advice: photographing people?

[mpdequalsyfsm]

Good article --- I may be a "coward" but it took time for me to get comfortable with "close up" candids. The thread is dealing with the comfort level of doing candids, and using a telephoto lens is a good start - IMHO.

As you progress you get more comfortable in public. I use all of my glass at this point in public --- all based on the time. place, and subjects I am looking at. --- and of course my comfort zone! lol

[digitalfrog]

I often use 14mm lenses. Get real close to the person I want to take in picture but her/him either in the left or right side. Even if they see me, they think I'm pointing the camera at something in front of them.

Anyways, you can get all kinds of reactions taking people in pictures, like the one below.....

[stanmore]

Tele's are only a 'cowards' method if used exclusively. I really do find those galleries of 'girls around the city' a bit creepy though, not to mention as dull as dish water.
The real problem with tele's is the way that through both a extremely narrow perspective and a shallow DOF the enviroment is lost. The enviroment is often a key element to the success of a candid because it's the interaction and/or juxtapositioning with the subjects surroundings/situation that we're trying to capture. Use the appropriate focal length achieve the right image - just as you would for a scenic shot. As for 'comfort zone' issues just take a 35mm or 50mm lens out and nothing else for a day of candid shooting. My college made me do this and it worked
--
Simon
http://www.pbase.com/stanmore

[clickaway]

Out of curiosity... do you usually say something to the subjects when you walk right up and surprise them with a pic? Do they say anything to you etc?

I rarely do. From my two galleries I have just two pictures which were taken as a result of a conversation. This one "Beard and Lipstick" because I felt I might be upsetting the indivdual and taking advantage of his appearance and lifestyle

The other is of my hairdresser, and just because we were chatting - I clicked without asking and knew he wouldn't mind and he was totally aware of the picture

As for any of my others, its mostly a case of the people just carrying on walking - I often don't get the chance.

[yevans]

A Renaissance Fair is a great place to try people photography. People love to show off their customs, and no one minds having their picture taken.

[ekchua]

It took a while at first to pick up the courage to point at my subjects. I would suggest as Ray ('clickaway') did in an earlier post, to start at places where the camera is not out of place. Street performances, festivals and such are great. With practise, you will be less concious of yourself.
Occasionally I would ask the person I wish to photograph for his/her consent, (sure this doesn't make it candid), but I have had no problems so far.
Indeed on several occasions (especially in India), I have been asked by strangers to take a photograph of them!

Keep your eyes open and be ready to shoot as an opportunity crops up. This shot presented itself as I turned around and I was barely 2 metres (6 feet) in front of her.The 50-200mm zoom made it a very tight shot.


I was in the process of taking another picture standing above the escalators into the subway when this young couple came by. They embraced and I seized the opportunity and this is the result.


The children in this picture asked to be photographed.


Here I asked the gentleman for his consent to have his picture taken.


I'm certainly no expert and still learning along the way.
Hope this helps. Happy shooting.

More pictures with the links below:
http://www.pbase.com/ekchua/people
http://www.pbase.com/ekchua/people_2
http://www.pbase.com/ekchua/friends__lovers

Regards
EK

[neovolatile]

Okay, people are my favorite subjects and posed people look just that: "posed." I love candids. I do use my 70-200 mm Canon L f/4 lens (on my digital Rebel EOS) for many of my candids. I also use my prime 50mm f/1.8 quite a bit.

and the same young woman in


Even though I must look through the lens to take my shots, people are now used to digital folks fartzing with their cameras and grumbling. *S* I look away from the subject, then turn back, take the shot (maybe three at the same time) and then swing over to some other area and mess with the lens. Did that in the next shots


and


On occasion, I do go up to the subject, hand them my card and tell them where my pictures are posted. I did that with some of the folks at the I Madonnari festival.

http://www.pbase.com/neovolatile/i_madonnari

And other times I just go up to the person, tell them I want to take a picture but to continue with what they are doing while I "set up." I usually have everything ready beforehand, of course. Maybe have even taken the photo. If they object, well, no harm done. I did this with Brad below:



BTW, there are mirror attachments that fit on your lens that look like a lens hood but allow you to shoot at 90 degrees from the way your body is pointing. I have ordered one but not seen it yet. Neat idea, right?

Please, visit my galleries and take a look. Drop me a note. I am still very much a beginner.

Looking at the Light,
Ellsworth Weaver
http://www.pbase.com/neovolatile

[neovolatile]

http://www.camerafilters.com/pages/rightanglelenses.aspx

I'll give you a review after it arrives.

Ellsworth