What Would be Your Response (Or, Why I often shoot "off the beaten track")?

[BradleyK]

Some of that is from a lack of common language skill I suspect. Although English is taught in Asian countries, it is still a distant second language, and unlike German, which has common linguistic roots with English, Japanese and Chinese have virtually nothing in common with any Western languages. The learning curve, therefore, is steeper, in either direction. I suspect you could have a long conversation about your more than just the camera itself if you responded to their inquiry in Chinese or Japanese.

Actually, I think the reaction is related - at least in part - to that fact that I am still shooting with a "relic." Given the preponderance of d*****l cameras these days, especially, it seems, amongst Asian tourists (who always seem to be early adopters of new technology - given the cutting-edge electronics industry centered in SE Asia), I must strike some of these folks as something of an oddity (read: Luddite LOL).

 

[DREW WILEY]

Just depends. I've actually been complimented on numerous instances by Chinese, Indian, and Pakistani tourists for still using a "real" camera
(generally either an 8x10 or 4x5). It's more the young herd-mentality tour group types who scratch their heads. Around here specifically, where it's the very heart of techie land, it's rather common to encounter digi and biotech engineers on the trails, who seem very interested in getting into film photography. Guess they want some "grass is greener on the other side of the fence" relief from their pixelated day jobs. I can sure relate to that. But unfortunately, what might seem to be a substantial paycheck in Silicon Valley doesn't necessarily translate into an extra room to convert into darkroom space, given the horrendous price of real estate around here. Glad I bought my digs several decades ago!

 

[Black Dog]

Vorsprung durch technik schweinhund

A couple years ago I made my usual midsummer tuneup hike up a particular steep goat path above Sonora Pass in the high Sierra, and propped up my
8x10 and Ries wooden tripod for a nice shot of a particular crag. The location is a bit of a grunt, maybe a 2000 ft grade to around 10,000 feet. But otherwise it's only a couple of miles, and one can actually see the road from there, way down there. Then a German tourist managed to literally stumble
his way up there. "Vere ish de lake? Vere ish de lake", as he tripped over one rock after another, then a log. The lake was right in front of him, but he couldn't see it because he was staring at his GPS the whole time. Then he spots me. "How dare you dessekrate nature wish dat big thing!" he angrily protested. I merely smiled and politely replied, "Nice GPS. Is that the model John Muir used?"

Hope he wasn't using a satnav either..

 

[Worker 11811]

You certainly have the right to say, "Excuse me, I'm working." If they are messing with your stuff, "Hey! Don't touch!" could be appropriate but, unless the other person is being an extreme pest or acting dangerously, cussing is not appropriate.

I generally like talking to other people while I am photographing but there are times when I am trying to get an important shot or when I am trying to concentrate on something when I don't want to be bothered. I haven't got a problem telling people so but I usually make an effort top go back and talk to the people afterward.

As to location, others have said the same things am thinking. Anybody has the right to shoot any photograph they want in a public place and you can't stop them. Most of the time, I don't worry about copycats. Ten different people could photograph the exact same scene from the exact location and come up with ten different photographs.

I have had a couple of occasions when I was pestered by idiot, copycats with iPhones and digicams. I took the opposites tack.
"Make sure you get that tree in the composition... Watch your exposure... Make sure you get that detail in the shadow but don't burn out the highlights..."

Most people get confused, fed up and just walk away.

It isn't cool to be rude but nobody said you can't be a stinker once in awhile!

 

[Black Dog]

"Hi there! Can I interest you in APUG?"

 

[Vaughn]

"I don't crop" as a photographic dogma is almost as offensive to me. That statement seems equally instructive about your personality in addition to the confession of foul and demeaning language to a curious stranger.

I have to admit though, it is a beautiful part of the world which I saw for the first time last year. Part of the trip was on a bus with a bunch of boorish, racist, ignorant, cashed-up bogan Australians...

I do not crop either...though I do not think I have ever said an unkind word to anyone approaching me when I am photographing...not even to the ones who put their little PS digital cameras right next to my 8x10 (I do need to restrain myself from suggesting that they need to put their camera directly over my lens for the proper composition.) So I am not sure of the connection between never cropping and being boorish.

Most Aussies I have met have been wonderful. I even married one, though that did not work out all that well in the long-term. I have noticed that two Aussies tends to lead to a party, but my sample has been traveling Aussies which might yield different results than with the ones who stay home.

I enjoy the educational part of being in public with an 8x10 or 11x14 -- especially dads who lift their kids up to look at the GG. But I have taught young kids photography and teach photography one-on-one at a university, so it is in my blood so to speak. But 95% of the time I see no one while photographing, as I am usually off the beaten track.