tables in front of the cabins, sharing our shots and catching ideas. We didn't try to stay all together, but broke off into smaller groups that changed according to our moods and needs. It really was awesome - sort of the best of both worlds.
 03/13/2007 12:48:43 AM · #32
I'm also almost always alone. Prefer to not be rushed by someone getting impatient with me waiting for half an hour for one particular bird to do something wow.
 03/13/2007 12:54:26 AM · #33
I usually shoot alone. Mostly because no one wants to walk through a muddy field with me or just wander around in the woods. Sometimes I don't even take any pictures, I just go somewhere to enjoy the peace and quiet.
 03/13/2007 01:05:34 AM · #34
Originally posted by idnic:
Alone. Many many wonderful hours alone with my thoughts and my camera. I love that feeling of being a silent observer in a world that moves around you.

I do love meeting other photographers, but when I shoot seriously, I shoot alone.


Idnic, I think you put it wonderfully.

Last Thanksgiving, I went to Zion with a photog buddy. He was a great companion, and didn't mind that I was up and shooting hours before he was and didn't mind that I also went out after he was done for the day. I really enjoyed the trip but the best shots were when I was out on my own.

Message edited by author 2007-03-13 01:06:13.
 03/13/2007 01:24:48 AM · #35
I shoot alone for the most part - if I'm with other people, I do feel like I'm somewhat imposing on the group when I stop to shoot things. That being said, I had a friend who'd patiently put up with me when we went riding (though I didn't stop as often as I would have were I on my own) and when I was on vacation with my mom and my sister, and my mom had just bought a new P&S, the three of us had a blast on our "photo safaris" - I made them take cameras everywhere we went. Neither of them shoot much on their own, so that was a lot of fun.
 03/13/2007 01:57:00 AM · #36
It was a very hot day in the Kruger Park.

Leanning snakelike out of the birdhide with my 20D and 70-300 handheld trained on a little Malachite Kingfisher that had alighted on a reed right next to the hide. Everybody has a shot of a Malachite, but few have one of the 5cm bird in flight. I was waiting for it to take off to get the action shot. 47 minutes in the African sun. Blnking to get the salty sweat burning out of my eyes. Muscles spasming and back aching Someone puts ahand on my shoulder. I look up. They offer me Jelly Babies. I look back and the birdie is gone..

Pretty much went loner after that one.

And I don't like Jelly Babies either so much anymore.
 03/13/2007 02:23:43 AM · #37
Originally posted by Spazmo99:
I usually shoot alone. Mostly because no one wants to walk through a muddy field with me or just wander around in the woods. Sometimes I don't even take any pictures, I just go somewhere to enjoy the peace and quiet.


Despite all of that, I did once go on a drive with some photographer buddies to San Francisco to get a cup of coffee.

I should mention that we started out in Los Angeles.
 03/13/2007 02:49:19 AM · #38
I think this is a picture we can all relate to. I took it on a 10-day tour of Spain and Italy with my wife and her parents, July 2006. It is a pic of my wife waiting patiently (NOT) for me to photograph whatever it was I was after.


PS. This was on the morning of day 2!
 03/13/2007 02:59:41 AM · #39
I much prefer going lone wolf. No distractions, just me and my camera.

I dont think many people enjoy being around a photographer. Admit it - we're weird. Wandering around absent-mindedly, peering over every bridge and railing, crawling around on the ground, climbing into flowerbeds, etc. The lengths we will go to to get "the shot" are, well, embarassing to most people.
 03/13/2007 03:01:49 AM · #40
Originally posted by option:
I much prefer going lone wolf. No distractions, just me and my camera.

I dont think many people enjoy being around a photographer. Admit it - we're weird. Wandering around absent-mindedly, peering over every bridge and railing, crawling around on the ground, climbing into flowerbeds, etc. The lengths we will go to to get "the shot" are, well, embarassing to most people.

