Being a Stealth Photographer
by Amanda on June 7, 2010
Do you see possible awesome photograph options while you’re out and about but don’t have the nerve to shoot them? Do you ever wish that you had more camera courage whilst out in public? Recently one reader asked how I shoot the things I do without getting funny looks. She wanted to know what my “secret to avoiding the silly is”.
Often times I have missed great photo opportunities because I’ve worried about what people may think. Nobody wants to be the crazy lady crawling through the bushes or laying in the middle of the street legs and arms a-flailing with a camera pointed in the air. The secret is…there isn’t one unfortunately.
However, I pose to you this…how badly do you want the shot? There are plenty of times that I have wanted to shoot something and been too nervous or worried that people might think I am a weirdo. It’s moments like those that I ask myself this very question: How badly do you want it? If I want it badly enough, I will size up the situation, shoot as quickly as I can and then get the hell out of there.
Of course, there is a time and place for photography. As I’ve mentioned before, I used to shoot a lot of bands. One time I had a really hard time shooting and simply had to put the camera away. It was a Joanna Newsom gig. It was in the famous Spiegel Tent and with nothing but a little lady strumming a harp, it was dead silent. Having my shutter button clicking away during the performance would have been downright rude, so I put the camera away. Obviously, some things are not appropriate to shoot and I make a judgement call.
The photographs that posed this initial reader question were taken in a store. Now quite often some stores have rules about taking photographs so you need to be careful. I will admit that when I took some pictures inside The Regional Assembly of Text, I was nervous about it. I wanted to ask permission but it was super busy, so I just took a few shots as I walked around the store. Thankfully, one of the owners actually emailed me telling me that she loved the post. There is always the chance that you won’t be that lucky.
I take quite a lot of photographs in cafes and people may think I’m a bit of a weirdo but I’d rather walk home with some lovely pictures of my day than regretting not shooting that moment. I guess it comes down to not being worried what people will think and being courteous. I am always mindful of my surroundings and if I think that my shooting might disturb others then I will give it a miss. You can always ask permission first too.
I’ve had some funny looks from people, I’ve had comments and even quite a few people asking me to take their photo. It goes with the territory. If you really want the shot, compose it in your head, stand tall, be quick and courteous and be brave! You never know what you might come home with.
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Thank you – I needed to read this post. I’m always self-conscious about being a lurker/soul stealer/perv/weirdo when taking photos, but then I kick myself for missing opportunities. You’re right, you’ve got to decide what you want!
Beautifully put. I get shy sometimes, but then I try to remember that taking photos is a joy for me and the outcome is worth it.
Thanks Ann.
LoL @ soul stealer and perv. There is definitely a fine line of tight rope walking!
I think i’m past the point of caring what people think as i photograph the most random things. I rarely photograph people so really the only time i ask permission is if i am in a shop or something. Otherwise i just go with it otherwise i’ll walk away mad at myself for missing out. & i’ve seen people doing way weirder things in public than taking photos!
Thank you for this post today. I also really needed this today.
I feel so nervous about pulling out my camera/phone and rubber band it to a tripod. I get a lot of weird looks, and even some offending comments. I get the shot – put the phone back in my pocket and move on as quickly as possible. Almost all of us have cameras/phones in our pockets, why not use them and make something beautiful.
Alexandria, the outcome is totally worth it. The shyness lasts a minute but the shot you’ll have forever.
Laura, yes, I am past it too. I think the more you shoot, the less inhibited you become. I don’t really worry about what people think anymore. I just do my thing and move along.
WilB, can I ask why you use a rubber band?
i would also encourage to take the photo when the opportunity won’t interrupt the moment. there is such a thing as being too shutter happy when enjoying company | show | event. but it’s never a regret to steal that one moment you’ve decidedly “have to have.” i carry my not-so-pretty but ever-so-practical camera bag for those “just in case” cases. lugging that around is an eyesore in and of itself at times. but i thought your advice was thoughtful and right on in that you ask permission when possible, be mindful + stomach the slight nervousness for the necessary joy. small risk for art, yes? : )
Amanda – my camera is a blackberry bold 9000 (smartphone) the only way to keep it on the tripod is with a bunch of rubber bands. Silly – but it works.
Interesting post!
I think I’m too shy sometimes, since I more often than not end up photoless.
I never feel the same way when I’m travelling, it feels like since I’m a tourist, I can photograph everything! I wish I felt the same way at home! ;)
I’ve been getting more used to just going for the shot. If people ask I just tell them it’s for a project (just recently started a 365). Most people are just curious.
I do feel a bit nervous about taking photos in a shop, so I either do it super fast or chicken out.
Thanks for the tips!
What perfect timing. I am sitting in an airport lounge and I thought these people drinking their coffee in front of the big windows with all the planes going by would make such a great picture, but what if one of them turned around and saw me?! After reading this post I picked up my camera, walked back to the window, and took the shot. No strange looks, one person even looked at me as I did it with out a hint of judgement.
Thanks!
