Confession time....

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Permalink Reply by Zac Echola on January 22, 2008 at 12:30pm

Kim,

Try throwing the extra equipment in a bag or leave it in the car until you're ready to use it. Out of sight, out of mind. Start out working on the text, then come back to the photos. And take lots of photos, it gives the editors a lot to work with.

I know the cameras you're talking about. They suck, but try taking it out before you start any real work. Run around taking establishing shots that you don't plan to keep. Maybe that will help you get physically used to the camera and help you get over those shooting jitters.

The important thing is to not try to do everything at once.

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Permalink Reply by Vera Alves on January 22, 2008 at 3:16pm

Hi Kim!

Sometimes I have a really hard time "marrying photojournalism with words" too, as you put it. I usually try to organise myself and just to one thing at a time, e.g. gather information for the text first and take the photos last or worry about the photos first and get that out of my way so I can focus on the text.

For me, it really depends on the kind of work I'm doing. If it's like a big event with lots of people, I might even take a few shots when I get there and some more before leaving (just in case). If I'm just interviewing someone, I do the photographic stuff all in one go. It just feels more organised.

I used to get all worried about getting the right picture in the middle of gathering info for the article and I'd end up losing important bits of information.

Not sure if it helps... :)

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Permalink Reply by Tim Gruber on January 22, 2008 at 10:15pm

Kim,

Taking storytelling photos isn't an easy thing.

Zac, has a good thought on working the fringes of an event first. Not only does that give your subjects a chance to get use to your presence, but most importantly it allows you to get comfortable with things.

As you know people are incredibly gifted when it comes to reading other people so be confident with the camera. Act like you know what you're doing even if you don't. Ideally you should be able to operate the camera without even looking at it, but with a point and shoot that's almost impossible.

Practice at home. Take photos of your dog, cat, fridge or whatever is around.

I guess my best piece of advice is to go at in the same way you get a good quote. You have to ask a few questions to get a good quote, correct? Think of your photos in the same way. You're going to have to take a lot of bad photos to get the moment. Put your subjects at ease and within that rapport you should find the images you're after.

Hope that helps.

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Permalink Reply by Eric (Rick) Thomason on February 10, 2008 at 7:27pm

I agree with Zac and Tim: Get used to the equipment, no matter how much you may dislike it. It's what you have to use, so take it home and shoot your pets, family and friends. Use it until it's comfortable in your hands and in front of your eye.
I remember jumping from a film slr to a digital slr and feeling absolutely lost at first. I made the mistake of taking the digital camera out on an assignment (thankfully a freelance assignment I could re-shoot) and leaving the film body at home before I was comfortable with the new equipment. Huge mistake! I learned a valuable lesson: Use your equipment until it feels natural before taking it our and trying to make a living with it!
Best of luck...make the camera 'yours' and you'll make huge strides.

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Permalink Reply by Bill Blevins on July 17, 2008 at 1:37pm

FIrst, start with moving in closer to your subjects. Then, shoot twice as many photos as you think you need.

If this is a Nikon Coolpix S9, use something else.

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Permalink Reply by Alison Wisneski on August 5, 2008 at 9:04am

My big thing is helping to make people laugh, as long as it's not a serious situation. I'm bubbly by nature, so the sooner I can make the person feel really comfortable in their own skin, the better the photo will turn out. In a serious situation, you can usually find yourself lucky enough to interview, then kind of scatter off into the background and gather the necessary photos. For example, interview the fire chief, then get photos of him tending to the fire itself. I'm not sure if this is what you mean, but I hope it helps. Key rule: Open up and the world will open up to you!

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Permalink Reply by Ryan Mercer on September 3, 2008 at 7:15pm

Hi Kim,

So how much do you play with that camera on your off time? When do you have fun with a camera? Also, there is a good argument to be made for up-to-date equipment. If the camera you are using is really old, it is going to take bad pictures. The newer models, even for $170 are a real improvement.
As far as camera shy goes, you've got to be a very good people person. Try to use your tools as you roll but ease into it, meaning don't always stop someone talking to take a photo or use your audio recorder and maybe don't whip out everything all at once at the start. Learn to do it as if you were taking down some notes or clearing your throat. In other words, make it part of your routine. The more comfortable you are, the more your subjects will feel ok with you doing whatever. Don't stop them just to take a photo, the best ones are never setup anyways.
Also, if photos are really not your deal, take a ton. And then get someone you know, someone you like who is photo savvy to give you some advice. For example, try not to shoot into the sun...basics. Stuff you can remember without killing yourself. But take a ton of photos, experiment on your own time, if they will let you. Shoot your pets, street people, flowers, towers, anything you want, but play around as much as possible. On the job, if taking photos prevents you from taking notes, just use the audio recorder, cut one thing out of the equation to make it easier. I know that presents issues of its own, but photographers deal with the same problems when producing audio slideshows. And, no doubt, it is tough. But it gets back to the people person thing. To really engage people and get them to open up, you have to be open too. Don't be afraid to engage. Once you are comfortable, things get much easier.
If you are really really having a hard time, I find taking a photo at the very end of an interview best. I'm a photographer, but I often find myself asking a lot of questions before I shoot a subject, especially for profile or portrait situations, to wrap my head around an idea of what photo I want.
I know someone suggested you leave some equipment behind and I can understand the reasoning. But, I would not do that. Because when you really need it, it won't be there, it will be in the car. But, a bag to keep it out of site is a very good idea. Not to mention, if you get a cool looking one you will feel cool too. Good luck.
Ryan

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Permalink Reply by Nick Schnelle on September 14, 2008 at 9:52pm

Well, I've definitely been there when it comes to the "camera-shy" attitude. But throughout the time I've shot for my newspaper I've come to learn (as a photographer) that you've got to just not care at all what people think. The normal person is always going to react to a person with a camera walking around looking at everyone. Just put those thoughts aside and get back to what you like to do, which is shoot photos.
Hope this helps.

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