How to Overcome Shyness in Street Photography
There is nothing wrong with being a little nervous if you are doing street photography. Taking pictures of unsuspecting people in candid situations or approaching someone for a more mindful photo is not easy, but if you’re trying to get better, acting as a yellow flower will only hinder your progress. This is a skill you need to develop, but you can improve the effectiveness of street photography by following a few simple rules (and hacking a cold one).
Use your phone instead of a big camera
Photography can be a little intimidating for both the photographer and the subject, depending on the equipment used.
If you’re worried about being too visible, Chris Gampat of The Phoblographer suggests you start small. Like, with a small phone. While that doesn’t mean you should take pictures with your iPhone – try asking permission before taking a picture – using a familiar device calms both you and your subject, and according to Chris, “[phones] are usually a lot more invisible “.
And a photo taken with an iPhone is more revealing than a photo taken by a photographer using a full-frame camera and a signal lens a few feet away.
If you have your own camera, but are still wary of pointing it at someone, you can literally shoot from the hip. “You will be amazed at what you get, and modern photography is so easy to post-process,” said Gampat.
Dress well (enough)
It’s easier to photograph someone if you don’t look like a slob with your camera. Wearing the right clothes can affect our emotions as well as boost our self-esteem and productivity. It also makes you more attractive and trustworthy in the eyes of others, especially if your clothes are tailor-made . This reliability can be the difference between hitting the target and not having the perfect shot.
Our in-house photographer Victor Jeffries II suggests adding a little flair to your outfit before heading out. “You are in the best position to look like the person to be photographed,” Jeffreys said. “You don’t dress up for church or prom, don’t overdo it. Just make sure you wear what you like and it makes you feel like flying. “
Use manual mode when focusing
Skipping a shot due to the camera’s autofocus focusing on the wrong subject is an annoying but common problem that you can face when trying to capture dynamic city life. If you want your camera to be always ready to shoot, you’ll have to get used to the camera’s manual focus mode.
“A lot of people believe that when you manually focus a lens, you sit and twist the focus ring, expecting to get something in focus, and that couldn’t be further from the truth,” Gampat said. Instead, try zone focusing , which will allow you to slow down and adjust the scene before shooting. “You stop the lens to a certain point and focus at a certain distance,” he said. “Then you just walk up to the subject until it is at the specified distance and you shoot.” Pre-focusing gives you time to capture your subject, which is a big plus if you need a little time to build up your confidence.
Enthusiasm for the project
Nothing helps people get out of their comfort zone as much as what they like. You should be interested in your topic, be it a leaking fire hydrant, some kind of drugs, or a supermodel staring right at you. “You have to photograph what you like,” Jeffries said. “If I think your shoes are great, I want to take this photo. I don’t want to photograph someone I “should” photograph. Make sure you take pictures of what you like. ” Talk to your subject about what caught your attention and why you want to take a picture of them. You can even invite them to share a photo after you take it. All it takes is an email address or phone number.
Relax before shooting
If photographing your favorite things or focusing on a subject doesn’t take you out of your comfort zone, a relaxing drink may help. “Have a beer and a half before you start,” Jeffries said. A little liquid boldness never hurts, just make sure you don’t smell like booze while you’re in town. But quite a bit – no one will say “yes” to a drunken stranger who smells vaguely of booze and asks him to take a picture.