Photographers at Asylum and Whitby etc

[vampyresheep]

Vampyresheep, were you and Rob the ones in the red uniforms during the day on Saturday? You both looked magnificent and I was hoping to get a photo of you together.

Allow me..

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

I thought Aly's outfit was stunning. I  thought, as I approached her, that she had modified an actual guardsman's  tunic. As I got closer and saw it had been made from scratch..not to mention all the cuffs and epaulettes were hand embroided..well I was over-awed! I've had the pleasure of knowing Aly and Rob (not in the Biblical sense, of course!) for nearly 20 years and they always look amazing whenever 'dressing to the nines' is required.

Thanks again!  *blushes* 
It can be rather disconcerting when one puts lots of effort into making an outfit, only to get completely ignored by the ‘togs.  Rather ironic that the subject thread is going in the opposite direction but feeling ignored can feel just as bad as getting completely hassled by them!
I try to be realistic about it though.  They’re going for what makes a striking photo; gadgets, unusual accessories, interesting hats and the like, so don’t really care about anything more subtle.  Hence why I am fully aware that Rob will end up on every single website and photo album, with me somewhere in the background if I’m lucky!

When it comes down to it, I create outfits because I enjoy sewing (and setting myself stupidly unrealistic challenges!) The end result is to wear them at a specific event, hope they don’t fall apart or look too amateur.  If they get noticed and I receive (flattering) photos, that’s a bonus. 

[mattsylvester]

And this year;

http://www.rbcameraclub.co.uk/gallery_320134.html#photos_id=9452907

Did any of these subjects get a copy? That really narks me. 1) Not only person asked for my photo - naff outfit as I'm new to this 2) They really should let people have copies etc as the number of tourists taking photos this year was great. If people are put off from having their photos taken, it won't be the best advert for our 'gener'.

http://www.rbcameraclub.co.uk/gallery_252856.html Ironic, is it not, vampyresheep?
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[Miss Calendula Malmesbury]

Much to my dismay, a friend found a picture of me online entitled 'Steampunk Large Lady with Parasol'.  I don't look my best in it I will admit and I am on the well upholstered side but there is no need to have used it as a frame of reference, surely 'Lady With Parasol' would have done? It's like saying 'Big Nosed Man' or 'Woman with Lazy Eye'.  I appreciate that I may have taken the photographer out of context and been over-sensitive or that no harm was meant but after allowing someone to take a picture (which, thinking about it I can't remember if I actually did), surely if they publish it they should think about what they say and at least be nice?

[Revd_Jericho]

Although pretty much every member of the public (at Lincoln) who wanted a photo of or with me was polite, friendly and in a couple of cases inexplicably apologetic, some of the togs we bumped into were the rudest I've ever known them to be. One tog outside Charlotte House was particularly abrupt, barking orders at my wife, our friends and me from the moment he saw us. 'Right!' 'Over there!' without the hint of a please or a thank you. (Ignoring my membership of the glorious Third, I do not respond well to having orders yelled at me.) We did not pose for him. We did point out that manners cost nothing.

Another tog in the market square area was also rather rude. Unsurprisingly, we did not pose for him, either. My wife and her friend also cameras rammed at their faces and togs shouting things like 'Stop!' at them.

[vampyresheep]

Much to my dismay, a friend found a picture of me online entitled 'Steampunk Large Lady with Parasol'.  I don't look my best in it I will admit and I am on the well upholstered side but there is no need to have used it as a frame of reference, surely 'Lady With Parasol' would have done? It's like saying 'Big Nosed Man' or 'Woman with Lazy Eye'.  I appreciate that I may have taken the photographer out of context and been over-sensitive or that no harm was meant but after allowing someone to take a picture (which, thinking about it I can't remember if I actually did), surely if they publish it they should think about what they say and at least be nice?

wow, that is out of order - no matter what context it was in!     I'm not exactly svelte either and would be rather upset and offended to see such a caption.  Is there any way of you contacting whomever posted it to request an apology and change of caption?

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Yes, having met Miss Malmesbury there are far better descriptives which are less impolite. As a gentlemen of high calibre myself (52 inch chest and 42 inch waist) it is something I take issue with.

[TimeTinker]

One tog outside Charlotte House was particularly abrupt...
Another tog in the market square area was also rather rude.

Perhaps it is not surprising that these annoying individuals were hanging around in public places where we (the VSS) have no direct ability to challenge them.

It is down to steampunks therefore to respond to this unpleasantness themselves...

• Inform the photographer politely that they are being unpleasant and courtesy would be nice.
• If they persist make clear that you feel their behaviour is harrassment.
• Turn away and do not help them to take your picture.
• Take their photograph for reference/evidence.
• Share the photograph/information on any systems which are set up/
• In the worst case scenario be prepared to make a complaint to the police.

We will be raising this matter with the local police and asking for their advice and support.

Please stay splendidly courteous and polite to maintain the moral high ground.  I would however suspect that if thirty or forty steampunks all started pointing their cameras or phones at the troublesome steampunks and photographing them they may just get the message.

[Augustus Longeye]

What's more, I'd love it if one of the togs complained about you taking their picture
~Longeye~

[Grumfoss]

[

• Inform the photographer politely that they are being unpleasant and courtesy would be nice.
• If they persist make clear that you feel their behaviour is harrassment.
• Turn away and do not help them to take your picture.
• Take their photograph for reference/evidence.
• Share the photograph/information on any systems which are set up/
• In the worst case scenario be prepared to make a complaint to the police.

We will be raising this matter with the local police and asking for their advice and support.

