Eye Contact Is apparently very scary! - Street photography help needed

fret_wimp2

Im really concentrating on street photography the last little while, and im finding that although im getting better at seeing good photo op's, I freeze up as soon as a potential subject sees me.

Ive given some details and actual scenarios in my blog here.

Ive posted here asking how people get over this and got some great tips, but in practice im still struggling.

Are there any accomplished street photographers out there who are up for a conversation or coffee to help me figure out how to get over this?

JamJamJamJam

fret_wimp2 wrote: »

Im really concentrating on street photography the last little while, and im finding that although im getting better at seeing good photo op's, I freeze up as soon as a potential subject sees me.

Ive given some details and actual scenarios in my blog here.

Ive posted here asking how people get over this and got some great tips, but in practice im still struggling.

Are there any accomplished street photographers out there who are up for a conversation or coffee to help me figure out how to get over this?

I'm absolutely not an accomplished street photographer, and I've never even mustered the courage to try! But I can definitely imagine feeling WAY more comfortable if I was with someone else. Getting advice might help to an extent, but taking street photos while you're with someone else might allow you to just get out there and start getting those pictures, and I guess after a while you'll have the confidence to get out there on your own!

That's not to say that you shouldn't meet an experienced person - I don't mean to derail the thread - just that if it does not work out, then it's a suggestion :-)

swingking

When in doubt . . . Smile!

It instantly turns you from being a creepy guy with camera to someone who is friendly

Kenny Logins

I've never had the balls to give it a good go myself, but they do say to avoid eye contact. Some good reading here -

http://thomas.leuthard.photography/ebooks/

kevc2

I don't do street photography but I'd imagine it would be easier wearing sunglasses and have earphones in, that way people aren't going to approach you.

kevc2

Plus maybe use live view on your camera, it doesn't look like you are taking photos then.

thebaz

engaging with subject has been some of my most enjoyable part of photography - my preference is see a street frame, raise camera to eye, focus and then shoot - and then engage , sure sometimes people may not like it , and ask you to delete it - if they do , just do so & move on ; but in general if you talk & say why you do it , is much more prefarble than running off and hoping you wer'nt seen , i couldn't do street photography any length of the time, if that was the case - plus engaging with your subject , is actually more important than street photography , its humane .

Virtual

I'm only starting out myself, but so far I've been reluctant to engage with the subjects. I do, however, think that it would be better to smile and talk to them, rather than sounding like a creep.