I want to take photos of everything. Any of you like this

Question

I'm a novice photographer. The thing that has always kept me away from the hobby is my perfectionism. I want photos of virtually every aspect of my life and I beat myself if I take a bad picture and it was something important to me. I'm looking to catalogue my life and all the interesting experiences i've had. I'm planning on taking classes in fencing. I'm sure at some point i'll want to go and take pictures at the class. There are just times where I want to take pictures at a place you'd least expect to see someone with a camera and I don't want to come off as weird. Any tips?

Answer 1

I sense your enthusiasm, but not everything is worth being photographed. The act of washing the dishes, for example, is hardly worth being photographed.

You sound young. And if you had been around before digital age, you would have found that taking photos of everything (with a film camera) -- just plain darn expensive.

Do share us some of your photos so we may enjoy them, too. Upload them to http://www.flickr.com or something.  

Answer 2

Ehhhhhhhhhh.  Photographers and other artists are often considered somewhat "weird" by the "normal" population.  Take your camera and don't let that bother you.

Learn from the photos that aren't what you envisioned or hoped, but don't beat yourself up over them.

I have to disagree with Pooky.  Yes, there are things that *I* don't photograph because I am just not interested.  But washing the dishes (or any activity) could be an incredible opportunity from many different approaches.  Someone might want to play with shutter speed and the water from the faucet.  Another might want to capture Grandma's hands in the soapy water washing the heirloom dishes.  A customer of mine is proud of a photo of her two small granddaughters in aprons on chairs at the sink.   So practically any subject could be fodder for interesting photography in the right hands.

So shoot the things you enjoy, and don't worry about being odd!

Answer 3

I can completely relate to sometimes feeling a little weird or uncomfortable to be the only one standing there with a camera.  However, remember if it is your passion and who you are, you should not be embarrassed or ashamed.  I completely agree though with the previous advise given that you can say it is for a school project or to help develop your skills.  If that is what it takes until you are more comfortable, then go for it.

I would not listen to what Pooky said.  Anything important to you, is worth being photographed.  All of us like different things.  I am hard on myself as well and you will probably always be your worst critic.  Go easy on yourself and let yourself develop.  Photograph anything and everything you want to.  Some amazing photographs have come for things no one would have thought about photographing.

Answer 4

I have that trouble too...if you're really that conscious of what people think of you, just lie to them and say that you have to do it for a school assignment, or you're taking a photo class and that was your assignment. Of course, you can always be honest about it, and say that you want to practice getting better. As long as you don't bother them much, they'll be fine. They'll probably even pose for the camera :D

Half of photography is just going places, wherever they may be, and taking photos. If you can't learn to do this, you won't get very far.