To become more, see danger as the desired state:

How to conquer anxiety in street photography and life?

When we see things we want to photograph, encounter strangers we want to talk with, or things we desire to accomplish or pursue in life, we often choke with anxiety, which prevents us from taking that risk.

How can we conquer anxiety, to not let it get in our way?

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I think to be a functioning human being, you need some degree of anxiety. A human with absolutely no anxiety might die or get seriously injured. For example some anxiety I get from getting hit by cars while crossing roads is useful— it prevents me from texting while walking, or listening to music while walking.

Also in street photography, having some degree of anxiety is good, because it probably is a good idea NOT to photograph military soldiers with guns (to perhaps prevent myself from getting arrested or perhaps assaulted)— especially if I’m in North Korea.

However to be frank, for most of modern day life, our anxiety is too sensitive. Which means, we get too anxious about things that we shouldn’t be anxious about.

Thus my proposition is:

Good to have some degree of anxiety in life, but we should build a higher threshold for what we get anxious towards.

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Push the limits

Too many of us want to live a “safe” life. What if we opted for a dangerous life, an uncertain life— a chaotic life?

To be frank, street photography is probably one of the most “unsafe” forms of photography. If you want safe photography, just shoot sunsets and flowers.

I think the reason why street photography is so fun, interesting, and challenging is because it is dangerous. As a kid I liked “extreme sports” because they were unsafe!

Also as spectators, isn’t it ironic that we favor the dangerous spectacles, yet most of us clamor for our own personal safety? For example as spectators most of us would prefer to watch a UFC or boxing match instead of watching a chess match.

We like to watch the circus because of the sense of danger involved (what if the trapeze artist falls, and dies?) Isn’t it danger which is more interesting to us in life?

Build your skills

Obviously an untrained person should probably NOT be a tight rope walker, or a trapeze artist. Certainly having more skills in these activities PREVENTS the likelihood of their injury or death.

Thus, there is obviously skill involved. And how do we improve our skills in things? Simple: practice!

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Conquering anxiety as a practice

My overall thought is that conquering anxiety and fear in life is a skill that we can cultivate through practice. I’m sure that some of us are genetically pre-disposed to be more risk-averse than others, but I’m a firm believer that any biological bias can be conquered and overcome with training. 

Simple practices:

1. Whenever you see someone you want to photograph, ask for permission and expect to get rejected. If they say “no” don’t lose faith. If they say “yes”, shoot at least 10 photos of them. The idea is that often people who look the most “unfriendly” are actually the most friendly! 

2. Think of social skills as something you can cultivate: On a daily basis, practice making more small talk with strangers. Learn how to charm, seduce, and tease others (toward both genders). Become more charming, and take more social risks (better to be offensive than to be dull) 

3. Consider danger to be your preferred state. Despise comfort, safety, and predictability.