How can I get over my fear of photographing strangers?

[sugar_babygirli]

Ok, so I visit this board alot and am amazed at the great people shots you all manage to get.

I'm really having trouble with feeling comfortable shooting strangers and wonder how you all go about doing this? To give my background, I'm about 20, but look more like 15, a girl (apparently), and very shy typically. It is so hard for me to just go up to someone and ask to take their photo...even if I "do" get up the nerve to do that, I cannot start telling them how to pose or anything because I'm so nervous. It also takes me awhile to get all my settings correct on the camera, so they're sorta just sitting there waiting for me and it's just really embarrassing. :o

So how can I get over this? Just practice maybe? I long to take portraits of strangers/kids I see who would make great subjects, but my personality is interfeering. (sp?)

[ElleG83]

get a really BIG lens so you can sit across the street and snap their pic without them knowing... but you gotta be careful doing that i guess. if some one sees you they might get mad, especially if you are taking pictures of their kids.

[cjm]

Well it could be worse Sugar, you could be a Giant Guy like me. People generally don't get mad at young girls (or older women) but they can get down right nasty to a gentile giant like myself. Not sure why just know that it happens.

You deffinately need a telephoto lens or some sort and you need to be quick. Go by the code of the sniper "1 shot, 1 kill". At least that is how I look at it with the very few pictures I took of strangers.

I am the same way you are though. Sometimes if I go to an event, church picinic, etc. I'll leave my camera at home just because I don't want to bring attention to myself. Not because any other reason but I am pretty shy about taking pictures of people I don't know or know well.

[kawter2]

get a really BIG lens so you can sit across the street and snap their pic without them knowing... but you gotta be careful doing that i guess. if some one sees you they might get mad, especially if you are taking pictures of their kids.


Yes on all accounts. I have the same fear, even behind 300mm of glass... I guess you just have to push yourself. BTW it doesn't help that the 20's shutter is sooo loud

[cjm]

Oh and I am 24. So maybe it is a young thing?

[sugar_babygirli]

Oh and I am 24. So maybe it is a young thing?

Hmm....maybe? Alot of times people don't seem to take me seriously though because:

A: I look more like a kid than a professional
B: I don't ACT very professional! :o

Thanks for your replys though. They make me feel a whole lot better knowing I'm not the only one. And a huge lens would be great, but I can't afford that at this point and almost feel more awkward "hiding" from people than just plain coming out and asking them.

And yes, the 20's shutter is VERY noisy! Lol! :lol:

[cjm]

And yes, the 20's shutter is VERY noisy! Lol! :lol:

I wouldn't know, my SLR is still Film ;) Thing I do like about the powershot series, the shutter sound is fake so you can turn it off :lol:

[bigrob]

I think you have a BIG advantage being a girl and being so young.

No-one will thing you're weird or a perv.

You just need to have the courage to ask. Don't be frightened. It will get easier after the first time.

How about saying something like

"Excuse me I'm doing photography at school and we have to take some pictures of strangers. Is there anyway I could take your picture?"

Trust me 99% will say OK. Then just be bold and say "Ok bare with me a few ticks as I'm not too experienced and it takes me a while to set up my camera".

Hope that helps.

[sugar_babygirli]

Great idea bigrob! I will try that thanks so much!

[langer]

sugar, u can start by photographing at events first. eg. weddings, dinner parties, nightout with friends. People are generally prepared to be photographed at those environment and I tell ya, if u want an environment where u can snap away without people objecting you, go to any nightclub and wait till the night is half over. When most people are too drunk to care and half the time they see me with the camera, they would even pull funny faces and pose for me. That might be a good place for you to start. I shoot pictures in clubs and concerts but never even have to "ASK" anyone if they like me to take a pic he he.

[froman98]

I wouldn't be fearful if I were you. I gurantee that people are far more forgiving to a young woman then they are to young men. They won't even think twice. Guys will probably think "man, i think she likes me! *taps buddy on shoulder* Hey look at her, she's taking our picture." lol I would just give it a try if I were you, you'll see that for you it won't be that big of a deal.

[swoop1156]

I am 22, Male and about 6' 4". I have no fear of going and snapping total strangers -- yet I am very outgoing and pretty crazy. Alot of them like the candid I get with the "one shot, one kill" rule, and then they like to pose for a few more. Usually I get an email address from them and send them the pictures. Great way to meet people!

