Candid ?'s

Okay so I recently recieved my xt in the mail, I couldn't afford a better lens so I just stuck with the kit. Sunday I'm going to a local fair and would love to take some candid photos for practice, I'm just nervous that some how I'll get in trouble... So I suppose my question is, how do you take your candids? Do you let the people know or just snap away? Being a very public place I assume I am within my rights to take photos of anyone, correct? Of course if someone asks me not to I won't and I'll erase any I already have, but how to you normally go about this? Thank you for any help and tips you can offer me.

I've never had a problem in situations like you are describing, however I'm always very public when taking candids in a public place (i.e. never hide behind corners of buildings to try and disguise the fact that you are taking shots...be open about it). I never ask permission first, however only take candids of adults....to take candids of kids without prior permission would be asking for conflict. Lastly, the kit lens is not very large so people dont seem to mind being shot with it.....however a 400mm at the local fair will attract way too much attention. So shoot away and have a great time at the fair.

Thank you Sugarzebra, I hadn't planned on taking photos of kids, I have my own and understand that. I also don't want the parents thinking I am some kind of perv, granted I cannot garentee that I will be able to avoid all children, since I will be taking photos of my own on rides and what not, but that's to be expected. Thank you for making me feel better about it, and I can imagine that a huge lens would attrack all sorts of attention, and some irritation for the photographer with all the questions... Luckily I'm not that good (or rich) so I'll just look like an everyday person instead of a professional photographer.

Just took my 10D and 70-200 to the State Fair here in MN. Got a few strange looks and a couple comments/questions, but no confrontation. I look at it the same way I look at driving my motorcycle on the highway. Act like you belong there and this is an everyday occurance. Hesitation and suspicious behavior attract attention and aggressiveness.
Should someone that you shoot ask to see the images, indulge them according to the situation at hand. If you're not doing anything clandestine (up- or down-the-dress shots and whatnot) they're more than likely just satisfying a curiousity about what you're doing; they might even be impressed.

This thread may be useful...

https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=155169

Thanks for the link Kevin, much appreciated and lots of good useful information.

I'm not a candid person myself - I always get too self concious, and in this day and age of paranoia, and people thinking anyone with a camera is a child molester or whatever, I chose not to get involved.
Years ago I had no such problems, but did ask if the subject was quite close and was likely to 'clock me', I had no real problems, but as i said, that was a 'few' years ago...

Well, I'll be going with my family, so I hope that makes a difference on how people precieve me. It'll be myself, my 2 children (3yrs and 10months) and thier father, I also hope that being a girl it'll change the paranoia of others. I'm hopeing for the best and no confruntations, we'll see how it goes...

I'm sure you'll be fine... Especially in a 'family' group.

Kevin's right- in a family group you'll be just fine. But don't shoot the kids. I was at a playground taking shots of my 4 year old and had a woman ask me what I was doing. I had to point out who my son is and that I was only taking his shot. At first I had the urge to tell her to take a hike, but on second thought I realized her concerns were legitimate.

dshootist said it best. Act like you are supposed to be there and know what your doing and you'll be fine. Be open about it and you shouldn't have any problems.

You have kids and they will be with you so I highly doubt you would even have much trouble taking pics of kids if your open about it. I have said this in numerous threads and I'll just mention it again here. Take paper and pencil/pen with you and ask the parents if they would like copies of any images of thier own kids. That usually defuses the situation with parents. Or ask them first if you like.

Thanks Spooks, I plan on bringing a pen and paper, that was in another thread I read and seemed to make the most sense. It's kind-of sad that this even has to be a topic of discussion, but now a days it's better safe then sorry. Thanks for all the help and IF I manage to get any good photos I'll be sure to post them.

Don't hide, be open and polite, an, if someone asks you to stop, just stop. this way you will have no problems at all.