so this will be my first burning man after wanting to go for the past 2 years. and if anyone has an answer to 3 questions, i'd love you forever. i mean, i already do, but i'd love you more than the other guy. girl. both.
1. do people tend to mind if you snap photos of them on the playa? i mean, just shots of people walking or arting or whatever? if i wanted a shot of a single person, of course i'd ask...but do groups tend to mind?
2. as i don't think i'll know anyone else going...any tips on how to join a camp? should i try to hook up with a group ahead of time? try to find a caring group who will take me in once there as long as i contribute? any suggestions?
3. as a photographer/um a poor not talented photographer i feel i would bring nothing to the table as far as goods to trade. or. i dunno. i want to bring something to share, to trade to give. but, i'm not much of an artist. i've been using my imagination and have some ideas, but i feel they're weak and cliche. any thoughts on what can be offered from someone wiht little to no money and a lack of physical artistic abilities who wants to join in the radness?
i appreciate any thoughts you'd have to offer.
yup...i'm new
-
sputnik
- Posts: 7865
- Joined: Wed Sep 08, 2004 6:17 am
- Burning Since: 2004
- Camp Name: Ubercarney
- Location: Detroit
Re: yup...i'm new
I never had any problem, but it wasn't like I was purposely aiming at any group of people. It tended to be groups in front of things, but I keep people to those I know for the most part.macgregor wrote:so this will be my first burning man after wanting to go for the past 2 years. and if anyone has an answer to 3 questions, i'd love you forever. i mean, i already do, but i'd love you more than the other guy. girl. both.
1. do people tend to mind if you snap photos of them on the playa? i mean, just shots of people walking or arting or whatever? if i wanted a shot of a single person, of course i'd ask...but do groups tend to mind?
Although I've heard that it's possible to just show up and join a camp, don't count on it. However, feel free to bring your tent and pitch it anywhere that isn't cordoned off. You might find your neighbors are very hospitable. We did have aa couple of ladies join our camp late in the week.macgregor wrote:2. as i don't think i'll know anyone else going...any tips on how to join a camp? should i try to hook up with a group ahead of time? try to find a caring group who will take me in once there as long as i contribute? any suggestions?
Don't bring anything to trade. Maybe offer to take people's photos with their camera. I know I don't have many photos of myself there. The one I like best was one that someone offered to take of me.macgregor wrote:3. as a photographer/um a poor not talented photographer i feel i would bring nothing to the table as far as goods to trade. or. i dunno. i want to bring something to share, to trade to give. but, i'm not much of an artist. i've been using my imagination and have some ideas, but i feel they're weak and cliche. any thoughts on what can be offered from someone wiht little to no money and a lack of physical artistic abilities who wants to join in the radness?
i appreciate any thoughts you'd have to offer.
Do you love me now?
Hey Macgregor,
1. You should always ask permission to take a photo, my general rule is if I'm close enough to yell and get their attention, then I'm close enough to ask, and when in doubt, ask.
2. Joining a camp is all a matter of personal taste. Some people love camping with theme camps, others love solo camping. I also suggest getting to know the people you will be camping with prior to making any comittments on the playa. Go to the theme camp list for 2004 and browse through the camps that are in your area. Contact them and find out if they are planning on attending this year and if they are having any local events before BM 2005 that you could help with.
3. Check out the thread titled "My favorite Playa Gift" for ideas, I think if you go to the main page you will also find an archive of playa gifts from past events.
Finally, I would go and introduce myself here:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=1391
1. You should always ask permission to take a photo, my general rule is if I'm close enough to yell and get their attention, then I'm close enough to ask, and when in doubt, ask.
2. Joining a camp is all a matter of personal taste. Some people love camping with theme camps, others love solo camping. I also suggest getting to know the people you will be camping with prior to making any comittments on the playa. Go to the theme camp list for 2004 and browse through the camps that are in your area. Contact them and find out if they are planning on attending this year and if they are having any local events before BM 2005 that you could help with.
