Anyone Else Feel Weird Shooting In Public?

[gsgary]

If you look confident there is not a problem just get in close very close

 

[StreetView]

Follow Joel Meyerowitz around for an hour while he shoots street in NYC for some motivation:

 

[emdiemci]

I feel you. As a matter of fact I went shooting on the weekend at my old elementary school (school was closed). And while I shot some graffiti signs, some man comes up to me and tells me what was I shooting at!? I told him look I am practicing my photography and showed him some snaps. He then told me," oh I have nothing to hide from city inspectors but I needed to know why your shooting at". I told him take it easy and to enjoy his day, it wasn't a big deal.

So yea I feel that when I go out shooting in public. Oh well pics came out great

 

[IslandShooter]

I feel you. As a matter of fact I went shooting on the weekend at my old elementary school (school was closed). And while I shot some graffiti signs, some man comes up to me and tells me what was I shooting at!? I told him look I am practicing my photography and showed him some snaps. He then told me," oh I have nothing to hide from city inspectors but I needed to know why your shooting at". I told him take it easy and to enjoy his day, it wasn't a big deal.

So yea I feel that when I go out shooting in public. Oh well pics came out great

Hah, sounds like he thought you was an inspector or something.

As long as you are confident and act comfortable when shooting in public then you won't attract too much attentions.

 

[gsgary]

I really want to get downtown and capture some urban shots but I always feel weird when shooting in public. Sorta like I can hear them say to themselves "What's this guy taking a picture of?" or "What's this weirdo doing?"

Its especially tough to shoot in a busy city and not feel like you're not respecting people's privacy by including them in your shot. However, its not like I can walk around the entire city handing out waivers to everyone.

I dunno... maybe I'm the only one. Sadly, this kinda deters me from going out. Thoughts?

If your worried about respecting peoples privacy street photography is not for you, i couldn't care less what people think as long as i get the shot

 

[DiskoJoe]

I really want to get downtown and capture some urban shots but I always feel weird when shooting in public. Sorta like I can hear them say to themselves "What's this guy taking a picture of?" or "What's this weirdo doing?"

Its especially tough to shoot in a busy city and not feel like you're not respecting people's privacy by including them in your shot. However, its not like I can walk around the entire city handing out waivers to everyone.

I dunno... maybe I'm the only one. Sadly, this kinda deters me from going out. Thoughts?

Oh get over it.

 

[pgriz]

Well, if you're detered by people looking at you, do the following. Put the camera on a tripod. Preferably one that can support a construction crane if needed. That communicates, in unambiguous terms, that you are SERIOUS. Then put a cloth over your head and the camera (but obviously not the lens), just like they did in the old times that were before anyone here was born. "They" are not going to bother you. Guaranteed. However, when doing this, make sure your wallet is not in your back pocket. You don't want to lead anyone into temptation, do you? Oh, and if you want to really fit in, make sure you wear one of those fluorescent traffic jackets - No-one gets bothered when wearing these. Guaranteed.

 

[manaheim]

Errr guys... this thread was posted 09-03-2012, 05:00 PM.

 

[weepete]

I'm stuck in the middle with this one, tbh I dont feel comfortable getting too close with the camera and the subject without permission. At the same time we would never have some candids like we have if photographers didn't.

At the same time I've been on both ends of the camera. I've allways taken it as a compliment if someone wants to take a shot of me, and I'll agree to the pic. I've allways been a bit annoyed by people that don't ask though and Its rude.

I don't think the just get over it attitude helps. Nor the just get up in their face mantra. It might work on some folks who are afraid of conflict. If you are going to have the I've got the right to do anything I want attitude, fine. Get in my face I'll get in yours.

 

[manaheim]

Errr guys... this thread was posted 09-03-2012, 05:00 PM.

^^^

 

[pgriz]

I think Chris is trying to tell us something, but he's being subtle about it. Hmmm...

 

[manaheim]

I think Chris is trying to tell us something, but he's being subtle about it. Hmmm...

Errr guys... this thread was posted 09-03-2012, 05:00 PM.

Errr guys... this thread was posted 09-03-2012, 05:00 PM.

^^^

Damnit! You can't make quoted crap huge!

 

[success100]

ok, long time lurker, first post. I totally can agree with this. Sometimes its a little weird for me because I like taking my camera EVERYWHERE. I sometimes dont care what people say or think, but sometimes carrying a medium sized dslr does kind of make me feel "dorkish" especially considering im a muscular dark guy with tattoos! haha. But at the end of the day, who even cares what people think of you. 9 times out of 10, most the people who form a quick opinion about you, you will never see again in your life, and also wont remember you either. Do what makes you happy is my motto

 

[terri]

Uh-huh. :thumbup:

Welcome to the forum; you'll do well here.

Right, Chris?

 

[Ilovemycam]

I really want to get downtown and capture some urban shots but I always feel weird when shooting in public. Sorta like I can hear them say to themselves "What's this guy taking a picture of?" or "What's this weirdo doing?"

Its especially tough to shoot in a busy city and not feel like you're not respecting people's privacy by including them in your shot. However, its not like I can walk around the entire city handing out waivers to everyone.

I dunno... maybe I'm the only one. Sadly, this kinda deters me from going out. Thoughts?

page 79 from my book....

Peephole ~ Photography of xxx.
　
　
　

　​

On a photo forum, a lady asked about how to overcome her fear of photographing kids and strangers on the street. Kids are a wonderful subject for photography. But in this day and age, shooting kids can be tough. One responder suggested she should use a right angle mirror attachment, like a periscope, to sneak candid shots of the kids.

Can you imagine if I was caught shooting photos of kids with a sneaky mirror attachment? You know what they would think I was doing. I told the lady to be up front and ask permission if she is uncomfortable. But I did not support the spy attachment.

I also told her, if street photography is going to be such a dreaded fear for her, maybe she should accept the fact that she is not cut out for it. There are many areas the photographer can work in besides street photography.

I suggested to her she could try areas such as: Nature, Birds, Flowers, Landscapes, Portrait, Sports, Photoshop Composites, Astrophotography, Macro, Architecture, Travel, Abstract, Parades and Events.

We all have to come to peace with what we do best. In my own case, I aspired to be a fashion and studio photographer. But one day, it sunk in those areas of photography were not what I was suited for. So I accepted that fact and never looked back. I am a street and documentary photographer, and that is what I do best.