Filming People

[Lucie]

Hello,

I am new to video making and I am seeking a few tips on people with experience on some of the problems I am currently facing.
Are there any tricks to being more inconspicuous when filming people? There are two ways I personally approach in filming people: one is to frame a scene with people already doing things (talking to each other, playing with a dog in a park, etc.), and the other is by setting up a frame and letting people walk into it. The problem with the latter is that often people will look into the camera/frame as they walk by. Sometimes people will stop just before entering the frame and ask me if they are not going to interfere with my filming. I have had people walk into the frame, look into the camera, then turn and look the other way where the camera is pointing, as if to see what I am filming. My camcorder is not that big (I have Xacti), and my tripod is very lightweight and easily folded back in; and still I feel like a lot of people notice me and my equipment. Is this normal when filming people?
One way I think I can get around this is to set up a frame, let the camera roll and just wait while doing something else. That would potentially work, but I think it would be a strain on the batteries that way. Another way is to get a better camcorder. Currently, I have 5x zoom on my camcorder, and it works okay if the subject is about 50 feet away. But I cannot zoom in to the max because the picture gets pixelated, so pretty much ~50 feet is currently my limit. I am looking for ways, perhaps strategically positioning myself, to be as unnoticeable as possible. Any tips?

[chico_stang]

This is normal, don't worry. It has happened to me a few times. I just shoot regardless of what happens. Remember that it depends on the people, not you.

[litleboy]

hide the camera, not to look suspicious but in a moderated way, like behind a wall, a light post, even behind you.., tree, etc

[Erik Bien]

You could always try a right-angle lens, so it looks like you're shooting in another direction ...

[Daniel Rutter]

I'd be very careful about where you film and how you go about it. Some people will get the wrong idea, and before you know it... cops are dragging you away + confiscating your equipment because someone thinks you're doing the wrong thing (filming kids, or w/e).

Whenever I'm filming in public (I do charity events) if any child comes within the frame as I'm shooting, I either re-frame the child out of the shot, or point the camera to the ground/cover the lens with my lens cap. In general, if you're filming... let authorities know you're filming in that location, so if someone gets cocky/suspicious... the cops don't go overboard

If you wish to hide while filming, Nature is your friend

[cgbier]

Try to shoot at places where you can find a lot of tourists. Cameras are that normal in those places that nobody bothers with you or care for you cam.

[Koppel]

Sick world we live in.
You are a pedofile by default and have to start proving that you are not.

[Dr. Benway]

I...if any child comes within the frame as I'm shooting, I either re-frame the child out of the shot, or point the camera to the ground/cover the lens with my lens cap.

I know what you're saying but lately - the past 5 years - I've refused to bow to such collective insanity. Children need interaction with happy, outgoing, communicative men. I feel the weird pressure of people observing me in public when I deal with kids but their concerns are secondary to the need for kids to know that men can play and joke with them in a healthy way.

Perhaps this 'problem' is just one more subtle way to cut men out of the picture of child-rearing assuring women's dominant role in imprinting their worth and presence on children.