Here are some things about their behavior that I think may help our sources feel better:
—They take a lot of pictures and seem concerned with getting a really good one. I think the most basic reason for camera-shyness is that people are afraid they will look unattractive in the picture. If I were a subject, it would help me to know that the photog is really putting forth an effort to not make me look awful.
—They stop taking pictures sometimes and listen to what the source has to say. That might make subjects trust the photog as someone who is on their side and who will show some mercy when selecting from potentially embarrassing shots.
—On the same note, photogs speak to the subjects, too. They don't intrude on my interviews, but they chat people up. The source seems to appreciate the photog as a human, too, and appreciate that he has a job to do.
—They don't slink around or act apologetic about shooting. They behave as focused professionals who want to be proud of their work. That seems to inspire confidence, and in a gentle way it might also give subjects the idea that, "Well, there's no use fighting this photographer's commitment to getting a quality picture of me. I may as well cooperate." Then they get comfortable cooperating.

I think the fancy equipment also helps establish them as trustworthy professionals. I know I sometimes feel self-conscious that my meagre equipment tags me as an amateur who has no right to run around shooting strangers.

When I started shooting strangers, I felt awkward and voyeuristic. I don't do it very often now that I don't travel, but here are some things that help me:

-I don't ask permission beforehand (this is my own culture, where I can assume a photo is not a sacred violation – for travel I try to find out what is acceptable to the locals), but I DO approach a subject after one or two shots and explain what I'm doing: "Hi. I'm just taking a few pictures for my personal blog/album. I was interested in what you're doing here." They usually are cool and willing to tell me about themselves and whatever interested me in the first place (good for blog entries/captions). That makes me feel better about my little invasion.

-Once we've spoken, they usually are very chill about continuing whatever they were doing while I shoot more pictures.

-I always give them a note with the URL of my blog or flickr page so they can see the finished product.

During distant travel — especially in developing countries where not everyone has a camera — a lot of people really wanted their picture taken so long as I would mail a print to them later.

- I learned that I was uncomfortable shooting strangers not because I felt it was wrong or hurtful, but because I was self-conscious about how it made ME look. Once I gained confidence that I was trying (if not succeeding) to create something good, it was much better for me, for my subjects and for my pictures.

I am not a pro or artist of any sort! I just like to document what I see.

http://www.findingslc.com
http://www.poorpenmanship.com
http://flickr.com/photos/erinealberty/

(Report comment)

(Report comment)

(Report comment)

The biggest problem I encounter are police and military. I kept my camera out of sight in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea because of the paranoid and repressive regime. Here in Saudi Arabia, I just keep my photographic moments brief and unobtrusive – unnoticed for the most part. The strategy works well for me almost everywhere.

(Report comment)

The biggest problem I encounter are police and military. I kept my camera out of sight in Malabo, Equatorial Guinea because of the paranoid and repressive regime. Here in Saudi Arabia, I just keep my photographic moments brief and unobtrusive – unnoticed for the most part. The strategy works well for me in most places.

(Report comment)

We have seen photographers with multiple DSLR cameras around their neck shove a massive telephoto lens in the face of a woman at a market in Burma or kids at Angkor Wat. It was sickening to people treated this way, as objects. And the images reflected this – there was no expression in the people's faces.

I also find one of the most fun things about photographing people is to show them the images in the viewfinder afterward – the laughter and giggles from children when they see themselves can be infectious. I wish I could bottle it up and release it when I'm having a bad day.

(Report comment)

(Report comment)