Do you hate being photographed yourself?

Helen B · Oct 6, 2004

General agreement with Michael's sentiment.

I can't imagine why, but I get photographed quite often. I don't mind it. Is it those two good sisters again: Do-as-you-would-be-done-by and Be-done-by-as-you-did?

Except that I'm not a furtive photographer, so it's not always true that I get what I deserve. The furtive ones are amusing. Furtive, they are. Aye, furtive. Not daring to raise their camera to their eye. Sneaking around thinking that you haven't noticed them while you're pretending not to have noticed. Oh, we know their sort, don't we?

I used to live in the famous Hotel Chelsea where the lobby is a bit of a magnet for sneaky-arty-tourist-type photographers. I moved to Hell's Kitchen where we get strays from Times Square. Different class of tourist altogether. And now we can add in ubiquitous Beavises and Buttheads with camera phones.

My experience with photographer-strangers who ask to take my picture is that they seem to rush too much. If I was in a hurry I'd say no and go about my business. If I say yes, I say yes to doing the job properly. So they get friendly advice to slow down a bit, gentle suggestions about the best light and some general chit-chat to put them at ease - how many photographers are nervous about approaching strangers? No 'and they don't come any stranger than you' jokes please.

Best,
Helen

TPPhotog · Oct 6, 2004

I refuse point blank to pose for a picture and will only sit still for an id picture, ie passport. Other than that I don't really mind as long as the "photographer" isn't lurking and sneaking shots.

I hate security camera's though as they only ever seem to focus on my bald patch

jim kirk jr. · Oct 6, 2004

Cheryl Jacobs said:
Personally, I hate it. I just feel like an idiot.

They say doctors make the worst patients...maybe it applies to photography as well...
The only one I want near me is the one in my hand...

bobfowler · Oct 6, 2004

I became a photographer for the same reason that I learned to play saxophone. Playing the sax keeps me off the dance floor and shooting pictures keeps me on the base side of the film (of glass side of the plate).

I don't have bad hair days, I have a bad hair life...

John McCallum · Oct 6, 2004

Helen B said:
My experience with photographer-strangers who ask to take my picture is that they seem to rush too much. If I was in a hurry I'd say no and go about my business. If I say yes, I say yes to doing the job properly. So they get friendly advice to slow down a bit, gentle suggestions about the best light and some general chit-chat to put them at ease - how many photographers are nervous about approaching strangers? No 'and they don't come any stranger than you' jokes please.

Best,
Helen

Yes - I don't find it easy to approach a stranger seeking a photograph. But then again, it very much depends on their expectations for privacy. If the person is a regular member of the public quietly going about their own business, normally they'd be rather surprised and suspicious of someone pointing a camera at them. So why are you? Is it because of the way they look - unusually ugly, beautiful or is it because of something they are doing - skipping over a puddle, falling off the kirb, throwing their kids up in the air? Whatever the reason is, it's likely to be at least a small invasion of their privacy.
If OTOH the person is frequently 'in the public eye' for whatever reason, and they know and have come to exept that as part of their lifestyle .... well I guess as a photographer you're then dealing with a different expectation, and it might be easier.
But I still would not feel any more comfortable asking for a photograph (or pinching one).
BTW I still love candid people photography. It's exhillarating for the photographer, and still one of the most under-rated artforms imo.
best, John

glbeas · Oct 6, 2004

I don't pay it much attention. Though why they'd want one is a bit o mystery, it's bad enough seeing me in front of you , why make another likeness to irritate the eyeballs?

Aggie · Oct 6, 2004

Quote:
Originally Posted by bobfowler
I became a photographer for the same reason that I learned to play saxophone. Playing the sax keeps me off the dance floor and shooting pictures keeps me on the base side of the film (of glass side of the plate).

I don't have bad hair days, I have a bad hair life...

John McCallum said:
LOL Yup - know where you're coming from!

