Weird question - TravelPUNK Backpacker College Student Budget Travel Message Boards!

medsoc · 06-19-2006, 10:23 PM

This is a weird question regarding taking pictures of yourself while traveling solo. Sure, there will be times when you meet or make friends to take pictures of you, but what about those moments when you stand in front of the Eiffel tower, within the Colloseum, or on the beaches of Dubrovnik.. and you want that really great shot with you in it!

I see 2 options: both requiring some trust in strangers.

a) Ask someone if they wouldn't mind taking a picture for you. And hopefully they don't take off with your camera while you're saying "cheese!".

B) Buy a mini tripod and hope someone doesn't run by and swipe it.

Can all one do is bite the bullet? thoughts?

**space virgin** · 06-19-2006, 10:50 PM

I don't know how great my advice is considering that I don't like pictures of myself in front of monuments/places/etc. (I like pictures with other people, and if THAT is in front of a monument, that's ok. Just my little weirdness.) But trusting other people to take the shot isn't a bad idea. Especially if you return the favor!

Or... just pick someone who looks like they don't run very fast.

**TheJake** · 06-19-2006, 11:24 PM

i always had trouble with the language barrier so i'd just do the timer thing...

**LostFarmboy** · 06-19-2006, 11:27 PM

Ummm....I just seemed to have friends from the hostels with me everytime i wanted a picture taken. But, i rarely did get photos of myself taken in front of things, i'm not really into that, i can see what i look like anytime.

**omisan** · 06-19-2006, 11:38 PM

Just hold the camera out in front of you at a weird angle. You not only get your travel photo, but also a totally emo MySpace photo! Scrawl in a journal and cry like a bitch to complete the scene.

**tumblezweedz** · 06-19-2006, 11:44 PM

We've had people approach us offering to take a picture of the whole family together, generally I trust people and thank them - never had a problem yet. Chances are, if you see someone else with a camera looking at the same thing you're looking at, and they speak English in a non-English speaking country, they're tourists too and will gladly take your picture and then give you your camera back. People are generally good, have faith.

**space virgin** · 06-20-2006, 12:04 AM

Omid that's SUCH a cute picture of you!! Love what you've done with the hair.

**bluepea** · 06-20-2006, 01:12 AM

Guys with hair prettier than mine = priceless.

I'm all for taking funky photos, those including me with somehting funky in the background so people know I'm not a liar. But, we were taking our own photo today and this super nice ouple ofered to do it for us. they were so nice... i like nice people

**ScarlotteDorian** · 06-20-2006, 01:47 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Jun 19 2006, 10:38 PM
Just hold the camera out in front of you at a weird angle. You not only get your travel photo, but also a totally emo MySpace photo! Scrawl in a journal and cry like a bitch to complete the scene.

[snapback]127122[/snapback]

ya know omid, i wonder if there will ever be a time when you're not funny? like if you're buying toothpaste @ the super market? or in a coma?

rae_of_sunshine · 06-20-2006, 02:13 AM

I´m glad someone asked this question, cause I was wondering the same thing

I´ve taken a whole roll of film in 4 days and there´s not a single picture of me in it, which is fine with me, but when i show the pics to people back home they´ll be quite bored with them. I took a self shot the other day and i´m sure it will be a picture of my nostrils!

**MeTurk** · 06-20-2006, 07:48 AM

3rd option. ...
..Dress in some ye olde gettup and hover around groups of old people, one of them is bound to want a picture taken with you. Once the picture is taken you can then steel the camera and do a legger (or walk, they are old after all). Might get a few quid for the camera an all.

**omisan** · 06-20-2006, 10:01 AM

Quote:

Omid that's SUCH a cute picture of you!! Love what you've done with the hair.

Yeah, apparently I've atrophied severely and gone pale, too.

Quote:

i wonder if there will ever be a time when you're not funny?

When I'm top of your m-- ok, I won't go there.

Back on topic - I guess I'm totally trusting of people. I always hand my cameras off to people and have them take photos of me and my travel companions. Maybe I'm a believer in karma. Or maybe I just know if anyone tries to run off with it, I'll finally get to pull all those UFC moves I've wanted to try.

The most frustrating thing is when the people you hand your camera off to can't figure out how it works. If they're old, the whole digital thing shellshocks 'em. If they're young, they're dumbfounded by how different a Sony is from, say, an Olympus. I like Dane Cook's take on that - "The button's where it's always been..." haha

And then there's the case of handing someone the Holga. "WTF!? This thing is plastic? Does it take good pictures? Why is it so cheap? You use film!?" Actually, that one's a good conversation starter. Always hand the Holga to an attractive member of the opposite sex.

**Joker** · 06-20-2006, 10:08 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Jun 20 2006, 10:01 AM
"The button's where it's always been..." haha

Love that routine.

**florencia9699** · 06-20-2006, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Jun 20 2006, 03:01 PM
If they're old, the whole digital thing shellshocks 'em.
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OMG this is so true!! This summer my friends and I were at the beach and we wanted a picture by the sea shore, so I asked this lady who seemed trustworthy (I'm a freak about whom I give my camera to) and about 40+. So. we're all smiling at the camera... the lady is fuzzing with it and suddenly two AA batteries slide out of the camera and slip into the water... Some how, some way she managed to open the battery compartment instead of pressing the shooter...

Serioulsy lady.... the button's where it's always been!

ladaz · 06-21-2006, 09:56 AM

And if you want a really interesting photo, do what some of my friends and I do - ask a little kid to take your photo (asking their parents first, of course!!!). You'll get all kinds of great, strange photos, make a little kid's day, and easily be able to chase them if they run off with your camera.

Down side? They could drop it, break it, or are even more incompetent than the average adult at taking a photo. But hey, it's fun and and a fun story of why there is only half of you in the photo.

**urOZm8** · 06-23-2006, 09:58 PM

Quite often there is another tourist wanting the same shot, you take a photo for them and they return the favour. It's too easy.

ev

**c0urt** · 07-07-2006, 08:44 PM

thats how i usually do it, it is a great chance to fondle someone elses camera, but i also typically have a tripod and my remote as well

Ashe · 07-09-2006, 10:04 AM

I always just choose carefully who I ask, a woman with kids is always a good option, or if there's someone standing nearby in a professional capacity, stall keeper, police person etc. And old people.

Echeverry · 07-09-2006, 04:22 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by omisan@Jun 19 2006, 11:38 PM
Just hold the camera out in front of you at a weird angle. You not only get your travel photo, but also a totally emo MySpace photo! Scrawl in a journal and cry like a bitch to complete the scene.

[snapback]127122[/snapback]

Dude this is the best thing I have read in the longest! Emo people make me giggle inside! oh oh yeah I normally carry my mobile (and HELLS NO I WOULD trust someone touch my little Gertrude)

(R.I.P Gertrude) Yeah just try and figure an angle and take the picture for yourself or buy one of those dispo digi cams and let random people take pictures of yourself.