File :-(, x, )
Anonymous
How did anon in /p/ get over a nervousness of bringing his/her SLR into public, and taking pictures in public in general?

I'm nervous I'm going to look like a big dork lugging this camera around, or pointing around like a tourist.
>> Anonymous
Who cares what other people think?
>> Anonymous
>>69470
Touche. But still, I'm sort of cautious about possible damage to my SLR while it's hanging around my neck/in its case.
>> Anonymous
if its in a case dont worry... and if people stare at you its because they are jealous that you have such a better camera than they do.
>> Anonymous
>>69472
yes, that is why i am staring.
i'm too cheap to use my awsome 6x6 film TLR so am stuck with P&S digital
>> Anonymous
>>69473
Well, wouldn't people being jealous give them more reason to steal it?
>> Anonymous
>>69476
yeah, but i'm not about to tell him i'm looking for a good way to take his camera
>> Anonymous
Ah yes, bery bery danger. People steal or think you fool, and easy to damage.

Much better leave home for flower macro.
>> Macheath !8b4g0BkNZg
Act like you know what you're doing, even if you don't (of course, you're best off reading up first). If anyone notices you're taking a picture of them, make it seem like you're taking a picture of something behind them or next to them.

Most of the time, people will be impressed with your equipment, especially if you have a large lens/hood.
>> Anonymous
Or if you have an extremely large penis, have your pants at your ankles while taking pics. That way people will concentrate on your humongous dick instead your camera setup.
>> ­
i understand feeling embarrassed for bring tons of equipment like a tripod and a big bag and everything but if its just your camera it doesnt seem to me like a big deal. hell, if theres lots of teens around theyll go nuts like youre a celeb. they all think theyre aspiring photographers.
>> Darkain
Honestly, I got over it quite quickly. Virtually every place I go and shoot, people come to me and ask me which newspaper I work for (which I don't, I'm 100% independant at the moment)

Seriously, if you're shooting with a high-end camera, people take notice and think you're someone awesome or important.
>> Macheath !8b4g0BkNZg
/r/ing the picture of that photographer with a fuckton of equipment and L lenses with cardboard hoods.
>> Anonymous
oh, just be confident. just prentend you're doing the most normal thing in the world. I never had to use this excuse, but if you're young you can get away with saying you study photography.

personally I use rangefinders to photograph anonymous people in public, for maximal discretion
>> eku !8cibvLQ11s
>>69509
>I'm 100% independant at the moment
Meaning, you don't have a job?

>>69464
I also had this nervousness at start. Now I know how to look like I know what I'm doing.

>>69485
I once was shooting a boat. Then, at one moment, I noticed in viewfinder this hand coming to the photo and waving from downwards, and then noticed some people just though I was photographing them.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
     File :-(, x)
>>69493
This is what I do.

The way you get over your nervousness is by doing it. When I'm out taking pictures by, say, Niagara Falls, people just assume I'm a tourist. When I'm taking pictures elsewhere, people assume I work for a newspaper or something.

In all endeavors, if you work to exude an aura of "I'm supposed to be here doing what I'm doing", people will assume you're supposed to be where you are, doing what you're doing.

Camera-Specific Properties:Equipment MakeCanonCamera ModelCanon EOS DIGITAL REBEL XTiLens Size80.00 - 200.00 mmFirmware VersionFirmware 1.0.5Owner NameunknownSerial Number0420104373Image-Specific Properties:Image OrientationTop, Left-HandHorizontal Resolution72 dpiVertical Resolution72 dpiImage Created2007:08:11 12:46:55Exposure Time1/250 secF-Numberf/5.6Exposure ProgramAperture PriorityISO Speed Rating100Lens Aperturef/5.6Exposure Bias0 EVFlashNo Flash, CompulsoryFocal Length200.00 mmColor Space InformationsRGBImage Width3888Image Height2592RenderingNormalExposure ModeAutoScene Capture TypeStandardExposure ModeAv-PriorityFocus TypeAutoMetering ModeEvaluativeSharpnessUnknownSaturationNormalContrastNormalShooting ModeManualImage SizeLargeFocus ModeOne-ShotDrive ModeSingleFlash ModeOffCompression SettingFineMacro ModeNormalWhite BalanceAutoExposure Compensation3Sensor ISO Speed160Camera Actuations-321388384Color Matrix129
>> Butterfly !xlgRMYva6s
Its pretty fun up here in Edinburgh at the moment, with the fringe there are hundreds (ok 10) photographers hanging about the royal mile. I have the worst equipment of the lot (sony + sigma zoom) so im normally staring at their canon telephoto lenes...

