Street Photos

[barnold999]

Ok, so I live by the beach and that is obviously a pretty decent place to take photos.

Anyways, I have a problem taking photos of people... I feel like I am doing somethign wrong when I take photos of kids, etc, how should I aproach this.

Should I just mention that I am taking photos to build my portfolio, or something like that... or what.

Thanks.

[PacAce]

barnold999 wrote:
Ok, so I live by the beach and that is obviously a pretty decent place to take photos.

Anyways, I have a problem taking photos of people... I feel like I am doing somethign wrong when I take photos of kids, etc, how should I aproach this.

Should I just mention that I am taking photos to build my portfolio, or something like that... or what.

Thanks.

Have you seen this yet?

http://luminous-landscape.com/tutorials/street.shtml

[barnold999]

Thanks that helps some... but I guess what I need is psychological help to actually take the photos lol... since I am a shy perosn when it comes to things like that.

[badgerdad]

Brent - To begin, you may find that carrying a camera will help overcome some shyness. As for suggestions, when I see something I'd like to shoot, I shoot first and explain later if at all possible. It's a little risky but how many times has that great shot disappeared in just the time it takes to put the camera to your eye? While I agree with all of the points made in the above article, sometimes hiding behind a tree with a telephoto lens is the only way to go. If you haven't had a chance to melt into the crowd and you're only inches away from your subject, then it's only polite (and safe) to ask. I don't think I've been turned down more than a couple of times. (Even then, there's always the tree and telephoto strategy.) It's also a good idea to anticipate. If someone's walking down the street, get ahead of them and set up the shot beforehand. Lastly, having someone with you (sort of as a movable decoy) can be indispensable. Apart from those times when my wife tells me "you're stalking that poor woman!" or "this is just too embarrassing!" and retreats to a safer place, she is usually a very cooperative decoy. Good luck. For what it's worth, here are some street shots I've taken.

http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=318636

[new girl on the bloc]

barnold999 - i know what you mean. i went to india where photo opportunities are everywhere! but i was a bit shy to take people photos, at least the first time around. it was easier the second time and as already suggested, gets easier the more you carry your camera with you and the more photos you take. becomes second nature yet there is still some hesitation too. but with my swivel viewfinder on my g3 it is sooo much easier to do.

[John_T]

That is one technique I also use. I call it fly-on-the-wall. I usually sit with the camera on my lap pointing to the right, the LCD pointing at me (a LCD hood helps a lot). This way I can observe and shoot what I like without attracting attention. This is particulary good for catching people naturally and have gotten my best children photos this way.

Pointing your body (energy) and camera directly at people evokes an interaction, something you or they may or may not want. I have found looking directly through a SLR at people is taken much more as aggressive than looking down, up, sideways at my angled LCD , even though the camera lens is pointed directly at them.

I have found that most people don't mind being photographed, are even flattered, but they don't like being confronted, or feel you are hindering/blocking their path/escape.

Same is true of animals ...unless you are food.

[dog010]

I'm still shy out there- paranoid someone will try to duff me up or something. But I find the more I do it the more I realise unless you're inhibiting a person's ability to "function" in the street (or tapping into something private; this one is up to you) people really don't care. The more confident or calm you appear to be, the more legitimate your actions seem to be. I still consider children, homeless people, criminals, people with excessive tattoos and chains in their hands and sometimes buskers off-limits because the ethical implications for these sorts of photos is something I'm not currently mentally equipped to deal with.

You can also start by picking bits of architecture on the street and including people in those shots- ie, how they interact/use the subject. The person itself is not the subject and those around you may be less inclined to care about you because you're not pointing the camera at them.

This isn't a very good shot; I was there for around ten minutes and not once did the passers by share an expression or position themselves where I wanted... luck of the draw...

http://mk.fpic.co.uk/photo.php?id=1271838

Good Luck and keep shooting.

[John_T]

I like all your photos. Almost all are in movement, and even if they are of inanimate subjects there is life because you are obviously there seeing. Perhaps your shyness serves you well.

The only comment I might make is that they are all maybe a bit too dark, which might be your monitor/graphic card/calibration.

[Yance]

It depends on the people you are attempting to photograph and also on your level of confidence. You've heard of the saying when confronting wild animals that, "they can sense your fear"? It's the same with people, so get over the fear of meeting people. Most people aren't that xenophobic to get hostile at picture takers. But then again quite a few people are mistrustful of your intentions. Be forward and friendly even asking people for permission.

During the recent Harley Davidson 100th reunion I took plenty of pictures of some rough looking bikers mostly without asking permission but also without trying to hide the fact. Most were exhibitionistic enough not to care and I found more interesting portraits when I asked permission and got them to pose in a specific way. This tattoed guy enjoyed being the center of attention and was stopped every five feet to let people take pictures of him. Very friendly!
http://jj86.nma-fallout.com/misc/tattoo2.jpg