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guesseby
747 days ago
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How to take the foto of 'that stranger'
I was wondering if any one has any tips on how to take a photo of a stranger. especially if its that eccentric one at the milk bar, or the elderly one who sits at the bus stop who mumbles/shouts their thoughts aloud.
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NUBIE
747 days ago
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Good ?. I too have the 'dream' of being a strret photographer, but not the kahunas!!
I get them from my car at times, or real quick in the street. But leaves it to chance focus.
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ben-s
747 days ago
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Although I haven't done a huge amount of this sort of stuff, here's what I've found;
Very few people ask questions if you're confident, and keep moving on.
If people do ask questions, be nice to them, and perhaps offer them a free print or an electronic copy. If they're not happy with that, offer to delete the image.
I've never had to delete anything yet, but I have sent out a few free prints and a few electronic copies.
People are often quite pleased to have a picture of themselves.
Don't make it too obvious that you're shooting that specific person, and don't try and get 500 angles of one person or group of people unless they're a performer of some kind.
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Karol A
746 days ago
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Ben-s -
Interesting! I have this secret desire to take photos on the street - but am a big chicken about taking pictures of people.
Question - do you notice a different in attitude depending on where you shoot? For example - US vs. Europe or maybe rurral areas vs urban?
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ben-s
746 days ago
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Karol;
As regards US/Europe differences, I don't know - My limited experience extends only to the UK 
I have found that in rural areas, people are more likely to wander over and have a chat about photography and life in general, whereas in urban areas, you tend to get overlooked as just another tourist / wierdo with a camera / press photog / etc.
I've always been on the receiving end of more atttention when shooting video - If only I had a pound for every time someone asks "are we going to be on telly then?"
Shooting (stills or video) on the street always gets my adrenalin going ("what if they don't like having pictures taken" "what if they get nasty" "what if I get mugged" etc) All I can say is I've not had any of this yet 
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Marble Faw
n
746 days ago
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Get a telephoto lens and they never have to know that you're taking a photo of them
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This is Da
niel
746 days ago
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Do you ever ask photo subjects to fill out a basic photographic consent form, Ben?
One thing for everyone to bear in mind when taking photos of strangers is that, if you think you might sell those photos one day, most magazines and photo outlets (stock exchange sites too) require that you submit a signed consent form of your subjects. Too many legal problems can crop up otherwise.
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ben-s
746 days ago
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Daniel; I have a release form I occasionally use for serious work, but I'm not interested in selling street photography; it may at some point see editorial use, but you don't need a release for that.
I do shoots of visitors and visiting speakers at events at work (I work in a university), and the marketing dept supplies an assistant to sort out releases.
For other things like open days, we work on implied consent - all the guide books state clearly that there will be photographers present and all resulting images may be used for any purpose.
I would agree that a release is vital if you intend to sell your work though - you should release people, children, animals and property.
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ben-s
746 days ago
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Marble Fawn;
You can also use a device called an anglescope.
They used to be widely available, but (unsurprisingly) they got a rather pervy following, so they're not as common now.
http://porters.com/Merchant2/merchant.m … ct_Count=0
http://www.seihin-world.com/s/2005/10/23_0243.php
I have several older photography guide books that rave about them.
Edit: Just to make it clear, these devices have legitimate uses, but I don't recommend anyone takes one to the swimming bath or gym, lest ye find yourself under the magnifying glass of the local constabulary
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alexlinske
r
746 days ago
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One way to avoid attention is to hold the camera in the same hand that's holding a larger object -- a notepad, clipboard, backpack, etc. When you look at the camera's screen, instead of thinking you're taking a picture, people usually assume you're looking at the larger object you're holding.
Another way is to casually position yourself so one person's body is between you and the person you're photographing. The person "between" you can be a bit off to the side and out of frame.
Lastly, be aware of which direction your feet are pointing. Feet are a big unconscious indicator of where your attention is pointing. Point both your feet away from the person and at something you might be interested in. You can even walk that way after you take the picture.
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nighttime
strife
746 days ago
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I heard that, using a camera that isn't intimidating, is best.
so, choose a camera with character.
I have a Nikon F5 with a 14mm on the front.
but if i was going to take portraits of strangers.
i'd use a Zeiss ikon Nettar.
Its got Character, will get a reaction, Will make them smile or loosen up.
also, i am beautiful like a wild fox! god damn!
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franniegir
l
745 days ago
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I find that my biggest problem is not when people don't want their pics taken, but when they see me and begin hamming it up. Sooooo many times I've seen a GREAT shot and get ready to snap it and at the last moment they see me and begin to pose for me and ruin the shot's spontaneity. Any advice to avoid or deal with that?
