Shooting People without being a creep

Hi guys,
I was just wondering how you guys can shoot random people in public without being a creep. Whenever I try to shoot people (as in a crowd or something), I always get unpleasant glares...how can you avoid it?

If you feel like you're a creep, you probably are one...

Act like you belong.

I'd love to know how most people handle this as well.

I usually use the buy their stuff, then ask if it's okay to take a pic
or ask them to take my pic, then take theirs in return

Use a longer lens

No heavy breathing, don't wear sunglasses, shave your beard, if you have a bald spot put a cap on, don't drive around in your rolling project of a car, walk around with yer mum / significant other and pretend you're not a photographer or just act like a tourist, everyone likes tourists!

If you're still having trouble it's probably because you look like this:

I have found that listening to music through headphones can help - it kind of detaches you from your surroundings so you feel less self conscious.

Also, a long lens sure does help.

IMO its all part of street photography. If you're shooting people in the streets you'll always get a glare back its just the way it works.

Maybe it's because I'm female, middle aged and small in size, but I've never gotten glares. I think it depends on what you are shooting. Photographing girls in bikinis or small children might bring you unwanted attention but ordinary people probably won't care. You might offer them a business card to show you are really a photographer and not a voyeur. Or, start by photographing something inanimate and after a few shots, switch your attention to people. I've done it that way and it works nicely. Sometimes they are so relaxed, they hand me their camera and ask me to take some pictures of them. That happened to me repeatly in London. Also, I found if they have their pet with them, ask if you can photograph their pet. People like it when you say nice things about their pet. Then take pictures of them. In short, if you are relaxed, they will be too.

Two things I can suggest.

1) Use a short/standard lens and get close to the people. Someone close is less of a voyeur than that "creep" way off thinking they are being discrete with a telephoto (sorry telephoto shooters just my opinion/experience). The known is usually less scary to people than the unknown. It is also part of the feel like a creep and you will likley act like one idea. You also gety a chance to interact a bit with people and you can photograph them while chatting.

It is a real good idea if you are able to return latter with a well made print to give them. I have given photos to madmen on the street (who have posed for me so it is not like they objected to me photographing them) and have had it ripped up in my face. Mad people may do all sorts of things and I would never let myself be fazed by that at all. They can do what they want with my gift and if I took another photo I would return and deliver a print made with as much care as any print. People have given you their image and you can return something to them. If you are often photographing in the same area you become part of the community.

2) Go to a festival/parade or something where lots of people are gathered. Especially where people are dressed up in costumes and such. Many people are there to be seen and will not mind at all. This will get you used to working in a fluid manner. If you get good at working smoothly things just seem to go better than if you are futzing around with gear.

When you see a glare, try lowering the camera, looking at them directly and smile big and give a friendly wave! And offer to send them a photo via email. "Here's my email address. Send me yours via email, so I can send you a copy in my reply!"

I'm a beginner and I've only tried this three or four times but I've found that people are too kind and try to move out of the way because they think they're blocking my shot

Like Rainyday, I'm also female, small and middle-aged and in my case I have a penchant for tweed so I don't think the public has much to fear.

I'm intrigued about the reason for covering up a bald spot though ...

I shoot from the hip and try to photograph someone whose coming right at me. I'd feel too self-conscious if I raised the camera to my eye.

Kolor-Pikker wrote in post #9545463
Don't wear sunglasses, shave your beard, if you have a bald spot put a cap on, don't drive around in your rolling project of a car, walk around with yer mum / significant other

Dang, I'm 47, have a grey ZZ Top beard, I'm so bald I shaved off what little hair I had left, I have a '62 Thunderbird on airbags, my mum passed away recently and my wife thinks my photography is a pain in the butt. Man, am I screwed or what?

Mike wrote in post #9546579
I have found that listening to music through headphones can help - it kind of detaches you from your surroundings so you feel less self conscious.

Sorry, but that is a bad thing...at least for me, i ALWAYS want to see and feel my surroundings - that is how i can predict how one will move or react Come to think of it, if i shoot street - i just don't think about anything else - just shooting and having fun, thats it.
Well if you feel uncomfortable, you'll get over it. Just don't think of it as shooting people, i think about it as showing the city life. It is actually not lying to yourself, but that is what i try to do
I shoot with 50mm perspective lens all the time and it suits me perfectly for 90% of shots. BUT 135 (on FF) would be awesome for only street portraits <-- and i like that.

Cheers,
Paulius

I'd say try and pretend that you're a famous photo journalist... at least act like one.

It will help give you confidence that maybe you don't have.