It's interesting that you have such a phobia yet you want to take photos in public. I love street photography because I like being surrounded by people. Most people are okay with you taking their picture, but I always try to be sneaky about it incase they take a fit. inb4 you should ask their permission first, it's not very feasible if you want decent natural looking shots.

People are more likely to look at you/talk to you if you have a camera hanging around your neck, so I'm not sure how well it would be as a buffer.

And they won't always be nice, either.

>>867733

I can second this.

People always want to talk about my gear in public
EXIF data available. Click here to show/hide.

Camera-Specific Properties:
Camera Software	Adobe Photoshop CS Windows
Image-Specific Properties:
Horizontal Resolution	72 dpi
Vertical Resolution	72 dpi
Image Created	2006:04:05 22:36:12
Color Space Information	sRGB
Image Width	400
Image Height	396

>>867731

I've always liked pictures. To me, they tell a story that I might have a hard time seeing otherwise. I'd like to be able to take the pictures and look at them later to really appreciate the scene. I live in a tiny town and I feel awkward walking around taking pictures of things. I get weird looks and people wonder what I'm up to.

Do I just resign myself to the idea that most people think picture taking is weird in general? Most people I know only take snapshots at graduations and weddings and such. I want more out of it.

Anyway, thanks for the input so far!

I do shoot in public, mostly in streets, public areas, or in area's where there is open space such as urban parks.

Just don't get too close to people.

OP should start exploring.

>>867794

Try this

>>867820

Usually the only reason people stare is because you're doing something that is interesting to them, just think whats the worse thing that could really happen?

Hella secret street photography. I'd imagine that you could glue or tape some gelatin filter over the hole to make it less noticeable. AND WHO CARES IF DUST IS A PROBLEM. It's fucking awesome.
http://photojojo.com/store/awesomeness/candid-photography-spy-lens/
EXIF data available. Click here to show/hide.

Camera-Specific Properties:
Equipment Make	NIKON CORPORATION
Camera Model	NIKON D70
Camera Software	Adobe Photoshop CS3 Macintosh
Maximum Lens Aperture	f/4.4
Sensing Method	One-Chip Color Area
Color Filter Array Pattern	738
Focal Length (35mm Equiv)	75 mm
Image-Specific Properties:
Image Orientation	Top, Left-Hand
Horizontal Resolution	72 dpi
Vertical Resolution	72 dpi
Image Created	2009:06:11 17:32:53
Exposure Time	1/60 sec
F-Number	f/8.0
Exposure Program	Aperture Priority
ISO Speed Rating	200
Lens Aperture	f/8.0
Exposure Bias	1 EV
Metering Mode	Pattern
Light Source	Unknown
Flash	No Flash
Focal Length	50.00 mm
Color Space Information	sRGB
Image Width	600
Image Height	386
Rendering	Normal
Exposure Mode	Auto
White Balance	Auto
Scene Capture Type	Standard
Gain Control	None
Contrast	Normal
Saturation	Normal
Sharpness	Normal
Subject Distance Range	Unknown

>>867906
Is this thing really worth $50?
>>867794
>Do I just resign myself to the idea that most people think picture taking is weird in general?
Yeah, pretty much.

I don't have it, but I am enthralled by it.
Wouldn't be hard to DIY with an old filter, flashing, paint and mirror. Really.

FUCK
>>867914
I don't have it, but I am enthralled by it.
Wouldn't be hard to DIY with an old filter, flashing, paint and mirror. Really.

Depends on where you live. Round London, I can normally get away with a 85mm 1.8 on a FF. If they question, just give them a business card or say you're an art student etc etc

I know how you feel OP. I'm a bit shy too. I used to have a compact ultrazoom which helped people not be weirded out, but I'm upgrading to a DSLR and people are going to notice I'm taking pictures a lot more now.

Also I got a white Pentax K-x. I like white better, and maybe people won't be as afraid of a white camera. Black cameras are intimidating maybe. I don't know.

Anyways, I'm also hoping it'll allow me to break out of my shell a little bit more. But I'll try to not do street photography too often, instead taking pics in places where it's normal to take pics.

>I'm wanting to try photography in the hopes that the camera can act as a buffer between me and the outside world.

Then don't do street photography.

do studio photography, probably small set. setup some lights and get some props.