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02/09/2003 01:03:03 PM · #1 |
Hello People,
I'm hoping somebody on this board would be kind enough to hopefully give me some advice on taking candid/photojournalistic pictures. I'm quite new to photography, recently purchased a canon A40, and have so far been very happy taking photos of things around the house, family/friends, views from the backgarden and so forth. Today I decided to go into Town and take a few pictures of everyday people conducting everday tasks.
First stop was the bus station. I had excellent lighting and a wonderful view from inside a tunnel where people were stepping from the buses and heading into town. I fired off a couple of shots and was quite pleased with myself, that is, until a guy decided to tap me on the shoulder and quite aggressively asked what the hell I was doing. My innocent explanations fell upon deaf ears and I skulked away as quickly as possible to cause no more commotion.
It was a similar case inside the town centre. Innocent snaps of Fruit and veg stalls on a market were followed by scowls or finger pointing by passersby/stall workers. Perhaps I should yell at the top of my voice "Say cheeeessseeee everybody"...but then that wouldn't be a candid snap would it :)
I can understand that subjects such as children, or people sunbathing at the beach can be delicate matter, but surely I shouldn't feel uncomfortable about taking a picture of a middle aged street cleaner.
Now, I know I must sound overly paranoid or something, but I honestly felt really uncomfortable after todays incidents. I have flicked around a couple of other websites and found the advice to be laughable. One suggested concealing a camera within a hollowed out book. Surely this would make the photographer feel even more uncomfortable.
So, Have any other photographers felt/feel uncomfortable when taking this genre of photograph? And what tips/techniques can you offer?
Unseen
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02/09/2003 01:12:29 PM · #2 |
unless your on private property and the owner or owners representatives are asking you to stop, I would just keep taking the shots... when people go into public they subject themselves to the public eye, and that includes photos... did you know that the average person is photographed about 8 times a day? and most of the time, they don't even realize it...
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02/09/2003 01:21:41 PM · #3 |
What country was that? Overly sensitive to terrorism and such bs?
I walked around my town for 4 hours today, photographing anything I considered interesting, including people and private property and the only thing I received were smiles. Some people even posed, something I don't want though.
Show everyone in your frame a big smile, act like you are from another planet and they will feel comfortable it seems. :)
People do react better to a pro looking camera like the 602 (fitted with tube and filter with important text like "UV+0 made by Hoya Japan" than they react to a point and shoot Sony. Perhaps size does matter!? ;)
Some overdone makeup women even look if they got my attention, probably want to know if I'd consider them as model so they can feel good and brag to their friends.
I even pointed my camera at a police boat without being questioned, but this is Holland, a free country. ;)
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02/09/2003 01:31:47 PM · #4 |
I have 2 suggestions...
1 ~ Print up a pass that says PRESS on it, laminate it, and hang it from your neck. You may feel this is a 'lie', but only if you feel you are not documenting something. Once you share your photos with others, you are acting as 'PRESS'. Note : This is not a ticket past police lines or into private events. They require you to apply for 'Press Credentials' from either the local government or the event organizers.
2 ~ Print up 'business cards' with your email address, stating that you will send folks a free copy of the shot you take of them if they want. Hand them to the folks you take pictures of.
PLEASE always ask permission from an adult guardian before taking pictures of kids. I would go ballistic on anyone that started snapping shoots of my kid without asking.
One final note : Bus stations are normally off limits to photographers and I've been asked to move along by the police several times.
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02/09/2003 02:05:29 PM · #5 |
I have had mixed responses from people when out shooting. Some give me the evil eye or the one finger salute. I have been asked to leave by security patrols, but never the police.
I have tried to do a few candids, and found a trick that works is let the people see you taking a pic of something near by (or pretend to take the pic) then you kinda blend in and they will ignore you...saying oh its just some schmuck taking pics..back to my latté now.
Once they see you are not a threat or a pervert you should be good to go.
Others are very curious about the camera and will ask hundreds of questions and want to see a few of the pics I just shot.
James
Message edited by author 2003-02-09 14:06:21.
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02/09/2003 02:57:51 PM · #6 |
| Are you in the US? A lot of institutiona type places, like hospitals and govt buildings. have sent all employees reminders to be extra suspicious of people taking pictures and to confront them, report them or call security. Perhaps now is not a good time to be learning to take candids. People are awfullt edgy when they otherwise would be cooperative. |
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02/09/2003 03:50:34 PM · #7 |
I ended up inside a mall yesterday to take pictures. I usually walk around with my jacket zipped up over my camera hiding it until I am ready to take a photo. At first I was real hesitant to take out the camera, a very conspicuous F707, and start shooting. But I went ahead with it and it worked out fine. I almost got caught by the security before I could hide the camera but I lucked out. I do what Jab says and usually pretend to be interested in some object or attraction so everyone thinks that is my focus and then while I am pretending to review my images I am actually taking the candid shots. It helps that I can tilt my camera body to shoot pictures without having to have my face pressed up against the camera. I've been taking some pretty strange photos recently and it must be pretty funny for the people passing me. I try to completely ignore them as if they are not even there. I don't want to look the wrong person in the eye and start a confrontation or, at least, draw more attention to myself. I think the type of camera does help quite a bit. With my camera it looks like I am very serious about photography but not necessarily a pro and it doesn't look like I am trying to be sneaky or doing something I shouldn't be doing. I don't announce my presence but I don't look suspicious either.