As stated, if you look confident and purposefull no one will question why you are in such a place.
>> Anonymous
>>69509
Thanks for clearing up that newspaper thing for us
>> Anonymous
Just don't go to parks or childrens playgrounds taking photos of the kids for obvious reasons.
>> Anonymous
>>69574
Obviously.
>> ????? !wAHA/GeRU.
     File :-(, x)
>>69510
>> Anonymous
>>69622
"Welcome to /p/"
>> Zorkin !.LPDGhV8mQ
Just one camera is no big deal, people dont care.
If you have more than one around your neck then they start to notice.
I once heard some loud teenager say (translated from swedish) "Hey that guy have two cameras! I usually go with just one haha"
When I had a rangefinder and an DSLR around my neck.

And well, if you go out and take pictures of people you have to be prepared for some interaction.
It could be everything from a smile from a cute girl to recieve threats from some big guy who thinks he have his own laws.

If you are taking scenery shots then what the hell is going to happen?
Then the worst case scenario is that a stranger starts a friendly conversation with you.

And dont be afraid of using your camera in the field, it's made to be used not sit in a display case. It's not like a modern camera is the most fragile thing, just protect the lens surface and most models can handle quite a beating.

My apologies if the english is a tad rusty.
It's four in the morning here and I really need to sleep.
>> Macheath !8b4g0BkNZg
>>69622
Thanks!
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>69675
>Then the worst case scenario is that several police cars (including State Police, Border Patrol, and Homeland Security) swarm around you and ask you some pointed questions about why exactly you're taking pictures where you're taking pictures.
Fix'd.

(True story)
>> Anonymous
>>69470

>>Who cares what other people think?

This should have been the end of the thred.

BUT NO a bunch of lame advice from people that own cameras spills onto the internet one more time. honestly dont listen to a word that any of these guys have to say. most of them are busy trying to shoe horn ansel adams prints up their ass.

>>69720

oh wow really. what happened? you told them you were taking pictures and they fucked off?
>> Anonymous
Eat shit and die you fucking nigger. If someone wants to share their experiences taking pictures in public, then they have every right to. Just saying "who cares what other people think" is easy to say, but some may find it harder to put it into practice.

Go end yourself.
>> Anonymous
>>69736
no u
>> Zorkin !.LPDGhV8mQ
>>69720
What the hell were you taking pictures of? :D

(not trolling) I didn't even think a thing like that would happen outside say China or DPRK.

I take back the previous statement, be afraid, be very afraid.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>69789
The Niagara Power Authority Reservoir.

In the end, I deleted the photo and they asked me to please not do it again. But I'm probably on some sort of list now. One step closer to gitmo.
>> Anonymous
A little trick, though I'm not sure how it'd work (or go over) with the feds in a situation like AC's:

Carry two memory cards. Snap a few disposable, useless photographs on one. Stick it in your pocket. If someone who looks as if they could be violently upset about their photograph being taken (whether it was or not) starts coming towards you, quickly swap the cards.

Worst case scenario, your camera is smashed on the ground and your nose is broken in three places, but at least you've got the shot.

(Luckily, this trick has not proven necessary yet, although I do execute it whenever it could.)

And OP, just go out and take some photographs. You won't look dorky. Hell, walking around with even a superzoom I get people thinking it some old professional film camera and/or that I work for the newspaper. With a DSLR, you'll get away with anything except reservoir photographs, apparently.

But yeah, the main advice in this thread is to always act like (and this goes for everything, not just photography) you have the authority and even the obligation to be where you are and doing what you're doing. Just "take mental ownership," as some piece of self-help junk phrased it at some point, of the place. Be the bastard love child of Bruce Gilden and Jules Winfield.
>> ac !!VPzQAxYPAMA
>>69862
On the plus side, the shot in question was really lame anyway. So it wasn't a big issue to delete it. Just a bit unnerving to be walking along and suddenly see multiple jurisdictions worth of law enforcement pull up around you.
>> Anonymous
>>69622
Ken Rockwell, is that you?
>> Anonymous
http://www.krages.com/phoright.htm

Does anyone here carry a copy of this Photographer's Rights with them?
>> Anonymous
>>69675
can't agree more with this post.


all you gotta prepare for when lugging around your SLR (or tripod.. etc) is a bunch of reactions and comments now and then.

i usually have some music on, they bother me less that way :]
>> Anonymous
>>70135
Can't be, he's carrying at least one Canon ;)