You may or may not know that on the whole I am an anti-social person. I don’t like talking to random people so photography is possibly the worst hobby I could have chosen.

I’m a girl who likes to go about her day without having to exchange pleasantries with every person I pass in the street, without bemoaning the weather at the bus stop with everyone else in the shelter and I actively avoid most of my neighbours. Oh to be in London where you charge around with a snarl on your face, elbowing anyone who gets in your way.

So when I took up photography it was with the idea that if I wanted to be sociable I could go out with a group of people to take pictures but if I wanted to be alone the fact that I have a camera in hand would be enough to keep people at bay. What happened to all the camera shy people!

It turns out that the curiosity of people is stronger than the desire not to accidentally be in any of your shots. It’s inevitable that at least one person will come over to say hello and find out what you are doing. Though often they are disappointed when they they realise that you’re not a journalistic photographer or anything equally glamourous but merely an amateur enthusiast.

Actually, using any type of technology when you’re out and about is likely to attract attention. I have noticed this happens a lot when using my iPAQ on the bus. I’ve lost count of the number of people curious to know what I’m doing when I’m reading on the bus or waiting for an appointment.

It’s not all bad, there are days when it’s quite enjoyable to get to know someone new or have someone interested in what you are doing. Often they will suggest other places you might like to visit or happen to be an amateur photographer themselves in which case you have a new buddy to share knowledge with whose eyes won’t glaze over when you excitedly discuss your new lens.