You know, the person on the park bench, or walking down the street? It's a subject I've generally avoided because the interesting people look like the ones who probably don't want me taking their picture, or else the moment would be ruined if they noticed me.
How do you do it? Hide behind a mailbox? Telephoto lens? Conceal the camera in your jacket? Or do you just walk right up and take the photograph?
In particular, there is this bodega that I pass on my way to work. There are usually some day laborers waiting outside of it and I always thought it would make a great shot. The thing is, it's a not-so-great part of town, and I would stand out like a sore thumb, particularly with my camera. Any tips or suggestions?
This is a fascinating question I've been considering. Starting at the beginning of February, once I've become more comfortable with my camera, I will undertake a project I read about recently - "100 strangers" www.100strangers.com, though on a smaller scale. I think taking portraits of strangers for 1 week would be fascinating and fun.
Anyone else want to join me February 1-7? 1 week of stranger photography!
in the past, ive just taken the shot. i havent had any incidents with people. just take the shot, and move on.
the only thing i avoid is children, in todays society i can see how it makes most people uncomfortable if they see someone snapping photos of kids with a telephoto.
Welcome to the world of Street Photography! There is so much to address here, so I'll try to be as brief as I can, considering I am a windbag.
First of all, you don't want to hide or use a telephoto lens. Nothing screams paparazzi or creeper like someone with a long lens hiding in a bush. With that being said, you need to be careful not to draw attention to yourself. Once a subject knows you're there, the "moment" is gone.
When shooting street photography, you want to keep it around 50mm or wider. Be subtle, such as holding the camera down by your side and shooting from the hip. After time, you'll get accustomed to how to position your camera without actually looking through the viewfinder.
I shoot a fair amount of street photography, it's something I have recently become very much interested in. The key to the whole style is to simply shoot, whether the people like it or not. As long as it's a public place, it's fair game. Wear clothes that help you blend with the crowd, and try to become part of that crowd.
Don't use a tripod, Don't use a strobe. Don't stand in one place for more than a few minutes. Don't stand in a place that forces people to walk around you, as this draws attention.
Ultra wide lens...with a 8 or 10mm lens you can take of shot of your shoes and they will still be in frame!
For me I like to talk to the people after or before the photo... have a tray of coffees... take the photos... say thanks and leave the coffees... they should love it....
Excellent advice! Thanks everybody! I guess I just need to get a little braver. I suspected hiding in a bush with a long lens might be a bad idea, haha.
@icywarm
Oh yeah! I love shooting light trails and using my tripod in daylight to get maximum depth of field. And when someone walks right in front of my camera on a tripod I'll give them the dirtiest look. I really need a t-shirt that says "Stop! Photography in progress. Proceed at your own risk!" haha
I'm SO bad at this, as well and I'm determined to get better in 2011. Heck, I can't even "capture" my own family members correctly. Unfortunately, stepping outside of my comfort zone is something that desperately needs to happen.
I cannot even imagine shooting from the hip with my camera though. I'm completely detail oriented in every way so I'm obsessed with making sure my shot is framed the way that I want it. I'm forgetting that street photography isn't necessarily framed, per se... but it definitely something that I need to work on. And this discussion has reminded me that I have a lot of work to do. =)
....and then,there`s the 100 strangers project,wich is more difficult,because you need to stop the person,ask permission,a little info about the person and then take the shot. You can see what`s it about,here: http://www.100strangers.com/ .
I don`t have the balls for that project,yet,I recommend you to try street photography from the hip.
This is a very interesting thread, and subject. I recently took my first shot of a stranger, and here it is:
When I saw him, on a Sunday morning as the song lyrics go, I just raised my camera and took the shot--he obviously wasn't looking. My husband acted as though I was crazy and had just robbed a bank or snatched an elderly lady's purse....LOL. It IS difficult to take pics of strangers. I love the info you've all given here, and think the 100 Strangers project sounds awesome! Thanks everyone!
@camarobabe Excellent pic! and he is hardly in a position to complain LOL
I have seen some excellent street shots on here and decided to go into town to see what unwitting I subjects I could find. The streets were virtually deserted, no students around. Maybe too soon after christmas. Hopefull they will soon all be back with their wild hair and clothes (except the girls who walk around practically naked! LOL) and I will have some fun.
Great info! I have always been very interested in giving street photography a go. I wasn't sure about how to go about it. Now I'm eager for this snow/ice to go away so I can try it!
I took an online street photography class. I loved it but it was so scary! LOL. I was so nervous about it and mostly got shots of people from behind or from the side. It was a lot of fun though!
May be this has been answered here and I'm not seeing it, but are we "allowed" to take photos of strangers and post them online? I kind of thought you needed to get permission?
I've only tried this once http://365project.org/indiannie_jones/365/2011-01-02 and it was SO awkward for me but he didn't notice I was even there. I actually got quite close too and what amused me is that he only realized I was there after I had put my camera away. He was looking at me suspiciously but my presence was innocent :)
@photophil l 'm not sure I could even do a whole week. I am so inspired by photographers who shoot street photography....cause I'm such a scaredy cat. Maybe I could psych myself out to shoot a week in Feb.
