someone a few months ago gave me a free Pentax ME super. I fixed it up myself and have been teaching myself how to use it, with assistance only from the handbook. I've enjoyed playing around with it and experimenting with what I like to take photos of I've discovered that I only have three true muses:
- small details of things. I've been trying to develop more of an eye for this, but I mean simple things like the close up of a rocking chair, or a grave.
- architecture. I love churches and beautiful old buildings. I'm lucky to live in a place with many of them.
- most of all, more than anything, I love photos of people. and yes of course I take pictures of friends and family. but I'm talking true, real life candids. people I know who are in the middle of conversation, people I don't know who are out in public being themselves. my biggest issue with this one is how to actually take these photos. I don't want to be intrusive or make anyone uncomfortable, but I also want the natural candid itself. where I'm unnoticed and don't have to worry about influencing how the photo turns out just by them knowing I'm there.
I struggle in general with the feeling of being watched and/or judged at any given moment. so I will often forgo taking a photo of something because I feel like people are watching me, even if it's only of an old church. this is obviously a problem that carries into every part of my life, and is in itself a silly issue. but I'm working on it lol.
in the meantime, can anyone give any tips on how to go about taking the photos I'm truly passionate about? especially of people who don't see I'm taking a photo of them. I don't even know if there's a way to do this, especially in public with people I don't know, though that is where my heart lies and what I am passionate about most of all.
I live in Canada, if that helps any. regardless, thank you for reading and listening. love you all :)
Most people don't care at all. Some who do won't say anything. I've never had an issue.
Some tips, there's a few ways to go about this:
Be sneaky. Shoot from the hip. Act like your camera is broken or you're trying to adjust it, or you're reviewing photos. I don't like this "style". For starters, you're acting like a creep and if caught it's hard to get away from that. It will also never help you get over your anxiety and will actually reinforce it. And you'll probably screw up some potentially good shots.
Be obvious. Don't try any tactics to sneak a picture. Look like you belong there and act professional. I have some business cards with links to my site and qr to my Instagram ready. As if I'm a photographer.
Side note, some of my favorite photos are when I was "caught", and the subject is looking directly at the camera.