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01/11/2006 09:44:13 PM · #1 |
| I've got a great opportunity to shoot photos of people in a crowd this weekend but wonder how people react when they notice you're focusing on them. Do people get angry or upset? And how do you get really good candid shots if the person sees you shooting them? Are all your shots at angles where they don't notice you zooming in on them? If they see you then they know they are being observed and their behavior changes so it'd not truly "candid" is it? How close do you get to people when you're shooting candid shots in a crowd? Are you using a zoom lens and focusing in from across the way or are you walking through a crowd snapping close ups? I'm just curious to get some advice on how to avoid getting punched in the face for shooting someone's girlfriend or some stupid thing. |
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01/11/2006 09:51:31 PM · #2 |
I am just as curious about this subject as you, lkn4truth. you asked all the questions i've been wondering for awhile.
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01/11/2006 09:52:27 PM · #3 |
I'm curious about the same thing!!! I plan to go downtown tomorrow with my camera (maybe both of them?) and stake out a spot outside....and I suppose just sit and wait for some people to walk by. It may be completely futile, but I guess I won't know until I try.
Must admit, I'm very nervous about it as well....I don't handle conflict very well and I'm terrified that someone will come up to me and start yelling! Or chase me off or stomp on my camera or something crazy!!
But I know there are tons of people on here that do candids...so hopefully they can chime in and calm our fears :-) |
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01/11/2006 09:55:32 PM · #4 |
1. quick snap with zoom lens
2. don't be 'sneaky'. if you appear too sneaky, they will think you're up to no good. if someone approaches you after shooting, just tell them you're a hobby photographer, nothing more.. even offer to email them copies of the pics if they have access.
3. sometimes for street people shots, i get the courage to ask them for a photo after offering them something in exchange. street people make great photos.
4. a lot of people are flattered to have their pic taken. remember that.
5. *add* if someone decides to get up in your face, say you'll delete the pic and apologize. if they threaten to hit you, remind them you have pics of their face. :-)
6. *add* another good technique, outlined by kiwipix, which I have also used..
"Develop a technique of appearing to look everywhere else whilst you size up the shot out the corner of your eye. People become self concious and you loose that spontaneity."
Message edited by author 2006-01-11 22:15:47. |
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01/12/2006 09:03:49 AM · #5 |
| Yay for me...I was able to go out last night and get some shots. All it took was three red bull and vodkas to work up the nerve...at that point I didn't care if people saw me. I probably took over a hundred photos of people on the street and did not receive any negative response. I wasn't even using a long zoom because this was at night and I had to use a 50 mm lens to get a low f-stop. |
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01/12/2006 09:47:17 AM · #6 |
Occasionally people get upset if you take a picture of them without asking but rarely. Just shoot around at other things and pretend like your not interested in them...kinda like they don't matter...wait for them to get back to whatever they were doing or thinking and go for it.
I ask for permission these days and have gotten pretty relaxed with approaching people. They always say ok, if you ask nicely and I might suggest phrasing the question...
"Would you mind if I took a couple of pictures...? (in a shy manner)
and not
"Can I take some pictures of YOU!"
The word "you" might make them self concious. Another thing I sometimes do after they say "yes"...is to not shoot immediately, hold up and let a few seconds pass ...look up at the sky, perhaps fiddle with the camera a bit. Give them time to engage with the idea and then dis-engage.
You'll get some really good natural moments that way.
   
Message edited by author 2006-01-12 09:54:51. |
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01/12/2006 09:50:24 AM · #7 |
I tried it the other day. A man and woman on a motorcycle waiting in line for gas and talking to a few other bikers. I was sitting at the corner in my car, ready to get on the main road. I whipped out my camera and took a few shots. They looked at me very upset. I was afraid that I would be chased! LOL...I sped off. It was pretty scarey. I pretended I was just playing with settings, like it was a new toy from Christmas, but just as I went to actually take the shot, they could see I was focused right on them. YIKES! LOL...Not happy campers.
You never know in this. Some people may not want their photos taken for VARIOUS reasons, from legal to thinking you are a PI. LOL...
SO, I have another idea in which will be more fun, and I can actually ask to do it, so there is no problem. My shot will be done this Saturday, IF all goes well.
Rose
Message edited by author 2006-01-12 09:52:26. |
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01/12/2006 09:57:28 AM · #8 |
I think the most important things you've said here is dont be sneaky, and ask.
Originally posted by saintaugust:
1. quick snap with zoom lens
2. don't be 'sneaky'. if you appear too sneaky, they will think you're up to no good. if someone approaches you after shooting, just tell them you're a hobby photographer, nothing more.. even offer to email them copies of the pics if they have access.
3. sometimes for street people shots, i get the courage to ask them for a photo after offering them something in exchange. street people make great photos.
4. a lot of people are flattered to have their pic taken. remember that.
5. *add* if someone decides to get up in your face, say you'll delete the pic and apologize. if they threaten to hit you, remind them you have pics of their face. :-)
6. *add* another good technique, outlined by kiwipix, which I have also used..
"Develop a technique of appearing to look everywhere else whilst you size up the shot out the corner of your eye. People become self concious and you loose that spontaneity." |
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01/12/2006 09:59:25 AM · #9 |
This guy wasn't afraid to let me know what he thought.
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01/12/2006 10:04:47 AM · #10 |
lol thats great, i was taking pictures during the transit strike here and a lady got pissed at me on the bklyn bridge and asked is it against the law, I told her know as long as I dont publish them which i was'nt than showed her that I did not get her anyway in the picture. Than she mumbled something and walked away
Message edited by author 2006-01-12 10:06:27.
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01/12/2006 10:18:27 AM · #11 |
For those small town people like me, what you can do is check your local town paper for events in the area. You may get lucky and find one in the time frame. A sports event, a festival, etc. This is what I did, and it happened to work in my case. BUT, we shall see how it goes.
Rose |
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