Shooting camera shy people?

[mongoose]

This must have been brought up before, but I couldn't find it in the search option...

What are your tips for shooting people that are camera shy? When I pull out my camera on backpacking trips, people tend to turn away from the camera or try to get out of the photo. I've noticed they do it a lot with my SLR, but when people use p&s cameras or cell phone, they don't mind having their photo taken? Is there something more intimidating about a big SLR?

For example I asked everyone "How about I get a group shot of everyone over there?" and all I got were some mumbles. Later, someone else in the group took a group shot in another area with his p&s and everyone lined up. Maybe they don't like the SLR? Or maybe I'm a creepy photographer?

[Medley]

When I get in a situation like that, the first thing I do is get the camera out and fidget with it. Play with the settings some. Set it down a take a few sips of coffee. Pick it back up, maybe look through the viewfinder a few times.

What I'm actually doing is letting the group get accustomed to the fact that both me and the camera are there. Once they get comfortable with it, they go back to being themselves- just as if the camera wasn't there. That's when the magic happens. Pick up the camera, click off a few shots, set it back down.

I call it "gettin' invisible". It's a technique that takes time and patience, but yields some great shots. The amount of time it takes varies with the subject and conditions. With children, it's a matter of minutes. If you're not interacting directly with a child, they tend to ignore you pretty quickly. With animals in a nature setting, it can take hours. It's also harder when you're a part of the group you're trying to get shots of.

And yep, it takes a lot longer with a DSLR than it does with a p&s. Don't know why.

Anyway, for what it's worth.

- Joe U.

[mongoose]

Do people ever get annoyed that you're taking photos of them? Maybe not direct photos of them, but scenes that involve them?

I'll have to try what you said. I'll take some photos of the scenery around the people and slowly work my way towards taking photos of the people themselves.

I'm going to a big mountain biking event next week, that should be fun practice.

[freygr]

One other point you need to NOT stand out, you have to blend in with the group your in. Also if you wish group photos, carry the camera around you neck with the group. This gets the group to as Medley said "What I'm actually doing is letting the group get accustomed to the fact that both me and the camera are there. Once they get comfortable with it, they go back to being themselves- just as if the camera wasn't there."

Pulling the camera out of the back pack doesn't accomplish it!

[JETA]

I have one subject out of 100+ football players who dies every time he sees me coming his way with the camera. I finally got a cute candid shot of him. He saw me and started his grumbling and I showed him my hands.... LOOK! No camera! He started smiling and at that moment my friend snapped the shot for me. Gotcha!