Introverts Guide To Photography
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- čas přidán 21. 07. 2024
- How To Stop Being Shy And Start Photographing People
It's a common complaint among photographers- "I just don't have the personality to photograph people, I'm shy." Here, I share my story and experience as a professional portrait photographer and how you can overcome your shyness...
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Chapters:
00:00 Intro
01:26 Know Your Gear
02:43 Look Beyond Your Friends
04:35 Communicate
06:23 KISS
07:41 Plan To Succeed
Are You Brave Enough? - • Are You Brave Enough?
Thumbnail image - Martin Schoeller www.martinschoeller.com/
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📚 Book on the WHY of photography I recommend:
geni.us/LhQWkpZ
The Mind's Eye: Writings on Photography and Photographers: Henri Cartier-Bresson
geni.us/w8z5
Why People Photograph: Robert Adams
geni.us/G5Bos
Peter C. Bunnell | Peter C. Bunnell: Aperture Magazine Anthology: The Minor White Years, 1952-1976
geni.us/pmOBS
Photographers on Photography: How the Masters See, Think, and Shoot (History of Photography, Pocket Guide, Art History): Henry Carroll
geni.us/XVrGS
Camera Lucida: Reflections on Photography: Roland Barthes
geni.us/BkdVZE
On Photography: Susan Sontag
geni.us/HkiEY
Letting Go of the Camera: Essays on Photography and the Creative Life: Brooks Jensen
geni.us/TWAu
Approaching Photography: 'A Seminal Work...Revised and Updated': Paul Hill
geni.us/9jM9t
John Berger: Understanding a Photograph: John Berger
geni.us/mNBR
Ways of Seeing: Based on the BBC Television Series (Penguin Books for Art): John Berger
geni.us/B7plw2
Whatever You Think, Think the Opposite: Paul Arden
geni.us/An8TeZi
Steal Like an Artist: 10 Things Nobody Told You About Being Creative: Austin Kleon
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It's Not How Good You Are, It's How Good You Want to Be: The world's best selling book: Paul Arden
geni.us/mNJf
Life Library of Photography (Complete 17 Volume Set, Plus Index): Time-Life
geni.us/jeL2
The History of Photography: An Overview: Alma Davenport
✅ Recommended playlists:
Connecting With Your Passion For Photography
• Rediscover Your Passio...
Improving Your Photography
• Start Improving Your P...
Disclaimer: Some of these links go to one of my websites and some are affiliate links where I'll earn a small commission if you make a purchase at no additional cost to you.
Hey Alex, I am 36 and I have social anxiety disorder and bipolar disorder since middle school. For the past months I tried street photography but too shy and scared to go out with my camera...this makes me more mad than ever. Because I have this big urge to take photos, but too scared to go out, even photograph a building. I really enjoy your videos, it is rare to find channel like this. No gear just photography on itself.
That's the great thing about street photography - there is so much to photograph without making street portraits. Start looking at interesting bits of architecture. Look for shapes, colours, textures, etc. and how light interacts with them during the day. If it's safe to do so, do some street photography at night with a friend. There is a whole different world to explore when the sun is down.
Hey friend
You can try and shoot from the hip first, a baby steps kind of thing. When you start making interesting photos from the hip you might get more motivation to put the camera on your face.
It's interesting to see youtube videos of the old school guys shooting in NY for example (Joel Morowitz, Bruce Gilden..). They're not afraid whatsoever, really interesting to see their approach. I'm sure they were only able to achieve that through practice as well.
Another tip would be to go into the persona of the photographer. I mean, let be seen that you are a photographer working in the streets, you're doing your "job". It's ok for people to see you out there with a camera aiming at this building, that door, the corner, or even to someone's face. You're working, on your art. Wear that persona, this can give you more strength to handle with the anxiety of exposing yourself to strangers "judging" you. Think the electricity company guy with a huge ladder on the pole messing on electricity cables, everyone notices him, no way they can't, it draws too much attention. He'll even loosen some cables near people's heads. He's only doing his job, and that's ok. The persona is a nice hack.