It was funny, yesterday while I was out taking my pictures I was in this fancy club parking lot getting ready to take a particular picture when a man got out of his car and started walking in my direction. I moved out of the way because I thought he might be security or something but he ignored me and took out his own digital camera and started taking the exact same picture that I was trying to get. I went back to him and removed my camera and we had a laugh over it. Then I continued to taked my photos. You just never know how people are going to react.
T
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02/09/2003 03:59:13 PM · #8 |
This is a candid I did for a recent challenge. This guy kept looking at me, trying to figure out if I was taking his picture. I made a point of taking a couple of shots of other posters on the wall (like the one in this background) so he would think that was my interest. I don't think he ever decided if I was taking his photo, but he sure was wondering.
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02/09/2003 05:39:33 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by timj351:
I ended up inside a mall yesterday to take pictures. I usually walk around with my jacket zipped up over my camera hiding it until I am ready to take a photo. At first I was real hesitant to take out the camera, a very conspicuous F707, and start shooting. But I went ahead with it and it worked out fine. I almost got caught by the security before I could hide the camera but I lucked out.
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Jeez. And Jeez again. Do they make such a point of that in the US nowadays? Are you still allowed to take photo's at for example the Hoover dam? They got some great sculptures on that dam and some cool art deco design. Or would that be threathening to the power supply of Nevada?
I usually walk with the 602 around my neck and the grip in my right hand scouting every spot of every place I am in/around. I never ever hide my camera.
Perhaps another useful method is to act like you are just framing a scene and waiting for the people in it to move away. Peak over the viewfinder a couple of times and look annoyed. In reality you have already taken the photo or doing that when giving the people the look. :)
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02/09/2003 06:06:13 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by Azrifel:
What country was that? Overly sensitive to terrorism and such bs?
I walked around my town for 4 hours today, photographing anything I considered interesting, including people and private property and the only thing I received were smiles. Some people even posed, something I don't want though.
Show everyone in your frame a big smile, act like you are from another planet and they will feel comfortable it seems. :)
People do react better to a pro looking camera like the 602 (fitted with tube and filter with important text like "UV+0 made by Hoya Japan" than they react to a point and shoot Sony. Perhaps size does matter!? ;)
Some overdone makeup women even look if they got my attention, probably want to know if I'd consider them as model so they can feel good and brag to their friends.
I even pointed my camera at a police boat without being questioned, but this is Holland, a free country. ;) |
Is terrorism BS?
How does Holland maintain it's "free country" status? Does it have an overwhelming powerful military.... or does it relay on the USA and other allies to keep the bad guys at bay?
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02/09/2003 06:16:38 PM · #11 |
It is naive to think that banning photography is going to stop it or prevent it. I did not say that terrorism is BS, I said overly sensitive. And that is what it is in my opinion.
And Holland is one of the most active UN members when it comes to support. We aren't strong, but we help be it not always succesful. We sweep mines in Cambodja, we fucked up in Srebrenica, we have patriots in Turkey, we have F16's actively participating in Afghanistan etc.
And when the gulf thing starts we will probably have an air defence ship supporting one of your carriers.
Message edited by author 2003-02-09 18:31:21.
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02/09/2003 06:55:54 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by Azrifel:
What country was that? Overly sensitive to terrorism and such bs?
...but this is Holland, a free country. ;) |
i didn't appreciate your comment at all!
Message edited by author 2003-02-09 18:56:57. |
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02/09/2003 06:59:32 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by smellyfish1002:
This is a candid I did for a recent challenge. This guy kept looking at me, trying to figure out if I was taking his picture.
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I really like this shot - nicely done.
Message edited by author 2003-02-09 19:00:08.
