How to overcome your fear?

[Heatcliff]

I was out with the missus walking around the city when it had recently snowed. We were just doing some shopping for christmas and such, however it seemed a perfectly good opportunity to try out a few new techniques I had picked up from, well mostly DPS.

Now, I've always been a tad different than most people. I generally do not really care what people think of my appearance, and therefore I have little problem running around town with a photocamera in my hands, looking slightly touristy :P

Still, on this particular walk I saw this great shot. There was an older man selling salmon sandwiches. The salmon was prepared in a black oven, where the salmon hung from the top, whole ones, large ones. In the background you would have a city moat, snow everywhere, and the sunlight coming in from an angle that was just perfect.

I didn't shoot it. I felt embarrassed to take the picture with the older man in it, especially because he was in heavy conversation with a customer.
Instead, I took a picture from the side (see: Salmon sandwich stand).

So, my question for you is this: How do you guys deal with this? Do you just point and shoot, do you ask permission, how often do the more experienced readers encounter this problem?

I would love to hear your tips and experiences

That said, I wish everyone a fruitful 2010, may you succeed in all your endeavors

[Preacherman]

Hello Heatcliff and welcome to DPS. I went out a couple of weeks ago after being motivated by some pics posted by one of our group, Beachcomber. I went into Manchester, UK, and there was a busker playing his guitar, and a man selling balloons. I decided to adopt the "don't ask, just shoot" approach, and in both instances not only did they not mind but they both posed and smiled. The fact that they did pose actually ruined the shot, but it told me that they certainly didn't mind. I could have been just lucky I suppose, but it gave me confidence to do it again. I will be interested to read the experiences of others. PAUL

[PnwGuy]

I've been shooting more than three years and I still struggle with this. I've never regretting taking a shot but I've kicked myself quite often for NOT taking one. I'm getting more comfortable though.

I don't like people noticing when I take shots of them. If they do notice, I'll peek over the camera, wave and smile, then approach them offering my email addy so they can get a copy. Even if they don't notice my I might approach and show them the viewfinder and offer contact information. I've never had a problem.

More recently I was looking for a shot of a homeless person for the DPS Storyboard assignment. It took all the courage I could muster to park, walk the block to where he was, approach him, tell him I was a photography student (not quite the truth) working on a project and asked if I could get a few shots. So out of my comfy zone. He said no problem. It was cold and I asked him how he was doing, gave him five bucks and told him to just ignore me. I crossed the street and spent about 5 minutes taking shots. This is at the end of an off-ramp and many cars and people were around. I just blocked it all out and kept shooting. That built my confidence in that area.

I think the best thing is to just go for it.

[BEGM83]

i take the 'sod it and shoot' approach
recently sat in trafalgar square just people watching and taking photos looking like a tourist in tourist spots tends to help

[sk66]

Originally Posted by BEGM83

looking like a tourist in tourist spots tends to help

So does longer lenses.

[chl0e]

I have this but I even feel quite self conscious photographing just objects in busy places.
I was photographing today in a town centre and a load of people started yelling at me which was disconcerting to say the least!

I'd never be brave enough to ask to photograph someone so I tend to avoid people photography.I don't know about you but if I found a pic of me on someone's flickr I didn't know they'd taken I'd be kinda freaked out so I don't do it to other people just incase they would feel the same!

[BEGM83]

Originally Posted by sk66

So does longer lenses.

Im a cheapskate though

[AndCity]

I know what you mean! It took me about three weeks to manage to get my camera out in a busy place. But it's so rewarding... so many stories can be told when people don't know they are being photographed. Attached is one from my recent trip - BEGM, you'll recognise it, are you in it?

[diminutives]

Hello! You have hit on a subject that was very near and dear to my heart! I finally decided... just take the picture! If they say anything, then deal with it. And you know what, they haven't said anything yet!

Funny thing is, the first few times I was taking a pic in public, I would position myself in such a way that I hoped I was "incognito"... ended up I was more of a spectacle that way and people would eagerly invite me to just take the picture... as many as I wanted!

Christine

[Jim Bryant]

Just take more and more pictures of people, sooner or later, you'll gain the experience and become more relaxed. Most of the time I just strike up a general conservation with my subjects, if they have the time. That's what documentary/photojournalism photography is all about........having people in your pictures that show the spirit of the location you are photographing.