People deliberately sabotaging shots

[Amoeba]

Okay, I'm not very much of a photographer (I photograph only for reference if I want to draw something). So usually this means I don't go out my way to photograph, I just whip out my digicam when I see something I like.

What I seem to encounter a lot is people watching me, standing about whispering as I try to get a close pic (of gulls and corvids mostly) and then slyly walk, stroll or sometimes blatantly run into the shot scaring away whatever it is I'm trying to photograph.

The first time it happened was just with a group of chavs so I figured it wouldn't happen again if I kept away from them. I thought it was just an isolated incident.

One time though I had this creep follow me around (trying to appear all sly) with his stinking cigarettes watching me as I try to take photos, and walking in front of me every time, stopping just as soon as he scared off whatever I was trying to photo. He didn't stop following me until I actually ran away from him.

A similar thing happened at a train station with a bunch of giggling women looking me up and down as if I was doing something incredibly strange. Despite the fact I was at the empty end of the platform they just HAD to come over my way in the line of my shot, occasionally posing ina vain attempt at being funny (to this day I still think they were all drunk).

The list could go on, but I just wondered if any of the more serious photographers ever encountered problems like this?

[Hedge Witch]

Are you on your own when you have problems? Are you male or female?

I never get my camera out when I'm on my own, unless I'm really the only person in sight. People are just so narrow-minded!

[Amoeba]

On my own, yes. And female.

I guess what you're suggesting is that I avoid any places where people are about. But for me it's usually spur of the moment, and urban birds are a favourite for me. I see something, I feel I don't have the time to wait for people to leave, consideing sometimes the area won't be empty until after dark.

It's something I've kind of grown to accept, but still like to have a good rant about it now and then.

[Hedge Witch]

Originally Posted by Amoeba

On my own, yes. And female.

I guess what you're suggesting is that I avoid any places where people are about. But for me it's usually spur of the moment, and urban birds are a favourite for me. I see something, I feel I don't have the time to wait for people to leave, consideing sometimes the area won't be empty until after dark.

It's something I've kind of grown to accept, but still like to have a good rant about it now and then.

Hi Amoeba, I'm not suggesting anything, or advising really. It's just a sad fact of life.

The man intimidating you sounds bad. Not sure what the solution is.

[Jason Green]

Absolutely! Then the 'Can you take a picture of us?' thing, too! Why would I want to fill my card up with people I don't know when I'm out for wildlife?!

Last year I was trying to photograph a bee - Bombus terrestris - from behind a bush so I had to squat down. Photo taken, I got up and made eye contact with a man out with and his wife. I then realised that slowly emerging from behind a bush may have looked a little odd to them - especially as they couldn't see my camera!!!

[Jim Ford]

Originally Posted by Amoeba

On my own, yes. And female.

I suspect the above is the 'problem', unfortunately!

I don't think us men really appreciate how vulnerable and threatened lone females often are. We need to be reminded from time to time.

I'm a 6' 4", 14 stone male - and don't have the problems you describe!

Jim

[Amoeba]

Looking like an oversized prepubescent boy, I wouldn't have expected that to be the problem. XD

Or maybe that is the problem?

Heh, though I've never had anyone ask me to take a picture of them. That does sound like a strange request, it's not like you can give them the picture afterwards unless you have a polaroid.

[Jason Green]

Exactly, it's not even a serious request! Once I was photographing a harlequin ladybird on the outside of a park gate and a man walked past and said 'What the hell are you doing?!' ...and was off before I could say!

Oh, and another time I took my camera off the tripod and turned my back on it when trying to get something else - then turned back to see a 20-something year old male with my tripod! I grabbed it and he started pulling in what I thought was an attempt to snatch it. I kept hold and soon threatened him with the police by which time he let go, saying that he was messing around - and went on to remind me of a time when I'd shown him and a friend of his a couple of damselfly photos the previous year!! Obviously he'd been joking all along and I'd not recognised him! Anyway, the tripod didn't even have the quick-release plate - that was still fixed to the camera!

To say I felt stupid was an understatement!

[Pippa]

Originally Posted by Jason Green

Absolutely! Then the 'Can you take a picture of us?' thing, too! Why would I want to fill my card up with people I don't know when I'm out for wildlife?!

Last year I was trying to photograph a bee - Bombus terrestris - from behind a bush so I had to squat down. Photo taken, I got up and made eye contact with a man out with and his wife. I then realised that slowly emerging from behind a bush may have looked a little odd to them - especially as they couldn't see my camera!!!

Come on Jason ,a little odd. I would think that very odd and have ran a mile

Never had what has happened to Amoeba but i am always in company anyway.Definately a bit scary.

[Jason Green]

Well, I suppose in hindsight it may not have been quite the most obvious explanation they may have come up with...

...!!