[KevC]

You could also trick people. Get a friend. Get him or her to pose, while you don't shoot him/her at all :)

Actually I think a telephoto is much more intimidating than a short prime. I'd take a 50mm and just stand in the middle of the city.... if you see a nice shot, point the camera at it... and snap away.

You do have an advantage as a girl. Nobody will think you're a perv... :)

You can also look the person in the eye, hold the camera up, and look quizzically... if the nod you snap the pic, if not, then don't. I find that way is much better than sneaking around with a long telephoto...

[Tom Barnett]

I am about to graduate from the photojournalism program at Loyalist College in Belleville, Ontario, Canada. The very first assignment that they gave us was photograph complete strangers and talk to them and get their names. It was incredibly scary at first, I've also always been very shy. Looking back at this assignment I now can't believe how easy it was. You will eventually learn how to talk to people and if you think you take too long to setup there are two things you can do.

1) Set everything up and get the picture perfect before using your subject (that's what I do). Just tell them to relax and do what they were doing and you'll let them know when you're ready. I can always use the self timer feature and take some pics of yourself or hold out your hand.
2) Practise at home. If you live with anyone get them to pose for you. Learn how to keep them talking while you shoot and put them at ease. You will also learn a lot about setting up your lights and picture quickly.

[swoop1156]

Tom, nice post. I like the idea of the assignment, but that would be hard for me! I dont speak much Japanese! haha. I need to take a photography class, everything I know I've taught myself.

[pierrot]

...and never forget to smile a lot ;)

[smudge]

A lot of peeps have talked about zooms, well I like wider angles. If you get on the street with a wide angle lens and you use the rule of thirds, its hard for people to tell your actually pointing at them. I took a shot of a woman standing four feet away looking straight at me. My centre aim point was past her right ear, I braved it out and stayed put took three shots she walked off. When I got back a little bit of cropping and...almost great shots, she was fine... just my own stoopid stopped it working, but thats the way I intend to go...WIDE

[Tom Barnett]

I appologize but I hate sneaky photography, unless it's for a very good reason (photographing sometime that could put you in danger for example). Just how I feel

[cjm]

One of the hardest shots I have ever took of stranger were these two cowboy singers. While setting up the shot I was pretending I was aiming at something else so they wouldn't be onto me. Then when they turned their backs a bit, the sniper (me) took the shot and moved on.

Not really sure if it is any good but it sure got my heart pumping so I remember this one more then anything. Here is the picture below.

[Lissa]

I took this shot at a motocross practice field. With kids, I prefer to take pictures without them knowing, because the pictures show the real them.

The boy's grandfather was with him, and I immediately explained what I had done, and showed him the picture. The grandfather got the father, who was so excited abou the picture, he wanted to buy it. (Shocked me - I thought it was an ok picture, but I know I've taken better!) Then he got so interested in my camera (DRebel) - I think he went out and bought one shortly thereafter.

http://home.nc.rr.com/delphidom/melissa/MX1b.jpg

[DocFrankenstein]

I'd prefer being a guy if doing street photography.

6'0 230 pounds. Be afraid! Be very afraid! I'm about to take a picture of you.

Do not hide that you're taking pictures. Make eye contact, then put your camera to the eye and shoot.

If they don't like it, they'll put up their hand or will look away. Big deal.

It's fun though. Sometimes you get strange looks:
http://andrew4137.fotopic.net/p12807898.html
Sometimes a girl or two has a severe case of camera syndrome:
http://andrew4137.fotopic.net/p12807899.html


IMO it should be 35mm or 50mm max. This way you get the surroundings too. If you shoot with telephoto, you get a poorly lit portrait.

Good luck, it's fun

[aam1234]

While this article (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/street.shtml) doesn't address the shyness of street photography, it has some helpful hints and techniques.

[tupe]

I had the "1 shot, 1 kill" feeling when I snapped this one - didn't want to draw attention to my interest in this montage at the beach. I only had a 3x optical lens at the time, and had to do a drive by ("walk by?") to get this shot and keep moving.

