"Candid" Photography - DPChallenge Forums

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

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/22/2004 07:31:22 PM · #1

Greetings Everyone,

This shall be my first post "within" this community. Although I've been in love with photography for ages (being 25), i've never applied for contests, or joined any communities before. Quite excited about the experiences shared here tho.

Now for my question; its something that's been bugging me for a very long time, and sometime i wish i could "do" better at the same time:

"Candid" Camera shots. How to 'peek' and 'Sneak' in a public place, and snap proper pictures.

My main concern is an obvious "black-eye" side-effect of such photography techniques. For some reason, i always feel bad about taking pictures of people 'not knowing' they are being targeted. If it isn't feeling bad, its perharps that i feel i own them more respect then to 'steal' their soul in such ways.

Its very hard to explain, but i don't seem to be able to just walk in a public place, and snap away...

Could anyone comment on this photography style and perharps share some experiences/techniques to properly go at it?

It would be greatly appreciated!

Message edited by author 2004-08-22 19:31:58.

EddyG

Canon EOS-1D Mark II

08/22/2004 07:34:53 PM · #2

This thread and this thread may offer some interesting insight as a start.

Message edited by author 2004-08-22 19:35:39.

RedOak

Sigma 105mm f/2.8 EX DG Macro for Canon

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

08/22/2004 08:22:09 PM · #3

Thanks for the Links, the second one (which missed the searchs i did) was very informative!

All that's left is "tricks" of the trade into doing this sort of shooting. How do you guys actually go at shooting (with a camera) people in public places? Are there tricks not to be noticed?

Tranquil

Canon EOS-300D Rebel

08/22/2004 09:02:45 PM · #4

Originally posted by RedOak:

The bigger the lens, the less easier it is to be caught. There are also 90 degree attachments for lenses that have a mirror so that you photograph your subject at a 90 degree angle to where your lense is pointing. Besides that, just try to be a little sneaky from as far away as possible. I used a 200mm lens for these three candid portraits earlier today.

frumoaznicul

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

08/22/2004 09:28:00 PM · #5

I am one who I do alot of candid photography (see my portfolio), and the recipee is to not have shame nor what you call "respect" for anyone. You just don't have time for that. Your only focus should be to watch them, anticipate theyr moves and snap it quarter of a second before it happens. That together with concerns such as exposure focus and other tehnicalities. A while ago I used to be shy too, and I still feel like that sometimes, I call what you call "respect" shyness, but with time I got used to it and I realised people are not as pissed about it as I thought they will be. Actualy the majority enjoys it. Prepare yourself with a good answer, because some will come and ask you why you are doing it. I always say I am fotographing the streets for a magazine. A plain and simple answer that usualy doesn't lead to further questions. I don't know where you live but where I live the law is on my side, meaning I can photograph anything and anyone who is on a public domain. That if someone gets agressive, but it never happened yet. One other thing that helps me when I am shy, I alwas think about those press photographers in war zones exposing themselves to the ultimate dangers for a good snapshot. And I say to myself if those guys have the balls to do that, what am I afraid of? what kind of cry baby am I? This helped me alot. Hope it helps you too. Good luck!

Tamron SP AF 28-75mm f/2.8 XR Di for Canon

08/22/2004 10:04:02 PM · #6

About a week ago I went to my State Fair for some photo opts and beer. I manage to get beer, to much beer...Trick, be around people who are drunk...they often don't care what's going on around them...shoot away...However, tip 2, you don't get drunk....poor camera handleing...I shot nearly 100 photos with messed up settings and thought they looked great...next day...crap...non seemed well enough for any great images of street photos.. However, I DID get this one...her friend came over and asked what I was doing and then sat back down..then SHE glances over and this is what I got....The comp sucks, put her face is awlsome....I think there were a thousand words said with here pose. :)

I basicly, sat out in the middle of this bar with my camera and shot stills from all angles....had a blast...talked about street photography with a couple of college age girls....had some laughs....

Also here are some others from a few months ago.

