Which camp do you fall into - the one that confidently snaps awat regardless - or the one that does'nt like to be caught pointing a camera at a stranger? I find I fall into the latter. The only time I really feel happy about openly photographing someone without asking first is when they're taking part in an event or display and are on show so to speak. For you confident types - what tips can you offer the less confident? What boundaries should we have in terms of content etc. Do you prefer a long lens and stand back or a small discreet camera that people don't notice?
I like to use a long lens wide open or just one stop down to get a narrow depth of field. I find it is much better to be at a distance, so I can look all around for interesting pictures. I do sometimes ask people if I can take their picture, but usually don't because the self conscience that ensues can often ruin an interesting face or situation.
This chap was asked on account of the fact that I only had my compact:
(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_Old_Man_of_Monpazier_cropvignette_DSCF1739.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/Old_Man_of_Monpazier_cropvignette_DSCF1739.jpg)
With street photographery I prefer to snap without them knowing I'm taking their picture. Otherwise, you don't get the right reaction as most people are self-conscious, and will react to the camera. The worse bit, is people asking me to take their photo, as you know it will look false. >:(
I'm with Tringle on this one. I use my 70-300mm wide open. They don't even know they're being photographed! I think I'm a bit too shy/self-conscious.
Nick
I just shoot away. I find if people do notice I have a couple of tricks up my sleeve...
At 300mm you're normally far enough away to be able to leg it :legit:
And if that fails a smile and then look away usually does the trick
I usually use my 70-200mm for street shots, and walking around with that attached to a D3 people couldn't say they didn't notice me! Those ladies I snapped for the multi-colours competition, one of them turned around and looked at me as I took the shots, but I carried on snapping. :P
I normally use the 100mm F2.8 which I find is long enough to not disturb people but close enough to feel involved plus I spose people in London are quite used to seing cameras being pointed in theie direction from the tourists
I did manage to include a fisherman in a couple of shots today - standing close using wide angle you don't have to actually point in the direction of the subject to get them in the frame! 8)
I find that people usually aren't bothered by me taking pictures. I'm tending to use wider and wider lenses these days, to get into the action a bit. 18mm is good on APS-C. I'm starting to use flash on occasion, and most people don't even tend to look round.
I don't mind if people notice me - a bit of eye contact adds to the picture a bit, IMHO.
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3721546976_8a4aed982d.jpg)
I think it's a good idea to use a small lens (the Nikon 35mm 1.8 is the bees knees). That way, you don't look like an amateur or professional - people often think they're standing in the way of you trying photographing something behind them.
Not sure about the long lens thing - isn't that more like surveillance photography? Kind of conjures up old episodes of 'The Sweeney' in my mind. :)
Quote from: chris@seary.com on September 17, 2009, 03:06:05 PM
Not sure about the long lens thing - isn't that more like surveillance photography? Kind of conjures up old episodes of 'The Sweeney' in my mind. :)
I usually use the 70-200mm F2.8 VR only because you can't be in all positions at once, and the shot that makes good street photos, may only be there for a few seconds. This shot below might not have been possible with a shorter lens, as she might have been aware I was there, and ruined the moment. ;D
(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSC_2548%20Resting.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/DSC_2548%20Resting.jpg)
I've been one of those who feels i am intruding on some ones privacy if i pointed a camera at them.
But - i am starting to work towards not being so afraid. Seeing some of the pictures here and other sites makes you realise that not every one to having a camera pointed at them.
Hopefully this weekends Speakers Corner meet will help me further with my confidence.
Like Sue, I am not that confident, but I use the live view function a lot sitting for example on a terrace with a cuppa. You do not have the camera in front of your face and nobody knows you are taking pics.
Coward :) :) :)
You could always use the old dutch sailors method, to overcome your lack of confidence :D ;D
Or use the same method as Oldboy and myself, mind you the Bigma would be a little awkward for candids.
Harry
Get in there and have a go! Seriously, you'll be surprised how little notice people take of you. Try and pretend that you're photographing something behind your subject, and that they're in the way.
Amateur Photographer have an article on street photgraphy this week, some fairly good advice, but unfortuantely illustrated with lots of pictures of people's backs.
They use a compact, a Nikon with 70-200, and a micro 4/3 camera. The micro 4/3 seems to be the bees knees for this type of shot.
I enjoy taking candids too, it has an element of danger not knowing how people will react :)
But the reason for my post is to remind everyone that not all countries laws are the same, eg here in Portugal it is illegal to take someones photo in public without permission, well, its not so much taking a pic is illegal, its the laws that protect every persons privacy that you are breaking and the police carry guns, so if someone complains I would not reccommend arguing with the coppers ;)
A very difficult subject in the middle east! You could end up in the slammer :(
I like to sneak my candid shots in whilst doing something else. The 3 I posted today were taken while on a boat cruise, I was taking shots of the local boaters and surrounding islands, had my telephoto mounted so no one around me suspected. :D
I'm still getting used to it. It's always much easier with dogs, they usually don't mind ::)
I tend to sort of pan around with the camera so people don't really notice where I'm pointing when I hit the button. Bit daft I suppose. I'm getting better tho, and I find I do get into conversations a lot more. If I take a picture of a child, I have, up to now, always asked if it would be OK to show in the Internet (like here or flickr), there's no name and address attached, so I've never actually had a negative answer.
This young lady knew full well what I was doing, I think in that get-up she would expect people to notice :)
(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_DSC_6766kl.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/DSC_6766kl.jpg)
Apart from when I was in India earlier in the year, I've never actually taken a picture of somebody just on the street, it's always been at some kind of do. I'll have to pluck up my courage and have a wander round town.
