getting over `Embarrassment`

GrittyShaker said:
This was how I began to overcome the fear. Also, at music festivals or any festival, in fact, people generally expect photographers to be there, so don't ask any questions if you get a shot of them. Or if they do ask a question, it's something like "Are you working for the Gazette?", rather than "what the hell do you think you're doing taking photos me? :bat: ".

As obvious as it may be, I find a couple of beers helps too. The fair was visiting my local town a few weeks back, and i went down for some shots. I walked from one end of the High Street to the other and didn't get a single shot, as I was worried about paranoid parents with their kids. :( I popped into the pub at the end of the High Street and had a couple of beers. When I left I felt loads more confident, and was snapping away like nobody's business. :)
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Very good point, Scott :thumbs:! Personally, I never go anywhere sober, unless I really, really have to :lol:.

I like the mental image you've left me with, of you (the mild mannered Clarke Kent figure) pacing the High Street with your camera, then nipping into a pub (instead of a phone box) and emerging as 'Supertog' :D!

In the right hands, alcohol is a great tool :thumbs:.
 
Naboo32 said:
I like the mental image you've left me with, of you (the mild mannered Clarke Kent figure) pacing the High Street with your camera, then nipping into a pub (instead of a phone box) and emerging as 'Supertog' :D!
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:D I'm going to get a t-shirt made with a Supertog logo on. :lol:

Naboo32 said:
In the right hands, alcohol is a great tool :thumbs:.
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Completely agree. :thumbs:
 
I carry a copy of my CRB check in my camera bag, lol
 
I overcame a large part of my anxiety of street photography by making my first outing one to Speakers Corner in Hyde Park, London on a Sunday. The speakers there WANT the attention and there is ample chance to mingle and not be seen in a crowd. I got some great shots from people in the crowds as well as the actual people speaking as well, the heated exchanges made for some interesting street portraits.
 
I'd really like to get into street photography, I find some of the shots on here fasinating.

However walking around Glasgow with my D90 and 50 1.8 I'd feel quite wary.

I'm not great with the chat, so how do you guys break the ice so to speak, any lines we could use? LOL
 
I think Markk above mentioned the key thing for me "That concerned that a bunch of people you'll probably never see again will label you as a wierdo/dork?"
The key being tell yourself at the time when you're embarrased that you won't ever see these people again. I know it's easier said then done but if you remember that it's so much easier!
 
Dude I am exactly the same as you, I went to our local water park the other week and because it was busy I got back in the car and drove home, I felt exactly the same that everyone was looking at me, dont know why, because Im a very out going bloke who is the life and soul on most occations.
 
If you really want the photograph you'll stand there and take it. My quest for better/interesting photographs forces me get round any embarrassment. I still feel it but it doesn't stop me normally. Getting really close and personal is a struggle though.
 
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I got a 50mm 1.8 to play with yesterday and had to pop into a local town so decided to take my camera. Its not the sort of place that gets many tourists but it was a busy shopping area and I wanted to try out the lens so started by taking shots of things, a bench, balloons outside a shop etc. Getting used to having my camera out in public. Then some general street scenes and finally worked my way up to a busker. He was quite good (and raising money for Children in Need with posters up etc), I took a few, walked past and put some money in. He said thanks, so I stopped and took a couple more and smiled at him.

Walked away feeling good that I'd actually taken the shot. Hopefully will get easier the more I do it.

Christmas markets next. :D
 
I'm only young, but I'm slowly realising that -everyone- is weird in some way - if it wasn't the case, the world would be a very very boring place.

This is your hobby - no real shame about it imo.

Tbh, wandering around town with a small prime - noone will even notice. People will see it peripherally, but won't consciously notice that it's there. People walking around get a tunnel vision.

if confronted, just say you're doing it for an art project and it wasn't of them. Wish them a nice day, walk away :) 'art project' or 'I'm a student' are great defences for almost anything in life.

Really is only one way to get accustomed to it - go do it :)
 
itsdavedotnet said:
I'm only young, but I'm slowly realising that -everyone- is weird in some way - if it wasn't the case, the world would be a very very boring place.

This is your hobby - no real shame about it imo.
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You've reminded me that my other hobby - dancing - I'm quite happy to do in the street and have done so (to help advertise dance classes).

itsdavedotnet said:
Really is only one way to get accustomed to it - go do it :)
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:agree:
 
You definitely not the only one, I felt and frankly still do feel rather silly taking my camera out for some unknown reason but I just get on with it :)
 
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