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Written on 23 September 2007 | Posted in knitting & yarn,me,pictures | 10 Comments
I’m in love with this palette! Can’t tell you what I’m knitting, but I can show you the yarn. (click for notes)
I tell you, I’m a bit tired of taking pictures around the house. Problem is, I haven’t worked up the courage to take the camera out with me yet. The mister & I had a lovely day downtown yesterday, there was strolling, and interesting shops with kitschy little things, and stalls filled with colourful jewellery, and a most photographable lunch at a Korean barbeque. And, oh, how I wished every minute that I had my camera with me, but even if I did, I probably wouldn’t have pulled it out of my bag. Why? Because it’s a big, black thing (you can’t miss it), and I feel like a big dork going on urban adventures with my camera in hand. And pulling it out in shops? Never! What if the shop person asks me why I’m taking pictures of their stuff? I just don’t think “it’s for Flickr” is a sound answer. See what I mean? No courage. I suffer no such encumbrances when I’m a bona fide tourist, but in my own city I just can’t do it.
How about you — do you brazenly wield your camera with reckless abandon wherever you go? Got any advice for a bashful photographer?
Amanda, I’m so glad you posted this question because I suffer from the same discomfort with taking pictures of random, non-people things! It makes me feel either like a foolish tourist or just a weirdo -if I’m taking a picture of an inanimate object out in public which I often do! I’m really hoping some of your other readers jump in with some words of advice becase I can really use them too!!!!
23 September 2007 @ 20:30
To coin a tired phrase: “Just do it!” I have lugged my d70 into every imaginable situation and find that the initial self-consciousness is now gone. Most onlookers would probably think you are on some sort of assignment anyway. I would also believe that most shop owners would love the free publicity of having pictures of their stuff posted on flickr!! Believe me, after the first time or two, it won’t bother you at all!
Cheers!
24 September 2007 @ 07:03
Smaller camera! That’s my answer for (sub)urban photography adventures. That and the fact that I only own a small camera.
24 September 2007 @ 18:55
Why not assume the persona of tourist in your own town? It can be very liberating.
24 September 2007 @ 21:55
Go for it Amanda!!! I think folks are right – everyone will assume you are a tourist!
27 September 2007 @ 08:51
I feel shy and usually tend to be sneaky about taking pictures, unless of course it’s a major landmark or something. But taking a picture of, say, my plate in a restaurant? Not usually.
27 September 2007 @ 20:15
I find it so hard to belive that you are a bashful photographer- all your pictures are amazing! I do understand tho. But the only way to get over it is probably to just do it. Start small and your courage will build! (tough talk since I can barely do it myself!)
27 September 2007 @ 21:55
think about this: do your think other people who carry cameras and take pictures of stuff are weird? well, neither are youu! i take my camera with me everywhere (and it’s big and black also) and I was shy to at first but then i said what the hell! i’ve only had one shop keeper yell at me in many years! (uh oh do’t let that scare you!!)
27 September 2007 @ 22:58
I don’t have any photography advice for you but I did want to tell you how much I love the yarn! Such a beautiful color combo!
PS: I just found your blog from a link on Planet Mood. I’ll be back for sure!
28 September 2007 @ 00:23
totally know how you feel! I’ve been going out with fellow Spokane Flickrites who are not afraid of taking pictures in public and this has helped me tremendously. I have one friend who is doing a “self portrait every day” project so she takes self portraits in public! And that can get some questions
. We actually do tell people, if there are questions, that it’s for Flickr.
2 October 2007 @ 20:30