[sugar_babygirli]

Sorry to reply so many times, but thank you all VERY much for your kind replies! You are so helpful and I will try to get over my shyness with practice (just gotta make myself do it). There is an event tomorrow close to where I live and lots of little kids will be there....maybe this new 85mm lens I'm getting today will help me go out and try shooting with it. :)

[Claire]

I also have a bit of a problem daring to take photos while walking in the city. Keep worrying about people coming up to me yelling "why the heck are you taking pics of me, and what do you aim to do with them??!"

I think that when I go out with the 300D I get more self-consious compared to a P&S. With the small P&S I can pass for a regular tourist. With the 300D people look more at me. Ok, generally they look away again after a while, but still... Gotta get over that feeling. Think it's just to go out there and take pics and exude confidence.

I love taking pics of kids, but also worry if people will freak out. Thankfully I'm a girl and only 5"4 tall, so people probably don't react much. I still feel a bit pervy though at times. If someone asks why I take pics of their kid I'll explain I'm an amateur and offer to send them the pic. Not that this has ever happened. :)

[Jesper]

You can also go on holiday to India (I've just been there) - people just come after you to ask you to take a photo of them..... :)

[Candid Bandit]

If you are a chick.. I say just snap away. Its harder for us guys cause peeps will say we are stalking. But chicks photog.. snap away and don't even have to talk to them. Stay at a camera freindly area and just shoot. After you warm up it will be no problem. I've go shooting once a week but when I start, I have the same problem. But once you get about two or three subjects.. You'll be on a row. Now don't get me wrong.. Don't stick the cam in their face too long. Usually people will not care but if you start to get too confident.. Someone will say something. Then you will have to use that school project excuse. heh heh. Oh yeah.. different peeps, different technic. Put that baby on burst mode AI Servo and shoot as many shot as you can of the subject before they see you. One shot One kill usually mean one blurry pic when you get home.

A recent funny expression:

[rssfhs]

Ever considered landscape photography? ;-)

[Avalonthas]

Well first off, lets differentiate between wether you want to look 15 or 20, because by ur name "sugar_babygirli" or not doing anything to look more like an adult lol.

I agree with some comments about getting a good lens and shooting from a farther distance. It works for me when im doing random shots of people. But if ur insecure about shooting people on the streets I would suggest that you wait a little bit longer because if ur looking unprofessional and someone gets mad, they will misinterpret what ur trying to do and might think ur some sicko or invading there privacy or something. People can be jerks after a bad day at work, so be careful. Also go to a nice public place in ur city, dont go to some regular "ghetto" street or someone will prolly get mad or have keen interest in ur camera. Thats bout all the info i can give you. But the only way to get over ur fear is to get out there and shoot. You dont neccessarily have to ask someone to take there photo in public.

[cjm]

I'd prefer being a guy if doing street photography.

6'0 230 pounds. Be afraid! Be very afraid! I'm about to take a picture of you. I am 6'4" (6'5 in shoes) 260 Lbs, the size of a WWF wrestler or football player. I stick out like a... well I stick out.

[sugar_babygirli]

I am 6'4" (6'5 in shoes) 260 Lbs, the size of a WWF wrestler or football player. I stick out like a... well I stick out.

:lol::lol::lol::lol:

[mbze430]

In photojournalism class, there are many different ways to approach a subject. Mainly I was taught that it is better to speak to the person before taking their pictures, rather finding yourself in a situation where the subject is asking for your roll of film back.

Candids in a busy street usally requires very little conversation, unless you are trying to shoot a specific subject, than it might be wise to ask this person if its okay.

Candids in a specific area where there isn't heavy human traffic, I advise you talk to your subject and make sure it is okay.

My rule of thumb is, "How you want to be treated is how you should treat others".

I usually carry my 50 or my 24-70 for candids.

[tim]

There's some great advice in this thread. I was a bit hesitant at first too, but I just plucked up my courage, asked someone if I could take their picture, and they said yeah no problem. I've only done it a few times since then, but now i'll do it no problems. Sometimes I catch their eye and hold up my camera, visually indicating that i'd like their permission to take the shot - they usually nod or something.

I took photos of some little kids (http://www.mrwild.co.nz/Proofs/WgtnStPatsDayParade/index.html) in a street parade recently. Being drunk helped my confidence a little, but after I took a photo of a young person I immediately gave a business card to the parent. I usually asked the kid to smile first too.

