Stan Pustylnik
(K=6755) - Comment Date 8/16/2006
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Go get a huge tripod and shot using it. Check their faces then.... LOL!!!!
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Doyle D. Chastain
(K=100828) - Comment Date 8/16/2006
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Carlen:
Ignore the feeling and act as though you are doing what you're supposed to be doing. Sometimes . . . it might help to tell somebody or a couple of people there that you're studying photography and working on a project and can they help by stepping into or out of an area so you can check scale or lighting or something. Then you'll be able to relax a bit and feel like people aren't as curious. Once people are used to you in the area it gets even easier . . . I have even asked if I could shoot a few test shots for a project so that people think I'm just shooting test shots and, therefore, don't feel so tense and unnatural. Just some ideas.
:)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Doyle D. Chastain
(K=100828) - Comment Date 8/16/2006
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By the way . . . sometimes it's just a price to pay too . . . I just remembered the lovely Rina taking pictures of Buzz Lightyear, Spiderman and other toy action figures on the beach. See http://www.usefilm.com/image/1106586.html She mentioned drawing some strange looks too. :)
Regards,
Doyle I <~~~~~
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Anne Grindle
(K=839) - Comment Date 8/16/2006
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Just pretend like you know what you are doing and ignore everyone. I was taking pictures in California a few months ago, and realized this man and woman were following me around. Turns out they thought I knew what I was doing and they were taking pictures of the same things, at the same spots that I was. Hope their pictures turned out!
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Phillip Cohen
(K=9538) - Comment Date 8/16/2006
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Carlen, don't let it bother you. This picture http://www.usefilm.com/Image.asp?ID=181647 was taken out in front of an Olive Garden restaurant right next to the parking lot and in plain view of the entrance with a fairly large queue of people. I was using a Wisner 4x5 camera, which is made of wood and looks like it is 100 years old even though it is fairly new. I could hear all of the comments of the people waiting in line and it was quite amusing. After a few minutes of shooting there was a line of kids forming next to me wanting to look under the darkcloth to view what was on the ground glass. It was actually kind of neat to see kids amazed and getting excited about 100 plus year old technology while thinking nothing about the Gameboy in their hand.
What I am saying is that if I had any reservations about people viewing me strangely because of my camera or what I was doing, it was unfounded and most people are just more curious then judgemental. So go with what you have, take command of the situation, grab some good images and have some fun. Don't worry about all the other stuff.
Phil
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Mark Peterson
(K=3428) - Comment Date 8/18/2006
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I don't ignore people when I'm out shooting. I find that talking to the people calms me down and many times I'm asked if I am with the newspaper or which magazine am I with. I usually just reply that I shoot freelance. I have noticed, that when I talk to the people that they are more likely to move out of the way , if asked, or if I ask if I could have them sign a Model Release and be in the photo, they are more likely to agree.
I have not encountered anyone that gave me any trouble while I've been in public taking photos, and I usually have two cameras and a tripod with me.
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Christopher Robinson
(K=139) - Comment Date 10/14/2006
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I get self-conscous, too, Carlen. But I'm slowly getting over that. The more unusual the camera in my hands gets (and the more goofy equipment I'm lugging around), the more people see it as a professional action. It's kind of like a license to shoot. Of course, I'm respectful to people and they back.
I like bringing out the medium format cameras because people really like to stare at 'em. They chatter and chatter... and it really is about curiosity... and something to talk about other than the weather. So, maybe you can, justifiably, feel less self-conscious about it. :-)
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Christopher Robinson
(K=139) - Comment Date 10/14/2006
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As a point of clarification, I'd like to add that it doesn't matter what kind of camera anyone has. You can take command of a cell phone camera like a pro.
The point is... If you look like you're being professional about it, people tend to think that you are. But, obvious by my previous tangent, I definitely like hearing people react to weird looking cameras.
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Jeroen Wenting
(K=25154) - Comment Date 10/14/2006
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I'm more wary of people around me than self conscious about my equipment.
As I usually work alone there's noone to watch my back and prevent muggers or pickpockets sneaking up on me to steal my gear, and a large camera tends to look more expensive than does a small one.
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Michael Kanemoto
(K=22106) - Comment Date 10/16/2006
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If I am out hiking people seem to smile and think I know what I am doing. I have a SLR.
If I am in the city then I really get noticed, car honks. I get hoots and hollers, and I do feel somewhat embarrassed. If I am lugging around the Sigma 50-500 which is a monster lens them people seem to go into awe mode and shut up and run away. It all depends on the equipment.
Over all I try to respect people and locations, try to be somewhat quiet, and outgoing if I am approached. It's the best I can do. If I shoot portraits then I have to really exude confidence as that will be read by the person and you want their shots to be the best they can be.
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Jon O'Brien
(K=11268) - Comment Date 10/17/2006
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whoaaa! I totally relate.
Jon
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Bruce Snethen
(K=88) - Comment Date 10/17/2006
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Just remember - YOU ARE THE MAN - you are in charge! I too have had youngsters, oldsters, whatever fllow me to see what I find so interesting. Some have asked me to take pictures of them, with their camera because they feel comfortable with what I am doing. Just do your thing, let the curious be curious!
Go for it!
