Photographer etiquette

The email from Nils:

Allen, here's another thought for a podcast topic - photographer etiquette. Last week on vacation I ventured out around sunset to photograph a landscape from a particular spot. While somewhat remote, the view has been reproduced often on postcards, etc., so I wasn't surprised to see 2 photographers already there with tripods set up. As "the spot" was in ankle-deep water in a narrow stream, space was limited (but available). I nodded a hello to the other photographers but got no response, and got the impression (perhaps mistakenly, admittedly) that a third tripod was not welcome. What's your view on the etiquette here? Should I have asked to share the space, or in a situation like this do the photographers already there have a claim to the space?

I had another situation the next day where a pro photographer entered "my" space to position a young couple within my field of view. In this case I was able to move but was somewhat annoyed at not being asked. Regardless of that, is it expected that an amateur should make way for a pro in such a situation?

Etiquette discussion in our flickr group

Interesting photographer etiquette photo example on flickr

"Starting A Photo Business" Segment

If you like the idea about the new segment ... or if you don't, please email me and let me know. Everyone that responds with an opinion will be entered into the drawing for Rick Sammon's book "Travel and Nature Photography"

Don't forget to tell a friend about the podcast this week. Thanks.