And finally, you should bring this issue to therapy and work it, I'm doing it myself. We shouldn't let our psychological conditions grow as far as preventing us to do the things we love.
Do you have a friend you can go out with? Whether they're a photographer or just someone who will hang out with you while you take pictures, having company may help you feel safer. Maybe go with them while they're walking the dog or something, and take pictures around your neighborhood. Isn't that a cool old house? That tree is kind of pretty, etc.
Do you have a friend or family member you feel comfortable enough to try to photograph? My secret weapon was the candid shot. I've taken pictures of my sister bathing her dog, or my dad working at his desk, while they weren't paying any attention to me.
Not ready to go outside? Shoot stuff in your room. It's a place to start.
Good luck, I hope you can find a way to get out there and take pictures, because it is so much fun.
You can be the best street photographer without taking pictures of people. I don’t know why everybody thinks that.
There is another reason why it actually is a good thing *not* to photograph people. In Europe there are various laws that protect the privacy of people. In public streets as a photographer you are not really allowed to make a photo of someone (it doesn’t matter if you use it privately or commercially), if they don’t consent. This is called portrait right. Another one is the GDPR law. If someone is traceable / recognisable on your video or photo, the person explicitly needs to give permission.
Ghettos are not dangerous places, thank you very much. Honest, hard working people reside there, making a living doing everyday things.
Alex, wonderful video as always! Back in 2012 I was suddenly struck down with paralyzing depression and anxiety - fortunately I had an enlightened counsellor who was (coincidentally) a keen photographer - she set me a task of going out and doing street photography (something I had never done and was very uncomfortable with) and showing her 12 pictures the following week of what I had done. It was initially very discomforting, but I look back now at those images and I still love the emotional resonance of what I captured. Best, J
Julian, I was also burdened with deep depression in 2012. It took me 6 or 7 years to get better, and the thing that made me better was rediscovering my love of photography. Glad you're feeling better. I'm working towards opening my own studio again and making photography and videography the Centerpoint of my life.
Because of this pandemic the only portraits I’m doing are self portraits
which is turned into an interesting project since I don’t consider myself my favorite subject
I admire that you pushed through and did it. That’s what keeps me from doing self portraits.
Adopt a Personality… that’s what I do, started doing this when I started dancing. I was very shy and couldn’t dance, now 12 years later I’m very comfortable in dancing and Photography 🙂 Great advice Alex.
Great stuff again. I have noticed that not so professional models can easily copy your behavior and feelings. If you are uncertain and not confident, then they will be the same. If you are confident, then it helps them to be more confident. If you are very calm, they will be that too. I am not a great people person, but when I need to make photographs I get into "lets get this done" mood, and it works miracles.
Very nice commentary Alex. I'm always impressed when you show your own images. They are frequently very interesting and are clearly the work of a professional.
I’m terribly introverted I’ve been a photographer(but only in my head) for over 30 years people love my work but my shyness gets the best of me from pursuing what I know I’m good at this video was extremely helpful never would’ve thought this was an actual thing for others thank you so much Alex!!
What an explicitly mind blowing collection of portraits
Great inspirational advise as always. Your portrait photography is amazing and I am thankful you have shared it with us.
Hope this helps you start to overcome shyness in your photography.
Please let me know if this was useful for you to hear.
I'll try shooting more "acquaintances", people I don't know that well but who aren't complete strangers 😅
It was, thanks. I get hung up on gear and knowledge, and being creative and shooting what I would like to see. I have an outdoor family photo shoot coming up (my first family) and I'm needing to go back to basics, loose a lot of my equipment to gain confidence in keeping things simple, and overcome my social awkwardness.
Thanks again for the time, effort and joy you put into this video ❤️
I am happy to have stumbled across your CZcams page. Thank you for the wisdom and for chatting like we were old friends. Your words ring true and keep me thinking about myself and my work. How can I be better. How can I relax into it and enjoy the moments more.
