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05/06/2006 11:23:10 PM · #1 |
I really love taking pictures in my downtown, but sometimes i get a little self-conscious and don't like to feel as though i'm intruding on people..but even though i'm not really intruding on people, i can't help but to feel as though people are watching my every step while i'm taking picture. even though that would be easy for most photographers to ignore, i find it hard to, which usually results in me going downtown and just walking around and only taking very few pics. Does anyone have any tips on getting over my fear of taking picture while lots of people may be watching me?
p.s. i'm not really taking pictures of people, even though i usually get a few in my shots, but the architecture downtown is my main focus.
thanks. |
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05/06/2006 11:37:01 PM · #2 |
there was an article in Popular Photography on a guy who was always able to go out on the street.. take photos of random strangers.. and even get them to sign a model release for him to use in later projects or sell as stock photography.
he had balls.
just for art sakes, take you pictures.. if anyone questions you why you photoed them, the man suggested that you flatter them... "i thought you had an intresting look about yourself. blah blah blah.." that kind of stuff.. or lie to them, and tell them you are a photography student working on a project.. he says it never failed. i have the same kind of fear my self, and have had a few people question me.. one woman was down right furious, so i let her watch me as i deleted her photo from my memory card.. i lost the photo, but saved myself from getting punched in the eye. |
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05/07/2006 12:05:39 AM · #3 |
| Take a tripod with you. If nothing else, it's a better weapon than your camera if needed. |
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05/07/2006 12:06:38 AM · #4 |
Originally posted by Telehubbie:
Take a tripod with you. If nothing else, it's a better weapon than your camera if needed. |
I always feel safe when I have my tripod, no joke.
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05/07/2006 12:34:23 AM · #5 |
Idea #1 - Take a tip from the guys who are the sneakiest by profession - cops with speed radars/cameras. They are almost always in the shadows. I've tried it, it works.
Stand out in the bright sunlight and start shooting. With your other eye look around, people are noticing you. Now step back into the shadows and do the same thing, very few see you there.
Idea #2 - use the longest lens you have. Mine is 650mmm and it's very useful. The downside is camera motion of course as I shouldn't be shooting at less than 1/650th. That rarely happens so I have to find things to brace on and I throw a lot of shots away. So shoot lots.
I don't use a tripod because of the anonymity thing.
Brett
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05/07/2006 03:24:47 AM · #6 |
Taking a small tripod with you can at times help. I know that it may sound pretentious but when carrying a tripod under your arm strangers unfamiliar with photography will believe that you really are a photographer, rather than a pervert. It also really helps with the whole self concept thing aswell. It somehow looks more professional and maybe reasurring for the stranger if you know what I mean. But at the same time carrying a tripod with you all day can be a right pain in the arse.
Look up and around you alot before or whilst taking street photos. Try not to make too much eye contact with your subject. If they do look at you, again, just look past them and pretend you are aiming for something else.
Have a smile on your face whilst shooting in public. It shows that you're confident so people are less likely to confront you. Either that or people will think you're a complete nutter for having a grin on your face, which again, people are less likely to confront you. :)
Sounds silly this one but carry your camera around with you more in public. I at first had a hard time even showing my camera in public...I felt dirty ;) You don't even have to take any pictures, just get up close to people with your camera and see how they react. You'll discover that most people won't even notice the camera. It can be a real confidence builder.
If its people photos you want Practice shooting from the hip.
Ignore the comments you might get from the minority of pricks that you might encounter whilst taking photographs. You'll always get idiots who feel the need to shout out Paedo or something. Just laughing and pointing at them usually does the trick. |
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05/07/2006 03:27:52 AM · #7 |
| Make a couple copies of the Photographers Right and have it ready if you get happened to get questioned. |
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05/07/2006 03:35:28 AM · #8 |
I was asked recently by my friend, why don't I make photos of people. I replied frankly: "Because I'm shy and afraid, that people may confront me on the street". After reading this thread I think I was right but I may wait for summer, when there is a lot of tourists and may start to fight this fear pretending I'm one of them. It leaves me very limited choice of places, but to get more confidence - should be enough. I'm thinking also to take my daughter or son with me and she could help me in conspiracy. I could act as if I'm making her pictures and at the same time, do what I really wished to do. People don't care much about tourist taking pictures of each other.
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05/07/2006 03:36:06 AM · #9 |
Originally posted by moniepenny:
Originally posted by Telehubbie:
Take a tripod with you. If nothing else, it's a better weapon than your camera if needed. |
I always feel safe when I have my tripod, no joke. |
I've found monopods to be easier to handle as weapons. :P
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05/07/2006 04:06:48 AM · #10 |
| Following a post recommending to pretend to be a tourist. It may also depend on what sort of camera you use. A P&S is much less conspicuous than a dSLR with a huge lens and in good light the result would be fit for DPC. Additionally, it may help to give the passers-by time to react to your presence. Prepare the camera and tinker with it for a minute before taking aim. Those who don't want to get into the picture for personal reasons or courtesy are then more likely to keep out of the field of view themselves. HTH |
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05/07/2006 04:23:29 AM · #11 |
| I think almost everyone is nervous about taking pictures of people on the street. One of the things I like about my camera, besides being smaller than a DSLR, is that it has a swivel LCD monitor so I can see what I am shooting without putting the camera up to my eye. I can pretend to fiddle with it and take a picture without alerting someone that I am doing that. Another tip I was given was to use a wide angle with it stopped down so you can take in a lot of area in detail and then crop down to what you want. |
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05/07/2006 04:30:50 AM · #12 |
An exercise that was suggested by a member of a camera club I go to frequently helped me to overcome the shyness and hesitance I had about photographing strangers. He told me to take my camera to a place that had lots of people and find a place to sit down where I could be seen, and perceiived as relaxed and not going anywhere. Just sit there and shoot away. When people are upset let them come over and talk to you. Don't even get up, but if they want to see the shot ask them to sit down beside you. It seems to be very disarming to people if you don't act like you are doing something wrong and are about to run away.
I spent a few hours in a busy park shooting joggers, moms & kids, and even a cop. It worked for me. I am now more relaxed about photographing strangers on the street and talking to them. Give it a try.
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05/07/2006 07:54:10 AM · #13 |
Originally posted by coolhar:
An exercise that was suggested by a member of a camera club I go to frequently helped me to overcome the shyness and hesitance I had about photographing strangers. He told me to take my camera to a place that had lots of people and find a place to sit down where I could be seen, and perceiived as relaxed and not going anywhere. Just sit there and shoot away. When people are upset let them come over and talk to you. Don't even get up, but if they want to see the shot ask them to sit down beside you. It seems to be very disarming to people if you don't act like you are doing something wrong and are about to run away.
I spent a few hours in a busy park shooting joggers, moms & kids, and even a cop. It worked for me. I am now more relaxed about photographing strangers on the street and talking to them. Give it a try. |
I like that idea a lot I think I'm going to give it a try when I get home! |
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