Difficulty shooting candids & shame on me.

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

01/04/2005 11:56:53 PM · #1

Guess this is one area I have never been comfortable with. I feel a bit guilty trying to photograph people without them knowing, and in this particular case, felt like I was invading on their privacy:

While wandering about in La Jolla on Saturday, I spotted this couple and soon realized he had just proposed to her. I felt like I was spying on them, yet was trying to do something for the candid challenge (submitted something completely different BTW).

Why the shame on me? After processing these, I realized that I should have gone up to the couple and gave them my info in case any of my candids turned out good. I wasn't crazy about shooting towards the sun, but tried anyway. By approaching them, I could have possibly shot a few for them properly, and would not be sitting here looking at a few "decent" shots that I am sure would have been very much appreciated in their hands at any quality level. Now their moment has passed, and I have no way of knowing who they were.

Part of my "shame on me" direction is that we have the capability of making a difference in people's lives through our viewfinders, and I blew it on this one, mostly because this is new ground for me and have somewhat bashfulness nature when approaching some with my camera.

At least I knew what to make my resolution for this year, and by golly I am gonna' follow through with it.

whiteroom

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

01/04/2005 11:59:51 PM · #2

such sweet photos, the sea gulls knew what was going on!

ahaze

01/05/2005 12:02:16 AM · #3

I know exactly what you mean...

//titoi.com/people/DSCN5895.html
//titoi.com/people/DSCN8228.html

zeuszen

Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

01/05/2005 12:34:01 AM · #4

Originally posted by BradP:

...this is one area I have never been comfortable with. I feel a bit guilty trying to photograph people without them knowing, and in this particular case, felt like I was invading on their privacy...

My interpretation of what a candid is, appears to vary a little from yours. While I feel the same way about invading someone's privacy, the exercise, from my point of view, involves a healthy amount of scrutiny on part of the photographer, especially after the shots are in camera.

Since most of my candids are taken quickly and, if I can help it, discreetly, I very consciously choose not to intervene or interact in any way with subjects. It is their moment, not mine.
When reviewing images, I look for a quality which goes beyond this. When a shot reveals nothing but an intimate encounter between strangers, I trash it.
Occasionally, however, an intimate moment between x and y reminds me of a universally experienced emotion: x and y could so easily be anyone and everyone that, really, only x and y would see themselves in it, if they tried. Everyone else would see human nature, the drama, joy and tragedies of life, illustrated by someone who could be anyone.

I attribute value to such shots, and because of this, I don't mind going out on a limb sometimes. And I don't mind trashing 99% of a candid shoot. And yes, I feel better for it too.

Message edited by author 2005-01-05 00:34:33.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

01/05/2005 12:53:14 AM · #5

Originally posted by zeuszen:

Originally posted by BradP:
...this is one area I have never been comfortable with. I feel a bit guilty trying to photograph people without them knowing, and in this particular case, felt like I was invading on their privacy...

My interpretation of what a candid is, appears to vary a little from yours. While I feel the same way about invading someone's privacy, the exercise, from my point of view, involves a healthy amount of scrutiny on part of the photographer, especially after the shots are in camera.

Since most of my candids are taken quickly and, if I can help it, discreetly, I very consciously choose not to intervene or interact in any way with subjects. It is their moment, not mine.
When reviewing images, I look for a quality which goes beyond this. When a shot reveals nothing but an intimate encounter between strangers, I trash it.
Occasionally, however, an intimate moment between x and y reminds me of a universally experienced emotion: x and y could so easily be anyone and everyone that, really, only x and y would see themselves in it, if they tried. Everyone else would see human nature, the drama, joy and tragedies of life, illustrated by someone who could be anyone.

I attribute value to such shots, and because of this, I don't mind going out on a limb sometimes. And I don't mind trashing 99% of a candid shoot. And yes, I feel better for it too.

Well said, and good advice as well!

NinjaMom

Canon EOS-10D

01/06/2005 11:35:43 AM · #6

Originally posted by zeuszen:

I agree... I think candids should just be shot and then if they look ok....great... If not... Well..Try it again. I personally don't really get into the overly staged candid.

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

01/06/2005 11:44:37 AM · #7

Originally posted by BradP:

At least I knew what to make my resolution for this year, and by golly I am gonna' follow through with it.

Get a longer lens?

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/06/2005 11:48:16 AM · #8

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by BradP:
At least I knew what to make my resolution for this year, and by golly I am gonna' follow through with it.

