Photography In Public

[Mike Parr]

This is something I've been thinking about for a while, how do you feel when your taking a photo in public. I'm quite self concious of people watching me take photos.....not sure why. I cary my camera at work and have loads of oppertunities but just wonder is it worth the hassle when i stop the car to grab a shot.
Am I just shy
Do others feel like this? Just a thought

[Pol]

Re: Photography In Public

Yeah I do sometimes feel a tad self-conscious, especially when I'm in the town. I'm ok when we're out in the countryside or maybe along the coastal stretches or beaches. I sometimes get over it by sitting on a bench and starting a conversation with someone - usually somebody with a dog. The dogs are usually a great way of getting started.

I can sometimes feel a bit daft and inferior on the nature reserve when there are blokes with huge scopes, massive lenses and other mega expensive kit and I get smiled at patronisingly as I hobble along wiv me Pentax + 300mm and the trekking pole used as a walking stick.

Pol

[jrtrent]

Re: Photography In Public

I didn't used to feel that way, but for at least the last decade or so, I've heard so many comments directed at myself or others with cameras (such as "What are you doing with that camera?" or "Who said you could take pictures, here?"), that I no longer feel comfortable just walking about town or going to a local park with a camera in hand. I don't get those kinds of comments at larger state parks, zoos, tourist attractions, or when with a family or church group on an outing of some sort, so those are now the only times or places I take pictures.

[Ian]

Re: Photography In Public

I didn't used to feel that way, but for at least the last decade or so, I've heard so many comments directed at myself or others with cameras (such as "What are you doing with that camera?" or "Who said you could take pictures, here?"), that I no longer feel comfortable just walking about town or going to a local park with a camera in hand. I don't get those kinds of comments at larger state parks, zoos, tourist attractions, or when with a family or church group on an outing of some sort, so those are now the only times or places I take pictures.

I must admit that I do occasionally feel self-conscious, wondering what could go wrong... it's quite off-putting, really. But refuse to be completely stumped by the narrow-minded views of a small minority.

Ian

[Mike Parr]

Re: Photography In Public

Thats some interesting replies...........Im not just the only one, its almost refreshing to hear thats people who have been taking photographs for years feel the same way.is this something new, with the current climate or has it always existed.
Im quite comfortable, as Pol says, in the middle of nowhere taking scenic shots but just cant get my head round populated areas. I feel that this does have a detrimental effect on what I'm prepared to photograph.
I find I often rush the picture I really want and get home to find something really unusable or not what i originally set out to do, instead of taking my time to get the best result.
When you consider that in Cornwall where i live the the camera population explodes to 1.5 million or so I guess between Easter and September, I might just blend in with the happy snappers with my baggy shorts and surfing shirt and Canikon
Mike