I want to go out and take some good photos but I always feel self-conscious doing so, how do I get past that?

Question

Hi, I don't have many friends and sometimes I feel a little lonely when going out to take photos of events. Does anyone else encounter this? I want to be more independent and rely on what I see and how I capture the shot to make me happy rather than needing a person to be with me.

Can anyone offer me any advice?

Answer 1

Being alone while shooting pictures is much easier than having buddies along. Your time is yours. Huh? That means that you aren't pressured by others when they get bored of you taking seemingly silly pictures, waiting an additional 10 minutes for that special moment to come along, or worming your way to get a better angle. Good pictures require patience and concentration. Instead of feeling lonely, feel that this is a time for you to enjoy the visual wonders of the world on your own time and terms. When it's time to go out with friends,  you can use the camera to take silly shots of your friends and not be so serious about your passion.

Answer 2

Well a good bit of that may have to come from inside, and I am sure everyone feels lonely from time to time . But, to bolster those good feelings think about joining a photography club. Then you can go to the meetings and share with them what you have taken pictures of, and discuss techniques. Many of them also have evaluation or display nights. Evaluation nights can help you grow and get better as all of us can improve our work. Most clubs have group photo outings and you will meet folks to shoot with even when its not a true group event.  Post your work onlime in places like Eyefetch. when you go out and take pictures of people ask some of them if they want you to email a copy to them and if they do keep a notebook in your camera bag to write down the info ( I find this works particularly well when you want to take pictures of someones kid someplace like at a zoon ). Compare your older work to your newr stuff to see how your style has changed or your technique has grown over time.  

Answer 3

just relax and frame the shots in different ways, who cares if others aren't there, the pros are all alone when taking shots , right ?