What is it that we do?

[Papa Smurf]

My profile tells a lot about me and why I am taking pictures. That said, just what is it that we do? I like to take pictures of old barns, and abandoned houses, rural landscapes and such. You know, images of better times when the pace was a lot harder, but not nearly so fast. Lately, I have gotten the idea of printing business cards to help introduce me to the folks whose property I am photographing. Out here in Forgottonia, you used to not have to do that. Everyone was friendly, but these days there are too many horror stories in the news about street gangs and drug dealers taking over rural neighborhoods to escape the city police survailence and it has left rural people a little skiddish of strangers. So back to my question, when I am asked "why are you taking a picture of that", what should I say? A complete discussion of the reason to record images of bygone days for posterity would be too long and boring. An abbreviated comment of 'just taking a few pictures to show the Great-Grandchildren ' some day seems too phony. When you are out taking street photos or whatever you do, how do explain what you are doing? I would like to know so that I could put something on my cards. Terms like 'Photojournalism' come to mind, but sound too pretentious for an ol' f__t like me just doing something to keep busy and stay out of the roadhouses!

[back alley]

my cards just say photographer along with my email address.

when people ask me what i'm doing, i say that i'm 'just taking a few photos'. when pressed as to why, i say 'it's a hobby, i enjoy doing it and it's just for me'.

but then there are the times when i feel a bit grumpy and then just make stuff up.
one time i told this guy i was working for the cia and was building a dossier on some of the locals. and then i walked away.

joe

[nikon_sam]

Why??? Because I think it's beautiful...That's what I say...

I have shot a lot of old barns and buildings in the Kansas/Nebraska area...Lots of people didn't understand why...later I would show them what I saw and shot...
After that they would tell me where there were other barns and buildings I might like...
If you could show these people what you see in these old barns they'll understand better...you see they see these old buildings as eyesores...they see these old structures every day and even then they really don't "See' them...
To you and I they are "Fresh" and since I don't get these sites where I live I see them differently than them...

Find your best shot of some old barn...show them and say "This is why I do it..."

[35mmdelux]

I capture memories and fleeting moments. I dont feel I need to give anybody a justification; I shoot because I want to is all they need to know.

[Ducky]

[quote=Papa Smurf;1087771 Terms like 'Photojournalism' come to mind, but sound too pretentious for an ol' f__t like me just doing something to keep busy and stay out of the roadhouses! [/quote]

This is a good post. I often wonder what to say, being an old f_t my self, but when I talk about light and shadows I get a suspicious look. Maybe a card would be a good idea.

Nikon_sam also has a good point, a small album may be good too.

I shoot because I want to is all they need to know.
Very presumptious and I'd tell you to get lost.

[35mmdelux]

"Posted by Ducky

I shoot because I want to is all they need to know.
Very presumptious and I'd tell you to get lost. "

Dude, Face to face you wouldn't utter a pip and would probably run away.

[historicist]

Mostly when I'm taking pictures I'm avoiding real work

[back alley]

Originally Posted by 35mmdelux

"Posted by Ducky

I shoot because I want to is all they need to know.
Very presumptious and I'd tell you to get lost. "

Dude, Face to face you wouldn't utter a pip and would probably run away.

try a little harder to keep the ego at bay, willya?

joe

[Ducky]

Originally Posted by 35mmdelux

"Posted by Ducky

I shoot because I want to is all they need to know.
Very presumptious and I'd tell you to get lost. "

Dude, Face to face you wouldn't utter a pip and would probably run away.

Get lost, "dude"?

[Keith]

What is it that we do?


We hang around here and chat about gear and photography (place those two words in whatever order pleases you) ... occasionally we actually go out and take photos too!

[back alley]

let's keep it civil...remember, photo site here.

[Al Kaplan]

"It's what I do. It paid the bills for over forty years and the camera is just part of me."

[Ducky]

Originally Posted by back alley

let's keep it civil...remember, photo site here.

My apologies, my second comment was petty.
The OP posed a good question. Let's try to breath some new life into it.

I wanted to take a few shots of tires piled in unusual patterns in good shadows but the owner said no even when I told him is was just a hobby. I left, of course, but wondered what his problem was.
I'm hoping some comments here will give me an edge next time.

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

I tell people I am an artist. Most of what I shoot is in northeast Indiana, where I grew up. Telling people I was born and raised in Fort Wayne (northeast Indiana's 'big city' and the state's second largest city) opens doors. People in rural Indiana don't like outsiders, but as a native Hoosier, I'm one of them even though I have lived most of my life in a fairly large city. I also carry business cards that show my work. I usually have about 10 different cards (same design, with a different pic on each card), which serves as an easy to carry portfolio. I invite people to take a card and check out my website. I let them pick the card they want, so they can keep a photo of mine on the card they pick.

Ducky, about the guy who said no: it happens. Some people don't understand artistic photography and don't see a reason why you'd wanna photograph their old junk. Some fear the govt. and think you work for the property tax office (they do photograph people's property here for the county govt's records), others are just a--holes. Nothing you can do about it, just move on and find something else.

