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07/19/2006 06:48:18 PM · #26 |
Faires, festivals, etc are a great opportunity to take candids. Airshows are great too, as people are looking up you can shoot them :P
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07/19/2006 06:57:45 PM · #27 |
I often hear about the "sly" techniques but the problem I have with them is that if you DO get caught then you definately look like a perv or whatever - because if you're doing nothing wrong then why were you trying to "sneak" shots of people?
Where as if you just boldly shoot and don't care if people see you the assumption is you must know what you're doing and it must be ok.
Sometimes no matter what you do there's just no stopping it though and you get:
The Crazy Screaming Lady
(still cracks me up) |
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07/19/2006 08:20:27 PM · #28 |
Originally posted by BradP:
... some slyness often needs to be in effect... |
I would have to disagree. If you're acting 'sly' about things, you look suspicious. I read a while ago where a street photographer was interviewed...he said 'pretend you're invisble, pretend that no one can see you' and that's the way I do it. No one's ever said anything to me, if I notice someone and think they're about to approach me, I just get this really angry, p*ssed off look and go about my business.
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07/19/2006 08:23:25 PM · #29 |
Originally posted by deapee:
Originally posted by BradP:
... some slyness often needs to be in effect... |
I would have to disagree. If you're acting 'sly' about things, you look suspicious. I read a while ago where a street photographer was interviewed...he said 'pretend you're invisble, pretend that no one can see you' and that's the way I do it. No one's ever said anything to me, if I notice someone and think they're about to approach me, I just get this really angry, p*ssed off look and go about my business. |
Some people do "angry" better than others ;)
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07/19/2006 08:28:53 PM · #30 |
Originally posted by routerguy666:
It appears there is something particularly unrandom about your choice of subject.
And that is not a complaint. |
You're not complaining, but if someone else did he (deapee) could have his hands full explaining those images to local law enforcement. There was something in the forums not too long ago about something similar in Texas I think - guy at a park or fair...something like that. |
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07/19/2006 08:33:48 PM · #31 |
I'm one who's really self-conscious about shooting strangers; I have almost never done it.
But yesterday while at the beach we were watching a group of 4 20ish's boogyboarding and another group of about a dozen in a circle, playing with a volleyball. We started with some casual distance shots then worked our way closer, and before we knew it one boarder was even telling us that "he could do it better" for the next shot. We laughed along with them at the goofs and thanked them when we left, and a good time was had by all :)
The day we stopped at the skateboard park, a couple of the guys asked if we were taking shots FOR something, but nobody seemed to mind and some enjoyed the audience.
Personally, I feel that if people are doing something in public, eg. buskers, street vendors, folks wearing balloon hats or dancing down the street, they're inviting attention and shouldn't object to photographs, but I feel a little less comfortable taking shots of someone just windowshopping or having a drink at a sidewalk cafe, and might feel uncomfortable if someone were taking a shot of me under those circumstances. |
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07/19/2006 08:37:31 PM · #32 |
Originally posted by deapee:
Originally posted by BradP:
... some slyness often needs to be in effect... |
I would have to disagree. If you're acting 'sly' about things, you look suspicious. |
Maybe I should correct this.
Being sly and acting sly are two very different things.
Being sly, to me, means that I am just not being obvious or invisible.
Acting sly, does look suspicious. |
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07/19/2006 08:40:21 PM · #33 |
Originally posted by Megatherian:
Sometimes no matter what you do there's just no stopping it though and you get:
The Crazy Screaming Lady
(still cracks me up) |
Wow, has she got lungs! I'd be surprised if she could talk the next day... |
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07/19/2006 08:45:00 PM · #34 |
i see some guys in the background in those.. amazing how they never became the subject...
but hey... yeah man, i know.
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07/19/2006 08:52:49 PM · #35 |
get a job stringing for a newspaper. you are looking for a clo (cutline only) feature photo.
I often have to go just take photos of random people doing something interesting, just look for it and shoot. It's not the most fun assignment but it forces you to talk to the people you photographed, where they will learn you are actually working, and then it eases tension on both sides. But yeah, shoot like you are invisible and no one cares, you have to talk to them later anyways for the caption. |
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07/19/2006 09:16:19 PM · #36 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Good question. The only "Random People" shots I have are self-portraits. |
are you forgetting all those candids of Riley, Ken? ;) |
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07/20/2006 08:25:59 AM · #37 |
| Thanks to everyone...I think i may have figured out a way to ease myself into it. Tonight I'm going to happy hour with alot of coworkers. So instead of getting completey hammered (only because I actually have to work tomorrow) I'm going to take photos of them, but at the same time take photos of random people at the bar. At least I don't look weird then, and I can ease my way into being comfortable shooting random folks. |
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07/20/2006 08:28:50 AM · #38 |
Originally posted by albc28:
Thanks to everyone...I think i may have figured out a way to ease myself into it. Tonight I'm going to happy hour with alot of coworkers. So instead of getting completey hammered (only because I actually have to work tomorrow) I'm going to take photos of them, but at the same time take photos of random people at the bar. At least I don't look weird then, and I can ease my way into being comfortable shooting random folks. |
Eh, that's easing yourself in? I'm in the shy, random-people-shooting-scares me catagory, too, and I think a bar is the last place I would start, simply because the ratio of drunks will be higher, and therefore the chance of craziness and a scene.
Best of luck to you, and be careful! Ya' got more guts than me.
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07/20/2006 08:35:44 AM · #39 |
| yeah, but if you are shooting all your coworkers first..and just so happen to shoot a photo of the bartender...or some guy sitting at the bar, it doesn't seem like you are a weirdo. They've already seen you taking several photos of your friends. |
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07/20/2006 10:09:01 AM · #40 |
     
