My Funny Picture

how to take pictures of people in public without everyone thinking I'm weird or a stalker?

Every time i go out and take pictures in public places with my camera i get the strange feeling that the surrounding people think i'm weird, up to no good, or stalking them and that makes me nervous because i really don't mean any harm i just love taking pictures. No one has ever said anything to me about it but, how can i get rid of this feeling?

Public Comments

1. Honestly, you can't... I do the same thing... and people will always be wary of you. The only thing you could do is to ask them first... but that ruins your pictures since they are no longer candid shots.
2. Carry at least two cameras and use a tripod (and wear nice clothes) so you look more professional, organize a photo shoot with several local photographers or a camera club, talk to the friendlier people after you take their photos, carry model releases and get some of them to sign them (give them a free print...). If it looks like you are doing building photos, etc people will relax and you can often get some good candid people photos.
3. get a business card/thing in plastic that u clip onto your belt buckle or jacket or even camera that says "--------- Photographer", then everyone will know
4. you sound guilty to me
5. I've got a flip-out LCD screen that can be angled so I can look like I'm just holding my camera at waist-height but really be composing the shot.....sneaky! If you're looking to upgrade your camera soon anyway, you could look out for one with this option. Otherwise, just relax. If you feel weird about it, you'll look even more weird about it. Just smile and move on - you're not doing anything illegal unless you are zooming in their windows with your telephoto lens or something. (I suppose people might get jumpy if you are taking pics of their kids though....)
6. just make sure the pictures you are taking are up and up. Adn they can see that the shoots you take are just pictures. Dont shoot around tres or things because that make you look guilty. Dont make a card holder saying photographer. then people will be scared you will sell there image with out permision. Even though you dont need to have it but dont draw attencen to yourself. Just shoot the pictures and know in yourself you are taking up and up pictures. Some people dont like there picture taken. So shoot it and move on.
7. Well maby you should get one of those, real expensive photographer looking cameras, and carry like a breifcase that holds large photos, so people will think you are important, and maby taking pics for a cause
8. Why should it matter what people think about you? If you are worried about offending someone because you are shooting pictures, you might miss out on some great photo opportunities if your mind is concentrating on what someone thinks about you. No matter what you do in this life, there will be someone that will think that you are doing something that they don't like. You could be a cop doing traffic duty or a regular joe working with a jackhammer in the street. Somebody is not going to like you. Get over it. I have been shooting pics for over 20 years as a photojournalist, and it doesn't matter where I am shooting in public, someone will make it their business to find out what I am doing or have a comment to say. Act like a professional, shoot like a professional, and most people will be curious at first, then they will usually ignore you. If you act like you need their permission or you are unsure of yourself, yes, people will think that you are up to something no good. Remember, if you are in a public place, you have the right to photograph whatever or whoever you want. Period. There is no right to privacy in a public area. So shoot away, and stop worrying about what people think.