3. Check out the thread titled "My favorite Playa Gift" for ideas, I think if you go to the main page you will also find an archive of playa gifts from past events.
Finally, I would go and introduce myself here:
http://eplaya.burningman.org/viewtopic.php?t=1391
1) Most people won't yell and beat you up for doing it, but it does bother some. Others like it or don't mind. Best to always ask if you're taking a picture close up. If you're standing a ways back from the man or some other big piece of art that happens to have several hundred people around it, that's a different story.
2) Ask around here, tribe, craigslist. You might be able to offer some sort of artistic assistance or just assure them that you're cool and willing to help setup/teardown. You can go in alone and find a place to camp. Whether you wind up next to cool people who become lifelong friends or a bunch of obnoxious bastards is a bit of a crap shoot. Hooking up with a well organized group ahead of time and gauging their sanity during email discussions will increase the odds slightly of getting together with a good bunch.
3) You don't need anything to trade. Some of it goes on, but commerce is commerce whether you exchange money or something else. If you want to GIFT something.. booze, chilled canteloupe, hugs, an extra set of hands helping assemble a shade structure, etc go a long way. You could also make some sort of man logo pendant or bandana like 500 other burners do every year.
2) Ask around here, tribe, craigslist. You might be able to offer some sort of artistic assistance or just assure them that you're cool and willing to help setup/teardown. You can go in alone and find a place to camp. Whether you wind up next to cool people who become lifelong friends or a bunch of obnoxious bastards is a bit of a crap shoot. Hooking up with a well organized group ahead of time and gauging their sanity during email discussions will increase the odds slightly of getting together with a good bunch.
3) You don't need anything to trade. Some of it goes on, but commerce is commerce whether you exchange money or something else. If you want to GIFT something.. booze, chilled canteloupe, hugs, an extra set of hands helping assemble a shade structure, etc go a long way. You could also make some sort of man logo pendant or bandana like 500 other burners do every year.
In a group situation I always wave the camera and look quizzical, if I am far enough away that I know no one could be identified by the shot I will take it. Note, however, that I put nothing on the web.
Camps, for my first time I knew no one and stayed in Hushville (you must pre-register). Check out the sticky FAQ for ideas.
Trade, I give shit away and if I need something I ask for it -- hey you! hold this, hey, I'm out of duct tape, got any? I make little medallions with the Man on them, some etched glass things and some glow in the dark things all of which I give to neighbors and random people. I offer beer to folks that drop by and to the wonderful couple that makes pancakes in Hushville I loaned my coffee pot and contributed a pound+ of coffee. I make hot coco in the morning. I fix people's bikes. Last year I needed a jump start and simply asked a neighbor -- done. I was in the cafe and noticed a girl who seriously needed some aspirin; stood up and said I needed a pain killer, ended up with numerous things, some of which I turned down and some that I would never give anyone whose medical history I did now know well. (I am not an EMT but I know a lot about first aid and drug interactions.) In my experience if you need something, ask around and someone will give it to you. Note: if you are an absolute DF that has no water and no food don't expect people to be happy about it.
Camps, for my first time I knew no one and stayed in Hushville (you must pre-register). Check out the sticky FAQ for ideas.
Trade, I give shit away and if I need something I ask for it -- hey you! hold this, hey, I'm out of duct tape, got any? I make little medallions with the Man on them, some etched glass things and some glow in the dark things all of which I give to neighbors and random people. I offer beer to folks that drop by and to the wonderful couple that makes pancakes in Hushville I loaned my coffee pot and contributed a pound+ of coffee. I make hot coco in the morning. I fix people's bikes. Last year I needed a jump start and simply asked a neighbor -- done. I was in the cafe and noticed a girl who seriously needed some aspirin; stood up and said I needed a pain killer, ended up with numerous things, some of which I turned down and some that I would never give anyone whose medical history I did now know well. (I am not an EMT but I know a lot about first aid and drug interactions.) In my experience if you need something, ask around and someone will give it to you. Note: if you are an absolute DF that has no water and no food don't expect people to be happy about it.
I like playing with fire.