| Author | Thread |
|
|
01/11/2010 01:23:08 PM · #1 |
Does anyone have any tips on how to be unobtrusive when shooting candids or wedding photos or anything where you don't really want to be noticed?
In shooting family events, there are always people who will see the camera pointed at them and then shy away, so I am just looking for some tips that others may use in the professional world.
Thanks. |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 01:36:00 PM · #2 |
| Use a good point-and-shoot or compact camera, dress like a guest and don't use a flash... |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 01:40:24 PM · #3 |
Honestly, short of using a "sneaky pete" right angle mirror adapter on your lens (not really recommended, LOL) your best bet is not to try to be *less* obtrusive, but rather to shoot until they just give up and ignore you. you'll find that if you just keep shooting, eventually you will become just part of the environment. Especially effective on kids.
Another technique is shooting without looking through the viewfinder, i.e. shooting from the hip. Works OK for wider "environmental" shots, not so much for tight shots where composition and focus are critical.
It's unfortunate that in order to get a good photo of some folks, you have to catch them unawares, but many people believe that they are just not photogenic, and avoid the camera at all cost. They fail to realize that their actions perpetuate the myth, and also that they are denying their family a chance to have memories including them. |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 01:52:05 PM · #4 |
| No flash is huge for starters. Another way is to use a 70-200mm 2.8, a great low light lens and shoot from across the room. As kirbic said you can wear them out after a while or trick them into thinking you're shooting at something else and wheel around to get them off guard. Again, if you shoot without using a flash you'll eventually blend in and people will soon begin to ignore you. |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 01:53:12 PM · #5 |
Or you could respect the wishes of those that don't want to be photographed. The reason I am behind the lens is because I don't want to be in front of the lens.
Tim |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 02:01:17 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by atupdate:
Or you could respect the wishes of those that don't want to be photographed. The reason I am behind the lens is because I don't want to be in front of the lens.
Tim |
Yeah, but if you're hired to shoot guests at a wedding or an event that might not be an option? If they're big players at the event you sometimes have no choice. |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 02:07:09 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by pawdrix:
Originally posted by atupdate:
Or you could respect the wishes of those that don't want to be photographed. The reason I am behind the lens is because I don't want to be in front of the lens.
Tim |
Yeah, but if you're hired to shoot guests at a wedding or an event that might not be an option? If they're big players at the event you sometimes have no choice. |
Ahh, so instead of forcing your wishes on someone else, you do so because someone is paying you to do it. Like I teach my children, stop means stop, no means no [unless you are getting paid to do it I guess].
Tim |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 02:13:57 PM · #8 |
| for candids, using a really wide angle lens works well because you don't even have to aim at your subject. prolly not so great for weddings tho. i have a right-angle sneaky lens but it's large so tends to draw even more attention :( |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 02:15:52 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by atupdate:
Originally posted by pawdrix:
Originally posted by atupdate:
Or you could respect the wishes of those that don't want to be photographed. The reason I am behind the lens is because I don't want to be in front of the lens.
Tim |
Yeah, but if you're hired to shoot guests at a wedding or an event that might not be an option? If they're big players at the event you sometimes have no choice. |
Ahh, so instead of forcing your wishes on someone else, you do so because someone is paying you to do it. Like I teach my children, stop means stop, no means no [unless you are getting paid to do it I guess].
Tim |
Hey, I'm not talking about outright harassment BUT if you want to get paid and not suffer complaints...you do what you have to do. And if EL-ROI develops a good technique for capturing "hard to capture" people without them knowing...no harm no foul...get paid.
eta: If you're really good at this you'll never know that those/some people don't like having their picture taken.
Message edited by author 2010-01-11 14:17:48. |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 02:19:51 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by atupdate:
Originally posted by pawdrix:
Originally posted by atupdate:
Or you could respect the wishes of those that don't want to be photographed. The reason I am behind the lens is because I don't want to be in front of the lens.
