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voodoochild

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Is this a problem for anyone? I get very nervous and feel embarassed when I am taking pictures with people around me watching (particularly people I know). I dont think I could ever do weddings or portraits because it would cause too much anxiety. Maybe im just a freak? Can anyone relate to this? I would love to have a career in photography but I dont think I have the self confidence. Perhaps I should just stick to it as a hobby.
 
i can relate to this. I put it down to the fact that I am new, and for every decent shot I manage, there are 20 failures. I dread the thought of someone actually coming up to me and engaging me in conversation about what I am doing.

i think it will pass thru time and experience.
 
I think that I'm the opposite. I feel braver with a camera in hand. I try to be polite and not stand on any children but I will negotiate my way to the front of a crowd.
How good your photos are doesn't matter, the people around you can't see and I think that 1 in 20 is quite a good ratio. ;)
Just remember to take the lens cap off. (I speak from experience, it was only brief but enough for people to notice, d'oh!:D)
 
voodoochild said:
Is this a problem for anyone? I get very nervous and feel embarassed when I am taking pictures with people around me watching (particularly people I know).
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Don't!

The average punter(stranger) who sees someone using a 'proper!' camera inherently thinks:
1. She/He knows what he's doing.
2. Therefore must be of a reasonable intelligence.
3. Maybe genuinely partly humbled by 1+2, and or envious.
 
Loopy said:
I think that I'm the opposite. I feel braver with a camera in hand. I try to be polite and not stand on any children but I will negotiate my way to the front of a crowd.
How good your photos are doesn't matter, the people around you can't see and I think that 1 in 20 is quite a good ratio. ;)
Just remember to take the lens cap off. (I speak from experience, it was only brief but enough for people to notice, d'oh!:D)
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I have to agree but maybe the fact i used to be a drummer in a band has made me not care about performing in front of people. ( does it feel like some kind of performance to you ? ) Other bods around you can't see much & as far as they are concerned you nailing the shot every time so don't let them know otherwise. As for the lens cap thing............. at least once per day :bonk:
 
Very much a performance. I think that you might have something with the band association. Hubby is a bass player so I have gotten into the habit of taking the camera along with me. I might only get 1 good shot in the whole night but it doesn't stop me getting in amongst them (when convenient) to try to get a better angle.
Even taking pics of family and friends I find it better to 'put a different head on'.
Bit like Worzel Gummidge. Tonight I have my 'rattling on' head on.

Mind, I think that I am probably a bit older than the some so maybe confidence comes with life experience. I wasn't into photography properly when I was in my twenties.
 
Just make sure you take the shot and move on. It reinforces the belief that you know what you are doing. My no.1 tip is to use a longer lens, so they don't necessarily see you - works for me!

Graham
 
Stress lessens with experience in all walks of life. Go on get out there!
 
I was actually going to ask people on this here forum about this. I too experience anxiety when it comes to taking pictures and I know it is down to me being new but I dunno I just get a little bit embarrassed, especially when I first arrive at the location and start my set up. All will be fine with more practice me thinks.
 
corbystock said:
As for the lens cap thing............. at least once per day :bonk:
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Or...Put the same film through the camera twice :bang: as I did once....Of course nobody knows it happened until you develop the film :gag: (Not a risk with digital).

Two important jobs destroyed in one swift move....Neither of course was repeatable.......I did NOT get much praise that day I can assure you!:shake:
 
I suppose everyone when they are "new" will feel nervous, I certainly do! especially when people are staring at me. but hey, I dont know them and they dont know me so there shouldnt be a problem!
 
It gets easier.

I used to feel the same. The first time I had an audience it was an arranged session with a few folk and their dogs - and they were based purely on the strengths of my photography of my own hound. I was quite frankly bricking it. I got on ith it, and all was well.

I did a few more shoots for folk and it was when I realised that regardless of how I felt they thought I knew exactly what I was doing that things started to improve. I went from hoping everything fell into place to using the folk there to make sure everything went exactly as I wanted. By getting the very people who you are nervous about involved in making the shoot work you will probably get over the nerves quicker.

Like I said, it does get easier, but only if you let it get easier.
 
it's not just me then i alway feel like that and even more so if i am with other togs...but it is getting a little better
 
CrazyJay said:
Or...Put the same film through the camera twice :bang: as I did once....Of course nobody knows it happened until you develop the film :gag: (Not a risk with digital).

Two important jobs destroyed in one swift move....Neither of course was repeatable.......I did NOT get much praise that day I can assure you!:shake:
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I seem to remember being taught to wind the used film all the way back into the canister for this very reason.
 
I get this sometimes, it depends on the situation for me.

In situations where there are other togs about i am more comfortable, things like classic car shows and the like where there are a hundred and one other people doing the same as you i have no problem with at all.

The situations where i am much more self aware is when i'm not particually sure of what i am doing. I don't mind putting myself in the limelight so to speak if i have something to show for it afterwards. For example i quite fancy giving nightclub photography a go. I spent a few years working in clubs and still have good contacts with a few djs, promotors and managers so i know i can get the all clear from at least a few places. But i have not done anything about it because i am not confident enough in my ability yet to put myself in that situation.

So i think confidence in putting yourself on display as a photographer will grow as your confidence in your own ability increases.
 
You are certainly not the only one... I have done a few parties and been so uncontrollably nervous I vowed never again! I think it was in the same week my Brother-in-law said he liked my pics and asked to do his wedding, couldn't say no really.

The wedding is at the end of August and Im panicking already!
 
corbystock said:
does it feel like some kind of performance to you ?
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Very much so. I was actually in a band but quit because I could not face playing in a live situation. I have poor self esteem and very little confidence so I base myself on other peoples opinions. I guess its pressure to perform and impress others with my work. I am quite a shy person, so I guess that is why.

Thank you everyone for your advice and experiences. It has certainly made me feel less alone.
 
I had a random guy stand (and sit) watching me for about 15-20 minutes of shooting pics in a park of scenery... Turned out he was a photographer and just was enjoying watching someone at work... Was a bit weird ***', and because I'm quite shy, I just ignored him and got on with it!
 
i get a buzz with the camera. When an event is happening i turn up move past the crowd and get up close and personal with what ever is happening. I did this earlier this year when the mayoress was opening celebrations for the chinese new year. I even asked her for a pose or 2, i was not hired to cover it, i covered it and i got some sales from it.

The point is that i have learnt you can get to places with a camera normally they would shut you out/push you back, as mentioned in another post, point a camera with telephoto on in a crowd and its like moses splitting the red sea. At this point promptly move to the front.
 
i decided once to begin improving the world with myself)))
now if i see somebody photographing, i go away and don't look - not to disturb them; if i see a person with a camera in the streets taking pictures of the crowds pass by - i try not to be shy and not hide from a camera.. you know many people don't like to be photographed by a stranger)
 
I get self-aware, but only when I'm not on a job. I find when I have something to focus on and work towards, I don't have as much of a problem doing work.

Still, I always have my Press card on me just encase. I usually tell them I'm doing a commission for a trade magazine of some description if they're being particularly nosy and they're not a fellow photographer.
 
Im the same with street photography, i detest the actual act of doing it, but love that side of photography as a skill. Yet, if i had a friend who was doing their thing with me at the same time, id feel a bit more at ease i know it.

Oh well, hopefully it will pass...
 
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