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06/19/2011 09:34:50 AM · #1 |
Recently I checked out Pentax's website and discovered some info about Godfrey DiGiorgi, who is, in the main a street photographer. In his short profile video DiGiorgi makes mention of the distinction between capturing candid images and covert images and it is apparent that he does not attempt to hide the fact he is taking pictures of people on the street. This was something of revelation to me as I had generally thought about candids being captured somewhat covertly. So, for the past few weeks I've challenged myself to get out and shoot some candids, but like DiGiorgi I've made no attempt to hide what I'm up to. Sure, in some cases my subjects have not noticed my presence, but in others they have. As a consequence I've ended up with a number of images like these (apologies for re-posting images already put up in the B&W thread):
 
I'd be interested to know people's opinions of this candid/covert subject. Do candids 'lose something' when the subject is aware of the photog like this? |
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06/19/2011 09:55:17 AM · #2 |
What were the peoples reactions to you? Did they seem upset? Did you explain to them what you were doing? I'm just afraid to walk up and start taking pictures of someone like that.
Those are excellent images by the way.
Message edited by author 2011-06-19 09:55:43. |
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06/19/2011 10:26:53 AM · #3 |
| I definitely think you've got some balls doing that. I wouldn't dare LOL |
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06/19/2011 10:41:23 AM · #4 |
FWIW, I certainly do feel very uncomfortable taking these sorts of shots. Especially considering they were taken with a 40mm prime - so I was up fairly close. But I'm not really going out of my way to shoot people. It's more a case of shooting street scenes, so people see me shooting inanimate objects as well. It's not like I just run up and take a person's picture. :)
However, the reason for my OP was to see if folks think that these images would have been better if I had been covert about it. Just prior to these shots the lady in the light jacket was taking to the guy she is with and the lady in the dark jacket was patting her dog. Had I not been so obvious and had I been shooting with a long lens and standing further away, maybe I would have captured those moments. I dunno - what approach do all you other street photogs take? |
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06/19/2011 11:17:17 AM · #5 |
First off I like your images. They seem to fall into a niche between shooting candidly and covertly as you say. This is exemplified by this great image, where only one person is aware of the camera.
I'm doing lots more street photography these days. I am generally the shy type and tend to do covert photography. I've gotten involved with a couple of groups where we go out for that purpose, either alone or in groups. I sometimes ask permission for a shot but find that it's hard to keep people in a natural position even if I've struck up a conversation first. Going out like a bunch of papparazzi is interesting to say the least. Most people don't mind having their photos taken but you must respect those who oppose. Also it seems to relax them as they open up to one person in conversation while the rest of you can get your shots. We just had a 24 hour marathon benefit "Longshot" for Photo Center Northwest. We had a news team follow us around Friday night as we ventured out as a 4 man team. Here's the news clip
king5.com/video/featured-videos/24-hour-photography-marathon-124116519.html#
They featured Alan Lawrence, our groups organizer but I make a few appearances. We invaded a Ferrari dealership as they were closing dragging in the news cameras as incentive. Then we filmed some interesting street people for awhile. Yesterday Alan and I got to be official photographers at the painting party for the dozens of nude cyclists at the Fremont Solstice Parade. Now that was interesting and a story in itself. |
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06/19/2011 01:34:22 PM · #6 |
| Generally i never try to be inconspicuous but i will sometimes follow an interesting character if it seems possible that they will enter a zone that will look better in a photo, if i do that then i try to hide the fact that i'm taking photos until the last minute. Sometimes i think by trying to conceal your intentions you make it even more obvious, and even more so if its not very crowded like where i live. Its strange i'm usually very shy in most aspects of my life but when taking photo's it seems to disappear. |
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06/19/2011 01:36:44 PM · #7 |
Originally posted by Qiki:
Candid/covert subject. Do candids 'lose something' when the subject is aware of the photog like this? |
Not in my opinion. Sometimes having a person looking at the camera helps the shot, sometimes not. Try taking crowd shots, there will always be at least one person that looks directly at the camera.
Edit: BTW, Godfrey hangs out on the PDML mailing list and you can contact him directly if you'd like to pick his brain.
Message edited by author 2011-06-19 13:37:44.
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06/19/2011 01:58:01 PM · #8 |
Shot this with a 35mm lens and the lady was well aware of my presence:  with just one look she let me know and i moved on: |
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06/19/2011 02:16:02 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by jagar:
Shot this with a 35mm lens and the lady was well aware of my presence: with just one look she let me know and i moved on: |
I take it you moved on with haste, that look could kill. |
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06/19/2011 02:20:35 PM · #10 |
| Yeah but she did let out a small smile afterwards, it amazing how expressions can change rapidly. |
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06/19/2011 09:52:37 PM · #11 |
On this one, I was taking pictures at a high school football game and was shooting the cheerleaders getting ready and the one saw me.
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06/19/2011 10:10:35 PM · #12 |
Street photography is something I̢۪ve got very little experience with and so I haven̢۪t got much to add to this discussion. However, these two shots were taken within minutes of each other. The guy in this shot gestured to me stop and move on.
Where as the lady in this shot who at first I thought was going to get angry approached me afterwards letting me know she was happy to have her photo taken.
I guess you just never know how people will react but it shouldn̢۪t stop you taking the shot.
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06/19/2011 10:15:03 PM · #13 |
To be perfectly honest with you, I find think that capturing the expression of a person the moment they see you is fascinating. You only have a split second to get it. Once they see you, the initial reaction changes after the first second and half. I got my only ribbon by capturing the expression of a man who just realized I was taking his photograph
I sat and waited for him to look at me from about 25 feet away. When he did, I fired this frame and got this very natural expression that most thought was posed for. Anyway, I have become intrigued by this type of photography, because it captures a certain realism about people that can't be hidden. I'm going out next weekend to try and capture some shots like these. I encourage you to stay on your path. I think it makes for incredibly interesting and thought provoking photography... |
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06/19/2011 10:31:47 PM · #14 |
Originally posted by jagar:
Yeah but she did let out a small smile afterwards, it amazing how expressions can change rapidly. |
Great how you captured the look of disgust.
One of the few times I actually got a positive response to my camera 
I am very careful. But I do stalk people, waiting for the right moment (and often miss it). I use the 35mm lens a lot because it's the smallest but I use the 50mm too. Recently I've been enjoying my iPhone for street shots because it's pretty inconspicuous.
Over the years, I've had a couple of run ins with unhappy patrons. I've deleted pictures more than once when confronted. But, to my surprise, I've also had strangers ask me to take their picture for seemingly no reason  . It is a tricky game. |
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06/19/2011 10:34:25 PM · #15 |
Following on from Penny's point, I'm mainly using the Pentax 40mm/2.8, which is probably the smallest DSLR lens on the market today. I feel this makes a difference as it doesn't seem to intimidate people quite as much a honking great tele zoom. I've just won an eBay auction for the Pentax 70mm/2.4, which is only marginally bigger than the 40/2.8, but will obviously get me a little tighter without having to be in people's faces. Be interesting to see how that works out.
Message edited by author 2011-06-24 01:08:48. |
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