Please stay splendidly courteous and polite to maintain the moral high ground.  I would however suspect that if thirty or forty steampunks all started pointing their cameras or phones at the troublesome steampunks and photographing them they may just get the message.

A good list to follow.

[Revd_Jericho]

One tog outside Charlotte House was particularly abrupt...
Another tog in the market square area was also rather rude.

Perhaps it is not surprising that these annoying individuals were hanging around in public places where we (the VSS) have no direct ability to challenge them.

It is down to steampunks therefore to respond to this unpleasantness themselves...

• Inform the photographer politely that they are being unpleasant and courtesy would be nice.
• If they persist make clear that you feel their behaviour is harrassment.
• Turn away and do not help them to take your picture.
• Take their photograph for reference/evidence.
• Share the photograph/information on any systems which are set up/
• In the worst case scenario be prepared to make a complaint to the police.

We will be raising this matter with the local police and asking for their advice and support.

Please stay splendidly courteous and polite to maintain the moral high ground.  I would however suspect that if thirty or forty steampunks all started pointing their cameras or phones at the troublesome steampunks and photographing them they may just get the message.

In the case of the photographer at the Charlotte House I did let him know (politely) that his behaviour was inappropriate and that a please and thank you costs nothing. (I always attempt to be polite, the rudest thing I would do would to be to walk away without saying anything). The one in the Market Square I didn't chance to talk to him as we were hurrying to the Assembly Rooms at the time and didn't really have time to stop for photos.

It did occur to me that the rudest togs we saw were in the public areas. We didn't have any problems with togs in the castle grounds. I was mostly posting this because I was surprised as the togs at Lincoln have never been as 'in your face' as the ones at, say, Whitby.

By the way, I think that is an excellent list of advice and I would always, always suggest that the best thing to do is to be as polite as possible, even if you have to also be quite firm.

[TimeTinker]

As an alternative what about a steampunk accosted by an unpleasant Tog should adopt the "Invasion of the Bodysnatchers" point and scream to be joined by every other steampunk around?



A Tog surrounded by steampunks pointing and calling might just get the message.

(Tongue firmly in cheek btw)

[Revd_Jericho]

As an alternative what about a steampunk accosted by an unpleasant Tog should adopt the "Invasion of the Bodysnatchers" point and scream to be joined by every other steampunk around?



A Tog surrounded by steampunks pointing and calling might just get the message.

(Tongue firmly in cheek btw)

I LIKE IT!

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Screaming no, it might alarm passerbys unduly, but shouting "Rhubarb!, Rhubarb!" and pointing would work.

[Revd_Jericho]

Perhaps just a terribly disappointed group tutting. With some light head shaking.

[TimeTinker]

So pointing, tutting and headshaking with the odd muttered "poor Tog"?

[Grumfoss]

That would work

[Mr Peter Harrow, Esq]

Well I could always make a new trophy head.

[Capt. Dirigible]

if thirty or forty steampunks all started pointing their cameras or phones at the troublesome steampunks and photographing them they may just get the message.

troublesome photographers, you mean, surely?

[TimeTinker]

if thirty or forty steampunks all started pointing their cameras or phones at the troublesome steampunks and photographing them they may just get the message.

troublesome photographers, you mean, surely?

Quite

...and now you have quoted me I can't go back and edit out my typo pretending it never happened... thanks mate!

[Capt. Dirigible]

...and now you have quoted me I can't go back and edit out my typo pretending it never happened... thanks mate!

 Ah but I wasn't the only person to quote you so even if you did change it and I edited my post to remove your quote then the several other people who quoted you would have to edit theirs as well and that's a lot of hassle. So you're just going to have to live with the embarrassment...sorry.   ;

[Miss Calendula Malmesbury]

Just for information I contacted the photographer who posted the picture of me with the objectionable caption via Flickr and he has altered the caption and apologized.  Perhaps he may think twice before captioning someone else in that manner in the future and causing further upset.  I do hope so.

[Fat Spider]

How we get the message out to the Togs is also important.  Well behaved and polite Togs, especially ones on here, could help.

Unfortunately trying to get that message across would fall mostly on deaf ears, I personally know several who will stop at nothing in order to "get the shot" the funny thing is they are all very nice respectable people in all other respects, it's as if the camera itself has some kind of thought control over them.

The best way to deal with troublesome togs has already been mentioned, just ignore them or do everything you can to ruin their shot, the fact is the more determined the tog, the more not getting the shot will upset them.

Michael Caine had a rather good way of dealing with the Paparazzi, he would simply stand and pose and be as encouraging as possible, pictures of him became two a penny and the Paparazzi lost interest
Unfortunately those tactics won't help much here.

Sadly I didn't get to Asylum and I even missed the second gathering at Saltaire having been coerced into going to Blackpool with my grandchildren to see the illuminations (but they're worth it )

[Llrael]

Perhaps just a terribly disappointed group tutting. With some light head shaking.

I'd be in with that, I tut with the champions (whilst, naturally, thinking "prick"). The difficulty comes if, as Michael McIntyre put it, you think "tut" but say "prick".

[Trinitytrashuk]

I shall be producing a range of fans for the ladies that say "If you like this photo imagine how splendid it would have been if I had been asked politely".

These can be used when no request is made or to remind people to be polite.

Oh I love the Bodysnachers idea, but with something amusing and steamy... maybe "poop poop" in the style of Toad of Toad Hall!

It will confuse and highlight the person in question to other splendid people in the know 

[Fat Spider]

I shall be producing a range of fans for the ladies that say "If you like this photo imagine how splendid it would have been if I had been asked politely".