Get a longer lens?

None made.
I was using the TCON-300 3x converter in those shots (420mm equiv F2.8).
Resolution is to get over "my thing" about approaching people, and/or shooting more people-related candid shots in general.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

01/06/2005 11:54:03 AM · #9

a candid shot does not necessarily need to be of a stranger...
merely the subject not know the photo was snapped.

this is my significant others grandfather - he had no idea i shot it during his birthday party - he has not seen the image. a friend from poland - not knowing who it was - described the photo as 'This is pure Vermont' - which when aiming was actually what i was trying capture.

Message edited by author 2005-01-06 11:56:00.

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/06/2005 12:07:34 PM · #10

I agree about not having to be a stranger.

I have snagged a few of family & friends that were candids:

Need to do more of this, as the human element is so moving.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

01/06/2005 12:15:38 PM · #11

i would agree with the apprehension you feel shooting strangers, and find i don't tend to too often as a result. it's one of those styles of photography that has never really appealed to me anyway.

in the right circumstances i will shoot candids in public.

Pedro

Nikon D200

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

01/06/2005 12:18:12 PM · #12

When i shot this, the little tyke's dad came running up to me, fairly upset that i was taking pix of his little fella. I explained that i was just a tourist and couldn't resist the little punkin face, and could i please take a pic of the two of you together. He obliged and gave me his e-mail address. no harm done to either of us :)

I agree with Zeus; the whole point of the candid is to catch the moment as it is, not as you want it. I think approaching people after you've taken their pic is a great idea if it bothers you. Offering to send them the photos will more than compensate for any perceived invasion of privacy in my view. Persoally i think if they're in a public place, privacy is not a huge issue; I don't need to appease my guilt, because i don't feel guilty about it :)

P-ness

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

01/06/2005 12:21:10 PM · #13

Originally posted by BradP:

None made.

That's what spotting scopes are for. ;-)

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

01/06/2005 12:32:58 PM · #14

Originally posted by Pedro:

When i shot this, the little tyke's dad came running up to me, fairly upset that i was taking pix of his little fella.

Assuming you've e-mailed him a copy of this incredible capture, I'm sure he's fully changed his tune!!

Another great one, Pedro...

PeterC

Canon EOS-7D

Canon EF-S 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS STM

01/06/2005 12:35:28 PM · #15

know the feeling I was having real trouble pluking up courage to shoot strangers, for my challenge entry I ended up sitting down and pretending to adjust my camera settings whilst actually shooting the guy opposite via the hinged up LCD screen (turned the audio signals off as well) not my preffered method but I didn't want the guy to get suspicious and turn his attention to me it would have ruined the shot.

GoldBerry

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

01/06/2005 12:39:00 PM · #16

I like the original shots, a lot. Great candids.

P.S. Where in what useless rule book did it ever state that candids have to be of strangers? I mean, seems like a silly debate to me.

Message edited by author 2005-01-06 12:41:06.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

01/06/2005 12:40:57 PM · #17

Originally posted by scalvert:

Originally posted by BradP:
None made.

That's what spotting scopes are for. ;-)

E-10 with 3X TCON-300 converter.

I also have the big battery grip and offset support bracket for the converter. Add the off-camera flash, grip & cable, and it's one heavy sucker!

No more $$ going out until it's going into the 70-200L glass for the 20D. Oh - and a 20D will help too. The day is coming!
LOL

Pedro

Nikon D200

01/06/2005 12:44:48 PM · #18

Originally posted by GoldBerry:

I like the original shots, a lot. Great candids.

P.S. Where in what useless rule book did it ever state that candids have to be of strangers? I mean, seems like a silly debate to me.

who made the argument that it has to be of strangers?

scalvert

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

Canon EF 17-40mm f/4.0L USM

01/06/2005 12:45:08 PM · #19

Originally posted by BradP:

E-10 with 3X TCON-300 converter.

Cripes! No wonder you're worried. I might not be too pleased if I saw someone pointing a bazooka like that at me!

soup

Canon EOS-30D

01/06/2005 12:46:49 PM · #20

well that thing looks like a sniper rifle ;}

Originally posted by BradP:

I also have the big battery grip and offset support bracket for the converter. Add the off-camera flash, grip & cable, and it's one heavy sucker!

No more $$ going out until it's going into the 70-200L glass for the 20D. Oh - and a 20D will help too. The day is coming!
LOL

Artan

Canon Digital IXUS v3