Both of you guys are not looking at it realistically. My husband started growing a beard. The kids were standing above him when he was sitting on the floor many years ago. My daughter remarked, "Daddy, your hair is not going bald, it just fell down." Another time my son said, "Dad your not bald, you just have hair we can see through."

Eric Rose · Oct 6, 2004

or maybe he had a growth spurt up thru his hair.

tgb12 · Oct 6, 2004

I couldn't care less...if anyone wants to waste some perfectly good film, let 'em.

bobfowler · Oct 6, 2004

Aggie said:
Both of you guys are not looking at it realistically. My husband started growing a beard. The kids were standing above him when he was sitting on the floor many years ago. My daughter remarked, "Daddy, your hair is not going bald, it just fell down." Another time my son said, "Dad your not bald, you just have hair we can see through."

Aggie, I long for the day when I go bald, just to get rid of this crop of crap that sits atop my head. In the summer, I get the next shortest thing to a buzz cut. That lasts a couple of weeks, then this fly-away-always-looking-like-crap-completely-horrible-mop grows back. I'd shave it off, but it looks real stupid coming back in...

I did the beard thing years ago - what a mess that was (think of a gooey cheddar cheeseburger - I'll leave it at that). No, I'll just stay in hiding, thank you! I guess the only GOOD thing is that at 46, the only gray hair I have is in my mustache...

FrankB · Oct 7, 2004

In looks, I'm not much of a star
There are others more handsome by far
But my face, I don't mind it
Because I'm behind it
It's the ones out in front that I jar!

david b · Oct 7, 2004

I've started to grow my hair long again. It is very curly and a bit of a pain.

The guys think it is weird but the women dig it.

SuzanneR · Oct 9, 2004

With all these photographers hating to be photographed, maybe a self portrait should be the next APUG challenge? Not just the avatar type, from another thread here, but real photos? Bad hair and all!!

Cheers,
Suzanne

TPPhotog · Oct 9, 2004

Suzanne Revy said:
With all these photographers hating to be photographed, maybe a self portrait should be the next APUG challenge? Not just the avatar type, from another thread here, but real photos? Bad hair and all!!

Cheers,
Suzanne

Errrrrrm can I wear a hat (a big one) please Suzanne?

Shmoo · Oct 9, 2004

Whenever I see a photograph of me taken by someone else, I keep thinking that I can't be that old/fat/wrinkled/short/etc. Then I try to do a self-portrait and realize that I really am that old/fat/wrinkled/short/etc. It could be depressing, but then a friend sends you something like this (below) and life is good again!

"Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming ~ WOO HOO what a ride!"

John McCallum · Oct 9, 2004

LOL - love it!

TPPhotog · Oct 9, 2004

Shmoo - Absolutely Purrrrrfect

rjs003 · Oct 9, 2004

In sixty years I have one picture of myself that is acceptable. So the answer is I hate it.

FrankB · Oct 9, 2004

rjs003 said:
In sixty years I have one picture of myself that is acceptable.

Oh well, I'm not yet sixty so I suppose there's still hope...

Dean Williams · Oct 9, 2004

I don't mind others taking a shot of me, but I dislike posing. I don't feel natural in a pose and it shows through in the print. They would get the true and natural "me" if, just before they release the shutter, they would crack wise, or better yet, fart loudly. Yep...that'ud do it.

Dean..."the genteel".

wiseowl · Oct 16, 2004

I'm not sure what I hate most, having the photo taken or looking at the results!

Deus · Jan 25, 2005

dpends who has the camera in hand.

Ed Sukach · Jan 25, 2005

I *hate* it ... One of the reasons why I'm on the "shiny" side of the film. - See avatar.

eric · Jan 25, 2005

I love being in pictures. The cheesier...the better!

rbarker · Jan 25, 2005

Strangely, it doesn't bother me in the least. I am what I am, and I'm generally OK with that. Besides, I've damned well earned all these gray hairs and wrinkles, thank you very much.

Do you hate being photographed yourself?

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