Try and condition yourself to caring more about getting the photo than to what people might be thinking about you. Unless someone actually comes up to you and starts talking about what you’re doing, no-one really cares. The only thing I think about now when I’m out shooting in a public place is getting the best shot possible. I’ve started using an old TLR film camera for a street project. I’m literally there in one location for minutes, setting the exposure, framing up the shot etc all while people are walking around me and in front of what I’m shooting. I couldn’t give a ***k. It’s very liberating, as I’m not the most confident of individuals. As other people and you yourself have said, the more you do it the less of a ***k you’ll give. We’ve all been there - get out and enjoy it. It also really helps if you are very familiar with your equipment, so you can get set up, get the shot and get out quickly.
Try and condition yourself to caring more about getting the photo than to what people might be thinking about you. Unless someone actually comes up to you and starts talking about what you’re doing, no-one really cares. The only thing I think about now when I’m out shooting in a public place is getting the best shot possible. I’ve started using an old TLR film camera for a street project. I’m literally there in one location for minutes, setting the exposure, framing up the shot etc all while people are walking around me and in front of what I’m shooting. I couldn’t give a ***k. It’s very liberating, as I’m not the most confident of individuals. As other people and you yourself have said, the more you do it the less of a ***k you’ll give. We’ve all been there - get out and enjoy it. It also really helps if you are very familiar with your equipment, so you can get set up, get the shot and get out quickly.