It seems that no matter where I go or what I'm shooting I always come across the "dirty look" or the look that could kill. Some people become very suspicious and even defensive when they see me walking around with a camera, particularly one with a huge lens attached. Its as if they feel I'm about to steal their very soul or violate them in some way.
Perhaps it is all the stories about the wild antics of papparazzi going after celebrities? I could certainly understand why someone would dislike a photographer after some of the things these nuts do to get a shot.
Perhaps it is me. . .I've been told on occasion that I look mean, and cold at times. I think it comes from some childhood experiences that had me build an icy bubble around myself to keep people at distance. It works but I don't always want it there. Too late for that now. . . anyway I'm usually able to soften people up a bit once I talk to them. I guess they begin to realize that I'm not what I seemed. I know of lots of other photographers that go through this as well. Just something about a camera that sets some people on high alert.
But c'mon, do I have to go through this while taking my son Kyle to the zoo!
(good thing for the plexi-glass partition between us)
25 comments:
It's a good thing you are not asking for captions to go with the photograph . . . what an expression!
His "coat" is beautiful!
That's an amazing baboon. Oh, no, I'm not talking about you, Gary. Maybe it's your cool blue eyes that frighten people away.
Oh My!!! Now that is a classic dirty look. Priceless.
you made me chuckle! i wasn't expecting that! :)
beautiful shot btw!
and i can't imagine that you *look* mean!
i'm glad you wrote this bc i get nervous when i take my camera out. people get really strange about it. and i am usually not even pointing it at them!
maybe it's this town!
OMG! Here I am reading along and nodding the whole time very seriously and I scroll down to see... a baboon's scowl! I almost fell over with laughter. Great portrait and the detail is unbelievable. Well done!
Haha! Great post, great shot. Thank you also for stopping by, adore your work
Val
So funny! That is how I feel today. xx
I hope you remembered to ask for a signed release consent form. With a look like that I am sure he is trying several times his agent's phone number by now.
Thanks for the comments all, and Willow, thank you for NOT calling me a baboon ;)
Ya know, he was probably thinking the whole time "yeah, he wants me to get up and turn around so he could post my big red ass all over the internet! Well, I'm just going to sit here and wait him out)
hmmm, perhaps there is something to the uneasy feeling about being around a person with a camera. . .
great blog ... especially love your New York Water Towers shots ....
i'll be back for sure!
Cute... ;-)
Plexiglass would offer little comfort for me...
i like this post. I gotta piece of your personality in this one. You do have a tough look to you that might catch some folks off guard. But thats only because they can handle your rockstar aura! i have one too!
Gary, that's an amazing photograph and an expression I can certainly relate too!!
Love this photo! Talk about "if looks could kill," but then on the other hand, he looks a bit royal in a pompous way.
WOW! this is one amazing shot! the stink eye from an animal!
and i loathe having my picture taken, so i understand what you are talking about. but i LOVE taking pictures, so it just isn't all fair!
Hahahaha, great punch line, Gary! And there I was, all serious, reading away. That was fabulous!
L.O.L.!!!!!! ...what an AMAZING shot though, I mean, wow.
That's hilarious!
An excellent shot Gary..I love the color and the vignetting, as well as the detail of the fur. A few years ago for Christmas, a friend gave me an entire book of portraits of apes,"Monkey Portraits" by Jill Greenberg.. perhaps you have seen it. The almost human character and expression in their faces is so amazing... what a great subject. Super.
Gary, I love this guy. What a coat, he's absolutely stunning, Except for the reverse mohawk (lol).
Thanks for your comments about my move. We were able to slowly move things in and I got the kitchen unpacked and organized last night. Next are the bookshelves which will be a whole day affair. Hopefully I'll be back in blogland next week -- I feel so out of the loop.
Have a great weekend.
Gary,
great sense of humor you have -I am laughing out loud,
thanks I needed that...
Karen
You`re right about the looks that kill. Unfortunately, I recognize the expression of baboon cause I saw it countless times on streets.
Oh yeaahhh... I actually got screamed at and called assorted names including racist (???) once by a man who happened to be in the general direction of some beautiful water I was photographing. He, on the other hand, did not radiate beauty and was definitely not in my photo! Made me a little more leery/aware of my shooting surroundings though...
I'm fascinated by his fur. His face reminds me of some of my past clientèle when I've had to tell them they need to move on, wrap it up, close it down...
Gary, Amazing chance you had to capture this one. Why haven't I seen it at that "other place"..you know the one I'm talking about..lol. I've not seen most of these animal shots...where have they been hiding? Yep, his fur is fantastic.
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