People pics - how do you cope with shyness around SLRs?

[V8S]

The problem I have most when at family gatherings is the bulk of my camera and flash making people self-concious. A compact has the air of happy snapping and can be whipped out willy-nilly from a pocket, but an SLR with flashgun is a different story.

I already have to battle against certain people having an aversion to cameras in general, and the added awkwardness of having a big lens pointed at them just makes things worse.

I prefer to take non-posed shots, but the moment I move the camera to my eye people feel awkward.

How do you all cope? Is it an interpersonal thing where you have to get people comfortable with you and the camera, or do you shoot away until everyone forgets you're there?

Any tips?

[GetCarter]

I use a Long lens and very high ISO.

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 4th January 14:51

[cs02rm0]

Take thousands of pictures until they get over it.

[Simpo Two]

V8S said:

Is it an interpersonal thing where you have to get people comfortable with you and the camera

Yep. If you radiate awkwardness they'll feel awkward too. I just tell people to get on with whatever they're doing and ignore me; it works remarkably well.

[Simpo Two]

GetCarter said:

I use a Long lens and very high ISO and then run like hell

EFA

[V8S]

Simpo Two said:

V8S said:

Is it an interpersonal thing where you have to get people comfortable with you and the camera

Yep. If you radiate awkwardness they'll feel awkward too. I just tell people to get on with whatever they're doing and ignore me; it works remarkably well.

Interesting you should say that. I'm not over-confident in my approach as I'm still trying to learn the subject; most awkwardness, however, comes from certain people hating having their picture taken and telling me to put the camera away all the time, which brings everyone's attention to it. I just give up as it's then too much trouble.

I think I need to tell these people to get over it and leave me be!

[Kermit power]

GetCarter said:

I use a Long lens and very high ISO.

And beer, by the look of it!

[V8S]

GetCarter said:

I use a Long lens and very high ISO.

Most of the time it's indoors in family gatherings, so a long lens isn't possible.

[4hero]

Just take the shots when they least expect it.



Or hide behind the sofa



Even if they are expecting it you can get some decent results.



They don't have to be all smiley smiley when getting their shots taken, after all "say cheese" is the worst thing you could say

[GetCarter]

V8S said:

GetCarter said:

I use a Long lens and very high ISO.

Most of the time it's indoors in family gatherings, so a long lens isn't possible.

Then I just sneak up on them with a short lens and pretend I'm cleaning the lens

Edited by GetCarter on Monday 4th January 15:06

[Simpo Two]

V8S said:

Interesting you should say that. I'm not over-confident in my approach as I'm still trying to learn the subject; most awkwardness, however, comes from certain people hating having their picture taken and telling me to put the camera away all the time, which brings everyone's attention to it. I just give up as it's then too much trouble.

It doesn't help that you're family; I have the advantage of being paid to take photos which imbues some respect, in a nice way. If you're faced with an obstreporous family member (teenagers are usually the worst) and they start covering their face up and being silly, you could go into psychologist mode and ask them what the problem is. Try and reason, or say that if they don't let you take one good one, then in 100 years time nobody will know they ever existed. Or plead. Or anything, you know them better than I!

[Mr E]

Fixed 50 and really high iso. Or alcohol. Sometimes both.

[V8S]

Simpo Two said:

V8S said:

Interesting you should say that. I'm not over-confident in my approach as I'm still trying to learn the subject; most awkwardness, however, comes from certain people hating having their picture taken and telling me to put the camera away all the time, which brings everyone's attention to it. I just give up as it's then too much trouble.

It doesn't help that you're family; I have the advantage of being paid to take photos which imbues some respect, in a nice way. If you're faced with an obstreperous family member (teenagers are usually the worst) and they start covering their face up and being silly, you could go into psychologist mode and ask them what the problem is. Try and reason, or say that if they don't let you take one good one, then in 100 years time nobody will know they ever existed. Or plead. Or anything, you know them better than I!

I know what the problem is for one of them, and I've used the argument of not having any pictures of themselves in the future. I was like it when I was younger and I have one or two pictures of myself as a teenager which is a big shame. I look back and think what a pillock I was for being so shy and vain and don't want other people to make the same mistake...

The key I've found with the shy people is to rope other people in to the picture so they're not on their own, but then it becomes posed. And I prefer capturing natural moments, not unnatural ones.

[V8S]

Mr E said:

Fixed 50 and really high iso. Or alcohol. Sometimes both.

I've been experimenting with bounced flash having finally bought myself a flash that talks to the camera properly. Unfortunately the flash alerts everyone to what I'm doing, but the lighting is so much nicer that I'd rather just get people used to it.

[Simpo Two]

V8S said:

The key I've found with the shy people is to rope other people in to the picture so they're not on their own, but then it becomes posed. And I prefer capturing natural moments, not unnatural ones.

Can they not be with other people but playing a game or something, then you can pick each one off with a longer lens? If you give the shy person something to do that they feel comfortable/confident with, then you won't be the biggest thing on their minds.

Can't be more help via internet I think!

[Would You]

Get a rangefinder...

[V8S]

Simpo Two said:

V8S said:

The key I've found with the shy people is to rope other people in to the picture so they're not on their own, but then it becomes posed. And I prefer capturing natural moments, not unnatural ones.

Can they not be with other people but playing a game or something, then you can pick each one off with a longer lens? If you give the shy person something to do that they feel comfortable/confident with, then you won't be the biggest thing on their minds.

Can't be more help via internet I think!

I know what you're saying but I don't want to steer what goes on in order to take pics. I just want to document what everyone does of their own accord as it's much more fun that way.

The person that is the most difficult doesn't tend to let their guard down or become engrossed in anything long enough for me to snap them, yet I think they are one of the most photogenic. The major sticking point is they don't 'get' photography as a thing in itself. The amount of times I've been asked why I'm shooting something is unreal. If it's not a happy snap, it's alien.

I will just plug away I think until everyone gets used to me and I'll try to use higher ISOs instead of flash.

Thanks for your thoughts chaps.

[Simpo Two]

You can't win them all.

Leave them be and enjoy working with the others.

[shakotan]

4hero said:

Or hide behind the sofa

At the risk of her being your O/H (or worse, the other one being your O/H), the one on the right is delightful!

[covboy]

I have slightly the reverse problem.

I get very self conscious when using my SLR in public places!

I'm OK when in the company of other like minded photographers (typically Race meetings etc), but when trying out "street" photography, I tend to rush things - keep the Camera in my bag until the last minute and never seem to get the desired result.

I realise this is probably just a mind thing, and I may well overcome it in time. Anyone any tips ?

Edited by covboy on Monday 4th January 21:43