Well Todd, if it's any consolation you looked darn good and I was very impressed by how fast you could run in those 3" stiletto-spike heels.
Posted by Guy Schmickle on January 5, 2008 at 1:24 PM
Oh the mental image!! Can't....get....rid....of....it!!!
Posted by John Klotz on January 5, 2008 at 1:37 PM
Toddette?
Posted by Carol Hyman on January 5, 2008 at 1:42 PM
Hey, guys, you're just going to have to move the shindig further to the west.
This semi-retired software engineer lives in soUt.
Have a great party.
Carol
Posted by Amy Lindsey on January 5, 2008 at 4:39 PM
I'd love to be the token chick in the bunch, but 1,000 miles is a bit far to drive. I'll be there in spirit! Besides CAZ, didn't you say you liked to wear women's undergarments?
Posted by Laurie Wendt on January 5, 2008 at 5:40 PM
Well it does sound like a really fun time. I do have a lot of frequent flyer miles to use!! Tempting!! Tempting!!
Well....... maybe next year!!!
Posted by Grant Collier on January 5, 2008 at 10:59 PM
CAZ, if you're just here looking for a date, I think you've stumbled upon the wrong group.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 5, 2008 at 11:47 PM
This brings up an interesting point I have wondered about with landscape photography in general and Colorado in specific. Do you think that this primarily male dominated phenomenon is unique to the colder climate states. Or is it an across the board kind of statistic?
Obviously there are a lot of women who love the outdoors even in the cold as can be seen by those participating in winter sports. And there are a lot of talented female artists/photographers.
The ever curious engineer nerd in me wonders about these things. Maybe Toddette or some of the other ladies who participate could enlighten us to why this might occur.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on January 6, 2008 at 7:22 PM
Well Derek I have given your question a bit of thought. I think landscape photography is male dominated in general. It has nothing to do with location or the climate of a specific area. I can only give you some insight on my specific situation but I wouldn't be surprised if other female photographers felt the same as I do.
All landscape photographers have 1 thing in common, they must travel to photograph different locations. Unless you have a very supportive friend/spouse to travel with willing to do what it takes to get the shot (get up very early etc.) you must travel alone. So safety becomes a big issue, more so if you are a woman traveling alone.
I started taking photo specific trips alone in 2002. When I first started traveling alone I felt it wasn't quite acceptable to be by myself. I got a strange feeling from people. I still get the "are you crazy to travel alone" from friends/family/co-workers.
Safety issues prevent me from doing any overnight hikes or camping. That being said it limits the areas that I can reach to photograph. I have hired guides to take me to places I dared not go alone. I'm also careful about starting any conversations with people while traveling. That is unfortunate because I'm sure I've missed meeting some interesting people, probably including some of you in Colorado last year.
I think a lot of women don't want to deal with all these issues. Hope some of this make sense.
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 6, 2008 at 7:36 PM
Laurie,
Yes, this makes very good sense. Heck I don't always feel safe in certain situations now that the mention it. There are many times I have just slept in my car to be 'on location' prior to sunrise. Then I go hiking in the dark and cold with only a headlamp to get to some remote lake or peak for 'morning light.' Obvisouly there is wildlife out there. So there are times in the dark I get a little freaked out, especially on not much sleep when I 'think' I see or hear something. Can anyone say mountian lion breakfast.
And I remember while I was in the Tetons this summer a man was actually attacked and by a large grizzly and hospitalized while he was out hiking alone in the early AM. So things do happen.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on January 6, 2008 at 8:10 PM
Derek,
I'm glad to hear that you have some issues with safety as well. It's funny but I must admit I'm much more fearful of people rather than of wildlife. I really should be mindful of both!
Hi guys...well, it looks like I'm the only female photographer in the Denver area and I am planning on coming though I don't own any red lipstick or 3" stilettos. By the way what are the rules for swapping a photo?
Cynthia
Posted by Amy Lindsey on January 7, 2008 at 11:11 AM
I completely agree with Laurie. Safety is the primary issue for me- more so critters than people. I tend to sleep in my car or a hostel since it's cheaper, but sleeping in a car makes me worry about all the weirdos and possible critter attacks. Being from a flat state and traveling primarily to mountain states I worry about what i'd do with critters we don't have in Indiana (rattle snakes, bears, mountain lions, tarantulas, etc). I generally stay near my car when out alone (no overnight or long hikes for me without families or other photogs around). Lately I've been meeting other female photogs in CO, especially when in CB at the hostel, or I'll call up CAZ to go with me. I also worry about what i'd do if a tire blew or the battery died on the vehicle. I'd hate to be stuck in the mountains after dark without planning to be there.
