I haven't ever asked anyone yet if I could take their photo - but I took some lessons from a friend at the weekend who can handle it no problem - and I think I'm gonna give it a shot.

Pardon the pun. :)

This is a cool shot! Good luck with the kitchen!

I am always too shy.
I wish they would just automatically be okay with it and I wouldn't have to worry about anything.

This is so British!

It'd be sacreligious not to post for a day. Why not have a guest photographer?

We'd better be seeing some truly exceptional Chromasiac-style photographs of truly exceptional food preparation and resulting truly exceptional food somewhere around the bend.

;-)

It´s a behind the scenes shot.

Not an interesting pic today. Looking forward to see more interesting pics after your rest.

I'm normally a very outgoing person and even I have trouble approaching strangers to ask if I can photograph them.

Take some time off, Dave -- you'll make yourself sick again -- seriously -- take care of things around the house -- and yourself -- we'll all be here when you get back -- promise :-)

Hey, I find that also extremly difficult. If not totally impossible. I'm thinking seriously in not posting anything in my site until I manage to solve this problem about photographing people. And I relly need to do that ASAP ;-)

It's always ok to take some time. I can only imagine what it feels in your shoulders to have such a visited and important site to the photoblog comunity, but, as others have said, we will be here when you get back. I think the point is not to loose focus about what is photography for each one of us. In my case, yes, I want to please my friends, visitors and so, but first I need to be happy with the stuff I take, and take it because I want to, not because I have to. I have always thought that this is a form of self expression, and there are times where you just can't... well... find the words to express yourself. And that's ok.

Have a good time, rest and relax.

I'm just going to throw this out there - this is a really fun picture, and I like it!
Technically it's nothing special, but the grins on their faces show a little of the joy in photography. You're not in this to make a living, so you make good of that and have fun! If putting down the camera for a couple days helps, great.
Maybe you could trade with your daughter - let her have the camera and you get the pink gameboy for a little while;)

If you do take the day off, I think it would be great if you posted the final product by your friend John!

Hi Dave

Actually I really like this picture (not because it is me - God, no one told me I was going bald and grey, is there a cure - help)

I like it because it just typifies a certain kind of person that inhabits our country and I just think that these two girls are good examples.

I have got the two pictures I took of them as individual portraits and I will put them up on my site or on yours if you want to take a day off.

I agree that it is not a typical chromasia shot but then again I think that sometimes recording a seemingly mundane occurence can work.

Approaching people:

Well I spent 16 years as a Police Officer in one of the roughest areas of the Uk and so maybe after dealing with so many people I don't feel that bothered.

I am sometimes apprehensive but one thing I don't do is try to hide the fact that I have a camera. I think, and it is only my opinion that you just have to make friendly eye contact with people and usually you get a reaction which indicates whether they are willing or not, it all happens in a split second.

Go out and shoot some Vagrants in the Town - talk to them about their life, they are nice people at heart and often like having their picture taken, buy them a coffee or a sandwich and you might build up a little relationship with them so you can exchange words whenever you see them.

I get stopped all the time with my camera and you just have to get on with it. At the moment I am having a break from shooting in Towns mainly because I am too busy.

Take some time off Dave, why not have 5 days of guest bloggers or something else. I know you would still pick up the camera but get things done at home and you will be much better off.

John

Hey David,

I also have that problem of approaching people. When you do approach people do you get them to sign a release form? I never know whether I should be doing or not!

As a few others have suggested, why not have a guest photographer in for a day or two. I think it would be interesting to see the shots that John got while you were taking this one.

Keep up the good work - your photos are great.

Stephanie

Well 16 years as a police officer, this is the answer!... Like everyone, I'm frustrated not to shoot people in the streets as much as I wished. I tend to hide my camera in this situation and carry it in a non-camera like bag. But as John put it, assuming our role of photographer with the camera in hand, may be the right way... This is an interesting thread...
I like the picture. It takes a little while to realise there is a camera in the scene.

Riqo: You shouldn't just shoot people in the streets because you carry a gun. =)

Dave, great subject/composition. I like when you mix in some photographs like this one.

David,

It's 5PM your time (plus or minus) April 6th. If you are reading this within a few hours of this time you are not taking the day off. Shut off the computor, put down the camera, and take a break.

Love your work by the way. I'd wait a month to see it again (but no more).

Wow, it's a real relief to see I am not the only one having problems approaching to people! That is why I always end up shooting buildings or dogs... because they can't complaint...

Awwww... this is a really sweet photo. They're so happy to have their pictures taken. It's quite endearing. Really lovely.

Thanks everyone.

Hi Dave, I don't comment that often but have seen all your posted pictures, if you need a time off you really should. It's good for your inspiration and your health. It's the same in many fields I used to be a freaking fanatic in the sport I did and trained every day though always took a month of in winter to reload batteries and motivation, it usually was the month in wich I made most progress. So really don't feel bothered by following you senses.

Ohh and about approaching people, a busisniscard with your e-mail adress and www might help a great deal. People want to know what will happen with their pics and feel a lot better if you are serious about what you do.

Also try to make eye contact first and smile if the put up this thight face move on and wait for someone who seems friendly, first speak with your body. I've experienced some occasions where people already stood still because they sensed I was going to ask something. Just do it with your hearth and have fun talking with them.
At the moment you're taking a picture of someone your subject is the most important person in the world and they should feel that respect. It really helps.
But than again most people look most natural when they don't know your taking their picture......

cheers and best of luck with the kitchen;)