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05/25/2003 09:16:14 PM · #1 |
I was reading Setz's posting on another thread on "Primary colours revisited" and he has this shot of a stranger (apparently) but this shot makes me wonder whether we should ask a stranger to have their photo taken, or should we candidly just shoot and run away without a word?
How do you approach someone to have their picture taken? I seem to be around camera-shy people because it seems there's this paranoia among the people around me that the photo taken will be used for bad purposes or something! aargh... |
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05/25/2003 09:32:18 PM · #2 |
I usually don't take photos of people, mostly because I'm a bit too shy to ask. But if they're an important part of the picture or I can't photograph "around" them, I try to do it as obvious as possible so they don't think I'm up to something. A lot of people seem to don't want to ruin the photo, so they stay where they are and don't look into the camera.
I've been fortunate enough to never have my photographing questioned but as I said, I try to keep people out of the photo.
My closest "encounter" was with this couple:
//hem.bredband.net/b161305/photos/images/a062.jpg (182Kb)
They saw the camera and went back to ignoring me. |
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05/25/2003 09:39:41 PM · #3 |
I do a lot of candids - this is one of the reasons for my 8x optical zoom and 1.85x telephoto! :) I think there are ways to get around asking. You can look at the monitor like you're examining pics. You can sit in a restaurant and shoot thru the glass (polarizer helps). You can get people in front of landmarks and look like you're shooting the landmark (note - people move to let you get a clear shot!).
All in all, just enjoy it - carry sample work or a photog association card or something, and bring a tripod and some big lens. It makes you look serious and people mostly leave you alone!
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05/25/2003 09:55:05 PM · #4 |
My best photos with people in them were what I call 'in-the-face shots'. This is, of course, a bold approach, to say the least. Yet, I find myself doing this quite often. Why? Well, life is made of moments, and the moments are fleeting. If I want to capture such a thing, what other choices remain?
Occasionally, I encounter a different scenario. The subject (in the environment I find him/her in) is definitely worth a photo, but I feel (decidedly) wrong about both a direct and a clandestine approach. One example was a photo I wanted to take of a native dancer in what were tediously authentic traditional clothes during a Pow Wow. I asked (very respectfully at that). The result was a great (and proudly) posed picture. All I had to do was promise not to 'sell' the picture.
The elderly are people I often ask for a picture. Sometimes, the respect you pay them (or anyone really) somehow carries into the shot. I think, it's beautiful,when this happens.
Message edited by author 2003-05-25 21:55:24.
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05/25/2003 10:05:52 PM · #5 |
There were several threads related to the Candid challenge we did last year, mostly on Page 27 of the "Current Challenge" section of the forums...there's at least one more thread on Page 28, but I didn't check Page 26...
Message edited by author 2003-05-25 22:06:35. |
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05/25/2003 10:15:22 PM · #6 |
I've pretty much tried every approach and I think it is dependant on what kind of photo it is. If the person is a primary element in the photo and they are recognizable I think it is important and ethical to ask the person first. I haven't taken a whole lot of close up shots of people but I've never had a problem getting permission. By getting permission you can take your time somewhat with the shot. You just have to learn to be a little bold because it will pay off in the end.
T
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05/25/2003 10:49:15 PM · #7 |
If you ask, you may lose the shot you thought was so nice. And you may lose the candidity.
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05/25/2003 11:03:23 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by mavrik:
If you ask, you may lose the shot you thought was so nice. And you may lose the candidity. |
That's right! When I see a shot I just take it:) |
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05/25/2003 11:07:40 PM · #9 |
I just take the shots too...
In public, I think average people are fair game... it just depends on what you want to do with the photograph... if you wanna make a profit from it, you need the proper paperwork in place... |
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05/25/2003 11:47:02 PM · #10 |
| You can always take the photo and then ask for a release...knowing if you don't get it you can't use the photo but also at the same time if you do get the release signed you didn't lose it by signing first. |
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05/25/2003 11:57:12 PM · #11 |
I admit it is a little tricky to know when to get permission or not. I've never gotten a release from anyone but then, in the past, I wasn't considering selling any of those shots. I may get some releases printed up in the future, just in case. The people shots that I love to do the most are the ones that are more ambiguous such as my 'Taking Cover' shot where the boy's back is turned, or shots where the people are in silhouette or partial covered. I love these types of shots because they can be anyone and they are more about the emotional feel than about who they really are. With these kinds of ambiguous shots you can be more stealthy and not worry about any permission, you can just enjoy taking the shots.
T
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05/25/2003 11:57:25 PM · #12 |
For candids I usually hide in the bushes, but chicks don't dig that. They usually get freaked out.
I didn't like the odd stares from the students when I took this photo...makes me want to stay in the bushes.
Message edited by author 2003-05-25 23:57:36.
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05/25/2003 11:58:36 PM · #13 |
I tried this last week for America 24/7. First, I took candids wtih my telephoto. if I got any good ones, I would go over, chat with the victims for a few minutes, indicate that I was a photographer working on "assignment," and ask if I could take their picture. Then I'd take a few more, either with them posing, or asking them to ignore me.
I began to get over my shyness when folks were almost always flattered that I'd want their picture. |
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05/26/2003 04:21:44 AM · #14 |
so pls, lemme get this straight... most of you prefer the "shoot first, ask questions later" approach? I also think that this may be the better solution for those conditions where we do not want to interrupt the person and risk him/her changing her position or being un-natural for our camera.
So tell me, how do you guys ask that person? like I said, people around here doesn't seem to like their photos being taken by strangers. Maybe that's our cultural differences. |
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05/26/2003 08:56:50 AM · #15 |
I was in Southeast Asia for a long time, shadow. It is possible to get candids of Koreans and Japanese and Chinese, but you have to be tricky. Try prefocusing your camera (half-pushing shutter usually) and using exposure-lock if your camera has it. You can take quicker pictures. :) And use the trick of looking like you are looking at your own pictures...then just compose in the viewfinder and snap!
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