Prefer to work alone?

[Uncle Bill]

As much as like hanging out with other photographers and talking shop over coffee or beer, it strongly depends who is coming along with me, if he/she is in the same headspace as I am, no problem.

I hate large groups, did that once with the street shoot workshop with the 06 APUG Conference in Kensington Market, never again.....

 

[Joe Lipka]

I can make photographs in either situation. The only caveat I have is that you probably should team up with a photographer that is similarly skilled as yourself. Otherwise, it might turn into a one on one workshop. It is truly amazing that two photographers can go to the same place and come up with a different view of the same area.

 

[copake_ham]

Unlike the OP, I'd like to have more opportunities to shoot with a companion photog, particularly when doing "street" or "event" kinds of shooting opportunities.

Oh, I agree that I really wouldn't want to do so with someone who feels a need to add in negative commentary on my shots. But it would be nice to have a "buddy" to bounce ideas off of when I wasn't sure how to set up the shot. Or to notice, for example, the possibility of something like saturation etc. and remind me to bracket the shot.

I do think you need the "right" kind of companion. One who you're comfortable with enough to listen to advice from - but also one who "knows" when not to advance any advice. In other words, I think you need a "buddy". The kind of person who you'd also go catch a ballgame with or meet for a couple of beers at the local bar/pub just to chat.

To me, the sad thing is that as I get older it seems much harder to find that kind of non-judgmental companion shooter. I guess it's the inevitable "loss of wonderment" that aging brings upon us and with it the greater difficulty of just "connecting" as friends first - fellow shooters second.

 

[PHOTOTONE]

I think I should clarify my previous comment about preferring to shoot with a buddy. I mean just one other person, a personal friend, a photographer of similar skill. My best bud photographer friend that goes with me is such a person, and we enjoy each others company whether shooting or not. I don't think I like photography as a "group project" though, just one "bud" is fine. The only negative thing about him, is that he shoots that "steenkin" digital stuff.

 

[joel dallenbach]

I heard about a class at the school I went to which happened before my time, I find it an inspirational lesson. Lee Freidlander had visited the school, talked and showed some slides, then the plan was to go out on the street with him to watch him work etc,... Well, no sooner did the group set out doors then did Lee Dissapear,... And there's not a lot of space to hide in Denver. No crowds etc,... I like that aspect of street work, in and out with out a trace,...

 

[JBrunner]

When I work alone, I talk to myself allot. How does that count?

 

[Vaughn]

When I work alone, I talk to myself allot. How does that count?

Only counts for much if you answer yourself. I don't talk much to others or myself...perhaps "Must be about time for a beer." followed by "Certainly sounds good to me."

Vaughn

 

[JBrunner]

Only counts for much if you answer yourself. I don't talk much to others or myself...perhaps "Must be about time for a beer." followed by "Certainly sounds good to me."

Vaughn

Thats what we do here, right Jason... right.

 

[Tim Gray]

I don't think I've ever shot with another photographer. It would certainly annoy me if the kind of things happened that you described.

I would just keep my mouth shut and do my thing and not interfere with others...

----

That's a lie. I have. I've shot concerts with other photographers. Half the time I don't even know what I'm shooting, let alone seeing what others are shooting. Nobody said anything to me about my choices either.

 

[mmcclellan]

In general, I like to shoot alone, but there is one photographer (who is also a very good friend) with whom I really enjoy shooting. When we go out together to shoot, we are each really working "alone" in that we both work the scene our own way, in our own time, according to our own style. We are both patient, happy to wait for the other to finish working a subject, ask each other for advice (but never offer it wtihout asking!), and even look through each other's cameras to see what the other is seeing.

We also tend to see the same subjects as desirable in that when we're driving along looking for stuff to shoot, we tend to jump at the same subjects, the same scenes, and get equally excited at the subject matter. With a fellow photographer like that, I am more than happy to shoot with a partner.

But if he's not around, then I prefer to work alone.

 

[MattKing]

I'd like to go out shooting again with my father. It has been too long...

Matt

(I guess this is another way of saying that it really depends on who you are shooting with).

 

[photomc]

Yes..and No - start with yes first, it is much easier to stop when I see something, without having to worry if anyone else wants to stop. More important, at least as of late, no need to check to see if I'm in their way or vice versa, working indoors with more than one other person becomes a bit of challange - we are either working the same areas or tripping over each other (or tripods).

No, as David Brown mentioned, there are a few of us working a project together and have to say that the guys I work with are really great. Each has his own approach, so there is little overlap as far as work goes..plus these guys make me better than I really am.

One issue for us is that we do not want to have several prints of just a few locations, so we have found that working alone will help us with that issue. Now the BS factor does go up when we are out together, and a lot less work is produced, but the day is just as nice.

So, it depends, but I have found that shooting with non-photographers or family to be less than a good time (in part because I feel guilty about having them 'sit' while working an photograph or waiting for the light).

 

[removed account4]

i shoot alone most of the time,
unless i am with someone else,
then i tend to talk too much

john

 

[Valerie]

I feel really self-conscious when shooting with anyone else, especially another photographer. Shooting alone is meditative for me....

 

[Schlapp]

Much happier alone.

 

[Andrew Moxom]

My .02

Wow, that's why the APUG road trips are normally devoid of people except a few diehards. While I can see valid reasons against people going out mob handed, or even just two people in some cases. I do like to go out and make images on my own, but I also like to share that experience and find it interesting to see how others work and interpret similar scenes. I also learn things every time I go out. If anything lately, I take more images when I am out on an expedition with another APUG'er or two. I like the ability to bounce ideas off of someone else, and talk smack. Okay socialize if you like. However for me, it does not detract away from the purpose of image making. I have made some of my most successfull images when other like minded people were there. It really does not bother me at all. If anything, it has made me work harder for the shots I like to take. Similarly, there are occasions when having another body around can help in some of the more questionable locations we shoot in around the milling and silos areas we frequent.

