Getting over self confidence

Mongwopman

Mongwopman

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Damien
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I have been thinking a lot lately about expanding my own knowledge of photography and getting out of my comfort zone by photographing people. However I think I have a massive self confidence issue in actually walking around and taking photos of images. I always think that people are bit wary or even get slightly peeved off if you shove a massive camera and lens in their faces.

So what could I do to get over these issues, what are the best ways to go about getting portraits or photos of people? I sometimes just think Stuff it and go for gold and get it down, but I worry that people think I’m pushy.

I want to develop my skills and am desperate to learn more about taking photos of people. So any tips or advice would be great.
 
1. start with family and friends
2. join a group, like a MeetUp group and go out en masse, its less threatening.
3. go to a class or workshop, like City Lit,
4. take the bull by the horns, put on a smiley face and a rhino hide and go for it. Most people don't mind, especially if you tell them its for some project or other.
 
Photodiva said:
2. join a group, like a MeetUp group and go out en masse, its less threatening.
Click to expand...

call me crazy but that doesn't sound less threatening..... :lol:

I'm also having similar problems with street photography. looking at my collections, most of my street shots are at tourist destination of other people taking photos. or candid taken at 55mm (85mm equivalent) stealthily.

also been taking pictures of dogs, they don't seem to mind and then smile at their owners. im thinking the next step is to look friendly and ask to take photos of owners with their dogs?
 
wuyanxu said:
call me crazy but that doesn't sound less threatening..... :lol:

I'm also having similar problems with street photography. looking at my collections, most of my street shots are at tourist destination of other people taking photos. or candid taken at 55mm (85mm equivalent) stealthily.

also been taking pictures of dogs, they don't seem to mind and then smile at their owners. im thinking the next step is to look friendly and ask to take photos of owners with their dogs?
Click to expand...

I used to feel a bit like that. Get over it. I joined a MeetUp group, had a great time. Did a couple of courses, went to a workshop. The more you make the effort, the less traumatic it becomes. Else go and shoot landscapes :)
 
A good way of getting street portraits is set up a base. The worst thing i always found wad the background was either boring or too messy, so now what i like to do is find a background and just ask interesting looking people to stand in front of it.

I just explained that it was just a personal project and 90% said yes. Once you get the first couple under your belt its easy.
 
my niece has just had her prom, and kindly let me take pictures (an official photographer took pics indoors, but i was let loose outside :D)

maybe someone you know has some kind of event coming up, a party perhaps or prom if they are not all finished by now :)

I told my niece not to pose and just carry on as if i werent there. I had to use a telephoto so i did not make her or her friends feel uncomfortable and got some great natural poses.
 
Mongwopman said:
I have been thinking a lot lately about expanding my own knowledge of photography and getting out of my comfort zone by photographing people. However I think I have a massive self confidence issue in actually walking around and taking photos of images. I always think that people are bit wary or even get slightly peeved off if you shove a massive camera and lens in their faces.

So what could I do to get over these issues, what are the best ways to go about getting portraits or photos of people? I sometimes just think Stuff it and go for gold and get it down, but I worry that people think I’m pushy.

I want to develop my skills and am desperate to learn more about taking photos of people. So any tips or advice would be great.
Click to expand...

do a 100 strangers project :)
 
wuyanxu said:
call me crazy but that doesn't sound less threatening..... :lol:

I'm also having similar problems with street photography. looking at my collections, most of my street shots are at tourist destination of other people taking photos. or candid taken at 55mm (85mm equivalent) stealthily.

also been taking pictures of dogs, they don't seem to mind and then smile at their owners. im thinking the next step is to look friendly and ask to take photos of owners with their dogs?
Click to expand...

A few years ago, I wanted to work with models. However I was nervous about approaching people on the street. I started a meetup group here for both photographers and models. I also joined Modelmayhem.com. Needless to say, I'm not nervous any more.

The reason it's less threatening when you do it with a group is because when everyone is having fun and learning, then its easier to join in. It easy to make friends in a room full of strangers.

Regards,
Bob Jones
http://www.bobjonesphoto.net
 
Hi Damien, I recently took part in a ten strangers project and posted results on a forum. I was asked by the members and admin to explain how I approached people. I went over my photographs starting with my use of a dslr and realised that there was a bit of a story, so I wrote a short article outlining my journey. Here is the link, not my best pics, but they track the development of my approach.
http://pentaxslr.eu/Pro_News/aid=22/approaching_strangers__an_idiots_guide/
Hope it is of some use to you.
Nigel
 
trickletreat said:
Hi Damien, I recently took part in a ten strangers project and posted results on a forum. I was asked by the members and admin to explain how I approached people. I went over my photographs starting with my use of a dslr and realised that there was a bit of a story, so I wrote a short article outlining my journey. Here is the link, not my best pics, but they track the development of my approach.
http://pentaxslr.eu/Pro_News/aid=22/approaching_strangers__an_idiots_guide/
Hope it is of some use to you.
Nigel
Click to expand...

Looking good, I really like the one with the dreadlock guy!
 
I enjoyed reading both articles/blogs posted above, although have to admit just reading and mentally placing myself in that situation gave me the fear...

I liked the story at the end of jonneymendoza's blog. It made me consider how a connection with a person, as short as it may be really adds to a pic, which is not achieved in stealth shots.
 
I'm pretty much the same with not having the balls to go out in public. I only really take my camera places where I know there's going to be barely any people (walking along the canal) or where there's going to be LOADS (London) :lol:

I don't feel out of place in big cities, that's basically the reason why most people are there - to look at it and take photos :lol: In and around my home town though, or anywhere else for that matter I just see it as not normal!

Maybe I'll get over it one day :p
 
Josh, Dave Mason is local to me, a great chap, does this street stuff really well. Have a look at his site for inspiration.
http://www.davemasonimages.com/
 
a few things that helped me...

pick a tourist hot spot initially if possible. Most of the time they're so engulfed in the sights and sounds that they won't even realise you're shooting them.

if they do, smile, say thanks and move on!

start from there, build confidence and you'll find the confidence to ask people to pose for you!
 
daz103 said:
A good way of getting street portraits is set up a base. The worst thing i always found wad the background was either boring or too messy, so now what i like to do is find a background and just ask interesting looking people to stand in front of it.

I just explained that it was just a personal project and 90% said yes. Once you get the first couple under your belt its easy.
Click to expand...

Most of the times that I am out taking pictures in public people ask me who or what I'm shooting for. They think I'm a pro of some sort and are a bit surprised when I tell them it's just for fun. I'm thinking if I said I was shooting for a project I would not escape a bunch of questions about the project itself. That would be bad for me because I can't lie to save my own life. Lol
 
At the moment i have gone through a confidence block. i use to be able to ask around 3 people for there pic in my 1 hour lunch break but now can just about ask one person.

the weather hasnt helped me at all mixed with a lot of real life politics i have to deal with.

To do this sort of project u really need the weather on your side and a clear positive head otherwise it will be difficult to achieve.

Yesterday was the first i actually felt positive and confident but the weather was absolutely crap.

i dont want to ask someone standing the in rain to pose for me! I had my nifity fifty which is not water proof but if i had my 70-200 i would probably ask someone on a rainy day.
 
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