Did you feel self-conscious at all when starting out?

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Gnaser

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I find it incredibly difficult to use a tripod because I feel like a bit of a tit so often carry it round with me when I'm out shooting but never get it out of the bag.

I think the reason I don't like to is because I'm still very much a novice and don't want to seem like someone who looks like he thinks he knows what he's doing when in fact he hasn't got a clue. Err, or something.

Even when I'm in a rather remote location I feel a bit funny if someone appears and sees me using my tripod. Anyone else ever felt the same about using one, and how long before the feeling ****ed off and let me get on with it because I know I'm really missing out by having to use it handheld.

Strange thing is, I think nothing of hanging upside down out of a tree or lying prone in a puddle of crap to take a good shot if I have to. Just feel weird with a tripod.
 
Same here. Luckily i only take pics of wildlife when using it so at least i'm usually in a place with not too many people around.
 
Me too, I still VERY rarely use my expensive tripod :(:bang:
 
I wouldn't worry about it, I still don't look as if I have a clue what I'm doing and looks aren't deceptive :lol:
 
No, I always use my tripod when ever I feel it is necessary, I don't care what other people think, as long as I get my shot, that's all I'm interested in :thumbs:
 
This is nothing new I dont think. I certainly felt the same, and its only in recent months I have had the confidence to use the tripod in public.

You see, the thing is this............ any other photographers will know why you are using a tripod, as it is the very most basic of requirements, it doesnt mean you are trying to show you are brilliant.

And any non-photographers will not be bothered either way as they dont know why people use them properly so you have nothing to prove there either................. so go for it! :thumbs:
 
When I started I used to feel self concious about the camera, not just the tripod! But as time moves on I am finding myself becoming more confident. I am still slightly concious, but when I get a really good shot I realise it's worth it.
 
I took the dog for a walk a few months ago,I walked past a stream which was flooded and it'd formed a small waterfall so I went home got the tripod set it up and was taking some pictures.

A woman walked past with a dog and gave me a really funny look, what's he doing taking pictures of that.

I felt a right tit, still carried on though
 
Can't say I have ever been afflicted with this mind set. If I need to use it I use it, which ain't very often and don't care what people think. When I see other togs using tripods I do think it makes them look professional.
 
I'm the same. I even feel self conscious with a larger than kit lens stuck on the front of the camera, or if I spend too long composing a shot in a puclic place with people around. I don't know why!

However, I think it is easing slightly. And I put it down to just taking as many pictures as possible, and after a while the camera just starts to feel like an extra appendage.
 
I too was very self conscious ,suppose i still am in some ways.There are some lovely buildings where i live ,nice sandstone textures ,just haven't quite plucked up the courage yet ,it's in the busy part of town ,maybe.. one day soon eh.
 
I used to. I'd say just do it, and you'll probaly get over it.
The other day I got a long exposure shot of a train pulling off. I was getting odd looks when I set up my tripod and composed everything, continued odd looks as I waited around ten minutes doing nothing at all next to my camera, and a whole trainload of odd looks when the thing slowly pulled out of the station. A year or so ago I probably would have felt like a right prat, chickened out and taken the camera elsewhere. Now I don't really give a hoot, and I'm glad because I got a shot I'm really pleased with out of it.
 
Ehh.. sometimes. I think it's mostly because I'm paranoid about someone stealing it though or one of the local chavs hurling abuse.
 
I agree with the snetiment of some of the 'just do it' responses on here. It's definitely irrational because I don't really pay any attention to other people who I see using a tripod; just still find it uncomfortable at this early stage in my hobby. I know I'll get used to it the more I try it; just look anything I suppose but right now it is still something I find extremely difficult.

Much like dancing, sober if there are women around!
 
Yes, the more you do it the easier it gets, but that applies to most things. :)

Like hellogoodbye I get more worried about people knicking stuff. I had a very interesting chat only the other day with a couple of guys in a park in Bedford. They were celebrating with strong lager because one of them had that day finished his suspended sentence period:runaway:
 
If I'm out just taking photos for my own amusement I can feel a bit self-conscious but it seems to disappear when I'm covering an event :shrug:

(though it may stay with me for this evenings as I'm worrying about it already lol)
 
I felt the same to begin with, but you just have to get on with it.

