PhotoPhobia (a confession)

I hear about the dreaded LBA problem, I want to confess my problem and see if anyone here has a cure.

I have the K100d plus the DA 18-55, 50-200, and 50/1.4. My problem is I'm so nervous about being a poor photographer that I spend more time reading in this forum than actually taking photographs. It's like a phobia, I can't get over this and actually take my K100 outside. It feels awkward around my neck, I feel silly, and I don't feel I have a vision to even know what pictures to take.

I would like to take portrait shots, perhaps candids, because I'm most interested in people (that's why I got the 50 prime). But I fear people will think I'm spying, or worse, some kind of wierdo. I'm afraid I don't have the spirit of so many of you who eat, breathe, and sleep photography.

So I'm open to any suggestions on how to get over this phobia, this fear of taking pictures!!!! I'm ashamed to confess this affliction, but in the interest of science, I'm ready to listen. (BTW, I have a dozen books already, including Brian Peterson's Understanding Exposure and Learning to See Creatively). Maybe I need to sign up for a class... Any help is appreciated!!!!!

-- Robert

--

'We are put on earth a space to learn to bear the beams of love' -- William Blake

I've learned, long hard and grudgingly, that if you feel like you shouldn't be doing something, then people will think that you are doing something you shouldn't.

I was lucky, and unlucky, enough to participate in high school yearbook. I didn't lean too much about photography, but I did learn all about not really caring if I took like a dweed. I guess chest club or ham radio would've had the same effect, but I was particularly fond of the darkroom. Plus you don't have to play a chest club tournament on the sidelines of football games, so it wouldn't have had quite the same effect.

Anyway, the point is that the feeling will ease as you get more practice. Everytime you take a photo of a complete stranger and they either do not notice or do not care, the feeling will shrink away more and more.

It is also good to have company. I don't think that I would've taken half the cadids I have (which is not enough, but it's getting better) if not for my partner in crime and )very) new husband standing beside me, making me feel halfway normal.

--
http://www.apt131.com

'This is easy for us Chinese...just look at the pictures, ignore
his comments in English...'

Welcome to my world lol.

BUT whot i do is to either catch a bus or ride my bike a few miles and then take picures.

How this helps me is that whot are the chances you going to see those people again anyways. How ever i tend to go more private places as for now just to get used to it. I allso use a bag for the camera too lol.....

Good luck out there .

Thank for the openness. Almost everybody on this world have some problems, but a few are willing to speak about them openly.

As for me, taking pictures of the people is of course difficult. Without asking them, it's a little rude, with asking, they can say no or they start to be not natural. The best would be spend sime time with them and then taking some pictures so they will become used to it. Maybye.

If you have a real phobia, I'd recommend to wisit some psychiatrist/psychologist. I don't joke. I myself have phobia from diseases, and I found out that only medicine helped me. If that's real phobia, it's really difficult to go over it only by your own will. But I can't tell exactly, because I don't know you.
--
Pictures from Japan: http://www.pbase.com/tomas_cermak
http://gallery.yamasa.org/view_album.php?set_albumName=tomas

Hi Robert,

Getting up the courage to shoot people is not an easy task at all. I shoot people a lot and still tie up at times. I will suggest what first got me over the hurdle, it might work for you. Here in Taipei, there are ceremonial guards at a couple spots (Martyr's Shrine, CKS Memorial Hall), much like the guards at Buckingham Palace. Thei job is to stand still and not react and they are very used to having their photos taken. I would say that most countries and even most big cities have something similar. Start out with them if you can. Even though it is little different than shooting statues, the fact that you are shooting a living, breathing person does wonders for your confidence. from there, move on to others who are used to being shot and who can't react too negatively. Some street performers would qualify, an author at a book signing, singers at a public concert, etc, anything that will allow you to not feel like a stalker is a good start. After you have done some shooting like that, it is really quite surprising how easily you can move on to more everyday type people.

I have only been confronted once of all the thousands of people I have shot. Some will shake their heads, some will wave you off or look away and if they do, respect that. MOst will simply be surprised that you find them interesting enough to capture a photo of and will react positively. Your body language and self confidence will raise the number of those who react positively, but that will only come with practice and experience.

Have fun
--



http://www.trekearth.com/members/Darren/photos/
http://www.darrenmelrose.com

Have camera, will travel

To find a good model, somebody that likes their picture taken... otherwise pets or children never think you are weird, or at least dont show it I have a tough time photographing people, but the 50/1.4 at least makes me want to do it.
--



Technical Info: Roseart U.S.A. Gold #2 pencil, Pentel High Polymer eraser, Academie sketch pad drawing paper. Drawn clumsily under relatively poor light.

http://www.geocities.com/wild_tiger_1

http://flickr.com/photos/selrahcharles/

Thank you, thank you, thank you...thank you for taking me seriously and sharing your own thoughts and ideas.