[btgc]

I think photography requires us to open mind. In old days most people lived in such state of mind, today psychologist is needed to understand what people argue about. Say, I took picture of old wooden fence, painted green - and because sun hit it under angle, I wanted to see if it turns out when captured.

Owner of home approached me at very same moment (he returned home, what coincidence) and asked why I'm taking picture of his property. I got his idea - property, and assured I'm not related to govt any way, told him single phrase about side light (no clerks are dumb this way) and he replied - oh well, let it be light, he just worried that govt is trying to fine him because fence is not renewed for years.

Very simple case, maybe too plain. One with camera shouldn't start telling about light, memories or artistic intentions. One has to guess what is the point, why owner or photographed people would worry about. And tell him/them something that matches their mind, like daughter wants to hear "I love you, darling" when it comes to pull me by hand. Problem is read person in a moment, though it's another pleasure of process, like rapidly guessing exposure.

And cards - it's idea I have simmered about since some time. Your replays assure me they will not hurt, so I'll find time to make them.

[Papa Smurf]

Originally Posted by Chriscrawfordphoto

I tell people I am an artist.... I usually have about 10 different cards (same design, with a different pic on each card), which serves as an easy to carry portfolio. I invite people to take a card and check out my website. I let them pick the card they want, so they can keep a photo of mine on the card they pick.... others are just a--holes. Nothing you can do about it, just move on and find something else.

DAh, I never thought of putting a sample picture on the cards!!! Great Idea! And yes, some people are just a__ holes that want nothing better than to put somebody in their place, sort like a poor man's "make my day, Punk".

Great comments so far. I was worried that no one would take me serious and I am very serious about this issue. Photography is the "thing" that I have chosen to keep my retirement years fresh and it is frustrating when someone denies me permission to take pictures of this wonderful diorama that they have have assembled in their front yard of old tools, flowers, and such. (Yes, I know about the Law regarding if I can see it from a Public right-of-way, I can take a picture of it. Asking, is just polite especially, if they are standing on the front porch!) They do not appreciate the fact that I want to honor them for creating a beautiful montage of history.

Many old barns are unique and are testament to the imagination and skill of their builders. With so many in disrepair or being torn down to add another acre of tillable land, I feel an urgency to record as many of them as possible. Hence, my reason for asking the question.

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Some of my cards. I use the same template for each, just changing the photo. I carry about 10 different photos

[nikon_sam]

Chris...Those are GREAT !!!!

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Originally Posted by nikon_sam

Chris...Those are GREAT !!!!

Thanks Sam, I do graphic design too, so designing them was easy for me. I use Adobe InDesign to layout stuff like this, but you can do it yourself in Photoshop too. InDesign is faster and easier to do layouts than Photoshop since that's InDesign's primary purpose, but Photoshop works fine.

[shadowfox]

moo cards are excellent for this kind of thing. They used to only do mini cards, which is about the size of a chewing-gum-pack, but now they offer "real-size" business cards also.

Most people whom I showed one end up picking up a couple just because they like it

Chris (Crawford), very nice set of cards.

[Chriscrawfordphoto]

Originally Posted by shadowfox

moo cards are excellent for this kind of thing. They used to only do mini cards, which is about the size of a chewing-gum-pack, but now they offer "real-size" business cards also.

Most people whom I showed one end up picking up a couple just because they like it

Chris (Crawford), very nice set of cards.

I don't give out huge numbers of cards, so I have mine printed at Walmart in the one hour photo lab. I layout a 4x6 print with 3 cards on it (business cards are 2x3.5 inches, so 3 fit on a 4x6 photo with some extra space to trim off). Walmart charges 20 cents for a 4x6, and that gets you 3 business cards. You have to cut them apart at home, so you'll need a good rotary cutter so they look straight and professional. The price is right, they do small quantities, and the image quality is magnificent since they're real photos, not offset press prints.

[petronius]

I´m not good in explaining what and why I take photos. So I invite people to look at my blog. Most people are happy to receive a card with a sample photo and my adress.

[Papa Smurf]

Originally Posted by Ducky

.....when I talk about light and shadows I get a suspicious look.....

My experience exactly. Because they have a super-dooper point and shoot that the store clerk told them for only $99.99 it would take pictures "just as good as the Pros", the average person thinks that they know all about Photography. Any attempt at a serious discussion of light, composition, etc., leaves them scratching their head.

[back alley]

i use the moo cards, both the smaller one and the standard business card size.

with the smaller card, i put only a part of a photo on it, hand the card out and say that if they would like to see the rest of the photo and maybe some others to visit the website printed on the other side. (the flickr address)

[rbiemer]

Originally Posted by Papa Smurf

Many old barns are unique and are testament to the imagination and skill of their builders. With so many in disrepair or being torn down to add another acre of tillable land, I feel an urgency to record as many of them as possible.

That seems pretty concise and eloquent to me.
The photo business card idea is good as well, I think.
Especially Chris' method! I've attempted to print my own and that hasn't worked too well--took me a long time to get the layout and size I wanted and then trying to get them to print as I wanted was another exercise in frustration. Thanks, Chris for the kiosk idea!
Rob