Are U/W Photographers a PITA?

[Diver Dennis]

As a new U/W photographer I was reading another thread and someone was talking about how much of a PITA diving photographers are. It never occurred to me that this was a problem. I would rather not make people uncomfortable when I bring my camera, so what can photographers do to be less of a problem while diving? Are there things that upset you as a photographer? It would be helpful discuss the problems and possible solutions especially for divers who are going on a live aboard for the first time.

EDIT: What about equipment rules on the boat like no dunking masks in the camera rinse tank and keeping your stuff organized and in one area?

 

[HowardE]

I think the thing that other people who aren't shooting photos don't like about photographers is "how slowly you move". I generally try to tell people who are coming with us on a dive that, "we move slowly in the water. We take lots of pictures of little creatures that are really small, and we look carefully and move slowly. Knowing this if you still want to join us, you are more than welcome to"

 

[spectrum]

Get agreement on objectives is all it takes IMO.

Now try following a hunter gatherer, that's a PITA.

Pete

 

[alcina]

If you have a look at some of the other threads on this, there are nuggets of helpful info in there.

Best advice? Plan your dive. Talk to your buddy, the guide, the others in your group. If you are taking your camera and diving in a group, you must be courteous to their needs - it isn't a dedicated photo dive for you.

If I have to dive in a group situation, such as in Cozumel, I stay at the very back. I talk to the guide before the dive (preferably before I book!) to let them know what I would like to do - we then work out a plan that works for both of us and for the group.

Frankly, I think that every diver, regardless of camera, should spend more time on predive communication...I see a lot of threads raising issues that could be easily avoided with just this one simple, quick thing!

 

[Cacia]

Yea, people, lets get it off your chests...where is Reef? He needs to re-post.

 

[Rick Murchison]

As with most questions of this sort, it depends. I have seen photographers who think that the cost of their equipment gives them "special status" in a group, who hog deck space on the boat and the viewing area around interesting critters underwater and who actually shove other divers out of the way to "get the shot." That kind of photographer can be irritating in the extreme.
And then there's the guy who's on a group drift dive who expects the whole group to procede at his pace, be it slow or fast. That kind of photographer is irritating as well.
Luckily these are the exception and not the rule; most photographers are accomodating and no burden at all to their fellow divers - especially when they get everyone's email address and share their pictures
Whe I'm being a photographer or videographer I try to be a contributor to the rest of the divers' experience rather than a detractor.
Rick

 

[HowardE]

I think more of the problem that I see - arises when the other people diving "with" us don't bother to look back at all, and they're gone, because we found something awesome, and my wife takes about 10 pictures of it, then I shoot about 30 seconds of video of it (or more) and then the other divers are gone... It doesn't bother me, since I'm the one towing the flag.

 

[HowardE]

As with most questions of this sort, it depends. I have seen photographers who think that the cost of their equipment gives them "special status" in a group, who hog deck space on the boat and the viewing area around interesting critters underwater and who actually shove other divers out of the way to "get the shot." That kind of photographer can be irritating in the extreme.
And then there's the guy who's on a group drift dive who expects the whole group to procede at his pace, be it slow or fast. That kind of photographer is irritating as well.
Luckily these are the exception and not the rule; most photographers are accomodating and no burden at all to their fellow divers - especially when they get everyone's email address and share their pictures
Whe I'm being a photographer or videographer I try to be a contributor to the rest of the divers' experience rather than a detractor.
Rick

In the case above, where I was on a "tour" type situation, or a large group (like at CoCo View) I would be more consious of staying with the group, and not hogging the cool things to look at. I think that's just rude to be a critter hog, and to hold up a large group.

 

[alcina]

The one thing that bothers me about discussions like this is that it is easy to forget that basically it comes down to politeness and awareness that you are not the only diver and has nothing to do with a camera or video system. Those carrying them are simply more visible targets.

We've all been on dives where one diver zooms around, or lags behind, or fuffs around on the surface instead of being ready to go, or silts stuff up, or pushes you out of the way or a million other annoying things.

To me, it's all about being a good diver and a nice person (at least while you are around others).

I think discussions like this are good, but don't like when they become bashing of a group based on a few individuals (same goes for discussions on holiday divers, 3 day open water courses etc...)

 

[TSandM]

I dive with a lot of photographers, and they tend to be very good at spotting critters. But I have to stay back while they take their pictures so that they can get good ones, and then they move off and I never get to see what they were taking pictures of, especially if it is something small. The people I dove with today were great about signalling me to come in and see whatever it was when they were done with their pictures, and I enjoyed that.