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04/04/2005 02:23:28 PM · #1 |
Hi there I find candid close ups to be very interesting however I was wondering how most of you go about this with out being noticed and do you ever get hassled for photographing someone who doesnt want to be, the best I have for a lens is a 75-300 f4-5.6 canon with a d350 body. Please post any shots you have as examples.
Thanks
Ty |
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04/04/2005 02:33:31 PM · #2 |
| Work out the setting in your head and have the camera ready before you point it at people. Be quick. Scan the whole area with the camera and give them the idea that you don't care about them :) |
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04/04/2005 02:43:01 PM · #3 |
shooting from the side works;
Frank |
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04/04/2005 02:53:44 PM · #4 |
I feel very similar to Xion. I take candid shots of poeple at Hollywood by the Chinese teather and other places.
First, find a busy spot where there are lots of people taking pictures, so you really don't stand out too much. Hollywood is ideal for me. Second, I use the telephoto end of my zoom so I can keep some distance. People who aren't familiar with photography often don't know you can get a close up portrait from a far with a 300mm focal length with a 1.6 dSLR crop factor.
Third, I use the fastest setting possible so I can take a quick shot.
Fouth, I prefer a small consumer type lens b/c it's smaller and less intimidating. Can you imaging some stranger pointing a 8 or 9 inch long white lens with a hood at you? Most can tell that that lens is a long tele. With my Sigma 70-300mm APO or a Canon 50-200, it's less conspicuous.
Lastly, I causally hold the lens in my arm, quickly bring it up for a shot, and lower it. I walk off, to check the histogram and make adjustment for a next shot. I prefer to compose in my mind first, set the zoom to the focal length I want, bring the camera to my eye, take the shot and be off. I think it's a bit rude to stand there adjusting my camera and taking multiple shots of a person. I sure wouldn't want someone doing that to me.
Lastly, if anyone asks what you are doing, I'd tell them that I'm a photographer and doing street photography and that if they wish, I will erase their photo. But using my techniques, no one has noticed it much to approach me.
Message edited by author 2005-04-04 14:56:11.
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04/04/2005 02:56:32 PM · #5 |
It is not as hard as it seems:). there are two ways of doing it: first is to point at whoever you want and shoot from distance, and the other is to let him think that you are taking different object. first is a bit risky: he may start shouting, or just "try to look nice on the photo", but second one is more efficient, even if you have no more than 150mm zoom.
I try to hold camera in one hand, hold it down to my leg, and make a photo on a high speed (more than 1/100), then i check it and if i am not satisfied, i try to do same but from another angle
Message edited by author 2005-04-04 15:04:40. |
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04/04/2005 02:58:47 PM · #6 |
Here is one :
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04/04/2005 03:07:11 PM · #7 |
| when I was using my canon g6, I was able to shoot from my laps (if sitting) or my stomach (if standing) pretending that I was adjusting my camera or reviewing my previous shots. It was easy to take surreptitious photos from as close as 1 meter. Now with d70 it's not that easy. So I just ordered a Nikkor 70-300mm as another way to go. |
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04/04/2005 03:20:24 PM · #8 |
Thanks, those are some great tips I will try them all. I look foward to hearing more comments thanks again.
Ty |
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04/04/2005 03:25:16 PM · #9 |
I use the in the lap or on the stomach method with my g5 since it has a swivel lcd. Another thing i have done before is to get my brother to stand and pretend he is posing for me while I take someone to the left or the right.
was done using the camera in the lap technique, and luckily he wasnt looking!
Message edited by author 2005-04-04 15:26:49.
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04/04/2005 03:37:42 PM · #10 |
I love to do candids of kids/family, but they are very aware of cameras pointed in their direction and cease to behave naturally >:-(
My trick is, rather than try to fade into the background, I just click away, and eventually they forget about my presence, I become, in effect, a part of the scenery.
I also use a 70-200 zoom, and that helps get me far enough away to not be a total intrusion on their activity. It also helps isolate my subject from a busy environment, since I can shoot away at f/2.8 or f/3.5 @ 200mm.
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04/04/2005 03:59:19 PM · #11 |
I have a question. What good is a candid? Why take them? The focus in this thread appears to be getting candids of people other than family. What can you do with these pics? I mean it wouldn't be ethical to sell them or use them in any way other than in your own home - yes/no?
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04/04/2005 04:02:03 PM · #12 |
Originally posted by glad2badad:
I have a question. What good is a candid? Why take them? The focus in this thread appears to be getting candids of people other than family. What can you do with these pics? I mean it wouldn't be ethical to sell them or use them in any way other than in your own home - yes/no? |
It is true that without a model release you would not be able to sell them as stock, however artistic or journalistic use is permitted. Most of my candids are of family, and for family use, so that's not an issue for me.
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04/04/2005 04:04:50 PM · #13 |
[quote=nico_blue] I use the in the lap or on the stomach method with my g5 since it has a swivel lcd. Another thing i have done before is to get my brother to stand and pretend he is posing for me while I take someone to the left or the right.
Oh, I use my mother in law the same way. Think I need one of those telephoto lens? Donations accepted with hearty thanks. :-)
Message edited by author 2005-04-04 16:05:14. |
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04/04/2005 04:11:32 PM · #14 |
Taken with a swivel-body Sony F 717 giving the impression I was reviewing shots.
 