It was an extra treat watching this to see so much of your own work. I love your portraits and people shots!
I'm a really introverted person myself. For years I shot everything but people, until a dozen years ago I decided to change that. I shot a family member, and a singer I met at an open mic stage. Then I attended a small group studio shoot and I was amazed to find myself taking to it like I was made for this kind of work. My awkwardness simply evaporates when I am working in a studio -- it's like magic.
I can't recommend people photography more highly!
One of the keys to confidence I have found is when you realize you are actually competent at something such as photography. I joke that as an amatuer I sometimes get a free meal for some simple photography work. But others think I am reasonably competent and can take a decent photo of people.
Alex, thanks again for another very useful video! This year I overcame my first challenge that was ask a street artist to allow me photograph him. He was so kind and welcoming that I think I left this "problem" behind and what you showed us reallly mad me eager to photograph models, giving me the chance of trying and always developing my skills.
Thanks Alex, I need to learn to ask people whether I can take some pictures of them. Increasingly I become aware of how many nice shots, in my mind, I am missing.
Thanks Alex. I really like the encouragement you've given me. Having taken the courage to go into astrophotography and then into tourism and surfing photography, I finally feel ready to hit the streets again.
Very good points and quite helpful for me. I've been a landscape and decay photographer for 16 years and last year started with people photography. As you mentioned, for an introvert that is very difficult. I'm used to subjects that not only don't move, but also can't carry on a conversation. My particular skillset has been based on shooting it as I find it. Now, I'm excited and terrified about creating a photograph from a dark void by adding a subject, pose, and lighting. Thanks for making this video.
Thanks again Alex. Yes, to go a small step beyond your own comfort zone, will help you to get stronger. 😊
Amazing portrait’s Alex you’ve done some great work! Thanks for sharing and letting us all see some of what you have done. I’m sure I’m not the only viewer that has wondered at times about your personal shots.
This resonated deeply with me. I've always been super shy and lacking in self confidence ... but like you I had a long and successful career in professional photography - guess what? Photographing people! The way I coped was to copy the actors I photographed for a living: I invented a character 'the photographer' and played him (and still do) every time I need to have the confidence and command to take charge of a shoot. 'The Photographer' isn't me ... he's what I'd love to have the confidence to be ... but over the years we have grown into the same person ... mostly. 🙂
so this might work for some of your audience: think of being the confident and up-front photographer - do an impersonation - and it may well just stick and become reality.
what works works :-)
I enjoy your videos--they are like chatting with a friend about photography. Years ago I read (I think attributed to Ralph Steiner) that every photograph is a self-portrait of the photographer. Recently, I was looking at my Instagram posts and I realized how important sunlight is in my photography. Unconsciously, I am drawn to take photos where colors and shadows dominate. Your videos have revived my interest in photography and helped me to see that I do have a "style".
This is great advice.
I usually do landscape and urban photography but I wanted to go outside my comfort zone and try street photography.
I haven't spoken to any people yet but I'm confident snapping pics of people in the city just living and I love those photos.
I also took my first event job at a big horse racing event just to push myself further and took over 200 photos of people during the day, most I didn't speak to but I had some fun non verbal interactions with some and that has made me even more confident now.
I want to get to the point I could talk to people I photograph, I like meeting new people I'm just shy
This video really spoke to me. Thanks for sharing your insight(s) and knowledge with us - it is appreciated!
Your pictures are amazing! Before you only showed us your pictures of abstract, geometrical shapes, but your people pictures are great!
Thanks Alex, this video couldn't have come at a better time. Points taken! Keep up the good work
Great work brother!
So enjoyed this Alex, this is something to try a little more this year, all the best mate.
Wonderful video. So insightful.
Nice portraits! In the early '90s I was a portrait photographer for a company that made church directories. I traveled to churches, set up a stock backdrop with stock lighting and pose families certain ways (per company standards). I really learned nothing about creativity but learning to interact with a wide variety of people was invaluable. This video brought back fond memories.