Tomas, thank you for your heart felt response. Your analysis of the trade offs between taking or asking; also the idea of spending time with people is perfect. Also, thank you for your concern, I think I'm expressing a frustration rather than a true psychological phobia (I'm a psychotherapist myself and appreciate your recommendation!).

Tijean, thank you for your shared experience. I like your idea of allowing practice to ease my anxiety, and also having company (time to draft my girlfriend into camera assistant!). Also, I love your pictures...the abandoned cabin and Happy's Flea Market stand out to me as wonderful spirited images.

(I am reminded this is a heart thing we're trying to do).

Asrock, thanks for your humbling words and for sharing your thought that we won't be seeing these people ever again. Maybe I should try photopgraphy on my bicycle too!

Darren, your only-one confrontation story helps relieve the anxiety...and even then you didn't die! When I look at your pictures I am quite inspired, the moments you have captured are filled with humanness and deep feeling. Thanks for that!

SelrahCharles...yes I'm looking for that model! My girlfriend is camera shy but quite beautiful to me. Thanks for your own confession, and ditto about the 50/1.4.

This is why I have a Pentax, because you don't just buy a camera, you adopt a family! Thank you all for giving me renewed courage!!

Robert Baker

--

'We are put on earth a space to learn to bear the beams of love' -- William Blake

Your subjects may or may not be limited but you'll be learning a lot just taking pictures of your 5-year old.
Nols
--

“…you can see the whole world in a square mile if you knew where to look” – Dean Koontz in Life Expectancy

Robert Baker said:

I hear about the dreaded LBA problem, I want to confess my problem
and see if anyone here has a cure.

I have the K100d plus the DA 18-55, 50-200, and 50/1.4. My problem
is I'm so nervous about being a poor photographer that I spend more
time reading in this forum than actually taking photographs. It's
like a phobia, I can't get over this and actually take my K100
outside. It feels awkward around my neck, I feel silly, and I don't
feel I have a vision to even know what pictures to take.

I would like to take portrait shots, perhaps candids, because I'm
most interested in people (that's why I got the 50 prime). But I
fear people will think I'm spying, or worse, some kind of wierdo.
I'm afraid I don't have the spirit of so many of you who eat,
breathe, and sleep photography.

So I'm open to any suggestions on how to get over this phobia, this
fear of taking pictures!!!! I'm ashamed to confess this affliction,
but in the interest of science, I'm ready to listen. (BTW, I have a
dozen books already, including Brian Peterson's Understanding
Exposure and Learning to See Creatively). Maybe I need to sign up
for a class... Any help is appreciated!!!!!

-- Robert

Click to expand...

Hi Robert,

You are very brave to come forward like this. I doubt that you are alone in this matter. It's been many years since I got my first SLR, and so I have grown custom to having that big thing around my neck. Think how easily everyone pop up their mobile 2 mpx or a small p&s, but when we take out that big black DSLR everyone looks at us like we're going to kill them with it I guess it doesn't help that we're constantly talking about "shooting stuff" (lol).

I would recommend that you do not start with people. Instead buy a macro lens and take lots and lots of pictures of your mothers garden. Then advance to cars and motorcycles. Be careful to show the pictures to your family and friends. From there it's a short path to kids and the youngsters in the family. If you have a niece/nephew that plays in a band, go with her/him to a gig and take lots of pictures. This way you have legitime reasons to take pictures and people will accept you being around. Be sure to give them a copy of your work. After a while people will remember the wonderful pictures you have taken and ask you to come and take pictures of them. Therefore it's important that you show your work to as many people as possible.

Last but not least. If you're still feeling like getting some backup. Join a photographers club or a local photo school. Participate in contests, let people tell you what they think of your pictures. You'll get in contact with other photographers, and you can act together, learning from each other. Somehow it's easier to be accepted by the surroundings if you are not alone taking pictures.

Best of luck and take care!

sh
--

... unless you become infected with LBA - no cure yet known.
--
Cheers,
Ricardo

Nols,

Does my 5-year-old cat work? I have no human 5-(or any-)year olds!

Robert
--

'We are put on earth a space to learn to bear the beams of love' -- William Blake

Speedie, thank you for your thoughtful reply. Your words carry the weight of both widsom and experience. I especially like your idea of joining a photography club. I live in Columbus, Ohio (home of Ohio State University) where there's bound to be a photo club of some sort.

Your suggestion to not start right away with people is wise also, I want to be an artist before being a student. I'm a talented musician but I forget the years and years of learning it took me to get to where I am now.