Shot with a long lens, positioning myself against the bright sun.
    
Except for the first shot (from the left), which likely involved a little empathy, these were taken overtly, straight-on, with ostentatious equipment making it clear I was going to make the subjects famous by photographing them. ;-)
Message edited by author 2005-04-04 16:13:58.
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04/04/2005 04:11:33 PM · #15 |
Originally posted by glad2badad:
I have a question. What good is a candid? Why take them? The focus in this thread appears to be getting candids of people other than family. What can you do with these pics? I mean it wouldn't be ethical to sell them or use them in any way other than in your own home - yes/no? |
Some people are strange enough to take photos just for the pure joy of it, with NO desire to make money from them.
I like people, I like watching them go about their everyday lives.
Time and opportunity to DO that are close to non-existent, but that doesn't detract from the principle.
Given the chance, I would happily disappear into the shadows to watch and to "pounce" on a funny face, a touching moment, an interesting look, a special gestures.... you get the idea.
And all just for the love it. |
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04/04/2005 04:18:18 PM · #16 |
Ok - In that context I understand what you are saying and where you are coming from. I too, enjoy taking photographs for the enjoyment of it - although mine are objects (flowers, bugs, critters, kids (mine), etc...).
Originally posted by Beetle:
Originally posted by glad2badad:
I have a question. What good is a candid? Why take them? The focus in this thread appears to be getting candids of people other than family. What can you do with these pics? I mean it wouldn't be ethical to sell them or use them in any way other than in your own home - yes/no? |
Some people are strange enough to take photos just for the pure joy of it, with NO desire to make money from them.
I like people, I like watching them go about their everyday lives.
Time and opportunity to DO that are close to non-existent, but that doesn't detract from the principle.
Given the chance, I would happily disappear into the shadows to watch and to "pounce" on a funny face, a touching moment, an interesting look, a special gestures.... you get the idea.
And all just for the love it. |
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04/04/2005 04:19:17 PM · #17 |
Originally posted by Beetle:
Originally posted by glad2badad:
I have a question. What good is a candid? Why take them? The focus in this thread appears to be getting candids of people other than family. What can you do with these pics? I mean it wouldn't be ethical to sell them or use them in any way other than in your own home - yes/no? |
Some people are strange enough to take photos just for the pure joy of it, with NO desire to make money from them... |
I'm one of those.
Besides, I feel the human condition is a worthwhile subject
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04/04/2005 04:20:23 PM · #18 |
Good :-)
One big happy dpc family! |
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04/04/2005 04:27:14 PM · #19 |
I took a whole mess of them in NYC last year. Nothing I like shooting more than candids of strangers.
same thing in my Thailand Gallery
Message edited by author 2005-04-04 16:30:02. |
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04/04/2005 04:30:42 PM · #20 |
I shot these from my lap. Just point, shoot, and hope for the best. I had a lot of fun doing it.
  
Working at wolf camera taking candid portraits is one of the most entertaining things I have to do. This is my favorite which I expected to do better with in the candid challenge. It was shot using a rebel with a 300mm zoom through the store window. She never knew it was taken.
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04/05/2005 11:44:43 AM · #21 |
Originally posted by glad2badad:
I have a question. What good is a candid? Why take them? The focus in this thread appears to be getting candids of people other than family. What can you do with these pics? I mean it wouldn't be ethical to sell them or use them in any way other than in your own home - yes/no? |
why do you think that selling or using candid pics is unethical? it's fun, and moreover, you make candid shots only if the person you are shooting seems very interesting, in that case very few people dislike your behaviour. and at last you are a photographer, not a dentist!
and it's not an obligatory to sell this photos. for example i use them for my portfolio - it just shows what you can...
Message edited by author 2005-04-05 11:48:46. |
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04/05/2005 12:10:11 PM · #22 |
Candid photography is something that I haven't done much of but is vey appealling to me. I'm still developing a "technique", I guess you'd say. These were all shot recently with a 24-70mm recently, and I don't think anyone knew there picture had been taken.
Sometimes, though, the "shoot from the hip" approach makes it a bit difficult to compose your shot! Even so, for some reason I like the way this one came out:
I'm planning on doing more candids this weekend at the DC/Cherry Blossom gtg. We'll see how that goes. |
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04/05/2005 12:15:38 PM · #23 |
I am not sure what it is about candids that I find so captivating, but its enjoyable to me. Im definitly not into photography to make money its just good fun.
Ty |
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04/05/2005 12:19:26 PM · #24 |
Originally posted by pitsaman:
Here is one :
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LOL...Love it! |
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04/05/2005 12:19:29 PM · #25 |
I love capturing a moment. no setup, they aren't posing or acting any different because of your presense. There's something very pure about it. It's people and life in there true form in one moment frozen forever. you are who you are when noone is looking.
Originally posted by zeuszen:
Originally posted by Beetle:
Originally posted by glad2badad:
I have a question. What good is a candid? Why take them? The focus in this thread appears to be getting candids of people other than family. What can you do with these pics? I mean it wouldn't be ethical to sell them or use them in any way other than in your own home - yes/no? |
Some people are strange enough to take photos just for the pure joy of it, with NO desire to make money from them... |
I'm one of those.
Besides, I feel the human condition is a worthwhile subject |
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