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02/09/2003 07:08:17 PM · #14 |
I too have been kicked out of a mall for taking pics... best to be sneaky... at christmas I was shoppinh and since I didn't want to leave my camera in the car, so I loaded up my case and let it hang around my neck like a satchel... :o) bad thing is the person at the front door said men were not allowed to carry purses or cases or anything inside.. well I requested the manager and he told me the same thing... all it took was saying that not allowing men inside with a camera case was discrimination... hehe you should have seen his pupils dialate when I said discrimination... he asked what I meant and I told him the if women were alloed to carry a handbag over their shjoulders inside the store that I was allowed too as well and if if did not allow me to do the same thing that it was discrimination... well he got pretty flushed but then said he needed to look inside my case before I went in.. well I promptly told him that if he looked in my case he had better look inside every womans purse that came inside his store... at that point he turned pretty red... you could tell he was about to blow, but there was nothing he could do and had to let me in the store... in hindsight I wish he would have not let me in.. I could have had a nice fat discrimination lawsuit against sam's club... hehe oh I wish I would have taken a picture of his face when he knew he was had.. too funny
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02/09/2003 09:35:10 PM · #15 |
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02/21/2003 08:30:52 AM · #16 |
Originally posted by unseen_unheard:
So, Have any other photographers felt/feel uncomfortable when taking this genre of photograph? And what tips/techniques can you offer |
Depending what country you are in, what you are doing may be illegal. That is, taking pictures is never illegal in public spaces, but on private land (malls, some parks etc), you will get trouble with the security guards.
Also, if the people in the pictures are identifiable, you will get in trouble in many countries, as the subjects may often have the right to deny the use of a picture.
When doing candid stuff, get used to shooting from the hip. My D60 isnt a quiet camera, so it doesn't work too well... Another technique is to put your camera to your face, and just keep looking through it for like 10 minutes. People think you are a looney, but that is okay, after the first 2-3 minutes, people who mind being taken pictures off will have gone away, and the others don't pay any more attention. THen you are free to take all the pictures you want, and are unlikely to be bothered by anybody.
Good luck! |
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02/21/2003 08:32:41 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by Azrifel:
What country was that? Overly sensitive to terrorism and such bs? |
This reminds me. Do not take pictures of:
- anything military
- airports
Both of which WILL give you grief. |
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02/21/2003 08:34:52 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by timj351:
I ended up inside a mall yesterday to take pictures. I almost got caught by the security |
Far easier: Call the mall before you go, say you are a freelance photographer, and that you want to take some pictures. Get a permission. Take pictures without fear.
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02/21/2003 09:29:05 AM · #19 |
[Original post deleted]
Message edited by author 2003-02-21 09:31:06. |
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02/21/2003 02:40:09 PM · #20 |
I went into the local market yesterday and took candid shots (even of kids)for about 1/2 hour, and no one even looked at me funny or asked what I was doing. I had my camera on a tripod, so I guess they thought it was more official than some guy shooting snapshots.
Sometimes, when I take pictures of things out in public, people ask me why I'm taking a picture of them, or their house or their store, car, etc, I just tell them that I'm a photo student, and it's for a class project. Works all the time.
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02/21/2003 03:04:45 PM · #21 |
| A tip I've heard of, although granted never tried, is to hold the camera from at your waist/chest rather than using a view finder or obviously near your eyes. This helps make your subject(s) less conscious that they're beign photographed. I guess this is a bit hit-and-miss, but maybe worth a try..? |
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02/21/2003 08:14:53 PM · #22 |
Well, I can see people being suspicious in places like malls, and other stores. I mean, they're there to shop, and they do have a certain right to not be overly disturbed -- and most people find it sort of creepy to have their photo taken by a stranger. It's unfortunate, but true.
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02/22/2003 12:19:00 PM · #23 |
Originally posted by Gren:
Well, I can see people being suspicious in places like malls, and other stores. I mean, they're there to shop, and they do have a certain right to not be overly disturbed -- and most people find it sort of creepy to have their photo taken by a stranger. It's unfortunate, but true. |
this might have even worked for superstitions.. I know a couple of people who are afraid to have their photo taken (native americans) because they believe it will steal their souls... sounds funny I know, but for some this is a real fear
Message edited by author 2003-02-22 12:19:34.
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02/25/2003 12:33:28 PM · #24 |
| Don't try street candids, especially in larger cities, until you are fully confident in what you're doing. People on the streets here are more likely to be stressed out, plus with all the paranoia since 9/11 very suspicious. Try city parks and areas away from the hustle and bustle, people here should be more relaxed. As far as beach photos go, if your sexy neighbor is on a nude beach its not invasion of privacy, but don't photograph her over the fence in her backyard or through her bedroom window or you could be in trouble with the law, not to mention an irate husband or boyfriend |
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02/25/2003 12:44:02 PM · #25 |
This was mentioned in another thread by someone else, but there's a really nice article in this month's "Popular Photography" about photography and the law in the US. (Gotta make sure to mention the US bit before someone jumps down my throat about being too US-centric and how laws are totally different in some other part of the world...)
Popular Photography Online -- I don't think the article's on the site, but thought I'd toss up the link anyway...
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