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How to Feel Comfortable Taking Pictures

For some individuals, photography is a hobby or profession they find very easy and comfortable to do. For others, taking pictures, especially of people, can be a little intimidating or uncomfortable. To feel comfortable taking pictures, you need to be confident in both your abilities, as that will add to your comfort level, and convinced about the reason for taking the picture. When photographing people, especially strangers, if you appear uneasy when taking the picture, that can make you and them feel uncomfortable.

Things You'll Need

medium range telephoto lens

Instructions

- 1
  Review your camera's owner's manual and make sure you are completely familiar with all of the settings and programs you are likely to use. If you only know the basics of the camera, then stick to using those settings until you feel confident enough to try new ones.
- 2
  Approach the scene you want to photograph. Position yourself where you feel you will be able to compose the best possible picture. Observe the scene and the people who are involved in it. Try to make eye contact with one or two of those people. Depending on the scene you are photographing, this may or may not be possible. Once you have made eye contact with the people in the scene, you have established a small connection. It is likely that if they object to you being there, they will ask you to leave or not to be photographed. If they say nothing, then you can feel comfortable knowing that they don't mind you being there. If the scene is taking place in a public place such as a park, then there is no legal reason why you cannot photograph it. If the scene is taking place on private property, you may need the property owner's permission to shoot.
- 3
  Press the shutter release once you have composed the scene to your satisfaction. Reposition yourself to take subsequent pictures, but do not interfere with the event. This will convey a level of professionalism with the subjects.

Photography