[GfK]

I'm sat here now thinking "I'm going to go out with the camera and tripod tomorrow and take some bloody good shots".

Won't happen though. Never does.

Why?

Well, for some reason I feel really uncomfortable taking photos in public places. I always feel that I'm either where I shouldn't be, or I'm taking pictures of things I shouldn't be taking pictures of (i.e. people/other people's property and so on).

What's your thoughts on this?

I can understand your reluctance, as I tend to feel the same sometimes.

I am desperate to turn my hand towards candids and people shots, but lack the confidence to do so in public. I have taken shots with my 70-300, and also attempted the 'shoot from the hip' style of shot, and resulted with some shots of people this way, but I also would love to take proper candids.

Also when out in public if there are kids about I tend to be wary about taking photos and actively point my camera away if there is a child in shot, just incase. I'd rather not take a shot than risk the hassle of an angry parent/guardian.

When taking building shots, or shots with a tripod over a bridge and what not, I have almost gotten over the embarassment hurdle.

I now think nothing of lying down in the middle of a street to take a shot I want, and not be embarassed by it. It is only when there is a chance I'm inconveniencing others that I feel uneasy.

[ppuga]

Some times I feel the same, its weird.

If go on vacation to knew some place, some city, I don't care if I stand in the middle of the street to take a shot I want. (I feel I've the Tourist licence :FIcamerap )

But If i intend to go shot anything here in my city, my place of living or working. I feel uncomfortable. Thats the true about it.

[Bachs]

Same here...I'm still timid of taking shots of people.
If you engage with them instead of taking 'sneaky' shots, they tend to pose for the camera which is not really 'candid'
Like anything else, it takes practice, practice, practice.

I had a nasty experience on a fairground this year so like Marcel, I make it obvious I'm pointing the camera away from kids and even switch it off if someone is watching me suspiciously.

I think there is a link on here somewhere to UK Photographers Rights...I carry a few copies in my bag along with business cards with my gallery and email address to hand out.

If you get any hassle you can always tell them to p!ss off, your'e from Mi5 and theyr'e blowing your cover

[Matty]

lol @ Bachs...

i dont like people shots at the moment, as marcel says, current climate of kiddiefiddlers has made innocent people photography very difficult, but i am working on that

[Sparky]

This one Bachs.

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/media/UKPhotographersRights.pdf

[GfK]

I tried reading that before, get 'error opening document' or something.

[Matty]

its working, have you got Adobe reader installed GfK

[GfK]

Originally Posted by EosD

its working, have you got Adobe reader installed GfK

Indeed I have. Wonder if Adobe have thrown all backwards compatibility out the window and I need a later version or something...

[Matty]

i dunno...

i will send you pm...hold on

[digitalfailure]

I've posted on this subject before because I also feel intimidated by the thought of snapping people I don't know.

pitty really as I've read that my 60mm lense is great for portrait work

I was out last week at some local 'gardens/park' near us (Where I shot the squirrel).
In this park is a lovely garden area, full of flowers etc etc, and some tea rooms.
In a corner was a hammock type thing, with three elderly ladies sat on it, all chatting and smiling and sipping cups of tea. It would have made a brilliant shot, but I was too close to get a sneaky shot (Which I would have felt uncomfortable doing anyway), and I didn't have the guts to ask if they minded, which I just took a couple of shots.

It's a shame really and I was literally walking away kicking myself and saying to myself "You wuss, they're old ladies.....just go and ask...all they can do is say no".

Still couldn't bring myself to do it.
Never have been a confident person

[CT]

We all suffer with this to some degree, and some people feel so self conscious, and such a tit that they wont even kneel down in public to get a better viewpoint/ angle for their shots. It's something you need to overcome, and the best advice I can give you is try to be friendly, outgoing and open in your approach and you'll mostly be well received by people. There's always the sneaky approach if all else fails.

I'm trying to find one of my old snapshots which is quite amusing and illustrates people's attitudes to photographers contortions quite well.

[CT]

Here you go.The guy on the left is my old shooting pal, sadly no longer with us. We went to the shoot out of season to build some hides, and I took the camera. The expression on his face tells you all you need to know about what he thought of me squatting in a stream to take this shot! :lol: I'll draw a veil over his comments! 'Crowbait' on the right is my missus.

[petemc]

I'm also shy but working on getting over the awkward issue. Just remember that a moment can only be captured once then its gone. Regret lasts forever. That is more than enough incentive to make me get the shot

[Bachs]

Let's have a 'Go on then, do it you chicken-sh!t' competition.

First to post an in yer face shot of a six foot muscle-bound bruiser with a bad atittude wins a Canon EOS 5d
Oh and no telephoto lenses allowed...50mm and below.

[KenCo1964]

Originally Posted by Bachs

Let's have a 'Go on then, do it you chicken-sh!t' competition.

First to post an in yer face shot of a six foot muscle-bound bruiser with a bad atittude wins a Canon EOS 5d
Oh and no telephoto lenses allowed...50mm and below.

That's a very generous offer Bachs.....