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AJ Miller
(K=49168) - Comment Date 10/20/2006
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Oh, I can relate to that, Carlen. At home in Tarifa I don't want to look like a tourist, and elsewhere I don't want to get mugged! And having just upgraded to a bigger machine I'm going to feel even more uncomfortable!
Lots of good points raised already, so here's a quick thought: my new camera is a Nikon D70s, but I also bought a Casio EX-Z850 for when I want to be discrete and for when I'm travelling. It's a huge machine in a tiny box.
One thing I will miss on the Nikon is the flip-up viewfinder and flip-up LCD of my old Minolta A2. These enabled me to look down at the ground (apparently!) while taking pictures without anyone realising! I understand you can get a similar device that attaches to the Nikon and I shall have to look into that...
AJ
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Jeroen Wenting
(K=25154) - Comment Date 10/21/2006
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Yes, there are angled viewfinders for Nikon SLRs, but I don't know if they fit the D70 (you'd have to ask a dealer or Nikon directly).
They were originally created for old manual SLRs in the 1970s and '80s, and those had different shape and size oculars.
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Dave Arnold
(K=55672) - Comment Date 11/6/2006
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I hate to resurrect an old string but here goes... since it is one of the things that irks me.
Carlen, I know you are in Canada and I don't know if what I say is similar to what you Canadians are experiencing. Since 9/11, I have been made to feel like I am doing something wrong. The mere presence of a camera sends shockwaves through some people. I will relate to you that many times I have been stopped by the police, frisked, car searched and questioned just because I've pointed my camera.
Others here on UF have had similar experiences. My son has even had his media siezed for taking photos on a downtown street in Denver. The cop apparently threw it away and didn't mention his illegal actions to his bosses or in a report. Later, the agency apologized to him and an internal investigation failed to find the officer. Mostly because my son was too scared to get the officer's name or even a description of the officer.
As part of my job, I have to go out on highways and photograph. Used to be the only problems I'd have is cackling by drive-bys or people saying "take my picture".
Now, following the paranoia that has swept this country, I constantly have angry people stopping in the middle of the road and demanding that I explain to them why I had my camera pointed in their direction. This from the same people who don't think twice that they are on video just about everywhere they go.
So my rant brings me to the taking of candid people photography. It's just plain difficult nowadays. If I can't somehow be "invisible" or far enough away, I resort to point and shoot from the hip. The minute you raise that camera to your eye, you've gained attention from everybody in the area.
This is one of the reasons I shoot primarily out in the middle of nowhere, of which there is a lot of where I live.
You are right in the feeling you experience (but don't let that stop you). If you look in my portfolio, you will see a photo of a little girl playing with the overhead light controls while we were on an airplane. I thought it to be a good candid photo op so I pointed my big camera at her and shot a photo. I was quickly confronted by a flight attendant who told me it was illegal to take pictures. But the lady across the aisle with the little $100 digital was left to take as many pictures as she wanted, in full view of this same flight attendant.
My advice... and it is one I live with: You have a right to take photos, stand your ground. And don't be embarrassed to carry a camera.
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Richard Dakin
(K=12909) - Comment Date 11/9/2006
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Even if you are not a pro, you might try having some business cards printed up with some of your info on them (name, e-mail etc.). If you have a website to refer people to, all the better. That way if someone inquires as to your intentions, you can hand them a card if you feel uncomfortable entering into conversation with them. Eventually you will realize that many people have cameras, and see your actions as entirely normal. Dave refers to his situation in the US, and the mistrust people show towards photographers ...... I am happy to say I have not experienced that in Canada.
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Richard Dakin
(K=12909) - Comment Date 11/9/2006
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Further to the above Carlen, I do make a point of being quite obvious in my photographic intentions. I feel more comfortable if everyone in the vicinity knows exactly what I am doing. I guess in that respect my large DSLR with battery pack, and my substantial camera bag actually helps.
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Jimmy Piper
(K=5742) - Comment Date 11/11/2006
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i get really self conscious! camera or no camera. that's me in a nutshell.
even worse now, after 911, like when i have my backpack on with all my gear in it. not fun walking into a building with olive skin and a big black bag nowdays!
i felt the worst near sydney airport, but kept shooting, only to have workers tell me go away and waving me off...
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Phillip Filtz
(K=1759) - Comment Date 11/18/2006
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If your noticing them, then *maybe* your attention isn't focused where it should be.
Just a thought.
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Marcus Armani
(K=36597) - Comment Date 11/22/2006
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wear a suit pretend your japanese and walk around real fast shooting everything, you will go un noticed LOL. Actuall I wouldnt worry about it, big cameras and big lenses do draw attention, that is just human nature, It is also the nature of a self concious person to wonder what others are thinking about them.
Try not to think about it, just concentrate on what your doing, On occassions you will be approached with questions, most of these people are harmless and curious, the truth seems to work fine, Im a photographer this is a camera and I am taking shots of various things in the area.
But then you are talking to a guy that has pulled his car over on highways many times to shoot a bird totally blocking traffic people honking and yelling becuse they have to go a inch out of there way. when my eye is at the viewfinder with suject locked not much is heard period as im in total concetration of what im doing and could care less what others think.
I dont suggest anyone shoot the way I do, just an example of how one photographer could waste time wondering what others are thinking, and another draw a crowd do to his own actions and care less. Just go out shoot and relax, you need the same constitution as the metal detector guy at the beach...
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