So who is Uncle Bob and why is he cursed?
For the uninitiated “Uncle Bob” is the name given by wedding photographers to any wedding guest, male or female, who appears at a wedding with either with a bigger, fancier or even Lord forbid, a newer camera than the actual hired photographer or someone who appears to take as many photographs as the aforementioned photographer. Generally speaking though we don’t often see classics like this at weddings. This is a 8X10 field camera and it belongs to Mike, the groom. He’s just come home from honeymoon in Canada and can’t wait to process those negs. I can’t wait to see them myself and despite not having shot any large format film for many years I must confess to just experiencing just a twinge of “lens envy”.
Some photographers may be not always be happy when they see “Uncle Bob’s” big fancy, read expensive, new equipment, can you say “lens envy”?
So what’s wrong with that and why is he cursed?
Absolutely nothing at all and “Uncle Bob” is not cursed despite those few photographers who may say inwardly or outwardly
1. He’s in my way, he’s in everybody’s’ way and he’s distracting.
2. His behavior is disrespectful and people will think he’s with me
3. He’s stealing my shots, i.e. profits
Here’s a quickie multiple choice question for you all;
When confronted by wedding guests with cameras do you
a). Throw a hissy fit demanding that he put down the camera or else you’ll go home declaring all contracts null and void?
b). Wear a sandwich board that states “he’s NOT with ME”?
c). None of the above?
d). All of the above?
From high school days you’ll know that the correct answer is of course c).
Or you can simply consider any or all of the following;
Make them part of the shot.
Wait for them to move, even in rare cases asking them to move.
Move yourself and re-frame the shot from a different position.
Talk to him, obtain his cooperation for those times when he might actually be a distraction.
Most photographers who have been around the block have learned how to deal with the phenomenon of “Uncle Bob” recognizing opportunity when we see guests with cameras and just get on with doing the job we were hired to do, namely finding images. Have fun!