Some people may also feel intimidated by the male photogs. When I first started a few years back i was intimidated by all the guys and their gear (especially those who looked like they knew what they were doing). It can be hard to walk up to an area where other photogs are if your gear isn't as high tech or as new or if you are young and (hate to say it) female. Having just turned 30 I can tell you i feel like, if there are other photogs around and especially if they are part of a workshop, they might think i don't know what i'm doing because i'm young. Sounds stupid, i know, and i'm sure they don't think that about me. maybe i'm just a bit paranoid. :)
Another reason fewer women are out and about might be because of their traditional role as caretakers. They generally have the kids to look out for and a house to run (pardon my stereotyping here) so perhaps they feel too exhausted or that they have too much to do to spend time in the wilderness. Not having kids i'm not really sure if this is the case, but just something to think about.
I agree with Laurie...I feel exactly the same way, but I go camping anyway, but usually to well populated campgrounds in national parks, etc. I have a topper on my little pick up that I can put a pin into to lock...makes me feel better. I also get the "you go by yourself?" stuff from friends...I always say..."want to come" of course the answer is always "oh, no"...so I'd never get to go anywhere if I waited for someone to say "yes." I will go on day hikes by myself...no big deal...but not backpacking...even though I grew up backpacking. I have locked myself out of my car in Yellowstone Park...thank goodness for helpful rangers...I've also had my battery die on top of Trail Ridge Rd. at the visitor center in RMNP...thank goodness for the kindness of strangers.
About being intimidated...I'm not anymore...I've learned that many photogs don't know anymore than me, but sometimes I ask them questions, and if they give me lame answers then I don't bother. I find that they like to ask me questions too, and I've never felt wierd about it. I also get asked to take group travel photos for people. One time I was actually followed around by a guy at Maroon Bells who seemed to be interested in the same compositions as me...that was a bit creepy...he wasn't very talkative either. If I ever feel creeped out I walk with determination...and keep that tripod handy as something to use for defense. But I've told people who are awed at my traveling by myself that I actually feel safer in the woods than here on the streets of Denver.
Hi, I'm a CSNP member and was cruising around the forums and saw this post.
Laurie & Cynthia, I agree with you! It does seem there are a lot more guys out there shooting than us. I would venture a guess there's less than 6 women in my regional forum. I agree that a lot has to do with the safety factor. I'm probably a bit more independent than is good for me, but if my husband doesn't want to go with me on my daytrips around Kansas, I go by myself. I've never had any problems. Yet... Then of course I get the "you went all by yourself?" comment. I traveled solo to Denver in October to attend the George Lepp seminar (because my husband had no interest in going but I didn't want to miss the opportunity) and all the women in my office thought I was totally NUTS to drive all that way by myself (about an 8-10 hr. drive). And that wasn't even traveling to the wilderness (well, maybe in some ways it was!) I probably wouldn't drive to the mountains and hike by myself, at least not very far. There are a lot of weirdos out there. We need to be careful, yet still be able to have fun. We don't want the guys to have all the fun, do we
Posted by John Klotz on January 7, 2008 at 10:14 PM
Well now, I have been car camping with Derek and THAT was really scary!!
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 7, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Yeah, I will definately need some ear plugs next time. It sounded like some kinda wild snarling sasquatch type beast somehow made it into the SUV. biggrin:
Hi Angela...good to hear from you from Kansas. I went to the Muench part of that seminar...of course, I just took the light rail downtown and didn't drive for day. I'm beginning to wonder if there are 6 women on this forum too...they are few and far between. Keep travelling...I've driven all over the U.S. by myself...I just make sure my car is up to snuff and always be careful and plan well. Maybe there should be an international women's forum on this sight.....?????
I became a single mother a little over a year ago. Since then I've had to sell all of my camera equipment (except for a crummy film P&S). Obviously that has been the main reason for no nature photography. If I DID have the equipment, I doubt if it would have been used anyway, because I absolutely had no free time to travel to any location, and I wouldn't want to leave my baby behind anyway. So the child care aspect is definitely a factor.
In my prior life (before child) I had no fears about safety and often went on long hikes alone. I did notice on those hikes/shoots, that I was drawn more to the more intimate details than the grand landscape.
Could it be that women are more detail oriented and focus more on smaller aspects of the view? (ie: flowers, waterfalls, wildlife etc.)
Speaking of details, Todd, make sure your earrings match your dress
Posted by Derek Sedillo on January 8, 2008 at 2:19 PM
Cynthia please don't! Then all we would have left is Toddette at our get togethers. And you know how he gets when he is the only girl in town. That sassy little monkey.
But more seriously I'm sure it would be good to have a traveling buddy or group of female photographers for you to get together with.
Discussion
23 repliesThis year who will be our shining ray of light among the flannel-shirted, blue jean-wearing mass of engineers who so heavily populate our ranks?
Bueller? Bueller? Anyone? Bueller?
Maybe one of the resident engineers will volunteer to dress up really pretty like.
