“Hello Lynford,
I find that my difficulty in taking pictures isn’t an issue of time, but rather feeling self conscious. I am an introvert and feel invasive if I take pictures of people. I also don’t like calling attention to myself. For example, today I took my chunky clunky Nikon D5100 with me on the way to a friend’s house. I live in a large city (São Paulo) but I never see people taking photos on the street (unless it is in the super touristy spots). I couldn’t muster up the courage to take my camera out of my bag and start clicking away at the images that caught my attention. Any suggestions?”
I feel like I've met MW. So many times I've heard versions of this story in Meetups and photo tours. 'I'd love to take more photos in public, but I'm self conscious.'
I think I've even said it a time or two. In this Ask Lyn segment, I'll share a number of suggestions to help MW and the rest of us get out of our own way.
Listen to the recording
Suggestions for photographing strangers
- Change your mindset You are not stealing, you are telling their story. It can be a gift.
- So many stories throughout history would have been lost if someone wasn't brave enough to capture them.
- Give yourself a project or an assignment. (I could take the photo if I was working, so I put myself to work.)
- Exude the kind of energy you want to capture. The camera looks both ways.
- Use your D5100 articulating screen. Don't draw attention to yourself.
- Approach person to person, not photographer to subject. Humans of New York credits his success to interpersonal skills not photo skills.
- Ask more questions.
- Show respect where you would want respect.
- Share the pictures after you shoot them.
- Photograph as part of a group or social outing. There really are strength in numbers.
Helpful links
- Better street portraits: What I learned from Humans of New York
- Are you a journalist or a jerk? Street photography ethics
- Three inspiring street photography videos
- Ethics of street photography. When does no mean no?
- Can I photograph strangers without permission?
- Photographers rights with Bert Krages II
- Have fun photographing people
Ok MW, try some of the suggestions and get back out there with your camera. Let me know how it works out for you. I'm rooting for ya!
