Really, if there’s one thing I hate about myself, it is that I am very shy!
I am not shy when I am with old friends, but when it comes to gatherings with people who I don’t know, I’d rather spend the time alone, in a corner, all by myself.
Take, for example, when I attended a workshop in New York. I didn’t speak to anyone, I only spoke when the speaker asked me a question, and I never even gave anyone my business card! And when time came when we can photograph the model, I was photographing her from my seat, about 15 feet away! I only came closer when she noticed me and she posed for me. If she didn’t do that, I wouldn’t have any shot of her looking straight at me! (She was also posing for other photographers.)
So how can I expect to be good in portrait and journalism-style photography if I can’t approach people? How does one overcome one’s shyness? How can I get the courage to put “Photographer” in my business card? (The wife noticed it first - was I too shy to admit that I am a photographer?)
Good thing I had something to show for with my NY trip. But the sad part was, I was so shy and intimidated by the model, who isn’t really intimidating at any level, that I forgot to change my camera settings. I didn’t even get her name!
Anyway, I hope the next time I attend a photo workshop I will be better prepared - emotionally. Or else my aspiration to put up my own photography business in the future will be doomed!
Very great insight Stephen. Thank you very much. I surely learned a lot from your post and I am sure that others who have read your comment will learn a lot also.
ReplyDeleteagain, thank you.