Who else is "shy" about their photography?

[Car2n]

My thereory? Use a big white lens and jump right in. People around you think you work for National Geographic. LOL
I wanted to get some shots of guys playing baseball. I parked myself right in the dugout and nobody even said a word to me. Go figure,,,

[JoesPhotos]

Originally Posted by blarg

It's harder in a way as I live in a country where I speak little of the native language, so instantly I lack confidence.

I would think that would be a plus. Works for foreigners visiting here. The old theory, "It's easier to ask forgiveness then permission" comes to mind.

[windrider86]

Years ago I was once so darn shy that I couldnt even go into McDonalds and order a hamburger because I couldnt talk to anyone. I was once given advice that life is all about being an actor. Act like you want to be and you will be.
This once shy girl who couldnt walk outside alone learned how to stand in front of crowds of 30,000 people and give motivational speeches. I learned how to talk to anyone by laughing and acting a part. Dont get me wrong, I am still shy. Even tho people who meet me will tell you different, but the people who know me will twell you that i really am shy.Its all an acting thing. Pretend you are confident and you will be!
Same applies for getting your camera out. The more you do it, the more natural it becomes.
If posing your subjects doesnt feel right to you, then I guarantee it feels the same for them. Have fun, be goofy, it will lighten up your subject and you'll capture that wonderful glimmer in thier eye that you wont get if they are feeling uncomfortable.

[smc1377]

I'm not so much shy as tired of the questions from people. And not really from just passerby's or authorities, but from other "photographers".

I'm trying to do a job and people keep asking me questions like what I'm shooting with, what my settings are, etc. It's like, "Dude, can you see that I'm working?"

Even when I'm not working and just out shooting for fun, if I'm trying to get a shot or shots, don't talk to me.

LOL!

I don't mean to be a grouch, but it gets old. I'll tell them about this site and encourage them to join if they want to learn how to use their equipment.

What I also find funny is, people who spend the $$$ on their equipment, but don't take the time to learn how to use their equipment or make the effort to get "the shot". Like, I'll meet people who'll have a 5D with a nice 70-200 f2.8 IS lens attached shooting in "sport" mode while sitting in their lawn chair behind a chain link fence. Seriously? Why don't you get up, go to the opening in the ballfield fence at the very least and take some nice action shots or get that nice angle that shows your grandson's face when he's swinging the bat?

BTW, I'm the guy walking around with the camera in their hands not afraid to snap away at whatever I feel like, even at people.

[windrider86]

if no one asked you would you wonder why? and would you miss it?

[kelleyrie]

I'm not self conscious in public with my camera, as mentioned usually people will pose and help me out(move ashtrays). But as KendraW said, I am very self conscious when posing a shoot. I don't really have a lot of practice with it yet and I don't prefer to do stiffly posed shots so when I have to do them I get all nervous.

[sk66]

Originally Posted by jiminyClickit

As with public speaking, or any performing, practice can turn fear into acceptance, confidence, maybe even joy, eventually.

No need to worry about what others may be thinking: they're too busy with their own worries.

This is funny. I am a "public speaker" by trade. More accurately, I am an instructor. I teach small classes in advanced academics (aerodynamics, FOI etc) I also teach others to fly helicopters. I have become quite confident in that environment, but I still remember trembling in front of my first class.
(shhhh....don't tell anyone)

[Swisstony10]

I get a bit self-conscious too, but I'm gradually forcing myself to work through it. To take this shot - http://www.flickr.com/photos/swissto...49151/sizes/m/ - I had to set my camera and tripod up on a fairly busy street in the middle of Bristol (for those outside the UK it's a fairly big city) at around 5pm in the run-up to Christmas. I had to walk from my car to the location carrying my camera and tripod and then stand around outside a coffee shop to take the shots feeling like a complete fool.

I love the way people hover nearby when it looks like you're taking a picture, in case they ruin the shot. I kept explaining that they could walk across and not affect anything. One woman came over at one point and asked me if I was a photographer. I said "It's the camera, isn't it? It's a dead giveaway.."

But when I got home, and fired the shots into Photoshop to see properly how they looked, all that feeling foolish and worrying about whether I was in anybody's way (I did take care to set myself up in places where I wouldn't block anything) all evaporated. Every time I go out with the camera and take random pictures, I get better and better at ignoring what everbody else is thinking.

Well, it's not really what everybody else is thinking, it's what my mind tells me everybody else is thinking - in reality, I doubt if very many of the people who walk past are thinking "Look at that idiot, taking a photo..."

Russ.

[Laurence]

Sometimes I care and sometimes I don't. If it means missing a great shot, I get over it and just take the shot.

[Saralonde]

I used to care. I don't anymore. I agree with JC that people are more concerned with what others are thinking about them then worrying aout you. The "life is being an actor" idea that Windrider spoke of is true also. I find if I just act confident and take the piictures, no one really cares, other than people trying to help you out by staying out of your way. The only thing I feel a bit uncomfortable with is getting other people's children in my shots, but I even do that depending on the situation.