I’m so glad you wrote this. I have plenty of days when I’ve let a good shot go by because I’m too nervous to just whip my camera out and go for it. I’ve always been kind of shy, so just drawing the attention to myself is never fun for me. BUT having said this and after reading your post, you’ve given me some new found courage and inspiration. Next time I’m out and about, I will think of this post and *hopefully* go for it (in the correct setting of course). Thank you SO much for this post. :)
xoxo,
Bonnie
great advice.
thanks for sharing your thoughts. i share the same stress when wanting to photograph something. i just keep thinking ‘nobody knows me here, just have a thick skin, then shoot, then run the hell outta there’ heehee
Thanks for this post. Lately, I don’t know why but I’ve been feeling extremely self conscious with my camera and have been afraid to photograph things. I’m gonna do what you do next time I’m out and just forget that fear. :)
i face this choice pretty much every time i take my camera out… its frustrating.. A few weeks ago i was asked to stop taking photos at a deli… I mean, c’mon, what am i going to still your ‘capsicum’ idea? and there were no people in sight either!
I think we need a support group for shy photographers! LOL
Liya, ugh, don’t you hate that? People need to get over themselves. It’s fruit and veg!
I love this, because I too frequently grapple with these questions. Its totally worth putting yourself out there though to get a shot you realllly want : )
And the more you do it the less you care about what people think! I’ve embrace being the weird camera lady sprawled on the footpath :-)
Thank you so much for this! I’m constantly fighting myself when it comes to this. My shutter is so ridiculously loud and I blush like the dickens at the slightest attention drawn to me.
Thank you thank you thank you. I will try to be more brave. Having awesome shots is so much better than regretting not taking any.
:)
I definitely relate to this – but the worst part is, I’m just not very stealthy!! Also, as I don’t enjoy being photographed much myself, I can understand other people getting very uncomfortable about having their picture taken, especially by a stranger.
That said, awhile ago I saw a video by Mijonju about photographing people – his guest Mark Skorj’s suggestion of just asking people for permission to take their photo has been fantastically freeing for me. The first time I asked someone, and they said yes, I walked away with the biggest smile on my face.
I know that idea doesn’t strictly apply to everything, especially if you prefer candid photos to posed photos. I think there’s a time and place for both styles.
*Bowing down* Well said. And thank you for answering my question with such eloquence and a good dose of “just do it.” (And now I have to admit, I’ve got a little bit of a blog crush :) )
I’m fairly surprised at how many of us hide behind our cameras without ever firing a shot. I hope we can all make it our mid-year resolution to shoot with confidence (and not feel the least bit silly)!
Oh yeah…been there, done that. However, there’s nothing stealthy about my photography. I am spacially-unaware [read klutzy] so everyone and everything around me knows i’m shooting. I can forget about those candid photos where the subject remains unaware. Many people must feel a tinge of sympathy for me because they ask me if they can help as I’m wallowing around like a wino making crop circles on the ground–usually after I trip over my purse, which I placed down by my feet and then forgot. Oh well, I think my mid-year resolution will be to take yoga or tai chi to work on my breathing and balance. Ha! Then, and only then, can I aspire to be a ninja photographer.
this is a GREAT post and i totally agree with everything you said! i really need to find the courage to not be embarrassed in certain situations to get THE SHOT! i pretty much bring my camera around with me everywhere but feel awkward when i take photos of random things or people. one time i was at a farmer’s market and taking pictures of random ppl and this one vendor was like.. heyy what about me and opened his arms. my camera was drawn to him and snapped a shot of him and i love it haha!!
Fantastic post! This is something I have struggled with but am proud to say, am finding myself rising above it. I still haven’t quite graduated to full fledged store photographing, but soon hopefully.
One area that always gets me and I usually never take pictures at is playgrounds. Especially if there are a lot of kids around. I’m not taking pictures of the kids, usually the flowers or trees around it, but sometimes just someone having a camera in the vicinity is enough to make parents edgy.
Funny thing is, we all worry about what other people think of us and miss photo opportunities because of it, but I don’t think I’ve ever watched a photographer, say, climb a fence to take a shot of something and thought “what a weirdo”. And I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone else I know watch a dude with a camera and say any snide remarks about them. It’s usually “oh there must be something cool going on over there.”
Despite complaints from people with photo hobbies, I’ve only seen people treat photographers with respect and in some cases even awe.
Of course, I can’t say the same for paparazzi.
i am constantly being asked by friends::
“are you seriously going to take another picture?” :)
most have given in to the fact that i will be snapping. anytime. anywhere. and usually before i allow them to take a bit of their food.
art has no shame!
loved this post! and your blog! what a special place you have here :)
I’m glad that I’m not the only one worried about such things … ! Thanks for the pep talk!
I’ve always wondered how people get some of their shots! im super nervous about taking pictures when people are around, but this actually gave me some confidence! now i can shoot and ignore the people around me :)
Well you are so right! I used to be scared people would think I’m a weirdo but I don’t care anymore about the funny faces
oldest tricks in the book to remedy this situation:
1. send a friend over to pose in the general direction of what you REALLY want to photograph.
2. pretend to be checking your settings, or reviewing shots, and just click away in the general direction…and hope for the best.
Wow, I’m so relieved to know I’m not the only one! Thanks for the reassurance!
Sometimes when I’m shooting in public with people around, I ask myself what the chances are that I’ll EVER see these people again, or whether or not they’ll even remember tomorrow that they noticed a crazy chick at the coffee shop taking pictures of her frappuccino.