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Why do photographers do this?


5 years 1 month ago #636524 by Cara Wilkins
Over the years, including yesterday, when I meet up with other photographers to go shooting.  You always have one who will literally follow every step you take and take the same exact shot you took.  Like when you move, they are right there moving in on the exact same spot.  Personally I like to TRY to find my own vantage points.   And while it's tough at times, I try.  

I just think being lazy never gets you anywhere.  I've been tempted so many times to say something, however I keep my mouth shut and remain polite.  

I don't know, am I wrong to be  bothered by this?  If you go out of your way, off the beaten path to try to find something that might be unique, and you have a shadow that copies all your shots.  Would that bother you?
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5 years 1 month ago #636527 by Troponin
I rarely get out in groups when I shoot. My time out is usually for the purpose of being alone.

Normally I would say “Imitation is the best form of flattery”, but I also think some folks just have some wires crossed when it comes to social atmospheres. In their mind, they might be trying to see what you are seeing because they feel absolutely lost, but don’t quite understand the social dynamics and how this can come across as annoying or maybe even rude. In photography, it can come across even more so considering it can feel like the person is trying to “steal” your creative ideas. 

I have an idea. Next time someone keeps following and copying your every move, do something just a little weird, then see if they do it. Each time, get just a little more ridiculous. See what awkward positions and situations you can get them in to until they realize your messing with them. HAHA!
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5 years 1 month ago #636547 by Nikon Shooter
When on location with students, I observed that some
do behave that way… I don't worry.

They may be eager to see not what but how you see,
and reflect later on if it is relevant to them, or not… as
others have minds of their own and go their way.
Light is free… capturing it is not!
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5 years 1 month ago #636637 by garyrhook

Cara Wilkins wrote: I don't know, am I wrong to be  bothered by this?  If you go out of your way, off the beaten path to try to find something that might be unique, and you have a shadow that copies all your shots.  Would that bother you?


I don't know that one can draw conclusions, so I don't know that it's always going to be laziness. That said...

Depends on my intent. If I had someone being chatty, and tagging along, and I was feeling chatty, then it wouldn't bother me at all. What they do or do not do (do-bee-do-bee-doo) has nothing to do with me.

However, if I was feeling loner-ish, and had a shadow, I'd start with "I think I'm going to go over here by myself now and see what I can find. Talk to you later!" Followed by a stronger "I'd prefer to be alone for a while, please" as needed. Keeping in mind that some people are really slow to pick up on social cues, even overt ones.

But that's just me.
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5 years 1 month ago #636650 by Ken Brun
When it comes to shooting, I find myself more of a solo shooter.  I've always been somewhat introverted and have been working on getting out of my shell.  

Regarding the shadow, yeah that might push my buttons.  Gary had some good response that I would likely try if I had someone following.
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5 years 1 month ago #636690 by Jared-Weaver
I've found the best deterrent to a copycat is cold weather, deep water or a long hike. 
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5 years 1 month ago #636844 by Joe Vertz
Well there are plenty of followers out there who don't know any better.  They don't know where the lines are.
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5 years 1 month ago #636938 by Alfonso Camil
If I'm being honest, when I got started, I was doing that at the meetup groups.  I was always following the senior photographers, learning from what sort of shots they took.  I meant no harm by it.  
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5 years 1 month ago #637055 by Howard T
Well I'm not very social able when I have a camera in my hand with the intent of taking photos.  I'm really a solo shooter.  I don't like to talk to others when I'm out.  I've always been that way, I feel more in the zone when it's just me and my camera.   How do you feel when someone is talking with you during a movie?  Are you able to 100% follow the movie conversing to someone else?  

So I don't even allow something like this to take place.  "I'll going to jump off to do my thing, I'll meet you back here at (time)/later.  
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5 years 1 month ago #637129 by Inez Villarin
That is all nice and politically correct to say.  But it could very easily be the person is just lazy.
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5 years 1 month ago #637166 by spudalicious
I am a social idiot.  The idea of shooting with a group is unappealing and frightening on quite a few levels for me.   

That being said, I do enjoy hanging out with another photographer from time to time.   I actually think it's cool when we duplicate shots.  It interest me to see how differently we view the same subject.   How camera settings and image processing can change the entire feel of a location.    It is amazing to see a the vision of a different artist.  Sometimes the photo buddy learns something from me, sometimes, I from them.   

Each to their own though.   Like I mentioned, I avoid the group dynamic.  I don't have a lot of room to talk.
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5 years 1 month ago #637171 by Troponin
 I think the difference is simply having a quick chat with the person before you do it.  This breaks the ice and helps  make a situation a lot less awkward. If somebody were to approach you and simply say “hey,  i’m not quite sure what I’m doing, so do you mind if I tag along with you for a little?“.  For those of us who are a bit more socially savvy, we can usually spot the folks that will receive that request much more pleasantly too. Sometimes I will just say hello to someone to test the waters. How they respond to a simple hello can tell you a lot

Being at a social event, doing social things, but not actually saying anything makes for a very awkward situation. 
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5 years 1 month ago #637176 by garyrhook

Inez Villarin wrote: That is all nice and politically correct to say.  But it could very easily be the person is just lazy.


Yeah, when did it become "politically correct" to be kind? (Possible irony here notwithstanding...) We only want to have patience in dealing with someone if they're not perceived as lazy? I wish.

Someone else's motivation is not my issue; how I conduct myself is my issue, and I do not believe that it is (or ever has been) PC to send "I" messages, be considerate, or encouraging.

In my not so humble opinion.

I could be wrong.
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5 years 1 month ago #637305 by Crammer

spudalicious wrote: I am a social idiot.  The idea of shooting with a group is unappealing and frightening on quite a few levels for me.   

That being said, I do enjoy hanging out with another photographer from time to time.   I actually think it's cool when we duplicate shots.  It interest me to see how differently we view the same subject.   How camera settings and image processing can change the entire feel of a location.    It is amazing to see a the vision of a different artist.  Sometimes the photo buddy learns something from me, sometimes, I from them.   

Each to their own though.   Like I mentioned, I avoid the group dynamic.  I don't have a lot of room to talk.



I'm completely on the same page with you.  Even when I go to a meetup group, once everyone starts to head out to location, I separate myself from the pack till the shoot is completed.   I just don't see the point of talk as it distracts from the reason why I'm there.  
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