How do you (politely) keep people away when you compose?

[jnantz]

i used to just have a policeman run interference for me
it worked OK

[David A. Goldfarb]

I usually engage people in a positive way and say something like, "just a moment while I get my shot," and if they wait around, I'm happy to talk about the camera, show them the groundglass image, and generally evangelize for large format photography.

[John Jarosz]

Simple - use an 8x20 camera.

I have found that since I began using 8x20 people tend to leave me alone. When using 4x5 and even 8x10 people would routinely come up and ask questions

So I believe when people see the 8x20 they say to themselves "He's gotta be crazy - so let's ignore him, pretend he's not there".

Of course there are a few brave souls that DO come up and talk with me......but I'm not on assignment :-).