Re: [Leica] Reassuring the public

["Dan Post" <dwpost@email.msn.com>]

Paul-
Great story! Also reassuring to know that if you are straightforward, open
and friendly about what you are doing, and gain the trust of your subjects,
it makes the task a lot easier.... Sounds a lot like Wildlife Photography,
doesn't it!! ( Ooops, that was the Sociologist part of me peeking through!)
Good luck 'Stalking the Wild Crumbcruncher"!!
Dan
- -----Original Message-----
From: Paul Chefurka <chefurka@magma.ca>
To: leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us <leica-users@mejac.palo-alto.ca.us>
Date: Sunday, May 16, 1999 9:14 PM
Subject: Re: [Leica] Reassuring the public


>I want to thank all the LUGnuts who contributed suggestions, and to
>pass along my plans and what occurred today.
>
>First off, the suggestion of carrying a small portfolio is right on
>the mark.  I made one up this afternoon - a couple of dozen 4x6's,
>small enough to carry in my bag whenever I shoot.  The first page
>contains my Camera Club of Ottawa membership card and some business
>cards from work (so they can see I make my money from something
>besides kiddie porn).
>
>Secondly, I realized that "I'm just doing this for the love of it"
>really doesn't cut it.  People want to know A REASON why you're
>shooting, especially kids.  My answer is now "The camera club I belong
>to has a photo-essay competition every year, and I decided to do an
>essay on this park and the things that go on here.  I'm hoping that
>when I enter the competition this fall with the pictures I'm shooting
>here, I'll win."  (Just so you know, the club does hold this
>competition every year, and since I now have to stay a member for
>credibility purposes, I might as well enter and win it. :-)
>
>Third, I'm going to have all the stuff I shoot for this essay double
>proofed.  It costs next to nothing, and I can then tell people that if
>they would like one of the pictures I've taken they can get in touch
>with me at the phone number on my card.  I would then invite them to
>my home (so I don't ever get to find out where they live), and give
>them whatever they would like from the second set of prints.
>
>Fourth, I'm going to refrain from shooting in the play area till the
>regulars at the park have seen me around and gotten used to my
>presence.  I figure I'll give it a month or two. Till then it's adults
>and families in the open areas of the park.
>
>All in all a straight-forward set of procedures, that should go a long
>way toward retaining or regaining goodwill.
>
>And now, the story:
>
>I headed over to the park again tonight at dinner time, and had a
>couple of great hours shooting my brains out.  As I was leaving, I saw
>the fellow who had spoken to me last night, thereby precipitating this
>whole round of soul-searching.  I went over to him, and asked if he
>would like to see some of the work I've done.  He said he would very
>much like to see it, so I handed over my little album.  He took one of
>my cards, then he and his family went through the photos.  They loved
>them.  I told him about the essay competition, and he said "Ahhh.   So
>*that's* what you're doing!"  I reassured him that I fully understood
>his concerns, he said he now accepted that I was one of the good guys
>and wished me luck in the competition.  We shook hands and parted as
>friends.
>
>A perfect outcome, a learning experience for me, and yet another
>vindication of the collective LUG wisdom.
>
>Thanks again, everybody.
>
>Paul Chefurka
>