Photography Nerves in Public

[Spacedeck]

Have you ever suffered from this? How did you overcome this?

I took a trip down to the canal near me, here ducks seem to hang around all the time. It's a nice open area and the area of water is wide, before it narrows again a short distance ahead. Nobody was about and it was nice and quiet.

I managed to get in to some different locations to try different shots but that's pretty much as far I got. Soon after I started snapping photos, two guys turned up with the fishing poles. They came over to the area I was using and started casting a line. This made the ducks fly away and move a little further up. I had my daughter in her pram and girlfriend with me and we'd have had to leave the area and backtrack to get back on the other side of the canal. So we ended up calling it a day and heading home.

I'm learning photography and watching a lot of videos from Mike Browne, who makes it sound and look easy. Part of me today felt like I was putting myself centre of attention and I would be watched and judged by everyone around me or passing. Then I also felt a struggle to find composition for any of the photos. I've spent many hours watching most of Mike's videos on the subject and felt I was getting an understanding but clearly not. Was this just down to my nerves and not focusing on the full potential round me?

 

[Spacedeck]

Thanks guys! One thing I've read on the matter is to take the camera everywhere with you, so it's something I'm going to try when I leave the house. I'll keep trying and eventually it'll just click.

Why did you have to move further up? You could have practiced some action shots of the fishermen casting. Also don't be afraid to take shots. Especially when experimenting and learning. Eventually you'll start to just "see" a good shot.

Don't be afraid to take a photo, people can smell your fear.

I wouldn't like to photograph people without asking them first, somehow it feels rude. They didn't look very friendly to me and due to them turning up and ruining what I was aiming for, I wasn't best pleased about their presence.

man up

Yeah, thanks...

 

[Spacedeck]

If there is a parkrun in your area volunteer as photographer a few times.

It really helps build confidence photographing strangers. You get thanked for doing it as they run around and get feedback the same day when added to their Facebook pages and Flickr.

Batch editing is good... Typically shoot about 1200 images whittled down to 300 in editing. Some of the facial expressions and redistribution of boobs & body fat can be less than flattering...

Interesting. We have a parkrun around the main park in the town centre (2.1 miles away from me) every Saturday. Only problem is they start the run at 9AM and I'm never up this early. They seem to have a Flickr account and asked people to upload any photos they've taken. Currently sits at 33.1k photos, so it seems they attract a few photographers.

If I managed to wake up though, I guess I could just go down and give it a try. Worst case is I freeze and leave with nothing

Oh and due to this being an event in a public park, I am within my rights to take photos as much as I like?

 

[Spacedeck]

The fishermen would have been a good one for sure, especially if you waited until they caught something - they would have wanted copies! However, if they say no to having their picture taken do not just do it anyway - they will have their reasons for not being snapped (fishermen without a permit for example!) and could cause an altercation.

I wish. The only fish they caught was already on the line. Matching jackets, one having a camera himself and the other guy had a fish hooked on his line from what I presume was an earlier catch. They just kept casting the fish back to the water over and over and bringing it back out. I think they might have been attempting to look good in some competition

 

[Spacedeck]

It's a great atmosphere at these runs. You'll be warmly welcomed and encouraged to photograph with the more extrovert runners doing spontaneous mo bots etc.

I emailed my local PR to enquire about the event. He advised me to register on the parkrun website, instead of just turning up. So they can add me to a volunteers list and also provide me with a hi-vis jacket. Then he made me nervous by saying "3: we can let people know there is a photographer so they can look out for you and smile for the camera". I understand that any photos I take would be taken home before I looked through them but I don't want people to expect some professional photographer to be taking the photos I might end up leaving with nothing useful.

Anyhow. I normally walk everywhere, so this weekend will depend on the weather. Forecast of snow and my camera body isn't waterproof. If I wake up in good time, I think I'll give it a try.



Pretty wide spread area but hopeful somewhere in this park will give me decent shots.

Any tips for if I do go? My kit is far from great but should do the trick (D3300, 18-55mm (kit lens), 35mm f/1.8 and 55-300mm). I think the event normally lasts around an hour but I don't want to be experimenting for the whole session would shooting in shutter priority and continuous mode be ideal for moving subjects?

 

[Spacedeck]

Give back button focus a try.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h7fGCRx3vMQ

I didn't even know this was a thing! When I use the back button AF, do I only need to press the button on my subject once before snapping in continuous mode? or does this require me to hold down the back AF button on the subject and keep the shutter pressed at the same time?

 

[Spacedeck]

Headed to town today, so tried taking my camera with me. Didn't have much time though as we needed to get back.

A Lonely Path by Harold Tulley, on Flickr

Along The Canal by Harold Tulley, on Flickr

I think the first contains too little DOF though.