Courage for Candids

[thilton]

As much as I'd like the results, I don't have the courage to stand on the street and take pictures of random people. But an interesting thing happened during a recent trip to China. I was standing on the banks of a canal shooting the barges going by and realized that I was getting some great candids, (and some dirty looks too, but I didn't care). Something about the separation of the barge vs. shore. Then I started connecting with the people and got some good non-candids too. Some of the most fun I've ever had taking photos. The weather was dreary but the light seems to work well with the subject matter.

http://pbase.com/thilton/barges

[ilanphoto]

In the past I had the same problem, now days I usually have enough courage to ask. I have also found that the interaction with the subjects gives better results and for sure it is much more fun. Got to meet some great people this way

[arjunrc]

In the past I had the same problem, now days I usually have enough courage to ask. I have also found that the interaction with the subjects gives better results and for sure it is much more fun. Got to meet some great people this way

Ilan, just curious. Do you also tell them that you will be hosting their picture on your website ? I often find a lot of apprehension when the person asks "What will you do with this picture" and I tell them that I will put it on my photo site. A lot of people here get scared about that.

regds
arjun

[ilanphoto]

In the past I had the same problem, now days I usually have enough courage to ask. I have also found that the interaction with the subjects gives better results and for sure it is much more fun. Got to meet some great people this way

Ilan, just curious. Do you also tell them that you will be hosting their picture on your website ? I often find a lot of apprehension when the person asks "What will you do with this picture" and I tell them that I will put it on my photo site. A lot of people here get scared about that.

regds
arjun

It is really a judgement call depends on the situation and the person. I always have slips of paper on my with my pbase site and email and I hand that out to a lot of people in most cases, especially the younger population are very pleased to know that they will be published. I remember cases where I was asked not to take the picture and after I explained that I will put it on the web the attitude changed. It is much easier in a party, parade or other event people our now expecting to have their picture taken in such cases.
Strange people we have around here

[framewerkz]

Somewhat related.

http://forum.pbase.com/viewtopic.php?t=2517

[matiasasun]

I often find a lot of apprehension when the person asks "What will you do with this picture" and I tell them that I will put it on my photo site. A lot of people here get scared about that.

I´m having the same "problemo"...

[clickaway]

I'll put my hand up and say that I hardly ever ask permission of people, as their natural expression disappears. The people I photograph are usually very engrossed in what they are doing to notice me, and also quite often I use a telephoto lens.

But I can only do this where a camera is expected, such as in a tourist area, a historic city etc. A favourite trick of mine is to take candids adjacent to street entertainers. You can appear to shoot the entertainers, but can in fact also capture the great expressions that some of the onlookers show, especially if the entertainer is funny.

I haven't done candid work in a foreign country, and I may follow different rules there.

I like the idea of those cards with the pbase address on them, and also agree about the use of the internet scaring a good many people off.

http://www.pbase.com/clickaway/candids

[annayu]

People are fascinating subjects, and when you take photos of strangers you can get so many reactions. They can be

irritated at you


busy


lost in thought


suspicious


or most likely than not, don't give a damn....


Just keep on shooting and talking to them!

[jypsee]

On the rare occasion that I photograph people unaware I have my card at the ready with my name, email address, phone number and website. If they believe I'm invading their privacy -- and I am -- then I go up and give them the card. I offer a print. This has never failed to overcome the issues they are entitled to experience.
If you look thru my galleries, you'll notice that I don't make many photos of people....not very interesting to photograph for me.
Here's one I like:


jypsee in FL
http://www.pbase.com/jypsee/root

[robhoffman]

in aruba i was walking up the coast taking pictures of the sunset and i met two people.

the first person was a man playing with his dog. i started taking a few pictures, and he was very receptive about it. he smiled, shook my hand, and then said something in german. who knows what he said, but yeah...nice guy.





the second person i met was a local fisherman who was sitting on a bucket, fishing with his friend. i walked behind them and didn't say anything, nor did i take any pictures, but when he saw my camera, he turned and said "photographo?" i smiled, said hi, and after he said something in what is a mix of spanish and portugese, i replied "no habla espanol." he looked up and said "american?" i nodded my head yes, and he looked at his friend, smiled up at me, and said "fuck you!" the two laughed and to be honest, so did i, but i began to walk away rather quickly.

on the walk back, passing the man, he jumped up to his bucket and approached me. he still had a smile on his face, but he extended his hand, and offered a sincere "sorry." he then pointed at the sunset over the water, and i took the following picture, which i am very pleased with:



my conclusion, is always be willing to interact with the people around you, even if they are extremely rude. maybe if they don't want a picture to be taken of them, they'll help point you to something more interesting.

http://www.pbase.com/robhoffman

[ilanphoto]

my conclusion, is always be willing to interact with the people around you, even if they are extremely rude. maybe if they don't want a picture to be taken of them, they'll help point you to something more interesting.

I agree with you totaly. I was taking pictures at the local square, and I approached a beautiful woman who was standing there and asked permission to take her picture. She said no problem and pulled out a snake from her basket.
I have since taken many more pictures in her pet shop....

I have also had people say no. Maybe I have lost a wonderful picture but I feel good with myself at the end of the day

[louloubelle]

I usualy but not always ask people. Quite often I will take the photo first and then ask afterwards, having a digital camera means that I can show the person what the picture looks like and I find that very often people are flattered and pleased that I want to take their photo.

The only exception to this is when taking photos of demos (would take too much time asking all those people), shots of drunk people passed out in the street (wouldn't want to wake them up) or if I found myself with camera in the middle of some kind of action scenario, I would just shoot away, not wanting to lose the moment.

I love taking close up / portrait shots of children and always ask a parent for permission. I always give my pbase address and my email too. Through this I recently gained my first portrait commission.

[enigmawmn]

[ilanphoto]

I came across this link and decided that it could be interesting reading regarding this topic

It is called Telephoto is for cowerds

http://194.100.88.243/petteri/pont/Pont ... wards.html


Let us know your thoughts on this

Ilan

[yippee2000]

Interesting points...