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Posted by Granite Head (69.163.85.128) on 07:59:49 06/25/17
In Reply to: Is the YNP experience changing posted by 46er
I've had very few negative encounters with other photographers. I too use big optics and a tripod, but always try to be respectful of others and their gear set-up, apologize for disrupting their view when I do so accidentally - I never do so on purpose - and if they're looking through a scope or camera that I need to navigate in front of, I say, "passing in front of you" and duck. I politely caution others not to trip on my tripod legs especially when set up very near somebody's feet (as is usually the case) and people invariably respond with "oh, thanks, no problem!" Nobody's ever lashed out at me for doing any of that. Deby Dixon, I'm afraid, is known to have a knack for getting into frictional situations with others. Not saying it will never happen to me, and over the years I certainly have had a few unpleasant encounters with other visitors, not so much around photography, but things like blithely blocking my car in a pullout, getting too close to wildlife (every day all day throughout the park - especially when it comes to those docile bison), endangering their own lives by walking around in flip-flops on the other side of the barrier at Calcite Overlook, venturing off boardwalk in thermal areas, etc.
Meanwhile, I believe this brainless compulsion to ignore regulations AND commonsense to approach wildlife with iPads and cell phones stems from the effort to garner shots like they see in Tom Mangelsen's store and Tom Murphy's books and Xanterra marketing materials. I don't know what the cure is, but I'm documenting it when I can.
Crappy photo using MY phone from the safe enclosure of my car!
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