Thank you!
Thanks for this
Thank you for this video ☺️
WOW! great topic. I don't think I have ever seen anyone talk about this subject before. I don't usually comment but this topic deserves a comment.
Being an introvert myself and mostly a nature photographer for many years, it is something that holds me back and that will never change. Although, I have been fortunate to photographic famous people, sports figures etc., it's not my favorite thing to do, even though I want to do it. I agree, know your gear, know what you are doing and it helps a lot.
As an introvert you will never truly get over shyness it's just the way we're wired. Talking to people, It's almost a confident fakeness. There are things you can do that can help, these helped me, maybe they will help you.
Over C19 I came across CS Joseph on youtube and I found out what my personality type is. I really wish someone would have told me about this stuff when I was younger. It was a game changer for me. For once my life makes sense. The reason I am the way I am. I highly recommend learning about your type.
Some more tips to help overcome shyness: What helped me a lot was to take acting classes, getting up in front of people and performing. It really isn't that bad. Also, find a roommate situation. If your roommates are extroverts they will like to party and hang out with people and it will force you to be social. Next, if you can, move to a new city. Easier said than done these days, but if you have the opportunity go for it.
I much rather be in the middle of nowhere, by myself, for weeks than be in the studio with another human for 5 minutes. LOL!
Great advice, thanks!
Thanks for sharing your experience with great comments on a very interesting subject within photography...I certainly suffer from lack of confidence when out taking pics of people or public places of interest.... enjoyed your video... cheers 😀
I'm good, I'm good.Lol. Heartily agree. Knowing your equipment and knowing the menu system and knowing what settings to use so that you at least allow yourself a chance to edit, ie, Auto iso. Also what helped me was just letting people see me with a camera in public. Fear goes away with experience but early on without experience people will still think you are an accomplished photographer. Another great video, will share ;)
Goodness, your student photos are brilliant.
Thank you. 👍📷😎
the best photography motivator, thanks
Thank you
Nice video Alex, thank you for posting cause I live in very rural area in western Oklahoma. We have a lot of weather storms that start out here its about all i have to photograph. Very difficult to be creative it doesn't necessarily have to be lightning of a tornados. But it's it something that interests me. I have a nikon5100 with a power gripe nothing fancy but I love ❤ it anyway. James
Thank you! I've just joined Model Mayhem as a photographer.
I am, 47, an IT person in an important Government Office. I only had the camera in my hand last October 2020, this is my beginning of photography. I like to photograph everything. Feel comfortable at bird photography, landscape and food product photography. But I'm really more intereted in street photography. Like to capture candid emotion of random people. But this is where I am most uncomfortable. I share photos in Facebook to have an idea how I shoot. So far seems like people like me. Although I have a very good job, I like to do photography and earn with it. Reason is, it will prove that I am good enough to sell my work, and it will boost my confident to venture many genres. And also I will be confident to invest more into photography tours or events or gears.
I have also worked as a theatre lighting engineer and as a photographer and got the same advice. It's very true and should be heeded by everyone in a creative field. Another thing to consider is that sometimes, when you get it wrong, the end result is better than what you were aiming for. You only learn by making mistakes. If you don't try something new and make those mistakes, your knowledge will never grow.
some very nice portraits
Hi! An interesting topic. I am too an introvert and have difficulties photographing unknown people on the street. I have on the other hand no problems photographing people who are aware of me taking their portraits. I have made portraits for my wife's books and also of the personnel at the local government where I work. So I suppose it is the "photographing strangers" part of the equation that is the scary one.
Best advice ever - pick a project that makes you uncomfortable and past self-imposed boundaries. Pick a project that pushes you to learn new things, experience new things, meet new people. If you don't make mistakes, you aren't trying. Thanks for your insight.
Alex your photos are superb📷👍🏻
I worry that the essential value in this video will be lost because of the confidence/shyness element. Of course those issues are very real, but this video is gold for anyone wanting to do portraiture. Shy or not, solid advice.
Thanks , nice video ...
