Candid - DPChallenge Forums

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom

09/21/2004 12:19:55 PM · #26

Originally posted by thatcloudthere:

True, but by that definition the first photo in the thread isn't truly candid, either...

I guess I should have been referring to 'street photography' instead to keep the two distinct.

I consider it to be candid. The only difference is that they knew they were being photographed. I wasn't hiding from them. These drummers were plaing on a street corner sidewalk for the public. I probably shouldn't have worded my original comment as 'performing for the camera'. They were performing for the visitors to the festival.

Maybe there is some amount of difference between 'candid' and 'voyeuristic' photography, but in this case, I don't think there is much, if any.

Message edited by author 2004-09-21 12:21:07.

JPR

Sony Alpha a55

09/21/2004 12:23:33 PM · #27

Originally posted by colda:

Originally posted by thatcloudthere:
Are you sometimes obtrusive in a way that changes the environment/situation but gets you the shot?

When taking pics from the hip (camera held in hand, arm relaxed at my side giving the impression that the camera is not in use and being just carried in the hand), I purposely walk against the flow and pass on the 'wrong' side, by this I mean that in general people pass each other in the same was as traffic does i.e. to the left in the UK, to the right in the rest of Europe and the States, so when I'm not in the UK I walk towards my subject straight on, and at the last second go against protocol and pass on the 'wrong' side. This causes the subject to be much closer to me than they would naturally and on occasion there is a pause - all good for getting the pic, you have to get used to keeping your hand steady and aiming from 'the hip'. Some examples of my street stuff can be found here

Darren

Some nice shots there Darren

I'm actually a fan of selective desaturation but having all of your shots that way sort of drove me crazy lookin at em.

I find that shooting from the hip makes me feel more like the bad guy stalker photographer and something about the way a lot of those shots turn out gives them a slightly-off perverted atmosphere.

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/21/2004 12:25:28 PM · #28

Darren, I like those shots...my only problem is that they were quite obviously 'shot from the hip' and don't really show the emotion I'm looking for.

waterlilies

Nikon D70

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

09/21/2004 12:27:19 PM · #29

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

I like to talk to the person when possible in any case. I usually offer to share the photos with them.

John,

How do you follow up? Do you give people a business card? Do you get their address?

I find this discussion very interesting. :)

Rachel

colda

Nikon D800

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

09/21/2004 12:28:24 PM · #30

Originally posted by JPR:

I'm actually a fan of selective desaturation but having all of your shots that way sort of drove me crazy lookin at em.

The site is very much work in progress, I'd just found out about a good technique for selective desaturation in gimp and these pics were the 'victims'

I usually favour pure b/w for street stuff, I really must get some more uploaded (and sort out what is already there)

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom-Nikkor 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G IF-ED

09/21/2004 12:31:17 PM · #31

Originally posted by waterlilies:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
I like to talk to the person when possible in any case. I usually offer to share the photos with them.

John,

How do you follow up? Do you give people a business card? Do you get their address?

I find this discussion very interesting. :)

Rachel

Interesting that you should ask this... When I'm doing this sort of stuff 'on the street', I generally do NOT give a business card. I carry a notepad and pen in my camera bag everywhere I go. I think a business card steals something from the 'candid' and 'amateur' nature of what I am doing. I simply exchange email addresses or phone numbers by scribbling them on my note pad.

waterlilies

Nikon D70

09/21/2004 12:35:52 PM · #32

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

That's exactly what I wondered. Thanks. :)

BobsterLobster

Fujifilm FinePix S3 Pro

Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 18-200mm f/3.5-5.6G ED VR II

09/21/2004 12:39:43 PM · #33

I was terrified of shooting candids, until I got my FZ10 with 12x 35-440mm zoom! Even then though, I was pretty nervous... but I started getting over it when I went to Spain. I'm now very bold, and can happily walk up to a stranger and take a shot without worrying about it. Sometimes people can get very uncomfortable, but this happens much less than I would have thought. Practice is the key! I also find that having an impressive looking camera with a big lens as opposed to a little P&S helps, as then it looks like you're doing it professionally, rather than just going around taking an unhealthy interest in other people's business for your own viewing pleasure only.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

09/21/2004 12:47:33 PM · #34

Originally posted by BobsterLobster:

I've had almost the opposite problem. There are many places I could play tourist with a little point and shoot and nobody would even really notice. When I put the 10D to my eye everybody assumes I'm more than a tourist and react is some way, which ruins the moment.

Sonifo

Canon EOS-400D Rebel XTi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

09/21/2004 12:48:08 PM · #35

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

I guess I just don't see the difference here of giving out a business card or your email address. I always give out cards.

JPR

Sony Alpha a55

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom

09/21/2004 12:52:36 PM · #36

Originally posted by Sonifo:

I guess I just don't see the difference here of giving out a business card or your email address.

cards cost money

:)

09/21/2004 01:02:00 PM · #37

Originally posted by Nusbaum:

So, now that you have made the decision can I ask some question about your approach to candid/emotive work with digital? The 35mm rangefinder, Leica M series mostly, is/was probably the most common film based camera system for this style of photography. It was small, quiet, and it skill hands could be operated very quickly (zone focus at the hip, to the eye, and snap). Are you using your 10D for this type of work or having you been looking at other options.

I ask because my 10D attracts a lot more attention than my old Nikon F3 SLR and I find even entering a room with it can be more disruptive than I would want for true candid work.