This semi-retired software engineer lives in soUt.
Have a great party.
Carol
Well....... maybe next year!!!
Obviously there are a lot of women who love the outdoors even in the cold as can be seen by those participating in winter sports. And there are a lot of talented female artists/photographers.
The ever curious engineer nerd in me wonders about these things.
All landscape photographers have 1 thing in common, they must travel to photograph different locations. Unless you have a very supportive friend/spouse to travel with willing to do what it takes to get the shot (get up very early etc.) you must travel alone. So safety becomes a big issue, more so if you are a woman traveling alone.
I started taking photo specific trips alone in 2002. When I first started traveling alone I felt it wasn't quite acceptable to be by myself. I got a strange feeling from people. I still get the "are you crazy to travel alone" from friends/family/co-workers.
Safety issues prevent me from doing any overnight hikes or camping. That being said it limits the areas that I can reach to photograph. I have hired guides to take me to places I dared not go alone. I'm also careful about starting any conversations with people while traveling. That is unfortunate because I'm sure I've missed meeting some interesting people, probably including some of you in Colorado last year.
I think a lot of women don't want to deal with all these issues. Hope some of this make sense.
Yes, this makes very good sense. Heck I don't always feel safe in certain situations now that the mention it. There are many times I have just slept in my car to be 'on location' prior to sunrise. Then I go hiking in the dark and cold with only a headlamp to get to some remote lake or peak for 'morning light.' Obvisouly there is wildlife out there. So there are times in the dark I get a little freaked out, especially on not much sleep when I 'think' I see or hear something. Can anyone say mountian lion breakfast.
And I remember while I was in the Tetons this summer a man was actually attacked and by a large grizzly and hospitalized while he was out hiking alone in the early AM. So things do happen.
I'm glad to hear that you have some issues with safety as well. It's funny but I must admit I'm much more fearful of people rather than of wildlife. I really should be mindful of both!
Cynthia
Some people may also feel intimidated by the male photogs. When I first started a few years back i was intimidated by all the guys and their gear (especially those who looked like they knew what they were doing). It can be hard to walk up to an area where other photogs are if your gear isn't as high tech or as new or if you are young and (hate to say it) female. Having just turned 30 I can tell you i feel like, if there are other photogs around and especially if they are part of a workshop, they might think i don't know what i'm doing because i'm young. Sounds stupid, i know, and i'm sure they don't think that about me. maybe i'm just a bit paranoid. :)
Another reason fewer women are out and about might be because of their traditional role as caretakers. They generally have the kids to look out for and a house to run (pardon my stereotyping here) so perhaps they feel too exhausted or that they have too much to do to spend time in the wilderness. Not having kids i'm not really sure if this is the case, but just something to think about.
About being intimidated...I'm not anymore...I've learned that many photogs don't know anymore than me, but sometimes I ask them questions, and if they give me lame answers then I don't bother. I find that they like to ask me questions too, and I've never felt wierd about it. I also get asked to take group travel photos for people. One time I was actually followed around by a guy at Maroon Bells who seemed to be interested in the same compositions as me...that was a bit creepy...he wasn't very talkative either. If I ever feel creeped out I walk with determination...and keep that tripod handy as something to use for defense. But I've told people who are awed at my traveling by myself that I actually feel safer in the woods than here on the streets of Denver.
Laurie & Cynthia, I agree with you! It does seem there are a lot more guys out there shooting than us. I would venture a guess there's less than 6 women in my regional forum. I agree that a lot has to do with the safety factor. I'm probably a bit more independent than is good for me, but if my husband doesn't want to go with me on my daytrips around Kansas, I go by myself. I've never had any problems. Yet... Then of course I get the "you went all by yourself?" comment. I traveled solo to Denver in October to attend the George Lepp seminar (because my husband had no interest in going but I didn't want to miss the opportunity) and all the women in my office thought I was totally NUTS to drive all that way by myself (about an 8-10 hr. drive). And that wasn't even traveling to the wilderness (well, maybe in some ways it was!) I probably wouldn't drive to the mountains and hike by myself, at least not very far. There are a lot of weirdos out there. We need to be careful, yet still be able to have fun. We don't want the guys to have all the fun, do we
I just had to put in my 2 cents worth here.
I became a single mother a little over a year ago. Since then I've had to sell all of my camera equipment (except for a crummy film P&S). Obviously that has been the main reason for no nature photography.
In my prior life (before child) I had no fears about safety and often went on long hikes alone. I did notice on those hikes/shoots, that I was drawn more to the more intimate details than the grand landscape.
Could it be that women are more detail oriented and focus more on smaller aspects of the view? (ie: flowers, waterfalls, wildlife etc.)
Speaking of details, Todd, make sure your earrings match your dress
But more seriously I'm sure it would be good to have a traveling buddy or group of female photographers for you to get together with.