People deliberately sabotaging shots

[vole-woman]

A superb couple of anecdotes!

[mtraylen81]

Hi All,

I'm affriad that some people just can't be helped! like those that try and ruien your shots, im constantly shooting around my local hi street, be it wildlife or candid shots of people just going about their business, the later certainly gets me some odd looks and sometimes even a comment!

What you must bear in mind, is that it it your legal right to take pictures of anyone or anything you like in a public place, that even includes children, however i would be very careful with the last one. The only exception being those in national service, ie. police, solider, were recent addtions to the law make them illigal.

[APC]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

A lot of people in the security industry practice Krav-maga self-defense techniques as the moves are designed to coincide with real-life scenarios such as collar grabs, weapons and lone women.

Sorry to resurrect this.

I wholeheartedly recommend Krav. I found it boosted my confidence and inspired me to get fitter. I've been doing it for a year and a half now. There are good Krav clubs and not so good Krav clubs though. If you want to do it for self-defence, make sure your club spars full contact otherwise all the fancy moves you learn will fall apart when you get taken over by adrenalin and freeze on the spot after getting threatened.

A good thing about Krav is that it is relatively ego-free, at least it is at my club. Higher grades make a point of helping everyone else and make them feel comfortable and welcome. There's rarely any goons there as they all go to MMA or whatever the flavour of the month is. Ego goes with MMA, not putting it down or anything, just because its more sport related, you get sport mindsets, i.e. competitiveness. There is no sporting side to Krav so there's less of those types of people. I'm not knocking MMA but it's less suitable if you don't like competition.

I don't know what the rules are on advertising on here, probably not allowed so if anyone wants a recommendation on a Krav club in Hampshire then PM me.

[Lindsay-c]

I'm not a very enthusiastic photographer neither but I still always take the opportunity to get an interesting snap on my camera which I suppose attracts attension because if you have a professional looking camera people see you as a photographer and if you have a little purple 10 megapixel camera like me and are a 19 year old you get people in, for example, the lake district hovering over your shoulder wondering what you could possibly be taking a picture of. I remember one man walk behind as I attempted to take a photo of a mushroom and when he realised what I was photographic he laughed away to himself as he walked away. Don't think people understand that there are people genuinly interested in nature. Got a couple of women gawping at me right after him as well

Don't know if it is because of my age and my general appearance but I remember entering a bird hide with someone else and a man was already in with his camera and he looked rather disappointed and perhaps a bit uncomfortable when we entered but after noticing that we kept extremely quiet and I even got my camera out he gave us a thumbs up and a "thank you" as we left.

Perhaps you could ask a friend to stand to the side of what you're wanting a photograph of and then it will look like you're taking a picture of them so people would be less likely to bother you. And sorry if that's already been suggested because I can't find my glasses so I stopped reading half way through the posts for now.

[KentYeti]

To me it is a sad fact of life that those who do nothing worthwhile with their time will make stupid comments towards those that do. And maybe a very small minority of those will go further than just the comments.

I've probably over generalised a bit, but with more than 50 years of steam railway photography behind me I am convinced there is a core of truth in it.

And I've certainly encountered it when out doing "training" walks for my hill walking.

I've already noticed it with bird photography. In just the two months I've been doing it.

Deprecating comments loudly made out of windows of passing cars, (you can be very brave shouting from a moving car when your target is on foot). For all three of my activities.

Over generalising again. I view these people as a form of life who spend their time lying on a couch, cans of lager at the ready, watching endless repeats of TV soaps, football matches etc. But I consider they have the right to live like that if they want to. Without me walking past their houses shouting insults at them.

[Hoppingmad]

Originally Posted by Susie

I wish I knew. lol.

However, like the other ladies on here I won't be stuck indoors for fear of going out on my own. I go where I want, when I want.

I have been followed on several occasions and am very aware of my own personal safety when I am out. One chap last year kept on appearing and trying to make conversation. I was polite but distant. Several times I changed my route and thought I had managed to lose him but still he would appear when I didn't expect it. Creepy. Some people are chatty and friendly and you know they aren't a problem but you get the occasional one where you know they are a bit odd.

I admire you for going for it but I am uncomfortable when out on my own with my camera and it severely limits where I go. Usually my husband comes with me but he can't always and he has his own hobbies to follow.

Annoying though it is I think us females need to be careful.

[Hoppingmad]

Going back to people deliberately spoiling shots - I have only experienced this when children are around and then not often. Have tried to photograph birds and small child will see me and run towards the bird to scare it off - child then runs off laughing! So far have been quite restrained and have managed a sort grimace towards sometimes apologetic parent - well my teeth show anyway!

However, I believe that most of the time people spoil your shots it is out of ignorance. My most annoying incident recently when at Havergate Island in Suffolk to photograph the hares. Camera on tripod, hare in view and just creeping a bit nearer when around the corner come three people (also there presumably to see hares) and they continue to walk towards the hare and me. Until, guess what? Yes, it ran away! Another lady who was behind me actually commented on how ignorant they were - so it is not just me being a grumpy! Trouble is I was having a great day out and the hares were beautiful and did not want a row to spoil it all - so said nothing.

[PMG]

Over generalising again. I view these people as a form of life who spend their time lying on a couch, cans of lager at the ready, watching endless repeats of TV soaps, football matches etc. But I consider they have the right to live like that if they want to. Without me walking past their houses shouting insults at them.

Hee hee - well said

[Tricia]

I haven't had a problem when taking my camera out, in fact most people are very nice and those who comment are usually just curious or want to chat about photography. Having said that, I am very careful where I go when I am out and about on my own with my camera.

The advice I was given by a photography teacher was not to make eye contact, just take your photos and move on.

[nightshade]

I saw a shot at Lynmouth, a group of people eating snacks from paper bags and a Jackdaw sat on the light post above, contemplating the likelyhood of leftovers, a girl saw me with the camera, shouted , something rude and they all turned their backs. It actually improved the shot.