I use the 10D and I also use my small Canon s500 sometimes. Those old Leica rangefinders are definitely nice, but I can't imagine one of those cameras coming anywhere near close to my 10D for control and flexibility. Since I'm not trying to hide from anyone when I shoot, the size of my camera gear doesn't make much difference. The 'tool' a photographer chooses to use for any particular style of photography is basically by preference. 98% of what I shoot is digital, so I would never likely go to a film solution. The s500 offers me some 'angles' that I can't get easily with the 10D.

Here are a couple examples:

//www.pbase.com/jmsetzler/image/32480375
//www.pbase.com/jmsetzler/image/33029412
//www.pbase.com/jmsetzler/image/31490494

These types of 'table' shots can't be done easily with a big camera. They would be equally difficult/impossible with a small rangefinder or any other 35mm camera. I can put my s500 on a tabletop and compose a photo with the LCD. Looking through the eyepiece at these odd angles is tough :)

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

09/21/2004 01:03:27 PM · #38

Originally posted by Sonifo:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Interesting that you should ask this... When I'm doing this sort of stuff 'on the street', I generally do NOT give a business card. I carry a notepad and pen in my camera bag everywhere I go. I think a business card steals something from the 'candid' and 'amateur' nature of what I am doing. I simply exchange email addresses or phone numbers by scribbling them on my note pad.

I guess I just don't see the difference here of giving out a business card or your email address. I always give out cards.

There is no real difference. I just think a business card in cases like these may send a message that I am not out doing it for fun and personal pleasure. It may give an impression that I'm a sneaky professional photographer who is going to use the images for something else, which is not the case.

Neil

Fujifilm X-T30

09/21/2004 01:07:02 PM · #39

I'm curious if anyone has gone so far as to take an interesting shot of a street performer, or a random individual, walked up to them, explained that this was a picture of XYZ city and since they were recognizable you need them to sign a model release?

cpanaioti

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 DO IS USM

09/21/2004 01:18:06 PM · #40

One suggestion is to offer them a print in return for the release. I haven't tried it myself however the presenter at our last photo club meeting says that he uses this method a lot. (presenter's website)

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

09/21/2004 01:24:43 PM · #41

Originally posted by nshapiro:

I have never asked for a release. I don't really know what I would do with the photos that would require one. However, based on this question, I will ask for one next time I shoot and see what happens. I think I'll approach it from this aspect:

"I'm out shooting photographs for my stock photography library. I would possibly like to add some photos of you to that collection. Would you be willing to sign a model release for me so I can use these photos for advertising and marketing purposes?"

If I chose this approach, I wouldn't be fabricating any story for the purpose of use.

Nusbaum

Fujifilm X-T1

Canon EF 50mm f/1.4 USM

09/21/2004 01:32:41 PM · #42

Those table top shots are great!

I am definitely not a fan of hiding the camera, but people seem to react differently to a large black camera vs a small light colored camera. My assumption is that they are ok with a tourist snapping some shots but a "pro" looking camera creates more of a barrier. No right and wrong here, I was just curious about your approach.

Simply switching to smaller 35mm f/2.0 lens and a thinner neckstrap has helped me when using the 10D, but I'm always wondering if there isn't a better option.

Thanks

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

09/21/2004 02:05:55 PM · #43

Originally posted by Nusbaum:

Those table top shots are great!

I am definitely not a fan of hiding the camera, but people seem to react differently to a large black camera vs a small light colored camera.

That's why I'm getting a large, light coloured camera!

colda

Nikon D800

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

09/21/2004 02:19:51 PM · #44

Originally posted by thatcloudthere:

Originally posted by Nusbaum:
Those table top shots are great!

I am definitely not a fan of hiding the camera, but people seem to react differently to a large black camera vs a small light colored camera.

That's why I'm getting a large, light coloured camera!

Paint it pink and add blue spots, dress as coco the clown, fantasic way to take the intimidation out of the equation. I tried it once, but it turned out that the guy I tried to photograph was a black belt in karate with a psychological hatred to circus folk ;)

Tranquil

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

09/21/2004 02:53:39 PM · #45

Originally posted by jmsetzler:

Looking through the eyepiece at these odd angles is tough :)

I'm sure Canon makes a 90 degree viewer for their eyepieces. I have one om my 35mm Minolta and it really comes in handy when using a tripod. They are great and attach right onto the eyepiece.

Sony DT 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Aspherical ED Super Wide Angle Zoom

09/21/2004 02:58:57 PM · #46

Originally posted by Tranquil:

Originally posted by jmsetzler:
Looking through the eyepiece at these odd angles is tough :)

I'm sure Canon makes a 90 degree viewer for their eyepieces. I have one om my 35mm Minolta and it really comes in handy when using a tripod. They are great and attach right onto the eyepiece.

They do and I have looked at these. There is just something so simplistic about doing it with the pocket camera... I don't think I would want to go to a bar or some place like that with all my big camera gear. My s500 fits in my pocket so I carry it around most places I go.

JPR

Sony Alpha a55

09/21/2004 03:08:16 PM · #47

I'm actually considering getting a pocket camera, something I can take everywhere with me. Any suggestions? I was looking at the Panasonic FX7 due to the image stabilization but is it really true that it has no manual (or shutter or aperature priority) settings. I also heard good things about Pentax and the 555 looks promising and has great zoom. Or maybe the Canon Powershot A95 so I can get lens attachments. Still considering a DSLR too. I just don't know what to do.