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rekanize
745 days ago
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My fave street photographer in Felix Lupa, and his method becomes pretty clear when you see his camera
http://felixlu.deviantart.com/art/Stree … y-67569046
ninja style.
Here's his main page http://felixlu.deviantart.com/
mostly now, I shoot from the hip with a fisheye... Not the best solution, since you got to get right up on people... More times than not, people realize I just took a picture, but since I'm not pointed directly at them (thanks to the fisheye) they just go about their business
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ben-s
745 days ago
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franniegirl wrote:
Sooooo many times I've seen a GREAT shot and get ready to snap it and at the last moment they see me and begin to pose for me and ruin the shot's spontaneity. Any advice to avoid or deal with that? Ha Ha. The eternal curse of the candid photographer
The only thing to do is move very fast - prefocus and set exposure if possible, so you can snap the camera up and shoot very rapidly. This is of course easier said than done.
One trick is to fiddle "aimlessly" with the camera and get them that way.
Another option is the "shoot from the hip" style - forget the viewfinder, use a wide-ish lens and shoot unobtrusively
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Lorelle
745 days ago
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I try to get the kind of people shots that won't require a release because part of their face is obscured or they're way in the background. As I understand it from the istockphoto site (tho I haven't sold any photos yet), if someone is not personally identifiable you don't need to get them to sign a release.
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fergiesfab
fotos
745 days ago
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I found a great way to gain confidence in street photography, and that was to wait until there was a parade or street march in our town, then I'd hang out near the local newspaper photographers, without getting in their way of course, and just go for it. No one looks at me questioningly or anything like that and I found it quite easy to get through without any hassles.
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ereinach
744 days ago
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I almost only takes pictures of peoples in the street. Here is my training suggestions:
Go with your camera out and take portrait with nothing more than a 50mm. You'll have no other choice but to get close of people. While doing this, just think of it as a training, nothing bad anyway. Take 20 portrait in 2 hours. You can even organize a contest with your friends.
Go into partys and events. Shot, shot, shot.
Go into protest and shot people outside the protest, looking to the protest.
Go to sunday parcs and take pictures of people relaxing of their long week.
My advises:
Never feel bad about taking pictures of people in the street. It's when you feel bad and you're hesitating that people wonder what's the matter with you. Come close, don't hide, smile and shoot. Never look to your LCD screen afterward, try to never show your camera is a digital one.. Some might want you to erase the picture or to see the picture which is something I never do (showing the picture on the LCD screen).
When they ask you where the picture will go, the answer is easy, straight-to-the-point: On my personal gallery if the shot is nice, otherwise... In my trash. As a courtesy, it can be good to always have some "photograph cards" like business cards where your gallery address and personal e-mail can be found. I never had to use one even once.
You'll see that most people are ok with picture, especially if you're taking'em in an "ethical way". Do not imitate paparazzi!
Smile and confidence-look is the key.
Fiew examples of pictures taken with this techniques...:
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doncasual
742 days ago
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My advice when trying to take a photo of someone you don't know:
1. Be as friendly and open as you can.
2. Be as honest as you can.
3. Start your conversation with a compliment to that person (about how they look). Make them feel special.
4. Ask them if they have ever been a photography model - or thought about being a model.
5. Be prepared to casually talk with this person about photography, modeling, how they look, etc.. The amount of time you give to chit-chat should be proportional to how much you want to take their photograph.
6. ASK IF YOU CAN TAKE THE PERSON'S PHOTOGRAPH AND TELL THE PERSON WHY YOU WANT TO TAKE THEIR PHOTOGRAPH. ("I'm an amateur photographer and I'm trying to build a professional portfolio...")
7. If they say "No," respect their wish not to be photographed, hand them your contact/business card and say something along the lines of "Well, thanks for talking with me... You really look nice."
8. If they say "Yes," say "Thanks!" and ask them to stand/pose appropriate to your photographic needs.
9. Take more than one image!
10. Ask if you can e-mail them a copy of the photo. Show the person you want to thoughtfully give back value for value. Make sure you're the one who prints the e-mail address (other people's handwriting can be difficult to read) and ask them to confirm what you've printed).
Lastly, give them your business/contact card and finish by thanking the person.
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Allen Fros
t
740 days ago
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I really like the suggestions of being friendly, talking to people, handing out cards etc but since I'm a big chicken, I just turn my camera in a crowded street and shoot from the hip. I just point and shoot with auto focus and exposure. When I get home I delete 90% of the shots but am left with some absolutely wonderful portraits. Most people never know you are shooting. Another technique to take a specific shot is to point and focus the camera slightly away from the subject like you are taking a photo of something else. Then at just the right moment swing your camera over to the subject and click.
Here is an example of shooting from the hip in a bar
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