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07/19/2006 04:21:43 PM · #1 |
| I'm just curious to know how photographers shoot random people. I've seen several photos where it looks like they are just shooting people on the beach or shooting people riding their bikes, etc. Do you have problem with people asking why you are taking their photographs? Or get upset because you are taking their pictures? I'm considering shooting random people, but I'm afraid my Canon Powershot S2 lS is going to make it look like i'm some weirdo taking photos. |
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07/19/2006 04:31:23 PM · #2 |
Good question. The only "Random People" shots I have are self-portraits.
There are lots of posts buried in related threads - hard to find. I have the same issue - being uncomfortable when people spot you shooting them.
I think what amateur candid public photography needs is an ad campaign - like the egg council or dairy association. A TV commercial letting people know that the VAST majority of people taking pictures in public places of things and people are people who simply like pictures of things and people. |
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07/19/2006 04:32:06 PM · #3 |
I've had similar thoughts. I'd like to get candid shots of people "on the street" so to speak, but some folks might not appreciate it.
I'd be curious to hear how some photographers handle it. |
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07/19/2006 04:35:19 PM · #4 |
I ask them. Just start up a conversation, tell them what you are doing and why. Some might request a release to sign but most are more than willing to have their picture taken. BTW a long lens is always good to have in situations where you can't ask people.
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07/19/2006 04:35:48 PM · #5 |
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07/19/2006 04:36:56 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by cryan:
BTW a long lens is always good to have in situations where you can't ask people. |
...or a concealed P&S :) |
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07/19/2006 04:37:31 PM · #7 |
| i feel uncomfortable as well. i feel like a stalker, cuz stalkers always have those black big cameras, & when they are spotted, they run away. |
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07/19/2006 04:38:24 PM · #8 |
Originally posted by Art Roflmao:
Originally posted by cryan:
BTW a long lens is always good to have in situations where you can't ask people. |
...or a concealed P&S :) |
... or even a right angle lens :P |
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07/19/2006 04:40:31 PM · #9 |
| I work part time at a touristy type place and when people take my picture I just do the same. Always have a camera. |
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07/19/2006 04:54:48 PM · #10 |
Read this link, found in the DPC Mentorship - Candid thread.
Summary: just do it :)
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07/19/2006 05:07:43 PM · #11 |
When I took candid shots with my Powershot, I'd open up the viewfinder and face in a different direction than I was shooting. People don't seem to notice unless you are facing right towards them.
Edit: Does your camera have this feature?
Message edited by author 2006-07-19 17:09:24. |
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07/19/2006 05:16:08 PM · #12 |
It is hard in the beggining... Yeah, some people might think you're some kind of a weirdo... but it's ok, that doesn't kill you, does it???
Whatever, it gets easier with the time. I'm a very shy person but I love candids, in the beggining I was terrified as hell! but then I took some pics and nothing bad happend... So I said, what the heck, I'll do it again and again...
You can even ask people for permission, most of them are kind and like to cooperate. Just think, what's the worst that cpould happen? a "no"... that's it. |
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07/19/2006 05:18:34 PM · #13 |
Originally posted by LaMerry:
It is hard in the beggining... Yeah, some people might think you're some kind of a weirdo... but it's ok, that doesn't kill you, does it???
Whatever, it gets easier with the time. I'm a very shy person but I love candids, in the beggining I was terrified as hell! but then I took some pics and nothing bad happend... So I said, what the heck, I'll do it again and again...
You can even ask people for permission, most of them are kind and like to cooperate. Just think, what's the worst that cpould happen? a "no"... that's it. |
I still think it's easier for women to take candids. |
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07/19/2006 05:35:40 PM · #14 |
| I like to go to a busy place and sit. Once people get used to you being there, they ignore you. Tourist places make it easy - everyone has a camera. Less touristy places you just have to make it seem like the most natural thing in the world. Its all attitude. Act professional and they leave you pretty much alone. |
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07/19/2006 05:46:24 PM · #15 |
I take pictures of random people.
  
  
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07/19/2006 05:47:19 PM · #16 |
It appears there is something particularly unrandom about your choice of subject.
And that is not a complaint. |
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07/19/2006 05:47:32 PM · #17 |
slow ...
Message edited by author 2006-07-19 17:47:54.
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07/19/2006 05:51:17 PM · #18 |
Originally posted by routerguy666:
It appears there is something particularly unrandom about your choice of subject.
And that is not a complaint. |
Totally random. I turn 90 degrees, and shoot..whatever was there I took a picture of.
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07/19/2006 05:52:31 PM · #19 |
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07/19/2006 05:59:54 PM · #20 |
| I've never met a random person. I find that if you take the time to get to know everyone, deep down, they are at least somewhat systematic. |
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07/19/2006 06:02:06 PM · #21 |
you are soo lucky...
my second try, someone had to call 911...
no more "random" to me :P |
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07/19/2006 06:05:09 PM · #22 |
Originally posted by LaMerry:
...what's the worst that cpould happen? a "no"... that's it. |
There have been quite a few threads that have shown that things can get a lot worse than a "no"...
(thinks about the "redneck" driving his truck up on the sidewalk) |
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07/19/2006 06:19:44 PM · #23 |
| If you have access to a library, pick up some books written about or that contain interviews with street photographers - examples, Harry Callahan, Ray Metzker, Joel Meyerowitz, Garry Winogrand. You would find that they, as was said earlier, "Just did it". |
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07/19/2006 06:26:09 PM · #24 |
Get your feet wet in the local tourist areas...you will blend in better, gain confidence.
When people ask me why I am taking pictures, I just tell them I am studying and that it is for an assignment, kinda true right:-)
Funny thing is that I get a lot of people that will actually stop and strike a pose for me. And most parents I encounter seem flattered when I photograph their kids.
Cheers,
Maya |
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07/19/2006 06:44:51 PM · #25 |
Candids is kinda' where I live lately.
Crowds are always the easiest place to shoot candids, as one doesn't seem to be so intrusive, but some slyness often needs to be in effect, like acting like you are shooting something else for instance. 200-300mm of glass in front of the camera is almost a necessity for candids, but I've found one way to get around that too. Hold the camera at chest level, aiming it at the person while facing 90 degrees to them, and act like you are looking at your camera or fiddling with it. Pre-setting the focal length and knowing your camera really helps here, as you will only be guessing as to exactly how it is aimed.
This is one such shot, taken like that, with kit lens set at 27mm, camera in burst mode, firing off 3 frames/second as I walked by him.
I have a lot of candids in my B&W Candids Folder as well as my Color Candids Folder if you want ideas.
I have a number of them also in my New stuff / Incoming Folder as well, that will soon be moved into other folders. |
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