Shooting in public

[AJ Jewell]

So far, I have been taking pictures in my house, just trying to get a feel for lighting, metering, etc. One thing that I seem to be a little timmid about is actually going out in public with a tripod and taking pictures of things that you dont really see people taking pictures of. My question is: Does it take time to get used to walking around and taking pictures of drainpipes, or is it just me?

 

[LaFoto]

Most of us are a little timid and personally I still prefer to be on my own, in the fields and woods and countryside, to take my photos.
But as soon as you put up your tripod, you look "professional", anyway and people will see you differently (I always hope).
I remember when my friend and I went to that flower exhibition and walked around with our SLR and DSLR (respectively) about our necks, and camera rucksacks on our backs and I also had the Leica on my side and the compact digital camera for quick snaps ... and that one lady approached us and said: "You two look like you work for the press, maybe?"

There is no real advice I can give you to overcome your inhibitions, other than: just go outside and take your photos!
What is it to other WHAT you take photos of?
Often even my husband wonders what on earth I am stopping for AGAIN to take a picture, and when he sees the result he says: I did not even see it was THERE!
So just try. And look as self-assured as possible (it doesn't matter what your inside looks like, as long as you give out the appearance) -- you will see, very soon your attitude will change your feelings and you will lose your inhibitions.

 

[AJ Jewell]

thanks. Im glad im not the only one.

 

[danalec99]

A similar thread.

 

[MightyLeeMoon]

I've found I pretty much put blinders on in public and enter my own world. I sort of pretend there are no people around. (Sometimes putting on headphones helps in very crowded areas.)

But...a note about that...

I've found that I am most unwelcome when taking pictures in downtown areas. I had security guards approach me on multiple occasions telling me I was not permitted to take photos of their buildings. Even if I was taking a photo of something past the building...if the camera was pointed towards their building...I was asked to leave. Being the smartass that I am...I then became tempted to walk across the street and start taking photos of their buildings and wave. *sigh* The responsible adult in me seemed to then take control and steered me to simply smiling and leaving. (Except when one guard walked out and told me I was not permitted to “Lotter.” To which I had to ask “Do you mean I am not permitted to “Loiter?” To which the flunky responded “You know what I mean. Just because I don’t speak good don’t mean you have to be rude.” I seriously had to bite my tongue and be on my way after that one…

 

[Chiller]

I kinda have that fear of shooting in public, but then again, lookin at me, the public has a fear of me. Im also more comfortable alone, and away from public places out in nature. I have been escorted out of a cemetery in Toronto for takin pics there. Apparently it is a privacy issue. After I looked into it a bit more, I found that, if for instance a cemetery is privatly owned they make the rules. I can take the same pic from the street, it is o.k , but being on the property was against the rules. My issue was the that there were no signs saying photography is prohibited.
I got hassled by a security guard, at a building downtown, cause I was on the buildings property taking a pic of the reflections off the building. He came out, and told me I was wrong. So I walked to the sidewalk and took the same pic. :lmao:
My biggest problem is people in my shots. I have had a finger pointed at me a few times, by somebody saying..."you better not get me in your picture" I have wanted to reply..."then get the f......the way" , but stay quiet.
I was also hassled at my buddies sons hockey game. I was invited to come take a pics of him in his uniform before the season was over. As soon as I pulled out the camera to take his picture...in the hallway...I was hassled by security, cause another "mother" complained I had a camera.
Now I just check out the surroundings, or ask whoever is in the area, if I can take photos there.

 

[loopy]

As soon as I pulled out the camera to take his picture...in the hallway...I was hassled by security, cause another "mother" complained I had a camera.

Heaven forbid you take a picture of your son, what a nut, like she has never taken a picture of her son/daughter before.

…Some people eh?

Anyway, I get a little shy in public when with my camera but I'm starting to overcome that. I find it helps to have a buddy to chat to when I'm shooting.

 

[Fate]

I was also hassled at my buddies sons hockey game. I was invited to come take a pics of him in his uniform before the season was over. As soon as I pulled out the camera to take his picture...in the hallway...I was hassled by security, cause another "mother" complained I had a camera.

I had the same problem when i was photographing my brothers football match.... i was really angry actually.... i mean for gods sake im only 16..... ok, i have long hair, but do i really look that suspisious lol But i solved it with some kind words to the manager and it was fine

 

[Oldfireguy]

i mean for gods sake im only 16..... ok, i have long hair

That's it! Game over! A 16 year old with long hair and a camera. Trouble in the making:blushing: Chiller, just seeing your photo scared me

This has been discussed before. I thought sporting events were an open public forum and open to photographs. Besides if you know someone on the team how can you really be stopped unless it is posted? Does not make sense to me. Opps getting off subject.

As far as shooting in the public, you get used to it. I have been wanting to get up to the Port of Olympia to shoot the war protesters but so far have not. Not because of being timid but because of the pepper spray that has been getting shot out at them by the police.

 

[wjastrow]

The most exciting and rewarding day of photography was the one I boldly walked around the Pike Place Market armed with my Nikon D70 and a 70-300mm lense. I got some interesting shots, I got some embarassingly horrid shots, but I had a blast.

I haven't really repeated this since.

Privacy is a huge factor and I feel like I'm intruding (although eyeing the 80-400mm VR lense). There is the "commerical use" issue. If you manage to get a one-in-a-million shot, "ownership" could become an issue.

I've seen discussions about "private property" and "privacy". Basically, if you're shooting from a "public" place, you're okay. I'd think common sense would dictate how far to push that.

People react oddly to a camera. Some dodge it, others ham it up, but most are unaware that they're about to become a part of a larger image. On those occassions when I'm ambitiously shooting in public, I try to respect people who want to "hide" by lowering my camera. That's one of the many advantages to digital media, though; you can shoot and delete until they either clear out or resign themselves to being part of the shot.

 

[Chiller]

I had the same problem when i was photographing my brothers football match.... i was really angry actually.... i mean for gods sake im only 16..... ok, i have long hair, but do i really look that suspisious lol But i solved it with some kind words to the manager and it was fine

We even had permission from the arena, and they went back on that. This "mother" did not want her kid in my buddies sons picture. Some people can go a bit to far. I was also standing with other parents. But because this lady made a fuss, I had to put the camera away.

Hey Fred...The picture is worse in person..wwahahaha...

 

[JOAT]

When I first got into photography I was a little hesitant to take any pics in public, but once I started I had no care in the world. I'm sure many can relate when I say that when I take pictures I'm in my own world....everything else gets blocked out (though you should always be aware of your surroundings).

Since most of my shots are of nature and landscapes, I haven't run into any problems yet, except for going to certain events. It's always best to know ahead of time the photography policies of the place or event. It also doesn't hurt to have a printed copy of those policies handy just in case. At a Toronto Raptors game this year I was stopped by security but after showing them the policies according to the website, they had no choice but to let me go on my way. Be careful though when shooting in public where there are alot of kids. Parents can be very sensitive when it comes to their children, which is understandable.

 

[964]

I like to photograph people mainly, so have had numerous 'incidents' - but nothing serious - well, ok one time I was semi-chased down the street but mostly its hostile looks...but I actually find that it doesn't happen very often - especially if there is something else going on and people are distracted....