LOL! Ain't that the truth, though? We are kind of a weird bunch. But we know how to have a good time. By ourselves... ummm. That sounds just a bit weird, too, but y'all know what I mean, right? :-)
 03/13/2007 05:00:32 AM · #41
Originally posted by Melethia:
Originally posted by option:
I much prefer going lone wolf. No distractions, just me and my camera.

I dont think many people enjoy being around a photographer. Admit it - we're weird. Wandering around absent-mindedly, peering over every bridge and railing, crawling around on the ground, climbing into flowerbeds, etc. The lengths we will go to to get "the shot" are, well, embarassing to most people.

LOL! Ain't that the truth, though? We are kind of a weird bunch. But we know how to have a good time. By ourselves... ummm. That sounds just a bit weird, too, but y'all know what I mean, right? :-)


We're not weird, we're ARTISTS! Lol. Well, that's what I keep telling my husband anyway. He doesn't mind though, I get my shot and he has a good laugh watching me, so in the end, we're both happy!
 03/13/2007 05:11:05 AM · #42
alone, always, and even no models, I photograph myself:) hmmm, maybe it's time to get out to the big world)
 03/13/2007 05:12:17 AM · #43
Originally posted by BlackDot:
It was a very hot day in the Kruger Park.

Leanning snakelike out of the birdhide with my 20D and 70-300 handheld trained on a little Malachite Kingfisher that had alighted on a reed right next to the hide. Everybody has a shot of a Malachite, but few have one of the 5cm bird in flight. I was waiting for it to take off to get the action shot. 47 minutes in the African sun. Blnking to get the salty sweat burning out of my eyes. Muscles spasming and back aching Someone puts ahand on my shoulder. I look up. They offer me Jelly Babies. I look back and the birdie is gone..

Pretty much went loner after that one.

And I don't like Jelly Babies either so much anymore.


You know, I actually stopped breathing reading this. I know that feeling buddy...
 03/13/2007 05:19:18 AM · #44
Well I don't actually have friends (awwwwwwwwwww) who are photographers so I have never been in a group environment. So I guess I am a loner!!
 03/13/2007 06:23:25 AM · #45
It appears that most find alone to be best. I have done both, and find that being alone is also best for me. The only way that I would go with other photo buffs is if we were out learning a new technique or with the same reason in mind, such as going out and photographing eagles. I have taken a few hikes and wildlife photo outings with groups, which also is helpful because there may be 10 of us but we don't feel the need to socialize, unless of course one of us sees something the others might miss.
 03/13/2007 10:46:14 AM · #46
Usually I'm a Lone Ranger. If there are any willing models, photographers, or assistants in the vicinity let me know. It's more fun when not alone. I've gone a few times with another photographer and it was fun. When climbing hills or setting up on location, haulling equipment is a chore. I'm sure when I go on a gtg I'll be left behind eventually, engrossed in my work.

More eyes and minds can see more angles and objects. One set, my own, has more patience and time. On the other hand some quick candid shots have turned out excellent, too.
 03/13/2007 10:55:48 AM · #47
I mostly go shoot alone. If someone is with me and I get in the "zone" I don't hear what they're saying to me anyway. I love to get up in the morning and just drive around by myself looking for interesting shots.
 03/13/2007 10:57:08 AM · #48
I love to go out with other photographers, but once we arrive at the location, I tend to wander off and do my own thing. Other photographers I have shot with tend to be the same way and we compliment each other. It drivesnon-photographers crazy.
 03/13/2007 10:59:59 AM · #49
I love talking and visiting with photographers, and I have nothing agaisnt shooting with other people, but I definetly produce better work when I'm alone. When I'm alone I get into a 'zone' and I wouldn't be much fun to be around anyways... =]
 03/13/2007 11:01:49 AM · #50
Alone, alone, alone - that's what I love, but very rarely find myself without some small person stomping along behind me huffing and saying "when are we going to go and get ice-creams, I'm bored now?"

Those pictures I've taken when I'm alone are usually better composed, have more poetry about them and have less to alter in PS later.
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