Street Portraiture - DPChallenge Forums

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/02/2010 09:46:56 AM · #26

Im going out tonight... making my hubby go with me... we are going on a boat to see some fireworks and then a trip downtown... out to be interesting!

mattmac

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

07/03/2010 05:11:50 PM · #27

As with many people, this challenge is well outside of my comfort zone. That's why it's important for me to enter...

I'm not shy and I'm not intimidated by people at all (even the "scary" ones...probably due to the fact that I AM one of the scary ones). But I do have the tendency to over-think and be overly concerned with how other people are feeling. So to break through those barriers, I headed out into town yesterday...

Attempt #1:
At 6'4, 235 lbs with a shaved head, I decided that my strategy was to revolve around "make eye contact and smile" to pretty much everyone. When you live in the Philadelphia area, this is not necessarily a natural trait. Immediately I found that people actually smiled back and said hello (*gasp*!). As I was walking the streets, I found about 5-10 opportunities that would actually be really nice images...not just a random-stranger-snapshot-portrait. What did I do? Nothing. I even gave directions to one of the "opportunities" and still couldn't pull the trigger. After about 45 minutes, I decided to head home to my wife and daughters.

Attempt #2:
Met a buddy at a bar, brought my 5dMK2 with me. Blew another perfectly lit opportunity. As I was working up my nerve (about 10 minutes) to head out of the bar to strike up a conversation, the person got up and left.

Attempt #3:
TBD...heading out tonight.

This was so much harder than I thought...

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/03/2010 05:40:57 PM · #28

:) Matt! You make me smile! I do really relate to how you described your attempts. I have had very similar outings and have "headed back home" to the comfort of people I know and love me and don't think I'm crazy (well, maybe a little, but not like some stranger street person who wonders what I'm up to). I hope attempt 3 was successful for you. I'm heading out now to see if I can get something. I will say that the best street portraits I've ever gotten have happened pretty naturally and weren't that uncomfortable. So maybe that's part of the key.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

Melethia

Canon EOS-80D

07/03/2010 05:59:44 PM · #29

Sandy, you are one of the very best at this sort of thing. I fully expect you and Steve to duke it out at the top!

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

07/03/2010 07:43:37 PM · #30

Well, I just got back and I don't know if the voters will like my finds, but I am very happy with two new connections I made with street people and the additions I will be making to my collection. I'm always so humbled when I spend time with people in such different circumstances than me. And when I hear their stories, I always can't help but think that but for the grace of God go I. So, whether or not I do good in the challenge, I will always be really happy for having met the people I met tonight.

Message edited by author 2010-07-03 19:44:26.

tnun

Ricoh GR III

07/03/2010 08:06:20 PM · #31

Bless you Pawdrix. I made an approach! I got a picture! Next time I will give back almost as much as I got. I hope. Dare I hope to cure myself of the sneaky picture habit?

07/03/2010 09:19:41 PM · #32

Good for you, Timothy! It's pretty rewarding, isn't it :)

Pentax DA 18-135mm F3.5-5.6ED AL [IF] WR DC

07/03/2010 09:21:48 PM · #33

my tries were very bad lol i got cussed out by one guy, flashed by a woman, and some dude attempted to piss on me... rough crowd.

Stagolee

Kodak Easyshare C180

Canon EF 50mm f1.2L

07/03/2010 09:24:47 PM · #34

Originally posted by JustCaree:

my tries were very bad lol i got cussed out by one guy, flashed by a woman, and some dude attempted to piss on me... rough crowd.

were you in a bar? :)

tnun

Ricoh GR III

07/03/2010 09:25:24 PM · #35

Well Sandy, the subject was so much more relaxed than I was.

07/03/2010 09:46:13 PM · #36

Originally posted by JustCaree:

my tries were very bad lol i got cussed out by one guy, flashed by a woman, and some dude attempted to piss on me... rough crowd.