Vuhlandes does photography in the "ghetto" & his work is amazing!!
A month or so ago I was interviewed by a local historian for a publication he was working on - I had been a shaker and mover many, many years ago. He had a tame photographer to take portraits of the interviewees.
I sat in front of her camera, but as she was about to pop off the first shot, I interrupted her, asking what she wanted to achieve in the portrait. We had a light hearted conversation during which I put her at her ease. Yes, I know it's supposed to be the other way round, but she seemed a little tense and robotic.
She sat me near a large window, but had placed a flashgun with the power of a supernova coming from the same direction. After she took the first couple of attempts I asked her to move the flash further away, high up on the opposite side slightly behind me, reduce the power to a sixteenth, and expose for the light from the window. I promised to sit still as I suspected an exposure of around a fifteenth of a second. (Camera was on a tripod)
I ruffled the hair, sat in a diagonal pose, body 25 degrees to camera left with head rotated 15 degrees to camera right - the window side - but turned my gaze into the lens with a slight tilt left from vertical.
All the time I did this I conversed with her about what it was like to be a trailblazer in the 1970s then held still for the shot.
A week or so later, the historian contacted by email to thank me for the contribution, saying that the portrait was the best of the bunch, and admitted that the photographer had leaned about subject interaction, use of available light augmented by hair rimlight, and trying to capture the escence of a person, not just their likeness.
It took me years to learn all that for myself. I hope I helped that young photographer on her way.
very nice advice, very nice... I hope I can find enough courage to try this out. The only question is why would a model do a TFP with a photographer with no portrait portfolio? Isn't it just waste of time for the model? How is it possible to convience him/her that it's actually worthy to try it out with you?
Bedankt
My advice is: Do not think at all! the only one who knows that you screwed a shot is you. Just go with the flow and see what works. I started dragging my camera to parties and now i feel compfortable in large crowds. I dont care what they think cos im chasing good pictures. Without my cam i feel like missing out on good shots. I dont mind talking to people but i often dont know what to talk about... The camera basically turns me around, i dont mind getting close to people, i dont mind taking pictures of them and often times i dont even have to verbally comunicate... everything seems natural. Wish i could translate that to everyday life 😅
Alex, these tips seem to apply more to studio work. Do you have any tips for overcoming shyness in candid/street photography?
If anything, I always assumed that photographers would be disproportionately introverted as you have to have some space between you and other people to do the work. I'm sure there are extroverted photographers out there and plenty of them, but it is a medium that definitely is more introverted than extroverted. Especially given the time processing the photos when you get home to the computer/studio.
I am like this, shy guy n don't really have that charisma... this was just 3 4 years ago. But great news is, as time passes, I learn more n more to connect... i smile more, i talk more... slow for me but smiling helps hahaha. Photography really open myself to people. Seriously, first time I talked with a stranger on the street was scary... but like ppl say, if u never succeed if u never try!
I have various neurodiversity's, which cause issues and have had many crisis's of confidence over the years and still think that my next shoot is going to be a disaster. Generally the way I get around my issues, which does include shyness is just to put on an act and be someone else during the shoot.
11:06 I love that portrait. :)
Thanks about great motivational words, Alex! What if I'm too shy to take a picture of a flyover? Is not a joke. I like photographing flyovers and bridges because of their shape and dramatic impressions they make. However even though I always take safe place, I sometimes hear honking or comments and in general people look wierd at me. So I'm always rushing and often don't get results I want. Can I just take a picture of a flyover without being bothered by anyone? Not sure how to overcome this...
In my experience the more popular and experienced models are unwilling to give their time for free and request payment but the models that are likely to give their time for free (TF) are probably more nervous than the photographer.
My fist priority on any shoot is to make sure the model is at ease and has full confidence in you.
From this all the best photographs emerge and the model will want to come back for more.
