How do you treat others?

[Alan Davenport]

I find that using a view camera is a performing art.

That may be the most accurate capsule description of public reaction yet.

[Robert Coenen]

I know my girlfriend gets a kick out of watching me with "spectators". She comes with me on a lot of shoots as a third hand for some of my camera gear, while toting here TLR Yashica.

I greet people as they look oddly at me and welcome questions. Adults tend to be more timid than children. But I always end up inviting kids and reluctant adults to look under the darkcloth. Which tends to lossen both up and starts the questions flowing.

I always have to watch their faces closely, as there is usually that point where I begin to provide more information than any non-photographer would ever want to know. Or my girlfriend will step within my field of view and give me that look that tells me it is time to wrap up the "class", because I'm loosing them. But I love being able to share my passion for photography with others.