Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1999/04/05
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]I am a wedding and portrait photographer. I ofter have people at weddings refuse to have their picture taken, even candidly. I speak with them and attempt to elicit their cooperation. If the answer is no, I stay away or speak to the bride and groom and request that someone from the family approach them. This usually solves the problem. The street becomes a different problem. I usually ask and present them with a business card and them them that the proof will be available to them in about 10 days. If they say no, again I thank them and leave them with a business card (It has a cute picture of my maltese who is a studio mascot) and ask them to remember me. Some do and call for sittings. I try to shoot with some purpose or focus and have many years ago stopped being an intrusive camera nut. Most people will not care if approached with a smile. By the way, I have found that the larger the camera, the less problem. The TLR Rollei seems to create the least problem and the Hasselblad with waist level finder comes second. Then the M Leicas. I believe that the ability of your subject to see your face above a waist level finder makes it easier for them to allow the intrusion of a camera. When the camera hides my face, as in a prism (90 degree only) the level of cooperation declines. In any event, that my opinion. Have any others found this to be true? A smile always goes a long way. :-) Roger Robins Nest Photography