Another case in point was the MN APUG trip up north this September which ended up with just 3 folks in tow. I never once found that we tripped up over each other and it seemed we all respected each others personal space and way of working. It was not something that was even discussed, it just happened. We all made some interesting images that stood up on their own as well. It was still a very meditative experience for me as other have said who go out solo, but I had the benefit of very good company, and good times around making food and camping, and just hanging out and taking photos in a very special place.

 

[polaski]

Being alone is one of the main reasons I photograph.

 

[Lol999]

Always alone, for the following reasons:

if I'm shooting street I need to change direction suddenly, accelerate/decelerate in anticipation of "the moment"
photography is "my time" away from the family and everything else
when I'm trying to be creative the last thing I need is someone yapping away or trying to second guess me

Lol

 

[Tom Reardon]

Sometimes I'll go with a friend or a group - just for fun, but I never expect to get any good work done. When I photograph for real, I always work alone

 

[snegron]

People don't annoy me much. When someone offers an unsolicited opinion while I am trying to take a picture, I usually smile, nod/thank them, then continue shooting what I had in mind. I believe that many times people who offer a suggestion are usually looking to start a conversation because they too enjoy photography. I try my best not to come accross as a "photo-snob" to them.

 

[Matthew Gorringe]

For me being aware of the compositional possibilities when working demands total immersion and concentration. I can't work with other people and have learnt not to torture myself by trying.

The very worst situation for me is knowing I won't be alone but taking my equipment anyway, then seeing something I feel I should attempt and then trying to do it with others around. The best outcome is to politely suggest we meet again in 20 minutes somewhere else.

 

[Buster6X6]

I normally shoot alone. It is relaxing and thought provoking. I have to admit that 6 years spending with London Camera Club gave me another incite about photography and social contact. I really enjoyed monthly field trips to places I would not go by my self. Renting a 50 seat bus and going to location, split and enjoy outing with no one or 1 or 2 persons it was great. Get together for lunch afterwards was great also. That was day's when I was shooting 35mm. Now shooting LF exclusively made it very difficult to keep up with D* shooters. They take 100 images where I take 5. I don't belong to the camera club any more, and I do miss camaraderie and conversation with the same minded people. Now I come to APUG to do that , great bunch of people.
I wish we could organize more LF outings where I live.
That is my .02
Cheers Greg

 

[Thomas Bertilsson]

I wholly agree with Bill, but would like to add a twist to it. It has been very common for me, lately, to go shooting with another photographer. I find that it becomes a different experience, but not necessarily worse.

When I go on my own, which I love, I can take all the time I want with a certain subject, and I can just sit and take things in until I'm sure about what I want to do.
However, when I'm with another photographer, even if you photograph the same subject matter, there are two different brains interpreting it. An interesting comparison to make is the UK B&W magazine, where a couple of months ago Leon Taylor and another APUG subscriber who's name escapes me printed the same neg and compared their results. They were two completely different prints, from the same negative! If they were both using different cameras creating their own negatives, the difference might have been even larger!
I just think it's an excellent opportunity to learn from others and to grow to go out and burn film or excite pixels with others.

So, I don't favor either situation, I just think both ways are advantageous, each in their own way. I can't wait to see if I can make it to the APUG gathering on the Lake Superior North Shore in February, or the Michigan gathering at Schwab's in June. I also can't wait to explore those places on my own.

- Thomas

As someone who has spent many, many hours photographing alone, I love to go shooting from time to time with other people. Sure it can have its distractions, but I also find the conversation can be very stimulating when there is someone around that does what I do. It is not as if you are attached at the hip either. As long as you respect the other photographer's space and they respect yours, what's the problem? Just set your boundaries ahead of time and no one gets hurt.

 

[Christopher Nisperos]

i shoot alone most of the time,
unless i am with someone else,
then i tend to talk too much
john

Wow, John. Poetry!


.

 

[copake_ham]

I normally shoot alone. It is relaxing and thought provoking. I have to admit that 6 years spending with London Camera Club gave me another incite about photography and social contact. I really enjoyed monthly field trips to places I would not go by my self. Renting a 50 seat bus and going to location, split and enjoy outing with no one or 1 or 2 persons it was great. Get together for lunch afterwards was great also. That was day's when I was shooting 35mm. Now shooting LF exclusively made it very difficult to keep up with D* shooters. They take 100 images where I take 5. I don't belong to the camera club any more, and I do miss camaraderie and conversation with the same minded people. Now I come to APUG to do that , great bunch of people.
I wish we could organize more LF outings where I live.
That is my .02
Cheers Greg

I think I understand your situation.

There's a neighbor I've met at our Tucson place who tells me he was once an avid 35mm film shooter. Then, before I met him, he went "digital".

He's a really nice guy, but it's like he has some kind of "religious fervor" for his chosen format. He was not only surprised to find out that I shoot film - he was amazed that you could still buy it!

My wife and I are both newbie, and only part-time, residents of Tucson, so we want to build new friendships. I used to think I'd like to go shooting with the guy, carrying either (or both) 35mm or MF but am very reluctant to do so.

I just get the feeling that he'll be firing away like Elmer Fudd chasing Bugs Bunny while I'm trying to compose a single shot. And then I'll have to deal with the conflict the D v. F thing; and how with D you can just "delete" the "images" you don't like etc. etc. - so who cares how many shots you take?

It's too bad. He's a really nice guy otherwise, and our wives get along etc. so we socialize regularly. But I just feel he'd never be a good photo buddy - so I figure I shouldn't try sharing that side of myself with him.