Thanks again!! I am renewed by yours, and everyone's patient words.

Robert
--

'We are put on earth a space to learn to bear the beams of love' -- William Blake

Ricardo,

LBA: only cure I know of is to not have any money in the first place plus destroy all credit cards. Problem is, I've used my credit card online so often the number is etched in my brain, I don't even have to drag it out of my wallet anymore.

Thanks for the humor!

Robert

--

'We are put on earth a space to learn to bear the beams of love' -- William Blake

Same to me. This is how I overcame.

Some tips to share, they worked for me :

1. started with festival, any kind. There tend to be more "camera men" in the field. You will be at home.

2. be with companies, preferably photographers. Pressure will be shared by all The more the photographers, the more sharing factor.
3. use long lens. This give you some distance, also give you less stress.

4. important Smile. Who knows, you may win some friends from your photo trip. Nothing is more friendly than smiling face.

5. watch. When you aim your camera, and your "subject" don't like, they will show you. Don't worry, nothing damage, nothing broken. Just smile and give a friendly wave and search for next "subject".

Anyway just want to tell you that, when I started photography, I was also very very nervous, and this was the best part in candid shooting.

--
Somebody said : 'This glass is half-filled'
Another said : 'Half-empty.'
Then come ME, who said : 'Geee . . . May be it's poisoned.'
-----------------
Y

ahblur said:

Same to me. This is how I overcame.

Some tips to share, they worked for me :
1. started with festival, any kind. There tend to be more "camera
men" in the field. You will be at home.
2. be with companies, preferably photographers. Pressure will be
shared by all The more the photographers, the more sharing
factor.
3. use long lens. This give you some distance, also give you less
stress.
4. important Smile. Who knows, you may win some friends from your
photo trip. Nothing is more friendly than smiling face.
5. watch. When you aim your camera, and your "subject" don't like,
they will show you. Don't worry, nothing damage, nothing broken.
Just smile and give a friendly wave and search for next "subject".

Anyway just want to tell you that, when I started photography, I
was also very very nervous, and this was the best part in candid
shooting.

--
Somebody said : 'This glass is half-filled'
Another said : 'Half-empty.'
Then come ME, who said : 'Geee . . . May be it's poisoned.'
-----------------
Y

Click to expand...

ahblur, thank you for your excellent suggestions. I'm pretty good at smiling, and I do have a long lens (50-200 and 100-300 zooms). I'll have to figure out how to join other photographers, maybe through a photography club. There was an arts & craft festival that I took my camera to, but I was the only one photographing...felt quite awkward and I didn't get any memorable shots, so I'll keep trying!

thanks for your encouragement!

Robert
--

'We are put on earth a space to learn to bear the beams of love' -- William Blake

Tijean said:

I've learned, long hard and grudgingly, that if you feel like you
shouldn't be doing something, then people will think that you are
doing something you shouldn't.

I was lucky, and unlucky, enough to participate in high school
yearbook. I didn't lean too much about photography, but I did learn
all about not really caring if I took like a dweed. I guess chest
club

Click to expand...

Should that be "chess club" or did I miss out on a club to be in during my High School years?

Tijean said:

or ham radio would've had the same effect, but I was
particularly fond of the darkroom. Plus you don't have to play a
chest club tournament on the sidelines of football games, so it
wouldn't have had quite the same effect.

Anyway, the point is that the feeling will ease as you get more
practice. Everytime you take a photo of a complete stranger and
they either do not notice or do not care, the feeling will shrink
away more and more.

It is also good to have company. I don't think that I would've
taken half the cadids I have (which is not enough, but it's getting
better) if not for my partner in crime and )very) new husband
standing beside me, making me feel halfway normal.

--
http://www.apt131.com

'This is easy for us Chinese...just look at the pictures, ignore
his comments in English...'

Click to expand...

--
John
Iowa, USA

jmacshriver said:

Should that be "chess club" or did I miss out on a club to be in
during my High School years?

Click to expand...

--A-- Club? --THE-- club by the sounds of it...

Where can I sign up?

My suggestion is that you take photographs of people that expect to be photographed, i.e. street performers, musicians, sports events, people at weddings or other types of parties, people in touristy locations. That way you are less likely to offend someone than if you were taking real "street" photographs.

Hope that helps.
Cheers,
Ed

--



Please check out my embryonic photoblog at http://www.bokeh-junior.com .

--

“…you can see the whole world in a square mile if you knew where to look” – Dean Koontz in Life Expectancy

Ed,

what a great suggestion!! Thanks for that.

Robert
--

'We are put on earth a space to learn to bear the beams of love' -- William Blake