Tim |
Yeah, but if you're hired to shoot guests at a wedding or an event that might not be an option? If they're big players at the event you sometimes have no choice. |
Ahh, so instead of forcing your wishes on someone else, you do so because someone is paying you to do it. Like I teach my children, stop means stop, no means no [unless you are getting paid to do it I guess].
Tim |
Thanks for your advice about respecting others wishes. I also appreciate Pawdrix' thoughts on the wedding scenario. Both opinions need consideration. I remember my wedding just over two short years ago. I never once noticed the photographers and got some great photo's from them. Several people in my family are quite literallt afraid of being photographed to the point where they freeze up when they see the camera. When my wedding photo's came back and they were in them (All key people in the family like Grandmom, Mother, Aunt) they were happy with the results and don't even remember being shot.
One thing I remember they did was they wore black. Other than that, they were using a long lens and scooting around the outskirts I am sure. |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 02:20:50 PM · #11 |
IMO the trick is to use a small camera, no flash, & be really fast with it. Make eye contact rather than holding the camera so that it covers your face. Shoot in bursts of 3.
Message edited by author 2010-01-11 14:24:04. |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 02:47:47 PM · #12 |
Lots of good tips posted here...
I used to work for a newspaper but a lot of the same applies - I think that you have to feel confident, look like you belong there and that you're a professional... this helps people trust you.
Also, you can disarm people by smiling and engaging people... interacting with them - and as you do this other people who are watching you interact start to trust you more too... it's all about how you carry yourself. |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 03:29:04 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by atupdate:
Or you could respect the wishes of those that don't want to be photographed. The reason I am behind the lens is because I don't want to be in front of the lens.
Tim |
This is just silly. Do you expect the guests who wish to not be photographed wear big signs out the back of their shirts that rise above their heads that state 'DO NOT PHOTOGRAPH'? Come on now. That is ridiculous.
However, in a candid situation if someone approaches you, sure respect their wishes it is much easier to do. But when people are milling around socializing at a hosted party? What a joke. So now you will miss several key opportunity to capture key moments because some stick-in-the-mud is standing in the scene near the host of the moment.
|
|
|
|
01/11/2010 03:38:40 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by atupdate:
The reason I am behind the lens is because I don't want to be in front of the lens.
Tim |
I have to admit that's the first time I ever see that excuse for being a photographer. ;\ |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 04:17:44 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by Jac:
Originally posted by atupdate:
The reason I am behind the lens is because I don't want to be in front of the lens.
Tim |
I have to admit that's the first time I ever see that excuse for being a photographer. ;\ |
Well then, I'm happy to provide you with a second instance ... ;-)
One handy feature of some of the Canon cameras (like mine) is the tilt/swivel LCD which enables one to accurately frame the subject while holding the camera at waist-level or other odd angles. |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 04:30:56 PM · #16 |
Ok GeneralE, two times. :)
This is what I do when I do street photography, which is very rare. I install the stupid strap (all my cameras are strapless) and put it around my neck. I install my wired shutter release cable and hold it in my hand in my jacket pocket. I just turn to the subjects I want to capture and wait for the shot. I've never been caught so far. :) This gives me the added convenience of being able to look at my subjects for a bit and sort of compose a shot based on what they're doing or about to do. |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 04:37:17 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by Jac:
This is what I do when I do street photography, which is very rare. I install the stupid strap (all my cameras are strapless) and put it around my neck. I install my wired shutter release cable and hold it in my hand in my jacket pocket. I just turn to the subjects I want to capture and wait for the shot. I've never been caught so far. :) This gives me the added convenience of being able to look at my subjects for a bit and sort of compose a shot based on what they're doing or about to do. |
Now thats a very good idea Jac. I may just give that a go although i only have a cable release so that will have to go down my sleeve. It sure beats what Homer did in that Simpsons episode where he hid the camera in a huge cowboy hat. |
|
|
|
01/11/2010 04:45:59 PM · #18 |
| I wonder how well focus trapping would work on street candids? |
|
Home -
Challenges -
Community -
League -
Photos -
Cameras -
Lenses -
Learn -
Help -
Terms of Use -
Privacy -
Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2025 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 10/13/2025 07:25:33 PM EDT.