I do find it attracts comments from people though. On one occasion (for a college course I might add!) I was taking shots of the local sex shop at night - lots of neon lights and traffic trails, and one person stopped and asked what I was doing... We had a friendly chat and a joke and that was it.

On another occasion, I was photographing fireworks and I was approached by a guy that worked for a fireworks company. He gave me his card and we arranged a shoot for his next display :clap:

Bottom line is, the more you do it the less it will bother you and the more you will be glad because you did :D
 
I use mine regularly (tripod or monopod). I rarely feel embarrassed using a camera support these days.

I feel more of a prat wandering around with a large backpack full of camera equipment, OK in the countryside, just a good walk spoiled in the town. As a result I very rarely take lots of gear into a town setting.
 
Just Dave said:
No, I always use my tripod when ever I feel it is necessary, I don't care what other people think, as long as I get my shot, that's all I'm interested in :thumbs:
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Have to agreee really, it doesnt matter what other people think, a tripod will only make your photos better in terms of sharpness and 9 / times out of ten, if your using a DSLR, most people with think your a "pro" anyway!
 
I did at first, and also felt concious using my camera hand-held. Now i'm not bothered either way, at the end of the day, if anyone says anything un-toward...what the ****** has it got to do with them?.

That's the way I look at it. :)
 
Hi,

Feel for you. When I first started, I was really self conscious, I still am to a certain extent, but everything when you first start just feels really odd, and you feel like a complete anorak. For me, like any new hobby, I got absorbed totally into it at first and became aware that people were somewhat less enthusiastic about seeing my first macro of a bee on a flower than I was.

For me, what was difficult at the start was resisting the urge to take the camera wherever I went. Initially this was REALLY hard. Every dog walk, night out, trip etc. I was just dead keen. You almost become paranoid that if you don't take your camera your gonna miss an opportunity. I now make the choice, which for me personally has really helped me to relax. Am I going out to enjoy myself (and take just a point and shoot) or out to do photography? That way you can really concentrate on things, rather than feeling conscious that you are boring your mates/partner etc. with your eye stuck to the view finder!

Tripod wise, I was exactly the same. I just persevered and always take it with me. It helps I think when first starting to have focus on what you are going to do it with it. So rather than just taking it along just in case there is something that may need it, take it out with purpose having seen something that you want to shoot like that great waterfall (as above) that needs it.

Just my two pennies worth. Good luck buddy.

Thanks,

A
 
I never really flet/feel that, but I rarely use the tripod in truth. Only for shots where the exposure or light levels absolutely require it.
 
Having just gone out snapping [messing around a bit with my new nifty-fifty] where I did indeed take my tripod, I have to admit that I was quite pleased there were not many people around!

[p.s. Before anyone asks why I would need it, I was using the tripod for my very slow 70-300 zoom lens, as opposed to the somewhat faster(!) nifty-fifty...]
 
I just got over this yesterday. I wanted to take a Timelapse, and couldn't do it any other way.

I'm still very self conscious of using the Big Lens, at a foot long, its very noticeable.
 
I think we all feel a little self conscious the first few times out in public with tripods and stuff, but tbh i found you get over it quite quickly and just go about your business.
 
I have not had the confidence to assemble a tripod in public yet, I am a bit self conscious by nature, but I have overcome the obstacle of taking pictures in public including candids.
I would like to take my tripod out sometime as there are situations when you can get that little extra out of using a tripod to make the shot a cracking shot.
Reading this thread has actually given me the impetus to build on the confidence I now have when taking pics in public.
My images in my recent thread titled "A sign of the times" were taken with a lot of confidence as the sign writer had quite an audience and there was me rattling off shots from all angles not caring what others thought.
So yes, I am going to pack my tripod next time I go out, get over the self conscious feeling, and see what kind of improvement I can make with some of my pics.
 
When I started out, I was very self conscious, although I am a very self conscious person anyway.
Now, it bothers me less but I still feel a bit iffy.
Although saying that, I am thinking about getting a t-shirt made which says 'And that's just the size of my tripod!' :D
 
It's refreshing to see that it's not just me who feels awkward going out and about with one. I feel completely comfortable with my camera, as I said before; it's just the tripod that makes me feel a bit strange but I took it out for an hour or so today and although it's a pain to carry it, I did reap the rewards for taking it.