@jasonbarnette so basically we have to be ninjas.... ><
the shooting from the hip sounds hard but its sure sounds like a good idea!
awesome advice btw =D
@jasonbarnette Jason, thank you so much! I have wanted to photograph strangers doing their everyday routines, but have been so scared that they would get offended or worse. Great advise to shoot from the hip.
Shooting from the hip is okay. I think you'll get better shots with guerrilla photography, or growing a pair and asking people to take their photo. I've only tried it a few times, but nobody's ever turned me down when asked. And if they do, all you had to deal with was them saying "no".
What a great topic! Thank you so much for bringing it up!!
I want to do this. I think it would really improve so many of my skills!
Thank you for giving me another idea to break out of my comfort zone.
Because of this discussion and the links that were given, I was encouraged to try out shooting from the hip. I hadn't really though about it before. I got lots of trees and one mediocre shot but I'm learning which is why I'm here! Here is it: http://365project.org/niccrowley/365/2011-01-17
@musicguy1982 Daniel this is true too. I think there should be times when we just get over ourselves and ask but then perhaps what you were hoping to capture would be gone if they are aware?
I don't know anyone who as ever actually used one of these, but it seems like a good idea!
you point the camera in a fake direction and it basically takes the photo 90 degrees to where you're pointing, mostly I love that it's called the 'Super Secret Spy Lens'
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Anyone else want to join me February 1-7? 1 week of stranger photography!
the only thing i avoid is children, in todays society i can see how it makes most people uncomfortable if they see someone snapping photos of kids with a telephoto.
First of all, you don't want to hide or use a telephoto lens. Nothing screams paparazzi or creeper like someone with a long lens hiding in a bush. With that being said, you need to be careful not to draw attention to yourself. Once a subject knows you're there, the "moment" is gone.
When shooting street photography, you want to keep it around 50mm or wider. Be subtle, such as holding the camera down by your side and shooting from the hip. After time, you'll get accustomed to how to position your camera without actually looking through the viewfinder.
I shoot a fair amount of street photography, it's something I have recently become very much interested in. The key to the whole style is to simply shoot, whether the people like it or not. As long as it's a public place, it's fair game. Wear clothes that help you blend with the crowd, and try to become part of that crowd.
Don't use a tripod, Don't use a strobe. Don't stand in one place for more than a few minutes. Don't stand in a place that forces people to walk around you, as this draws attention.
Did this help any?
For me I like to talk to the people after or before the photo... have a tray of coffees... take the photos... say thanks and leave the coffees... they should love it....
Oh yeah! I love shooting light trails and using my tripod in daylight to get maximum depth of field. And when someone walks right in front of my camera on a tripod I'll give them the dirtiest look. I really need a t-shirt that says "Stop! Photography in progress. Proceed at your own risk!" haha
I cannot even imagine shooting from the hip with my camera though. I'm completely detail oriented in every way so I'm obsessed with making sure my shot is framed the way that I want it. I'm forgetting that street photography isn't necessarily framed, per se... but it definitely something that I need to work on. And this discussion has reminded me that I have a lot of work to do. =)
This is my first and only shot(s) at urban photography,from the hip,so far http://365project.org/spaceman/365/2010-11-26
....and then,there`s the 100 strangers project,wich is more difficult,because you need to stop the person,ask permission,a little info about the person and then take the shot. You can see what`s it about,here: http://www.100strangers.com/ .
I don`t have the balls for that project,yet,I recommend you to try street photography from the hip.
When I saw him, on a Sunday morning as the song lyrics go, I just raised my camera and took the shot--he obviously wasn't looking. My husband acted as though I was crazy and had just robbed a bank or snatched an elderly lady's purse....LOL. It IS difficult to take pics of strangers. I love the info you've all given here, and think the 100 Strangers project sounds awesome! Thanks everyone!
Well, you inspired me with a good topic, so I wrote something over on my blog if you wanna check it out!
http://blog.jasonbarnettephotography.com/2011/01/street-photography-what-is-it-and-how-can-you-do-it/
I have seen some excellent street shots on here and decided to go into town to see what unwitting I subjects I could find. The streets were virtually deserted, no students around. Maybe too soon after christmas. Hopefull they will soon all be back with their wild hair and clothes (except the girls who walk around practically naked! LOL) and I will have some fun.
http://www.dannyst.com/
I just decided to change themes every week, so the "7 days of strangers" is great! I'll let you know when I start on it :-)
the shooting from the hip sounds hard but its sure sounds like a good idea!
awesome advice btw =D
I want to do this. I think it would really improve so many of my skills!
Thank you for giving me another idea to break out of my comfort zone.
you point the camera in a fake direction and it basically takes the photo 90 degrees to where you're pointing, mostly I love that it's called the 'Super Secret Spy Lens'
http://www.likecool.com/Super-Secret_Spy_Lens--Camera--Gear.html