Prefer to work alone?

[Phillip P. Dimor]

I used to shoot with a friend who had started with digital. He would take a million pictures, 30 of the same thing. Fiddle with settings, show me the little pictures on the screen. I would silently scoff and be glad that I had shot 8 or 9 rolls of film. Anyhow, one day he asks me what MF outfit would be good. He ended up going for a Mamiya 7 and has since bought the wide lenses (what a jerk, huh?)
I like to think that my prints and negatives helped steer him in a better direction for himself. Only probably that I would think he has is shooting color 120 film and sending it off. I used to work for a store that developed film. Even I couldn't afford to shoot color unless the film were seriously outdated and I printed behind the boss' back.

I'm glad I shot with him. It was fun to watch his batteries die. Then he had to go buy that beautiful real camera and shoot the sharpest negs i've yet to see. Argh.

[Mr_Rocketkiller]

I usually work alone...not sure why. I only started processing my own film when I took the course up at the local community college last year. I enjoyed every minute off that class except when the darkroom was crowded. It wasn't much fun trying to relax and enjoy the work with students whining about the lack of digital involvement in the class though they weren't all like that. So I purchased my own darkroom supplies and an enlarger and work out of the house.

My wife fully supports me although she prefers "the automated world" with her P/S digital camera. That's fine with me, as she'll always gush over my photos no matter how poor I find them. Plus, she'll give me all the time I need if we're on a trip, hike, etc. to take photos.

I have a good friend who shoots digital; his girlfriend too. We used to take day trips together and shoot. It was fun to compare images of the same subject and see how differently we shot. The last trip we took with them was a bit of a disaster though. They kept fighting with each other, and my friend was upset with me for teasing him about his "chimping". So we no longer take long road trips with them.

The rest of my friends don't comment much on my photography. If they did, they'd probably think it was digital anyways. If people know I am into photography, the first thing they want to know is why I don't shoot digital and photoshop my pictures. I try to explain to them the merits of processing and printing your own work but their eyes usually glaze over. So I've truncated my responses to: "I enjoy film more" , "You know you've really worked hard when you comme out with a great print and you stink like fixer (What's fixer?)" or "I spend enough time at work in front the computer...why would I want to spend more agonizing over a digital image?". I suppose the last one is hypocritical of me; I tend to do my color work digitally...as rare as that is.

I guess it is safe to say I haven't met any other photographers who share the same sort of photographic interests as I do, but that is fine with me. So long as my wife is happy to be alongside me while I'm shooting that's all the acceptance I need!

[gr82bart]

Knowing from another thread that the vast majority here are introverts, I can understand most wanting to shoot alone. I personally enjoy shooting with a group - duh, I'm one of only a dozen extroverts on this site - but I also understand personal space and I don't think I'm a back seat driver or blab about nothing when in a group shoot (Whitey, Gene, Bethe, Drew, Jim, David, others? Back me up here ...).

Then again, I do like to shoot alone too at times. Particularly when I have a purpose in mind. Interestingly, once I've achieved my purpose I like to talk about it, but not necessarily show any of the images. Which is why I have tens of thousands of undisplayed slides. Strange.

I actually like shooting with folks who have different equipment or styles. I like observing folks from afar. Large format shooters make great companions since in the 20 minutes it takes them to shoot one sheet, I can wonder around with my Hassey and maybe take half a roll on my own! LOL

Regards, Art.

[rjphil]

My wife and I go out photographing together, but almost always find different directions to go once we get there. Just a case of seeing differently.

[vet173]

Originally Posted by Pinholemaster

But it sounds like from the answers here, that you guys shouldn't carry guns. Photo Road Rage, look out. Grin.

That would reduce the weight a little. I am inclined to think that if someone saw a gun in your kit they would be done asking questions. (Is that a hasselblad?) Just might have to put one in there.

[Mearns]

I enjoy meeting and conversing with other photographers. Its always interesting to get different perspectives on things. I don't think I could handle someone hounding every move I did though.

This thread has made me wonder if I'm an annoying photographer? I hope not!