Photographing people/strangers

[agent22]

I hate having my photo taken. I suspect this is a big part of why I picked up a camera in the first place, so that there was no chance of being in front of the lens.

So far I haven't really done a lot of photography of people. I'm not particularly interested in portraiture, but I would very much like to get started taking candids and journalistic photos of events (which, inevitably it seems, involve people).

My problem is this: I tend to project my own loathing of being photographed onto any potiential subject, and consequently hold back out of a rather silly combination of guilt and fear of their having a very negative reaction.

Can anybody tell me about their experiences or techniques for getting good, natural shots of people at work/play/etc? Do you try to hide, or make yourself known and wait for them to ignore you and go back to what they were doing that caught your eye in the first place? Do you prefer telephoto, or do you try to get some rapport going by approaching and shooting with a shorter lens?

I appreciate that this question must seem a bit goofy, but I am most grateful for any advice/suggestions/anecdotes that might be shared.

Thanks,
Heather

[Yance]

I would suggest taking pictures of strangers with their knowledge. That doesn't always mean asking permission but not hiding the fact that you are taking their picture. You have to build up your confidence and the best way to do this is to confront people with your camera. You will get rejection at times but that is not something to be afraid of. So work on getting over your inhibitions first and everything else will take care of itself.

[maderito]

I always ask myself: what's the worst thing that can happen if I ask someone's permission to take a photo? I've never head a "go f* yourself"; no one has ever thrown a punch; and I haven't broken down and cried the few times people have said no. I only feel disappointed that I couldn't get the shot. If you're working in a foreign country, be prepared for people to ask for $$. That's a whole different issue!

Repeat to ourself: "what's the worst thing that can happen if I ask?"

Good luck agent22...

[Cagliostro]

The worse think, you can loose is the original mood of the person.. and this is really disappointing because the person is not your model. ;-) So, just get a longer zoom lens. :D

[swamprot]

I used to shoot with a friend that had Balls. He wasn't afraid or selfconscience about anything. He got great candids. I'm more introverted I guess and a lot more less. I could take charge of the situation in the studio or the wedding party. But strangers on the street or events is difficult for me. I see/visualize great shots all the time just have difficulty following through. That's bad for a guy that love to take people pictures and especially SYT people pictures.

[Ferdinand]

Well, one of the things I do is just point your camera at building, tree, objects around you. Once people get use to your presence they will tend to ignore you and that is when you target them for your shot.

[Jesper]

My mother is great at photographing people on the streets, for example when she is on holiday. She just goes up to them and chats a bit and asks if she can make a photo. Sometimes they say no, in that case it's just too bad; but many times they say yes and she's got great photos of people from Peru, India, China and other people she has been. Sometimes they want money for the photo.

[gsmx2]

I had an interesting experience in Santa Fe with some Hacky Sack players. They were good and I watched them for about 20 minutes. As I got up to leave, I decided to memorialize the moment with a quick snapshot. Before I could get the camera to my eye, the group had scattered to the four corners of the park. A local bystander chided me, "You should ask before taking a picture. Some of these kids get pretty hinky about it."

Seemed like good advice to me.

[Tategoi]

I too don't like my photo being taken but just love photographing others, candid or otherwise. The golden rule has to be SMILE first. You are then making yourself non threatening. Leave the telephoto stuff to the papparazzi though.

See also, if you want of course, a topic in Share Photographs on Dec 5th called Flash and you'll see that someone said they were surprised I was allowed so close up to the stage and what must others have thought. I'm afraid you will stand out in a crowd with a camera but you just have to get used it. In this case the others around were probably thinking either what a twit or I wish I had the nerve to go get that shot.

I'd rather come away with the shot I wanted than have one filled with a sea of heads in front of me and the stage.

You will meet some fantastic people by taking their photo, really. Go on, give it a try.

I had never met or seen any of these people in my life and what a great smile the last two gave me back eh?

http://www.wnwphoto.com

http://www.wnwphoto.com/images/people3/img1.jpg


http://www.wnwphoto.com/images/people2/bkk9.jpg


http://www.wnwphoto.com/images/people3/img6.jpg


http://www.wnwphoto.com/images/People/sg.jpg


http://www.wnwphoto.com/images/people2/bkk4.jpg

[pradeep1]

Very good ideas all! I've used a combination of asking for permission; being inconspicious; using a long lens; using a wide angle lens (they think you are photographing something beside them); chatting them up; taking a photo of them using their camera, and then mine; promising them an original print of the photo (get their address or email); or sometimes, sneakily using the flip out LCD on my G3 with the focus-assist light turned off to take a shot with the camera in my lap. I've done this on New York subway at night and caught some pretty weird people being weird.

All in all, it depends on what you want? Do you want to capture the expression without them being aware of you, or do you want a "posed" shot taken for your behalf? I am not sure, many times, I'll do all the above and end up with a lot of different photos of the same person or group of people and the photo I end up liking will be the one I did not expect I would like.

Try it all, what can you lose? But, always smile. That tends to disarm and put anyone at ease, except some New Yorkers. :)

[scottbergerphoto]

Taking candid portraits is my favorite kind of photography.
I have found the best time to get candid portraits is when people are watching/involved in something else. At a sports event or a show in the park, watch the spectators while they are watching the show. I use the Canon 100-400 IS L. If someone notices I usually smile and say "Thank You!. If someone says "No" I say "No problem".

http://www.pbase.com/image/20905204.jpg

http://www.pbase.com/image/20056669.jpg

Here are some more examples:
http://www.pbase.com/scottbergerphoto/faces_in_the_park
Enjoy.
Scott