Wow. I'll remember that if I visit Nashville.

07/03/2010 10:15:50 PM · #37

Caree!!! I just spit my coke out all over my computer!! Sorry for giggling in your hour of needing a friend :) I guess that eye contact and being able to tell who is and who isn't approachable wasn't working too well for ya was it. Tee hee. Auuuuuugh! I would say, don't give up, butttttttt. . . . you have my permission to quit. That kinda day would definitely cure me of street photography too! :) Yes, and "Note to self: If ever in Nashville, DON'T attempt Street Photography!!!" :)

Message edited by author 2010-07-03 22:16:29.

07/03/2010 10:17:05 PM · #38

Originally posted by keegbow:

Originally posted by JustCaree:
my tries were very bad lol i got cussed out by one guy, flashed by a woman, and some dude attempted to piss on me... rough crowd.

were you in a bar? :)

I was on the strip... but it was my fault for choosing to try on a friday night on the weekend of the 4th around a bunch of drunks! lol

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8L Macro IS USM

07/03/2010 10:18:34 PM · #39

Originally posted by SandyP:

I have a feeling had I done it during the day time crowd or NOT on the strip but in other parts of downtown it might of been easier but downtown has the "characters!" the dude that tried to pee on me was dressed up like a woman... and I made the mistake of calling him a him LOL

Lydia

Canon EOS-6D

07/03/2010 10:45:59 PM · #40

Well, I certainly stepped out of my comfort zone for this challenge. I wish I were more like SandyP who makes friends at ease.

But, I had a good time, actually! I was so surprised!

I took my daughter with me... she did the initial work... much easier for me... and this is what I turned up with!

Lydia's street experience

Message edited by author 2010-07-03 22:46:07.

ambaker

Google Glass Google Glass

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

07/03/2010 10:56:19 PM · #41

I took my wife. She's very good with strangers.

I asked one fellow if I could take his picture. His response was, "I don't know why you would want to take my picture." Fortunately his wife was with him. Her response was, "At least he asked, everyone else just takes your picture."

God bless wives!

Retroesque

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

07/03/2010 11:16:12 PM · #42

Beautiful Strangers

From Shooting strangers on Orchard Road

Message edited by author 2010-07-03 23:17:15.

mattmac

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/03/2010 11:20:55 PM · #43

Originally posted by SandyP:

I hope attempt 3 was successful for you. [snip] ...

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

I did it.

With my first shot tonight, I could see that it was going to be a slam-dunk - which I thought would be a good initial ice-breaker. I also knew that there is no way I'd enter that image(s) here...but that wasn't the point of that shot.

The second shot, though, I knew had potential, so I struck up a conversation, explained what I was doing and asked to take a picture...the "target" obliged and was able to bang out about 8 frames. One will be entered in the challenge. Even if I score a 5.000 (or less....the horror, the horror!), it doesn't really matter to me.

My wife has been with me for 17 years and was shocked that I actually followed through with the challenge. :)

Thanks to

pawdrix for suggesting this challenge.

07/03/2010 11:36:49 PM · #44

This has been really interesting following everyone's efforts. I've always considered myself an introvert, but I guess things change. I can't imagine myself 25 years ago walking up to a complete stranger and asking to photograph them. (Or getting dressed as a caveman at a busy public lake.)

Message edited by author 2010-07-03 23:37:45.

07/03/2010 11:57:27 PM · #45

Originally posted by ambaker:

Thats PRICELESS!!!!

07/03/2010 11:57:50 PM · #46

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

one of these days Im gonna have to get the story behind that

07/03/2010 11:59:42 PM · #47

Originally posted by JustCaree:

one of these days Im gonna have to get the story behind that

It's right here.

07/04/2010 12:01:58 AM · #48

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by JustCaree:
one of these days Im gonna have to get the story behind that

It's right here.

OMG I just woke the dogs!!! from laughing!! thats PRICELESS!!!