Message edited by author 2004-08-22 22:40:53.

sfalice

Canon PowerShot SX60 HS

08/22/2004 10:19:42 PM · #7

I use my Canon S50 (which masquerades as a Point 'n Shoot) and nobody pays any attention to me. At a recent Farmers Market

this guy knew I was taking his picture

but the carrot lady and the

folks waiting in line for lunch didn't.
Of course it helps to post-process the extraneous information out later.

nico_blue

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

08/22/2004 10:31:14 PM · #8

Originally posted by frumoaznicul:

Some great insights... I really want to do street photography but get shy or afraid to take photos of random people without first asking. I think in the US people will be a bit more 'offended' if you take a picture of them without permission than in Romania though. I have a swivel lcd so I do the 'pretending to be browsing while actually still shooting' technique with my camera close to my stomach rather than in front of my face. It definetely gets less attention. Another thing that helps is being in a place that there are lots of tourists (lots of poeple taking pictures left and right, and lots of poeple period) or near an art school (immediately gets less questions, people just assume you are doing a project or assignment).

Message edited by author 2004-08-22 22:33:01.

frumoaznicul

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

08/22/2004 10:48:29 PM · #9

Never been to US but from what I know I tend to agree it could be possibly harder than here. Especially now with the terrorist threats and such. I can understand that. You need to read the law, and know exactly where you stand, what you can and what you can't photograph. People tend to think they have more rights than they actualy do. And then when you know that what you do is perfectly ok and legal the aproach is similar to how you aproach a potentialy aggresive animal. If you let him sense any sort of fear than he will byte you. That's how I do when I think one person can become aggresive, I look straight in theyr eyes, and nod as a salute, as if everything ok, I'm minding my biz and they should do too. Something like that. Where I live I'm lucky I admit. The effect of 50 years of communism have tought people to feel like they have less rights than they actualy do. All people ecept one category, and that's organized crime, mafiozo's or however you call them. Those are often aggersive to photographers and cameramans, but I can avoid that easily since they are ugly and don't make good images and I'm not a newspaper photographer so...
But the trick is really and I belive that works anywhere to not let them see your scared or shy or whatever, because they will most likely take advantage of that. Be relaxed and act like you are doing a perfectly legitimate thing. I think street photography should be legal anywhere in the world, else I can't imagine any newspaper in that country. As far as I know in the US same as here you are alowed to photograph anything that is public, only if you want to sell the imagess you need a model release signed by them.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

02/15/2005 08:06:50 PM · #10

An example of another "problem" with this genre ...

AP News Story February 15, 2005

Message edited by author 2005-02-15 20:07:15.

charmayne

Nikon D300

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

02/15/2005 08:15:33 PM · #11

Hopefully Anheuser-Busch will see it also and his candid plug will land him a better paying job with them!

capgal

Fujifilm FinePix S5000 Z

02/15/2005 08:21:04 PM · #12

I hope there was some sort of clause in his hiring agreement... otherwise he has a HUGE lawsuit to file.... Any negative press they got from the silly little local newspaper would be miniscule compared to what would happen if this guy pressed charges... even if he doesn't win the case.

Just my 2 cents...

thatcloudthere

Canon EOS-1D

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM

02/15/2005 08:36:37 PM · #13

Originally posted by Tranquil:

Hmmm...Tranquil, I have to be honest...I completely disagree with the spirit of this post.

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/15/2005 09:36:37 PM · #14

Legally speaking...anything or anybody viewable from a public place is perfectly fine to take a picture of.

If you just pretend you're invisble, you'll be fine. Point you lens at someone, snap a few off and if they notice you, point your lens up at the building as if you're just shooting random things. But always keep both eyes open incase they start coming after you heh.

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/15/2005 09:39:08 PM · #15

Originally posted by frumoaznicul:

I alwas think about those press photographers in war zones exposing themselves to the ultimate dangers for a good snapshot. And I say to myself if those guys have the balls to do that, what am I afraid of? what kind of cry baby am I? This helped me alot. Hope it helps you too. Good luck!

