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Recent Posts
I remember a quote I read some time ago. I can’t remember who wrote but I
feel it has some relevance to this topic:
*The world was not grey and scary anymore. It was suddenly bright and
friendly. Then I realised it was not the world that had changed, but me.*
Just wow. Thank you so much for that.
Hi all you lovely photographers out there.
If you’re a shy, introverted self conscious person these attributes can get
in the way of what you want to achieve as a photographer. But you’re not
alone.
Photographing in public places and the feeling every one’s looking at you
can be terribly uncomfortable for many. But it is possible to overcome it.
I made this video in response to an email I received and the huge number of
responses to a post on our Facebook page about this.
Best wishes
Mike
PS. My Ultimate Beginners Course Package is now available for just £29.99
from
http://www.photographycourses.biz/ultimate_beginners_photography_course.html
great tips. I started last 4 years in my 40’s. And looking back all the
pictures i wished i stated earlier. And may be I won’t be working 9-5 job
which i hate.
One thing that keep me insane and finding serenity is taking pictures. And
for few minutes or hours i just feel free.
Great advice again, Mike … well, I started to think seriously about
photography at the age of 48 🙂 had some contact in the 80s but never
really thought about what I did at that time. I know that problem with
street photography very well. In Germany and Switzerland many people react
very rude when they recognize getting photographed in the public. Some
were not far away from attacking me.
But I have another problem. I think, my pictures really improved and so did
my post processing skills in the last two years. Most time I photograph
landscape, architecture and technical stuff like cars. But I would love to
try doing pictures of people, portraits, weddings and things like that. The
problem is not, that I’m not self confident enough with my skills. I’m
pretty sure I could manage that. But when I’m working concentrated with the
camera I start sweating really hard and I can’t control that. That’s no
problem when I take pictures of a church or a car. I always carry a towel
with me :). But I can imagine when I work with people they might be
bothered by that and that would make a relaxed atmosphere impossible. Do
you have any experience with that, any advice? Thx :)
Do you know, is it always legal to photograph people without their
permission in the united states? I’ve seen some great shots at the bay or
beach or even at our lake in the woods, however i dont want to go against
some privacy law and end up getting in actual trouble. For instance if i
take the picture and they notice and say you know you cant take my picture
its against the law, should i worry they’re right, or say sorry and walk
away knowing im alright. Thank you for your reply !
Oh, another great thing about shooting in a crowd/party/event… You can
hide behind the lens. 🙂 I was at a wedding and starting shooting in the
evening when the photographers went home. I wasn’t really interesting in
mingling so the lens kept some nice distance between me and them, without
looking like you were avoiding them. It was a fantastic amount of
practice, and the bride and groom benefit from the few good shots you get,
since the photographers had already left.
And…. Most people will look at you and think you’re the bomb since they
know even less about camera gear. My crappy 55-250 canon zoom looks fancy
to the unknowing. 😉 I was standing on tables and chairs, crawling on the
floor near the band, etc. And, with a zoom, you can take photos from a
distance without people even knowing. A fun way for an introvert to insert
themselves into a party.
Its not really that hard to learn photography. Just start small and work
your way up. Start with a basic camera DSLR or something and a basic zoom
lens and one or two primes but don’t break the bank.
Mike Browne has a lot of great videos start with his first video and work
your way to his newest video.
If you try to jump right in and do everything the pros are doing now you’ll
be lost. Think of it going to the first grade and working your way up to
12th grade then college.
Trust me it might take you a few months of a few years to get good but it
will happen overtime. Take photos for fun I find makes you a better
photographer.
Great video as always, +Mike Browne One thing that certainly helped me in
my teenage years is learning (specially in big cities) that most people
don’t really care about you. They are probably immersed in their own issues
and stuff, and if they do get to see and take notice of you they are going
to forget all about it in matter of seconds, most probably. So don’t worry
and do your thing, as long as you don’t bother anyone doing it.
Great video. I really enjoy all your videos, but this one really hit home!
Whenever I’m shooting outdoors, I feel most comfortable in an isolated
spot, it’s like my domain, my comfort zone. But as soon as someone steps
into my ”territory”, I start feeling restless and insecure. There is,
however, an underlying problem, I’m not a very social person to begin with.
Devoting time to mingling with people and getting out of my cocoon is
something I’ve always overlooked, but not any more. If ever my photography
is to blossom into a business, I’ll have to interact with people anyway, so
introversion is no longer an option.
I would just add that when photographing buskers it’s polite to contribute
something to the hat, at least I think it is.
I got my first camera when I was 35 but then stopped taking photographs for
many years due to health problems. I’m just now getting back into it at 65
and I don’t intend to stop no matter how silly I look!
I’m 45 and only took it up on a serious level in January of this year.