As spinner says, take some pictures of buildings as you walk around and people will become use to the camera, then take people shots. After a short time it becomes second nature. The more relaxed you are the easier the shots become. ;D
Much of the cutesy stuff I get at dog shows is quick snatch shot stuff and I use the same methods. Often if people see you photographing their dog they try to move it to what they think is a more flattering position or pose and you lose that natural look. I tend to move the camera around as if I'm just testing etc. to get the focus range then quickly flick back and take a couple of shots before they realise what I'm doing - one day I'll try the technique on people 8)
For getting close in on the subject another method is to use a moderate wide angle lens and shoot from the hip (camera hanging from your neck) you soon get used to framing blind with a little practice. Of course a camera with a whisper quite shutter and mirror is helpful (like the E-1). The full tiltable lcd's now available should make it even easier. ;)
These were taken Worcester High St shooting from the hip with a 11-22mm .
(http://paulsilk.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p418189775-3.jpg)
(http://paulsilk.zenfolio.com/img/v4/p108425245-3.jpg)
And this guy could not make his mind up if was photographing him or not as the camera was not up to my eye.
(http://paulsilk.zenfolio.com/img/v6/p269577596-3.jpg)
Candid, Street, Documentary, which is which? How do you see it?
I categorise it as follows :-
Candid.
The main subject, or perhaps the only subject is a person, in any location, who is unaware of your presence and/or intention. Where you try and capture something of his/her character. If the subject is posed then it becomes a portrait. It can also illustrate a close reaction between one, two or several people.
Street.
Difficult this one for me. A 'street' image must contain some sort of activity that is coordinated or becomes a mutual action that the people involved are not necessarily aware of e.g. crossing the road at a zebra crossing, shadows of people making a pattern.
A picture of a street with people just standing, walking around doing nothing in particular doesn't fit the bill, I would call that a record shot.
Documentary.
This for me is the easiest to define, and I include photojournalism within this. Anything that records an event where people are involved and tells a story.
The group outing to Speakers' Corner, I expect those that didn't attend are just about sick of it by now, includes all three of the above, documentary (the speakers), candid (the watchers) and street (the overall view of the place, speakers and the spoken to combined).
THAT SAID I'M OFF
(http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/normal_I_%27M%20OFF%21.jpg) (http://cameracraniums.com/gallery/albums/userpics/I_%27M%20OFF%21.jpg)
How do you see it?
I think it was Gary Winogrand who suggested that street photography would also include some interaction with the subject, even if it was just the subject looking at the camera?
Not sure if that has to be the case all of the time - many of Leonard Freed's shots don't fit this bill.
Quote from: Oly Paul on September 22, 2009, 11:11:43 AM
For getting close in on the subject another method is to use a moderate wide angle lens and shoot from the hip (camera hanging from your neck) you soon get used to framing blind with a little practice.
That is the exception to what I posted above. I won't take my telephoto into a crowd, so If I go to something like a street fair I'll use something like the 50 mm and do the hip shots.
I'm a total fan of the Nikon 35mm 1.8 DX for candids.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3975109739_821250edea.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2477/3975871192_c0e2c3aef5.jpg)
For some reason, my best work is always done with prime lenses, Dunno why.
There's obviously for and against primes on a some you win basis. It does make you concentrate more as you don't have the luxury of just standing there and zooming in and out. I like short primes but I have to admit I can find long primes frustrating - if I've got my 400mm attached I bet that's the time whatever I'm trying to photograph comes too close and I lose the shot.
I absolutely understand that, Sue. I kind of feel the same about long lenses in general, even zooms.
I mostyly don't use anything longer than 85mm, or sometimes 100mm. Used my 55-200 very rarely since I bought it, but it's been very useful when I have.
However, I don't shoot wildlife or sport, so I don't usually need anything more than 100mm.
The reason I like primes so much this time of year is that the light is getting lower as we proceed through Autumn, and primes are so much faster. I kind of put my 18-70 into hibernation around November :)
Quote from: chris@seary.com on October 03, 2009, 01:23:01 AM
I'm a total fan of the Nikon 35mm 1.8 DX for candids.
(http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3975109739_821250edea.jpg)
(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2477/3975871192_c0e2c3aef5.jpg)
For some reason, my best work is always done with prime lenses, Dunno why.
I was going to try and explain why I prefer standard/ wide rather than telephoto lenses for candid/street pics, these two pics ( And Pauls a bit futher up the thread) have saved me a lot of typing! :tup:
Graham. :)
been relatively new to photography, where do you stand legally with candid shots? Can you just snap photos of people in the street? I Like the look of the images and like photographing people. So might just give it a go.
Someone will no doubt come along to explain any legalities with regard to how you use the photos you've taken, but the advice at the moment would seem to be avoid shopping centres or you might get hassled by jobsworth security guards, the police don't seem to appreciate having their photo taken and the obvious stick to adults. It's often not that it's illegal to take thie photos you want but that you'll be made to feel it is.
Was wondering around Portobello Market and found an aging propa Laaaddaan geeza but felt to close to take the pic :-\ .... can you turn quieten the shutter noise for close up work????
Quote from: magicrhodes on October 06, 2009, 01:06:08 PM
Was wondering around Portobello Market and found an aging propa Laaaddaan geeza but felt to close to take the pic :-\ .... can you turn quieten the shutter noise for close up work????
Yep - you use a decent specification bridge or compact and turn the sounds off . . works for me.