Camera Shy...of a different kind

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

04/09/2003 05:52:13 PM · #1

I have been taking photos since I was a teenager when I started with a Pentax K-1000. I moved up to the Nikon family of cameras, then the Bronica ETRS and even a 4x5. Now I have discovered digital and WOW! I am having a ball. My problem is that i am somewhat shy and I tend to go to places that are less populated (the woods, ocean or my basement "studio") and I know it is because I am self-concious when I take a camera out in a busy public place (like the inner city) where there are people. I know that i am missing a lot of opportunity. Of course after 911 people are very sceptical of others which makes it even worse for me. Any suggestions on how to overcome this?

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

04/09/2003 05:57:45 PM · #2

Does the 5700 have a tilt/swing lcd? I use that feature on my Sony to take 'stealth' mode candid/people shots...

Swashbuckler

Sony DSC-F717

04/09/2003 06:06:07 PM · #3

Most digitals also have the option to turn the artifical sounds off, like the shutter sound that the camera really does not make. That feature also helps greatly in "stealth" mode.

04/09/2003 06:10:09 PM · #4

Yes, the 5700 does have a tilt/swing LCD. Good idea. I have already turned off the sounds before they drove me crazy. I just don't want people to think I am some kind of "weirdo". The people here in NH are rather conservative and private. Should I even care?

04/09/2003 06:11:13 PM · #5

It's funny, I'm the same way. I get self-conscious if I see a good shot and it's in a strange place, or it's not something that people would normally photograph (that's the problem with attempting to be original). I live in a city where there are tons of tourists in the spring and summer, and I also feel like a dork carrying my camera everywhere. I think you've just got to shrug it off. Suffer for your art a bit, I think. Also, the size and type of camera in question seems to legitimize whatever you're doing. If I'm carrying my old Pentax Spotmatic with the 200mm lens on it, people assume that I'm all arty and dedicated. If I've got my little Sony, it just looks to some people like I'm doing a bit of perving.

04/09/2003 06:14:12 PM · #6

If you're really self-conscious, buy an old second-hand manual and a big lens and sling it around your back. Get one of those vests and fill it with a few film cans, and scratch your head a lot as you photograph. It'll make you look cool.

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

04/09/2003 06:16:36 PM · #7

duh, i just read your first post fully. just use your k1000...

Canon EOS-20D

04/09/2003 06:21:25 PM · #8

I feel the same way which is unfortunate because it's people photos that I like the best. Sometimes I do try swiveling my lcd panel up so that it looks like I'm looking down at the camera and not taking photos. What someone else suggested to me, which I haven't tried yet but might, is to have some business cards printed up. If people are fearful or annoyed at you photographing them, tell them what you are doing, give them a card and offer to email them a copy of the photo. The card doesn't have to have your home address on it or anything, maybe just an email address and a link to your portfolio if you have one.

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

04/09/2003 06:22:38 PM · #9

I dunno if the nikon has it, but I have to turn off the laser autofocus assist on the sony if I wanna do that too or people think they are being targeted... lol..

dacrazyrn

Nikon D300

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

04/09/2003 06:23:05 PM · #10

Love all those comments. another thing is...if you are on public property, business property, etc., you are more than likely allowed to photograph anything you like (people in public count). Here in CO there was a big thing with these guys at malls shooting up girls skirts...and apparently it is legal...it was public. Go Figure!!
Another thing to think about. The businesses that wanted to put yellow ribbons up and not allowed, because it is a public area and might offend someone (good grief!), is a good example of this "public area." If any of that made sense. (C:

jmsetzler

Sony Alpha a6000

Sony 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 E-mount

04/09/2003 06:25:00 PM · #11

Here in North Carolina, a shopping mall is not 'public' in this sense... I got asked to leave our local mall one time for shooting photos of the carousel in the food court because *I* didn't have a kid on the ride...

04/09/2003 06:54:38 PM · #12

yeah don't try anything sketchy in malls...it's amazing how liberal they are until you try and do something that doesn't involve buying things. i was doing a project in university about the commercial makeup of stores in local malls (breaking them up into local, national chain, international chain) and as soon as a security guard saw me with the clipboard it was all over. threw me out. the shop people are really wary of you asking questions. they accused me of spying for other malls.

Paige

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

04/09/2003 07:04:07 PM · #13

I felt the same way and still do in some ways. The more you photograph in public the more used to it you become. Sometimes I wear a fake photographers pass around my neck, I don't know if it helps, but I feel better when I have it on. I also smile at everyone, alot can be said with a smile. the fact that I'm female is probably less threatening too.

The Nike slogon "JUST DO IT" applies :)

04/09/2003 07:10:42 PM · #14

Well, I'm glad I'm not the only one that has a problem with this.

I can dig out the old Pentax and the telephoto lens, buy a vest, make a fake pass and smile a lot...but I draw the line at cross-dressing.

Some great suggestions here so far tho.

wingy

04/09/2003 07:15:34 PM · #15

This is one thing about photography that kills me. I've had moderately intense social anxiety for years. In most public situations I can get by without really being noticed very much, so it doesn't bother me so much, but as soon as I take out my camera my nerves go crazy on me. I rarely take photos in any public places when there are people around. I've even been in a park shooting things (not people) and been so unnerved by someone walking past that I immediately shoved my camera in my pocket and walked away. It wasn't even something I thought about, it was practically an instinctual reaction.
I love what candid/street photography captures (take a look at //www.inconduit.com/log/ for some incredible street photography), but as is, I can't get myself to take pictures of anyone but extremely close friends.
I can't say I have any good advice to offer, but I can tell you that I can certainly relate to the problem.... a lot.

04/09/2003 07:19:57 PM · #16

Maybe we should put a suggestion in for a DP Challenge limited to us publicly-challenged people. It would force us out into the streets and possibly be therapy for getting beyond this problem.

04/09/2003 07:23:00 PM · #17

John's ongoing 'My Hometown' project from some time ago would help...how about an informal street photography project?

ruthiek

Canon PowerShot G3

04/09/2003 09:25:43 PM · #18

Some people have already touched on this solution, but here's my two cents:

I always wear a very colorful 'costume' that literally screams "Photographer." My favorite "photographer" costume consists of a bright red hat, a bright turquoise shirt and a fishing vest, combined with my various lenses, etc. Don't ask me why, but it's really helped me get over worrying about who's looking -- probably because I know people are looking at "The Photographer" and not me as an individual.

I get an amazing number of stealthy shots, even in my wierdo get-up. (And nobody ever crosses in front of me while I'm taking a picture.)

The other thing I did to help get over my self-consciousness was go to several office parties and walk around taking pictures of groups of 2-3 or individuals. It was just an exercise to get over being self-conscious, and it did help. But it was agonizingly painful to do.

Bottom line is: the more you photograph in public, the more comfortable you get with it. But I do recommend some kind of "costume" that makes you feel like people aren't looking at you as your own shy self.

Coley

Nikon D810