>>4038242I completely get that, I have that fear too and missed a lot of what I think would have been good shots.
Reality of it is, most of the time it's just a question of actually doing it over and over again and it gets easier.
What semi-works for me is having a longer lense (but don't go too overboard to being creepy). I use a 56mm on Fuji and I personally think that's on the edge of it.
I also in the beginning tried to be sneaky which only made things worse since people thought I was up to something. Now if I just take a photo, that's all there is to it.
Also I kind of try to be respectful, sometimes you just feel that it's not the best idea to take someones' photo.
My girlfriend is one of those extroverted loud types. I bought her a 35mm film point-and-shoot camera and she does not have this problem at all. Yet 90% time people just ignore it or it leads to a fun interaction. Seeing that helpped and I found this to be the case for me as well.
One of my better stories regarding this would be one time this jewish bagel shop had a concert outside their shop with three big hairy dudes in traditional clothing performing jazz of all things. There weren't a lot of people there so I was concious of taking photos but as soon as I took the first snap they noticed and started posing while singing. We ended up having a cigarette after the show, listening to them talk about themselves and got a free bagel.
The photos ended up shitty, but man I sure glad I didn't chicken out.
