how do i get comfortable?

[ranshawt]

I'm new to taking pictures,... I've always carried around my little digital but for christmas I got a nice Canon Rebel that is much bigger and more attention seeking than what i am used to!

I am signed up for a photography class this fall, that im hoping will increase my comfort levels but...

hoe did you get comfortable carrying around your camera? did you ever feel embarassed, everyone looking at you? is it just a matter of being confident in your abilities?

any tips/tricks/advice/experiences will REALLY help. i love taking pictures but i find myself leaving the camera at home SO often becuase im not comfortable carrying it around yet!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

[DanielLane]

For me, it was just carrying it around. Constantly. I never felt embarrassed or anything, unless it was because in the beginning it took me longer to set up for the shot. Sure some people look at you and try to see what you are shooting, but so what. Don't worry about them watching you since you will most likely never see those people again anyway.

So just carry your camera. Carry it everywhere. Don't worry about it. People may look, but not in a bad way. Just think about hen you have seen a photographer working. Didn't you try to look and see what they were doing and what they were shooting? It's the same thing. They just want to see what you see. Keep carrying it and you will get comfortable. Don't worry, just shoot!

[mosgood]

I think you just get used to it over time. Practice makes perfect, so take your camera & venture out to someplace interesting. The more you use your camera, the more natural it'll feel to you. If you look like you're happily shooting away, just there to get your shot, you'll seldom get questioned.

I honestly don't remember if I got embarrassed early on...it's been way too many years since I first picked up a camera. The other thing is....I have found I have seen the most amazing things, when I don't have a camera handy. So now it goes everywhere I go. LOL I am less likely to miss a shot that way.