Rambling a bit here, but just ask for permission and you'll be fine. After a few times you'll have no problems with it at all :)

[Jesper]

I took photos of some little kids (http://www.mrwild.co.nz/Proofs/WgtnStPatsDayParade/index.html) in a street parade recently. Being drunk helped my confidence a little, but after I took a photo of a young person I immediately gave a business card to the parent. I usually asked the kid to smile first too.
When there's something like a street parade or some other public event, it's much easier to photograph strangers. In fact, the people joining the parade most likely know that there are going to be people with cameras and that they will get photographed. When it's an everyday day, when there's nothing special going on, it's a different situation and people are more likely to think it's strange that you're photographing them.

I am myself also more an introverted guy, and I find it much easier to make photos of things than of people, but on the other hand, I find photos of people most of the time much more interesting than photos of things or landscapes..... the challenge is to find the courage to make contact with someone so that you can make an interesting photo. Being shy is some kind of irrational fear. What could happen if you ask a stranger if you can make a photo? Someone could say "no", that's all. Most likely, nobody will do something nasty to you when you ask (especially not when you're a girl!).

[cjm]

Tim you were drunk, taking pictures of kids and then gave the parents the business card? LOL that is so funny. :lol:

[tim]

Yeah, I wasn't fully drink, but i'd been drinking. I was on the way from an office party to a resturant and decided to stop and take photos of the parade. I gave the parents the card in case they wanted the picture :)

[cjm]

LOL check this thread for a picture of someone on the street http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=62442

The finger is probably the worst thing that will happen to you. So funny!

[Red]

Finally CandidBandit gives his wisdom! :lol:

SugarBabyGirl, where abouts in the world are you? I'm not a great candid photog myself, but I am better at talking to strangers, and if you were in my part of the world I'd offer to come out with you for a day.
Two people, onlyone camera though, looks a lot less sinister, and is a good way to start. Maybe someone else will be help you too.

You have a big advantage being a harmless looking girl, so capitalise on it. I'd bet that you are generally a shy person though, not just with photography, so practise that even without your camera. You'll find that it's a lot lot easier than you think. Picture someone confident in your head (Jack Nicholson and Joey from Friends work for me) and be them for 5 minutes while you start talking away to a stranger like you know them already.

Gone off on a bit of a tangent there, but I think it would help your confidence with taking pics of strangers too because you wouldn't be so worried about facing the prospect of having to talk to them.

[sugar_babygirli]

You all have helped me alot!

The other day there was an event near our house and I wandered over (had to force myself at first, but then I remembered this thread and all your comments ;) ) and guess what? I actually got up the nerve to photograph some kiddies and both familes gave me their email, one asked about buying them!

I guess it wasn't so bad afterall! :D:D But I still need lots and lots more practice to keep from getting nervous.:o

[Candid Bandit]

Ahha.. Kamakazi style candids! Banzaiiiiiiiii!

[Sabina]

It's not an age thing - I'm 41 and scared to death to photograph strangers! Yet I see so many interesting faces around my neighbourhood. It just kills me that I'm missing all these opportunities because of my own shyness. I vow to get over it.

One thing about taking sneak shots, is they often look more natural, because the person isn't posing at all. I have a G5 with a swivel lcd lens, so this really helps to get those sneaky pics! When I had my first cam, it had the fixed lcd screen in the back. Ridiculously, I tried to get a shot of an old man sitting beside me at the bus stop, by aiming my camera at him and tilting it just so, then pressing the shutter. I kept up a running conversation with him the whole time, trying to distract him (isn't it odd that I could talk to him but not ask to take his pic?). I think he caught on to what I was doing too, because he began to look at me strangely.

[IainB]

I recently had fun with my G1 while on holiday. While on buses, sitting on a park bench, McDonalds, wherever, I held my camera in one hand, arms folded, or by my side, and snapped anyone that caught my attention. I had the camera set to 'no flash' and silent shutter. No-one knew I was snapping a shot even when I paused next to them and studied a street map held in my other hand. Most people only assume you are taking a photo when the camera is either at your eye or you are studying the screen and aiming at them. No-one suspects when you are looking in the other direction or paying attention elsewhere. The fun part is when you arrive back at your accommodation and see what treasure you 'captured'. Only once did I forget to turn off the flash.... I quickly had to react like "Whoa! How did that happen?" and move on..... It's great fun and worth a try.
IainB