"Being a shy person, I always felt strange outside with my camera"
About this Quote
Being shy often means feeling a heightened sense of self-awareness in social situations, being uncomfortable in the spotlight, or preferring solitude and privacy. Kim Weston acknowledges how shyness can mark every interaction with the outside world, shaping one's experience not just with people, but also with activities that require visibility or boldness. The act of stepping outside with a camera isn’t solely a technical or artistic pursuit; it’s an act of positioning oneself as an observer, and sometimes even as a subject, in the public eye.
For a shy person, holding a camera in public amplifies self-consciousness. Cameras, by their nature, intrude on the environment. They point, shoot, capture, and document. They attract the attention of passersby, sometimes leading to questions or suspicious glances. The person behind the camera can feel like an outsider, separated from both the subject being photographed and the society around them. For Weston, the camera doesn’t provide a shield, but instead can act as a spotlight, making him feel even more exposed.
There’s another, subtler layer to this feeling of strangeness. The creative process is intrinsically personal, and by bringing it into the open, Weston is inviting judgment or curiosity. There’s a vulnerability in being seen publicly pursuing one’s art, especially in a medium as visible as photography. Each time he steps outside with his camera, he moves through a field of potential interactions and interpretations. The strangeness comes not only from his internal disposition but also from negotiating his private artistic drive within a public setting.
Ultimately, Weston's admission underscores a common struggle for many artists: reconciling the desire for creative expression with personal inhibitions. It is a reminder of the courage required to make art in the midst of personal discomfort, and how every artist’s journey is as much about confronting internal barriers as it is about mastering their craft.
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