Rude divers

[Lorenzoid]

I think the "rude photographer issue," as bowlofpetunias referred to this oft-raised topic, can be attributed to a number of things: lack of situational awareness (or "obliviousness" as Saboteur said), lack of control in the water, a sense of entitlement to get the shot, a sense of having only a limited opportunity, competitiveness with other photographers, and perhaps more. In any given instance, a photographer may succumb to at least one of these. There is more to underwater photography than just taking a good picture, and even more when you're among other divers. I haven't taken an underwater photography course, but I would hope this is not glossed over.

 

[Jim Lapenta]

At one time I would have advocated the punch to the back of the head, finger, rip the mask off, etc.

However, there is a much more satisfying non-violent way to get these clods.

If you are carrying a camera, find a piece of trash, rock, crack in the coral, etc. With absolutely nothing in it. Act like you have found the Holy Grail, the Ark of the Covenant, and Bigfoot all at one time.

Move around it and shoot it from several angles. Then as soon as someone else shows up, give a big fist pump to yourself.

As they swarm like buzzards on a gut wagon to see what you are so excited about, point indistinctly at the now invisible item. While they jostle and jockey for position, slowly back away and extract yourself from the area. Then go find something interesting to shoot a photo of. If you see them coming, repeat the exercise above.

When they ask you on the boat what all the excitement was about, just smile and say "The most amazing thing I've seen yet. Something I want to keep to myself to savor."

It will either drive them nuts or convince them that you are crazy and are not to be followed for shots since you don't know what you are doing.

If you really must show them what you were shooting. Due to their insistence and pestering, keep a photo of oh say an elephant, rhino, or Mickey Mouse in your photo file that you can pull up in sequence.

 

[Bubblesong]

As they swarm like buzzards on a gut wagon...

Love this picture!
I might have said I'd found a new species, and asked them for help naming it since there will be somone who swears they saw it too.

 

[billt4sf]

Ironic that my worst experiences with Photographers are the ones with the big expensive systems.

MINE, Too!!

 

[billt4sf]

I think the "rude photographer issue," as bowlofpetunias referred to this oft-raised topic, can be attributed to a number of things: lack of situational awareness (or "obliviousness" as Saboteur said), lack of control in the water, a sense of entitlement to get the shot, a sense of having only a limited opportunity, competitiveness with other photographers, and perhaps more. In any given instance, a photographer may succumb to at least one of these. There is more to underwater photography than just taking a good picture, and even more when you're among other divers. I haven't taken an underwater photography course, but I would hope this is not glossed over.

I disagree, Lorenzoid. My guess is simply they have something else on their mind besides diving. Kind of like someone walking down the street with their head in their phone.

- Bill

 

[uncfnp]

But it can go the other way as well. Today I was diving in Cozumel at a site with tall pinnacles of coral. I has drifting/finning around the top of one facing toward the coral when I noticed light on the coral. I twisted around and sure enough I had drifted between the coral and a photographer that I had not noticed. I tried to signal sorry and she signed Ok then I got out of her way.

 

[UFOrb]

Ironic that my worst experiences with Photographers are the ones with the big expensive systems.

This subject came up during a recent visit to Bali. Several guides I was chatting to said a similar thing; that the ones with big expensive set-ups often lack the skills to use them properly. In this case they were mainly talking about divers from a particular big wealthy Asian country (which shall remain nameless)...

 

[Lorenzoid]

I disagree, Lorenzoid. My guess is simply they have something else on their mind besides diving. Kind of like someone walking down the street with their head in their phone.

- Bill

Did I not convey that well when I listed "lack of situational awareness (or "obliviousness" as Saboteur said)"?

 

[tilikum]

The worst enemy of a diver is other divers.

 

[gypsyjim]

I must say that the original, rude photographer with his or her huge bellsandwhistles rigs pales in comparison with their younger cousins, the Go-Pro-on-a-selfish-stick jerks.