New York City was wonderful for candids. These are from my first trip there this past May. All but the bicyclist were taken in the span of about an hour from the second level of one of those tourist buses using my 70-200/4.0 Canon.
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07/21/2006 09:01:40 AM · #41 |
| Okay so my plan failed miserably. I got to the bar, there was an outside deck and bar on the lake. But it was too crowded to take any photos. Not too many people, just too crowded. The room around the bar was barely enough to walk through much less try and take pictures of people. So I have to try again sometime this weekend. |
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07/21/2006 09:57:54 AM · #42 |
First problem is calling it 'random'
It is called 'street photography' or more commonly known as Canidid Photography
Second, do some research on the topic. There is a lot of information out there.
Third, it normaly isn't wise to go into a business to shoot candids. Simple, it isn't public anymore. Differnt set or rules.
Fourth, Research... Research... Research...
When I shoot candids, I use my 20D and it is Camera to the eye. It isn't (as shady) that way. I have heard people hold the camera around their neck with a release cord down their sleeve, People who put the camera in bag or something else to hide it. People who shoot through their arms or legs, There are tons of tricks... but don't be shady about it.
If someone stops you, Tell them the truth, you are taking pictures of people in action, you are studing people. When they say its Illegal or envasive... make sure you 'Researched' and can provid them with the right answer.
I carry information in my camera bag on candid photography and the rights of photographers. So when people throw a fuss and want to deck you, you can shove a piece of paper in their hands and get them to read and that gives you a stay of exicution, or the option for them to ask you to delete image, or pound you anyway, and they go to jail.
Anyway, Research your rights/and rules, to where you will be shooting. And do it. If you don't want people talking to you, you probly shouldn't do it. People inevitably will ask.... Unless you are in a tourist area with tons of cameras... but still the possiblity.
Message edited by author 2006-07-21 09:58:17.
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07/21/2006 10:17:00 AM · #43 |
just practice on people you know....see if you can snap them when they're not looking...you see i have a brother who really should grow out of this but everytime someone takes a pictue of him he pulls a stupid face...im sure it's just to annoy my mother.
so to keep mum happy i just snapped pictures of my bro when he wasn't looking, i do that for most family pics now as i love the truth and realism behind the picture.
this is sam posing...still funny but after 16 years of it mum had enough
here is sam natural
still has crazy hair in both |
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07/21/2006 10:23:34 AM · #44 |
Originally posted by saintaugust:
i see some guys in the background in those.. amazing how they never became the subject...
but hey... yeah man, i know. |
you take pictures of breasty unsuspecting women. |
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07/21/2006 10:42:12 AM · #45 |
Not being a native from the country you live in can make things difficult and sometimes can come as an advantage. People are often more suspicious and sometimes they just feel I am a tourist :)
Getting into a converstation worked the best for me - particularly if the person has interesting looks and his face invites a story to be explored.
 
But sometimes long zoom is the only solution
   
ofcourse if someone is sleeping on a bus stop you can just turn around and point the camera right at his nose and hope his bus does not come for another 30 sec :)
Message edited by author 2006-07-21 10:55:10.
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07/21/2006 01:27:36 PM · #46 |
If you are not the one driving, such as a passenger on a tour bus or a car, you can do "drive by shooting". I have done it occasionally while driving, just aim and shoot.
Don't even try to frame or compose too much, it can be unsafe, and it can be done in post-processing. Keep your windshield clean or windows down. Use burst mode and high shutter-speed.
I have done digital-videos while siting still/driving slow in downtown traffic in europe. I was also driving at the time.
You get the sights and sounds from interesting angles, that are sometimes inaccessable to pedestrian traffic. |
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07/29/2006 04:38:30 PM · #47 |
Interesting thread and great shots. I've read it with fun especially because I took some candids this week and I haven't done it often. Street photography is something I'd love to explore more. I also feel a bit uncomfortable when I take pictures of strangers, but I think I'll get used to it. Definetely going to do this more often after one of my first attempts this week. I had so much fun walking around on the streets watching people in a different way.
Anyway, here are some of mine:
 ( have to re-edit this one by the way )
 
By the way, Vikas, I love your candids. |
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07/29/2006 04:44:32 PM · #48 |
I normally try to do it a little less suspiciously, by shooting from the hip. Takes a lot of practice though ;) Those pics normally dont turn out that well anyway. I would recomend just going for it. Normally people dont even care (in my experience.) took this one and the guy gave me a look of complete understanding after he saw i took his picture. I gave him some change... Unfortunately, the photo came out a bit blurry :(
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07/29/2006 05:02:12 PM · #49 |
I like to take random candids of people, and most of the time I just put my camera up to my face, point it at them, and click. Usually I do this when they're not staring directly at me...but if I sense that the situation isn't really right for that approach, I will do the "from the hip" thing or put the camera on the ground or something. Here are a few I have in my portfolio here:
     
You can get a lot of information from the old Candid mentorship group thread here if you'd like. :)
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07/29/2006 05:24:44 PM · #50 |
i just spent a couple days in NYC, mainly photographing random people. since i was carrying two cameras and a backpack, it was impossible for me to hide. so, i basically resorted to hiding in plain site. by not sneaking around, i was pretty much able to stay part of the background.
sometimes, though, i found it advantageous to approach people first. some people asked me not to take their picture, others loved it. most wanted to know where the photos would go.
i collected a LOT of email addresses, and i'll be sending out low-res copies to those 'models'.
the main thing for me is that i LOVE being around people. i enjoy interacting with them, and, as i have nothing to hide, they have no reason to feel threatened by me.
sometimes, i 'shoot from the hip', and sometimes i'm shooting with the long lens, but, all the same, i'm out there, ready and willing to talk with anyone. i will say, though, that the more you do it, the easier it gets.
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