(2014) So have 2 decades on Mr Smith 😉 I have been shooting since I was
a child for pleasure and never got out of auto mode until I started it on a
serious level around 8 months ago. I’ve only just got around to buying my
first ever FF Camera which should be here tomorrow all being well – The
Nikon D800E 🙂
Fantastic advice as always Mike
If people cannot give an honest opinion without being cruel or rude, then
their opinion is useless.
Great advice +Mike Browne
To “John Smith”
Get out to local street festivals/markets where people are not going to be
surprised to see somebody taking pictures.
Use longer focal length lens to start with, so you don’t have to get to
close.
I love going to renaissance fair to take pictures. Everybody is in the
costumes and they love having their picture taken.
This happened to me last Christmas season. I was shooting long exposure in
downtown Milwaukee, when this police officer approached me. I was set up in
front of the “federal building” in Milwaukee, home of FBI and Homeland
Security. So I was ready for “you can’t take pictures here” speech, when
all he was interested in was my NEX-6. He was thinking about switching from
DSLR to mirrorless camera, so he approached me and asked few questions.
dang Mike. Not only talented, but such wisdom. Wonderfully put.
in my experience, a polite question does not hurt – also, with a DSLR
people are much more friendly. Nobody cares if someone tries to take a shot
with a click’n’shoot, phone or pad. But if you are manhandling a DSLR you
will get… excuses if someone steps into your picture.
That experience was mind boggling. Even worse if you are fighting with a
tripod. Suddenly you are not some tourist, pervert or both, but some
(semi)professional guy who takes whatever he does there really seriously.
But it goes both ways. In Germany you can’t just take a pic of someone
without their consent (you can take a pic of a parade or a landmark while
they are walking by – that is different) and people are… not too
enthusiastic about having their picture taken. So telling someone who looks
a bit stressed, that ‘no worry, I won’t take a picture of you, and no, you
don’t have to worry, see, I am still busy with the equipment’, does defuse
some situations nicely. Be friendly and don’t insist on a certain shot and
people will be friendly and may allow you to take some photos you wouldn’t
have guessed.
Side note: I make absolutely sure not to photograph children. People are
extremely sensitive in that regard. I don’t even ask. I just wait until
they are gone.
25? Good golly Miss Molly, if 25 is too old, then I should toss my camera
in the bin and that’s not happening.
This reminds me of one comment I made in a little evening class I went to a
few years ago when this subject came up and I said it because I was scared
and shy, now I like it, but still get stage fright even though no one
probably cares what your doing lol
I said ” its only scary for a few seconds, as you stand there in town, your
in everyones way, but once your tripod is up and those people have walked
past, it is now YOUR space, and people walk past, walk around and even duck
and say sorry. Then you can enjoy photography, learn photography or both as
im sure all photographers do lol”
I started digital photography at the age of 42 and learned everything by
myself (all the buttons on my dslr, photoshop, lightroom).
I’m shy too, but often asked to photograph weddings.
Hello Mike, another Mike here!, I’ve just taken up photography, and will be
lurking around your Facebook page and youtube channel to get some tips.
I’m 25 and have just recently got into photography (as a hobby), my parents
made me enter a wildlife photography competition for amateur photographers! *fingers
crossed* I really enjoy going out and snapping, not had the confidence to
take pictures of people at moment! All the best Mike!
Hi Mike, thanks for the add. Loving the videos. May I ask a question. I’m
buying a new tripod, would you like to do a review on a Manfrotto 190XPROL
versus a Benro A1692TB0 Travel Angel II. Which one should I consider, Have
you ever used any of these.? I have tried to see any comparisons but
failed. Expert opinion from yourself would be greatly appreciated. I have
taken to long exposure photography, so a sturdy light tripod will be
required. I own a Velbon at the minute…..don’t laugh..!! It was only £20
and my images are shocking…Many thanks for your time.My Flikr site is
https://www.flickr.com/photos/derbyrocker/
The ‘John Smith’ is not an introvert, but a procrastinator. Instead of
thinking (procrastinating) pick up a camera and get into it! Photography is
very much learning by doing. Procrastinating is the opposite of doing.
There are many introverts that don’t procastrinate. Many great
photographers are introverts.
Is 25 to old to learn? Joe Buscemi, who is a top New York wedding
photographer, started photography at 50. Joe is not the procrastinating
type of guy, though.
Moral of the story: don’t waste your life procrastinating or worrying. Get
on with it!
Hey Mike love the videos i have a few questions if you get a chance email
me please pherson.weathermon@gmail.com
Introversion is not the same thing as being shy or lacking self confidence.
Just because someone prefers solitary activities it does not make them
broken. Nor does it mean that an introverted person can not interact
socially or are crippled by self criticism.