I actually read an article one of those photogs who was embedded within the military and he said he's more scared photographing the streets here than he was there. Food for thought.

Mark of SRQ

Canon EOS-7D

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

02/15/2005 10:21:13 PM · #16

I remember a while back someone posted a thread with a link to a site that had interviews with some famous street photographers. I couldn't find the thread, but I remember it was pretty interesting, especially for those interested in candid street photography.

I just did a yahoo seach under "street photography" and there are quite a few sites dealing with the subject. I couldn't find the site in question though. Maybe someone else remembers.

Thanks,

Mark

Edit: typo

Message edited by author 2005-02-15 22:37:07.

faidoi

Pentax K10D

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

02/15/2005 10:22:46 PM · #17

"The slower you can run the longer the lens you will need" :P

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

02/15/2005 10:39:07 PM · #18

Originally posted by deapee:

Legally speaking...anything or anybody viewable from a public place is perfectly fine to take a picture of.

But not to use commercially ... this is true for personal, educational, or journalistic uses, but if there is one or more "recognizable" persons in the photo you will need a release for commercial use.

deapee

Kodak V803

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

02/15/2005 11:21:15 PM · #19

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by deapee:
Legally speaking...anything or anybody viewable from a public place is perfectly fine to take a picture of.

But not to use commercially ... this is true for personal, educational, or journalistic uses, but if there is one or more "recognizable" persons in the photo you will need a release for commercial use.

heh...you're pointing it out that I'm wrong by correcting me on something I never said. In all aspects, there's no but's to what I said...so I will repeat Legally speaking...anything or anybody viewable from a public place is perfectly fine to take a picture of.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

02/15/2005 11:31:51 PM · #20

This guy wasn't too happy, but there wasn't much he could do.

02/16/2005 12:08:27 AM · #21

Here are my few of my attempts at candids shots. Some are not all that great, it takes practice. Mostly just trying to relax and move fast but, with control. I get out there I see so many cool shots of people doing crazy things or just have that look. I get frantic and exciteed I miss the shot or they come out blurry. :)

People/Street Photograghy

Canon 12x IS USM (S3 IS built-in Lens) -- 36-432mm (35mm EQ)

02/16/2005 12:29:00 AM · #22

Originally posted by deapee:

Originally posted by GeneralE:

Originally posted by deapee:
Legally speaking...anything or anybody viewable from a public place is perfectly fine to take a picture of.

But not to use commercially ... this is true for personal, educational, or journalistic uses, but if there is one or more "recognizable" persons in the photo you will need a release for commercial use.

heh...you're pointing it out that I'm wrong by correcting me on something I never said. In all aspects, there's no but's to what I said...so I will repeat Legally speaking...anything or anybody viewable from a public place is perfectly fine to take a picture of.

I do believe that GeneralE isn't pointing out any faults on your part as you might think that is the case. He seems to be just adding to the conversation and giving out an extra point. Not an attack on you. He's right however, any photo that is sold commercially, the models have to sign a release form (legally). However, it' is true that anybody out there in the public eye is open season for photographs to be taken of them. Moreover, be sure to use ethical advice and thoughts. Be safe.

GeneralE

Canon PowerShot S3 IS

02/16/2005 12:30:22 AM · #23

Originally posted by deapee:

Then perhaps you could have added strategic emphasis, so as to avoid any possible mistaken implication someone might logically draw from your statment; maybe like this:

It is perfectly legal to take a picture of anyone in a public place.

02/16/2005 12:49:33 AM · #24

"legally speaking...anything or anybody viewable from a public place is perfectly fine to take a picture of."

Hmmm, just thought of something here, it's illeagal at one stand point to be taking a photo of anything or anybody viewable FROM a public place. I were were taking a photo viewable "from" a public place I would be outside and looking in a private residents, a home, well that wouldn't be fine. Hmmm.

Message edited by author 2005-02-16 00:51:53.

sfboatright