I am pretty much not scared of looking like a fool. But in your situation I probably would be. What I am scared of is striking up conversations. I could probably pull off the highway and get the waterfall picture, but the horses scenario would have me running the other way. I am in several japanese tourists's foto albums as "that crazy american who was lying on the ground in the dirt aiming his camera at something" Seriously, more than one has walked up to me and showed me the picture they took of whatever contorted position I got into....I guess I should be used to it, my family does that as well.