Beautiful stuff from you! To be honest, I like your portraits much better than your "wall pieces". ;-))
I would like to do portraits as people value their family photos more than any landscape. I haven't tried though. I am scared of photographin people in the street in case they don't want to be photographed or they think I'm weird. Would you hire a studio to practice ? Would you use flash so you don;t have to worry too much about exposure ?
While I loved shooting photos of my family as they grew up, I have NEVER really liked taking photos of people. During the period when I was a part-time photo journalist I did take many photos with people and of people. I didn't mind that because they were expecting to photographed. There was a store to be told and the photos augmented or showed that story. However, other than that I did not do people photos. I had a coworker that asked me to take what are now called boudoir photos of his wife. I told him the last thing he wanted, and more importantly that I wanted, was for a clueless photographer to direct a clueless model. If I had an interest in portrait shots, I would take a professional model. She could then help me in the posing process and make the whole experience more "friendly and enjoyable". The photographers who you showed really were good at the task of interacting and photographing their models. But, I still don't like people photos after 50+ years. I will take cityscapes but I don't do street photography. Outside of my photojournalism assignments, I have never felt at ease or comfortable photographing people (outside of family). Thank you once again for a very good video.
Alex, it seems your museportraits website is down. Is there a site where I can really study your work?
While I can't do street photography yet, I can face strangers when I am behind the camera photographing an event, etc.
0:38 Nick Knight is inspiring!
I photographed a classmate so at least he had a good idea what a photographer would want from a model and passed the class with the minimum one portrait in my portfolio.
Dunno... Sometimes 'I Talk to the Wind' just for the company.
Then again other times I curse it out for blurring my foliage or shaking my tripod. ;-7
For me, it's not so much being too introvert, I feel uncomfortable about having my camera 'on show' - it might get stolen from me! (It's only a Nikon D5600, but to replace it would be costly, for me.)
Most of my favorite photos at family gatherings are candids. I personally can't stand heavily-posed "Say cheese" photos that don't capture the little moments, but that's what folks always want.
I agreed to take photos at my wife's cousin's 50th birthday party this weekend. I know I'll be asked to take the usual cheesy group "duckface" crap, and I'll oblige. But I know that the images that will last longer will be the "free" images. I'm almost loathing this party just thinking about it. 😆 How do you best meld what your client wants with what you actually like to shoot?
The issue I have with people is the ability to "approach" them and asking for a photograph. Once that pane of glass is broken then they have given you the authority to proceed.
I dont like to have to ask because if for example I want to do street photography I like to capture the spontaneousness of the situation.But if you still have to ask then that moment has gone.
I like your youtube very much but the sound could be improved ( more direct and clear) It sounds a bit like a lens with nose grease if you allow me the comparison.
That's why I'm a street photographer
I realize that I truly shut myself down when I photograph others when I saw how beautiful my autoportraits are lol and it's really not because of my face
If I'm at an event to which I have been invited, I will stick my camera with a 10 to 24 lens in someone's' face. If I'm on the street, I will be somewhat more circumspect (a 24 to 70 mm lense). I will never take any candid in public of any one I think is under 18 as I feel they are the only people who should have an expectation of privacy. The rest of the subjects have, by going out in public of their own volition, diminished there expectation of and right to privacy.
I can't even ask my parents for a photograph.
Do you still do portrait photography for a living?
Closed the studio late last year - C-19 and 10 years of doing the same thing was burning me out.
@@ThePhotographicEye I understand and you are really good at it too.
Shyness and introversion are not the same and shouldn’t be lumped together.
Very true. I'm an introvert, but definitely not shy!
Love your content, but all the video said was to shoot models and get practice at it. Am I the only one who doesn't have a list of people waiting to be models?!? My family does not want to be photographed, nor do my friends. And I live in a city where there have been lawsuits over public photography(all did say the public photographer was in the right), but I don't even want to do street photography because of the people in my area potentially taking me to court over it
Of course you're an introvert, by far most utubers are.
I just discovered your videos a few days ago. Very insightful. A couple of hours ago. I was having a conversation with my cousin about how I have to get over being shy with my camera. This video shows up in my feed.