I think the key for me, will be to take it out with me to increasingly more populated places until I get over it.
 
I started to get into taking daytime long exposures, and so my tripod goes with me everywhere. It definitely is embarrassing at first, but now? Doesn't bother me half as much. Although people wonder a bit more because why do you need a tripod in the daylight?

It's true though, people do tend think you are professional when using a tripod. I've had a couple of people ask me, but it's mainly people who don't know much about photography who ask. I had one man even point to my tripod and say, "what do you call that? Is it a bi-pod?" LOL! :D Turns out he wanted to know because it was one of the questions in his Sunday Times crossword!! :cuckoo:

Also, not just because of the tripod, but even if you've just got an SLR on show, people (tourists) will ask you to take their photo. Hoping to get a masterpiece maybe? Not from me you won't! :p
 
I am a complete noob and feel very self conscious when out and about with camera and especially when I mount it on the tripod. I also worry about getting mugged. I have spent just under a grand on my equipment and it would only take a second for someone to steal it. On my first night outing, it was getting dark and I went to Dover Castle. The car park I chose was full of chavs in their Corsa's etc, so I didn't stop too long as I felt very vunerable. I wanted the location but hadn't assessed the risks.
Does anyone else have this kind of phobia?
 
I too feel quite awkward assembling my tripod in busy, public places but the best thing I have noticed, and to some extent when I'm just holding my dslr, is that people think you're a pro and will keep out of the way of my shots and not walk straight in front of you, so that's very useful.
 
Bob Friend said:
On my first night outing, it was getting dark and I went to Dover Castle. The car park I chose was full of chavs in their Corsa's etc, so I didn't stop too long as I felt very vunerable.D I wanted the location but hadn't assessed the risks.
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Reminds me of one of my outings. I wanted to take some night photos from a hilltop carpark overlooking a city... Seemed like a good idea to me..

Turned up, very late at night and pitch black, only to find the carpark was quite full ! I thought it was quite strange because its quite isolated... The penny soon dropped and I left quite sharpish - those were not the type of images I was after :D
 
I was taking pictures of the sunset at McCaigs Folly at the top of a hill in Oban recently. The evening brightened considerably and my insighful wife suggested we go up there to take some photos. Due to the fast diminishing light, I took and setup my tripod and there were quite a few people up there with cameras but no one else with a tripod. Anyway, I got some good pictures and packed up the camera leaving the tripod to last. I then noticed a couple of people there using handheld SLRs so I offered them the use of my tripod - you would have thought that I was asking them for something obscene from their reaction - a definite no thank you! I can only surmise that some people are put off from using tripods for some reason.
I do feel a bit silly using all the gear including the tripod but, through time, you slowly gather some great shots and the thought of what you might or are able to capture keeps me going.
 
-RV- said:
Reminds me of one of my outings. I wanted to take some night photos from a hilltop carpark overlooking a city... Seemed like a good idea to me..

Turned up, very late at night and pitch black, only to find the carpark was quite full ! I thought it was quite strange because its quite isolated... The penny soon dropped and I left quite sharpish - those were not the type of images I was after :D
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Haha, I bet you've been pricing up infra-red filters since then though.
 
Claire said:
Also, not just because of the tripod, but even if you've just got an SLR on show, people (tourists) will ask you to take their photo. Hoping to get a masterpiece maybe? Not from me you won't! :p
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I gotta say - just reading this - having just popped the question to my missus in front of the Trevi fountain, I then had a couple of American tourists single me out as the ideal person to take their photo! I didn't even have my camera out, that was only 'cos I had my little lowepro bag open! :bang:
 
having only been taking pictures for about 6-8 weeks i started off using a tripod straight away, i dont have the steadiest hand, i sometimes feel like people are watching me, but at the end of the day as long as i get a decent pic that im happy with then i dont care what people think.
 
Yes, i was when i started out. Especially with after match team photos. messed up a few, everybody does. Just act like you know what you are doing. The more practice you get the more confident you will feel.

Still get a bit intimidated by people with big white canon lenses. Does not mean they know what they are doing though, neither do I.
 
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