Scared to even go out

[JCook0113]

A TLR with waist-level viewfinder is one solution. Although people will see that you have a camera on you, you can make it less obvious that you are actually taking pictures with it.

I currently have a yashica d, it's been a lifesaver because most people relax when they see a vintage camera.

 

[JCook0113]

I’m from Northern Arkansas (hence the avatar), Mtn Home area to be exact. Beautiful area, the Ozarks, wish I could move back. Take lots of photos and share...I don’t get back there often enough. Try running down the watermills in the region..they are very photogenic.

How do you like the northeast? I loved visiting the cities up there and even portsmouth was very interesting.

 

[Arklatexian]

I hope this is the right place to ask something like this.
When I was young, I couldn't wait for the day when I could have my license and not need my busy parents to randomly drive me around to take photos. I would look out the backseat window of our car, taking mental pictures of the strange things I passed by on our way to Walmart or something. And now, I finally have my frickin license.
And I won't leave my house.
I obviously drove around looking for things to photograph the first day I got my license, but come to realize, most of those places I can't really take pictures of because it's either on someone's property or I would have to get odd looks from people in their cars driving by while I take pictures of the weird things I like to photograph. None of the interesting places I want to photograph would get me into trouble and I could easily just hop out of my car and take it (take 10 minutes to take my light meter out and set my exposure) or ask permission, but I am so shy I literally can't do it. I live in a smaller town so most of the things to photograph aren't on public property, or highly populated places (more usual places to take pictures). So many excuses and I find myself drowning in youtube videos or editing past photos aimlessly, wishing I could take better ones. I honestly don't know why I wrote this, maybe someone can help or has the same issue. Maybe one day I'll move to a city where I can get more ambiguity.
Thanks for reading my rant.

When I was young, we had no Walmarts, nor did anyone else. However things have changed and a family in Bentonville had a lot to do with that. I have not been there but have been east of there and remember clear, fast running rivers (photogenic), mountains, valleys, all sorts of things. You could have it worse, like if you lived in a big city and feared for your safety at the hands of thugs. Use a tripod and really blow the passerby's minds. Yours is a familiar story to a naturally shy person.......Hang in there!........Regards!

 

[Nodda Duma]

How do you like the northeast? I loved visiting the cities up there and even portsmouth was very interesting.

Love New Hampshire. It’s a lot like the Ozarks but milder summers, lower humidity, and even the snow is nice. There’s even a fair share of rednecks up here but with a funny accent. Cost of living is higher tho.

Don't get me wrong, I'd rather be in the Ozarks and near family. But there's no work back home for the type of stuff I do for my day job. New Hampshire is the next best thing.

 

[removed account4]

I currently have a yashica d, it's been a lifesaver because most people relax when they see a vintage camera.

jcooke0113
i think you figured something out that is extremely important
the point is to be non threatening .. vintage cameras help that...
one thing that i found helpful is if you see a property / thing you want to photograph
go upto the person who is giving you the look introduce yourself and ask them about what it is you want to photograph
even ask if they want to have their photograph taken .. people are always flattered about that sort of stuff
and it usually is a good ice breaker ...
i sometimes have a few photos in my car and a biz card i give out so they know who i am and what i am about...
website on my phone is helpful too ...
being a known quantity, someone people see doing your/his/her thing is also important ...
not sure if you have found him or not .. there is a photographer here named colin corneau
https://www.photrio.com/forum/media/users/colin-corneau.23083/ who lives in canada
who has been photographing his town/city for years. he's a fantastic street/street candid portrait/ photojournalist/portrait/atmospheric/sense of place /photograph interesting people and stuff / fill in the blank
photographers you will ever see.. i'm always in awe of his work because he makes it look so easy
have fun and to quote bill murray in what about bill .. baby steppin' ...
john

 

[TheRook]

I currently have a yashica d, it's been a lifesaver because most people relax when they see a vintage camera.

So true. And with a camera such as the Yashica D, it is unlikely anyone will assume you are some sort of investigator collecting evidence.

 

[jtk]

I'm no good at lo profile, maybe because I can't resist asking people whazzup, even if I'm afraid. I didn't start out that way as a kid, but I discovered that it pays off. I'm still afraid sometimes but the upside is always there. The payoff is that everybody has an interesting story about themselves, or thinks they do.

Nobody ever asks me what I'm doing because it's obvious. As an aside, nobody knows what's "vintage" unless they're into cameras but a big camera on a tripod gives you some dignity (or sez yer nutz).

 

[AgX]

I'm no good at lo profile, maybe because I can't resist asking people whazzup, even if I'm afraid. I didn't start out that way as a kid, but I discovered that it pays off. I'm still afraid sometimes but the upside is always there. The payoff is that everybody has an interesting story about themselves, or thinks they do.

Not only do you get interesting stories, but also when security people or alike get an eye on you, I found it beneficial to approach them before they approach you.

 

[slackercrurster]

Not only do you get interesting stories, but also when security people or alike get an eye on you, I found it beneficial to approach them before they approach you.

Well, this is if you are a social person. If you are not social, then you don't like to talk to people, you just observe. The social talkers will have an easy time with street portraits and asking permission.

 

[slackercrurster]

So true. And with a camera such as the Yashica D, it is unlikely anyone will assume you are some sort of investigator collecting evidence.

Not always the case. I used Widelux at a Catholic street fair a few years ago and they threatened to call the police if I didn't leave. I was taking photos of kids. I had not learned as yet a man taking photos of stranger kids is a pedophile in societies eyes.

 

[slackercrurster]

I've had a couple of situations where l was confronted while taking photos, or where people would comment behind my back, thinking that l wouldn't understand them. Wearing a Nikon around my neck and looking around, makes me look like a tourist in my own city!
Anyways, a couple of months ago l was taking some photos of some building with a very interesting facade, and an older guy, maybe in his 60s crept up from behind me, waited for me to take the shot and then asked me why l was taking photos there.
I tried to explain what l was doing, but the guy insisted that l could see through the windows and that l was taking photos of people, rather than the building, even though l was standing like 100ft from the building. With a Kiev 4. I thanked him for the ''heads-up'' and went my way, there's no use in arguing with people like that.

The other day, l was taking a photo of a VW Samba, which was handpainted with various colors, like a hippie van, and a couple of girls, probably thinking that l wouldn't understand them, said something like ''look at this guy, he's probably taking photos for his instagram''. You should've seen their faces when l looked at them and told them that if they liked what they saw, they should drop a like or two. Normally l'd just look at them and say nothing, but that day l took out my brand new 50mm 1.8D, so l was feeling especially confident!

I've missed plenty shots because of the feeling that you described in your first post. Just take the photo if you like what you see, and if someone walks up to you and asks you what you are doing, politely explain and perhaps have some photos ready on your phone to support your story. Soon enough you won't even notice the fear, you'll just be snapping!

Yes, never argue. If people want to talk, that is fine. As long as words do not evolve into actions. Once there is an issue, walk away.