Who gets embarrassed?

[Gandhi]

Leading on from the best/worst thread it would seem that quite a few people on here are either....

A) Too shy to take candid shots or worry about being confronted and how to deal with it.

or

B) Worry about other peoples perceptions of them when they are out taking photos.

What I thought might be good/nice is if anyone on here has any advice for us.

I know I fall into the former category sometimes. I have found my Job has helped with B immensely as I have been forced into interacting with people (vendors) showing them images I'm taking, getting them to help with room preparation etc. I think it's actually helped my general social skills too. I used to quite self concious when I was out shooting but now couldn't give a stuff.

/Discuss.

 

[moomike]

You don't ever want to be thinking about how much you regret not getting a shot because you didn't ask!
I found that the best way to break into street photography was to ask some of the homeless people or buskers in Liverpool - they always said yes & as a thanks, I always bought a big issue or gave them some change etc.
Or why not try taking someone that is really not shy out with you when shooting & getting them to ask (obviously helps if there a photog too ) That way you always have someone to back you up if you feel out of your depth

 

[Yv]

ME Sir! I went to Camden Lock yesterday, and managed a couple of sneaky candid shots and that was it. I really wanted to ask several people if they minded, and Camden is the weird and wonderful posers capital, but no, I just clam up! One lady was standing inside a stall selling jewellry, with necklaces hanging around and so on and I could even see the shot, her face in focus with the jewellery OOF, but could I pluck up the courage to ask if she minded? Of course not There were lots and lots of the usual array of tattoo'd, pierced, dreadlocked persons wondering around, but again, I baulked.


I realise that candid street photography is not for everyone, and do think maybe I am one of those people, as I got over being shy many years ago, I own a business with my other half, and deal with strangers day in day out with no problem, its just pointing the camera at them I have a problem with.

Any advice welcome of course.

 

[minimeeze]

I'm ok at taking proper candids - where the subject is totally unaware... that's easy!

I've just done a college assignment on street photography and had to go out and get some street shots. Being me, I left it right until the last minute, then had literally 2 hours to go and get some street shots.

I went into Guildford, armed with my camera, and thought 'right, if I don't do this, I fail my exam!'. I had to put away my shyness, and found the courage to approach people. They could only say yes or no, after all. My dialogue went along the lines of:
'Hi, I'm doing a college assignment on street photography and human expressions - do you mind if I take your photograph?' Only one person said no, and I just thanked them for their time and moved onto my next victim. Most people thought it was a good laugh. I think the pressure of only having 2 hours to do my shoot really made me get out there and do it.

I was confronted by one scruffy looking guy who asked if I was taking sneaky photographs of people whilst trying to get some candids, and did I know that it wasn't allowed, and did I have any shots of him...blah, blah, blah... I told him that I didn't have any shots of him (well, I couldn't prove it, as it was on film ) and explained what and why I was doing it. He fine about it then and said I looked like I was enjoying my work I did ask him if he was happy for me to take his picture, and funnily enough, he said no!

I do think it's a whole different kettle of fish for us girls, as generally people aren't so suspicious, and I still didn't feel comfortable about asking anyone with children if I could take their photographs, so left it. If you are being honest about what you are doing and your reasons for doing it, people are generally ok about it.

 

[Janice]

Well at 6am this morning I went to take a photo of a lovely little cottage up on a hill and i stood along th side of a road with grass and trees all round.

One car came by during that time and I was so embarrassed that I hid my camera and turned towards the hedge so they didnt see me! LOLOL

Imagine ME in London!!

 

[Marianne]

I feel uncomfortable taking candids...even at a re-enactment yesterday, I felt as if i was intruding even though the actors expect to be photographed on the whole. There was one lady jacobite soldier (ahem) and she turned her back when Barry went to take her phot which stopped me I have to say...

 

[CarlOgden]

I hate doing pit shots and portraits, real embarrassed about taking them.

Plus, I seem to get action shots in focus and portraits aren't !!!!! That's me getting it wrong but hey....practice and all that!

Carl.

 

[robmiller]

Well at 6am this morning I went to take a photo of a lovely little cottage up on a hill and i stood along th side of a road with grass and trees all round.

One car came by during that time and I was so embarrassed that I hid my camera and turned towards the hedge so they didnt see me! LOLOL

Imagine ME in London!!

I always do this too. Sod street photography, I always feel dodgy just having my camera out

I think it would actually be better in somewhere like London though, where 90% of people are tourists and have cameras hanging 'round their necks.

 

[Marianne]

Barry got a bit of hastle yesterday at Wimpole, a lady with a compact kept moaning because his lens got in her way....we got to our place ages before everyone else, it was her choice to stand where she did but it still makes you feel bad :shrug: