ozpall wrote:
We need to learn to deal with uncle Bob's just like we deal with weather at a wedding, we don't k.ow what to expect but some how we have to get good shots regarless. Simple.
Of course we do. It's part of being a professional. But in the meantime while we're "dealing" with the uncle bobs........" OH damn, that could have been a great shot but uncle bob totally blew that one"........happens.
Dawei Ye wrote:
YMMV but during formals, I always let the Bobs photograph first. I stand and wait till they are done, and then I command full attention. If anyone attempts to photograph whilst I am photographing, I again stop and wait till they are done. I strictly put my camera down and just stand there until the others around me stop photographing.
I am never left waiting a long time because eventually the B/G and family start to lose patience and overtly start signalling that they want me to take my photograph, pressuring the Bob to stop. There have even been times where they have actually told the Bob to stop to allow me to take my photo. I then prompt them (the subjects) for another smile, and away I go!
It's things like this that really give a bad name to photographers, and is frankly embarrassing to the entire professional. Your friend should hang his head in shame for being not just a bad photographer, but a bad human being. Two wrongs does not make a right.
Dawei Ye wrote:
It's things like this that really give a bad name to photographers, and is frankly embarrassing to the entire professional. Your friend should hang his head in shame for being not just a bad photographer, but a bad human being. Two wrongs does not make a right.
Perhaps you missed the "particularly obnoxious" part describing the Uncle Bob. My friend was acting in self defense since the a-hole had been told that he was screwing up the photos by making the pro's flashes fire. Knowing my friend he had exhausted other means to get some cooperation from the jerk. I think his solution to the dilemma was ingenious.
My friend is a fine human being, known for his good nature and generousness.
The simple truth is that a few Uncle Bob's are monumental jerks and a scourge to professionals trying to do their best for their customers.
marti.g3 wrote:
what the heck are these people doing with the photos they are taking ? NOTHING......it's all for selfish " I have this camera so I can do what I want" mentality
Ryan Davies wrote:
Thinking about packing a spare set of shoes, so I can take mine off and throw them at people as and when required
Photo bombed! Shame, that would have been a nice one, too. If you are willing to share, that image would make a great addition to the Uncle Bob gallery (in the hopes of preventing exactly this sort of thing):
Ryan Davies wrote:
Thinking about packing a spare set of shoes, so I can take mine off and throw them at people as and when required
Her seat was on the left side.
Ya know, it's times like that where I really just want to shout out, "Hey; can we do that again, because this douche bag decided they'd stand right in the way of the shot you're paying for?!?" Seriously.
davenfl wrote:
Well you can mock her if you like but she seems to be attempting to stay out the way and frankly at that angle depending on the lens it appears she might just get one heck of a nice shot. She has a right to take pictures and appears respectful of the situation.
Let's address the real problem. The bride and groom and their family and friends are failing to realize that the only important thing is that the "tog" be able to effortlessly add to his portfolio.
They work under the impression that the day is about them and their friends having a wonderful time. How dare they!
What Cr*p!
I shoot concerts and theater. I am often competing with a hundred other photographers in something approaching a mosh pit. We manage to show respect to each other and get the job done , often assisting each other.
You whiners, on the other hand, start waving your d**k around if someone raises a cell phone.
Get real, weanies!
I shoot concerts as well as weddings and that is definitely an apples to oranges comparison if I've ever heard one. The hundred other photographers (seems slightly exaggerated but that's OK) are professionals, meaning they are courteous of the other photographers (usually). The guests at a wedding are typically the opposite. When you're hired (and usually for good money) to be the person who provides high quality photos of the most important day of the bride's life and someone steps directly in front of you during an important shot like the alter kiss that won't happen again and ruins it, I think it's perfectly acceptable to get a little frustrated about it.
That being said, I try not to whine about it and accept that it's just part of the job in this day and age and I do my best to avoid guests ruining my photos. Sometimes I can even use the guest's camera in a creative way to make for a nice photo. A photo I took of the bride and uncle bobette even landed me on moment junkie's blog yesterday! http://www.momentjunkie.com/2012/10/the-funniest-photo-ever/
Oh, and I also specialize in festival performances, so hundreds is really not that much of an exaggeration.
And I may, often, be the only paid pro onsite, so it is a lot closer comparison than you might think.
Roddy
Dawei Ye wrote:
And the wedding photographer is being altruistic eh? Not after his/her pay cheque eh?
Maybe it's because they would like some memory of the event without paying $20 to the photographer for a shitty low resolution print.
I hate Uncle Bobs, but calling them names and disparaging them on an internet forum is non constructive, and is also unprofessional.
Anecdotes and war stories are useful because it educates us photographers and prepares us. Going on about how they are selfish is not only pointless, but makes you look narrow minded.
First, If the Uncle Bob's would stop their sh*t the $20 would go for a high quality well thought out photo.
Second, this is a forum for photographers that have similar interests in what they photograph. If you can't compare notes, or whine, then where do you suggest they compare notes and thoughts at the end of the day? This is what a forum is for. This is an educational tool. The professionalism is on personal websites, blogs, and behind the camera.
OK - Like I said, been literally decades since I shot weddings for money, and I DO bring my camera (and as I've said in the past, been told by the pros 'thank you for staying out of the way' ) - anyway, have other Bobs gotten so rude as to get anywhere NEAR the formals? If so, I can see what you folks are complaining about - seriously! I wouldn't THINK of getting anywhere CLOSE to the formals, they are the formals!!! (don't answer the question - unfortunately I know the answer) To ME, that's the time to be taking photos of the venue where the GUESTS are (I've gotten some beautiful flower photos doing that - I'm off on the park grounds), and some of the other GUESTS - I've seen some really strange stuff, or 'secondary' friends/relatives letting their hair down - the pros are busy, and not looking for "aunt Sue" meeting up with "aunt Sally" who haven't seen each other since the last wedding/funeral - but as Uncle Bob, YOU know that they like each other, and it will be a great emotional reunion that the bride/groom and the pro WILL miss because they ARE doing the formals. That's what I try and take pictures of (Oh, and I leave all but one lens/body at home, because I want to listen to the service, the speeches, and have some good food and maybe a drink (I don't drink much, so...))
I second shot a wedding on Saturday. I saw about 10-12 Canon Rebels. But this one guy with a D800, 14-24, 24-70, and an SB-900 ruined dozens of my shots. He would walk in front of me. His flash would pop and ruin my flash shots. The other photographer had to have 3 or 4 chats with him, and the coordinator finally told him to put his camera away.
I do not understand what these people think they're gaining from this.
