Approaching your Subject

[fraley]

Hello,

Any thoughts on candid photos versus asking if you can take a picture? I am basically an introvert, so it's not easy for me to approach people and ask if I can photograph them. But lately I've been trying to do just that. Here's an example, one of San Francisco's finest. How do you go up to people? I say I'm an amateur, it's a hobby for me. I try to talk with them first. But it doesn't always work, I asked someone today and she said no. So I didn't get the picture. But on the other hand, 2 out of 3 times I've been able to take a picture of someone. I don't have any model releases. Do you? I don't know if I am running a risk. It just seems like it would be very off-putting if I asked someone to sign a legal document along with posing for me. What's your experiences with this?

 

[fraley]

Oops, I goofed. Here's the sample photo:

 

[iMacfan]

Well, first things first - that is an excellent shot, which really to me conveys the character of the subject.

I feel very similar to you, if anything more so, and would find it very difficult to ask anyone if I could take their photo. That's why I don't do candid/street photography, especially not close up. It might be that I live in London, which is the best city in the world, but the people are very impersonal. Trust me, the most shocking thing someone could do on the Underground (Metro/Rail...) is to talk to you. I think it's only happened twice this year.

David

 

[back alley]

this might add some info


here

 

[rover]

Here are two threads from not long ago. There are a couple links to street shooting sites that I found helpful.

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1139&highlight=chicken

http://www.rangefinderforum.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1228&highlight=chicken

 

[don sorsa]

If you ask someone if you can take a photo, then it isn't candid is it? This is my first post here so please excuse possible bad manners. I like to look at street photos so that inspired me to try to shoot them, sometimes a hip shot, sometimes with a Rollieflex, but never with asking permission first.
My SP isn't very good yet but I still like doing it. I'll try to attach a photo that shows a "typical" reaction to me with a Rolleiflex - if it doesn't work I posted the shot in my gallery.

Well, shoot, I cannot figure out a way to upload an attachment. Anyway, look at my gallery and you'll see a line of construction workers I shot: one hiding, one p*ssed off, one smiling and the others are oblivious. This wasn't a candid shot, obviously, nor did I ask permission.

 

[Russ]

Re: Approaching your Subject

Hello,

Any thoughts on candid photos versus asking if you can take a picture? I am basically an introvert, so it's not easy for me to approach people and ask if I can photograph them. But lately I've been trying to do just that. Here's an example, one of San Francisco's finest. How do you go up to people? I say I'm an amateur, it's a hobby for me. I try to talk with them first. But it doesn't always work, I asked someone today and she said no. So I didn't get the picture. But on the other hand, 2 out of 3 times I've been able to take a picture of someone. I don't have any model releases. Do you? I don't know if I am running a risk. It just seems like it would be very off-putting if I asked someone to sign a legal document along with posing for me. What's your experiences with this?

Fraley

I prefer to do my street shooting with a wide-angle, and by getting close to the subject. I have found that being sincere and honest is the best way to go. Usually a smile will be enough to do it. However, after photographing strangers for over fifteen years now, I have a knack for sensing when I think someone will object to being approached too closely. In that case, I usually compliment them on an article of clothing, jewelry, a physical attribute, etc, and tell them that I'd love to make a picture of them. The vast majority of strangers are flattered that you would find them interesting and want to photograph them. They in turn, are usually very cooperative. If all else fails, there's always the "Columbo" method....

Russ

 

[Rich Silfver]

I think I recognize that photo from some other thread. 🙂

 

[Kris]

Stupid question alert: what is this Columbo method?

 

[nwcanonman]

"Colombo approach" ?

I can't answer for the other poster, but it might be the subterfuge of bumbling and fumbling, pretending not to know how to use the "damn techie camera" and innocently asking for the subjects help in getting their picture.😛

 

[Pherdinand]

Just yesterday I've seen that nice exptic looking girl sitting on a stair in front of an old redbrick building, below a beautiful lamp, great light, she was reading something (lots of people around, there was a big open marathon event in the city). I pointed the camera at her, my new yashica CC with 35mm lens (so i went quite close). She noticed and with a big smile she waved her head "no". I put up a big smile, "no?" "No", she said, again, with a charming smile. What can one do more than say ok and walk away.

But i took the pictures of lots of folks who didn't notice😀 And some who did but didn't mind at all (a flower seller was even enjoying it with a big grin when he's seen me, although that was before I put the red clown-nose on!)

 

[Pherdinand]

Whenever i get out on the street with a camera, I need some time to get comfortable with it myself. First i shoot some still subjects, some building elements, a few frames, and then, slowly get courage and start pointing the lens towards people.

 

[rover]

Whenever i get out on the street with a camera, I need some time to get comfortable with it myself. First i shoot some still subjects, some building elements, a few frames, and then, slowly get courage and start pointing the lens towards people.

I found this too, I need to warm up and get my photography mojo going before I can just start blasting away. If I have a very interesting (to me) subject that is much easier.

 

[rover]

Well, shoot, I cannot figure out a way to upload an attachment.

Hi Don, have you figured this out yet?

Instead of using the text box at the bottom of a thread page to type your reply click on the "Reply" button (I forget exactly what is says, I should have looked before I started this). You will be taken to a "Post Reply" page with a text box and icons and stuff, and down towards the bottom you will see an "Attach file" line and a "Browse" button. Click the Browse button and down load the image right from your hard drive.

good luck.

 

[don sorsa]

Ahh, thanks for showing me how to attach files. Posted as an example of a non-candid street shot (I was holding a big old 'flex 10 feet away), with a full array of reactions.

Don

 

[Doug]

I figure "candid" is anything un-directed, as found, including natural reactions of the subject, if any. That is, with poses and expressions not suggested or directed as done with a model in a studio. I know others may feel that candid means the subject is unaware of the photo. Oh, well, I get more "candid" pics under my definition! Including the one below... 🙂

Indeed I like to work in close where it's awfully hard to be unnoticed, and with at least tacit permission of the subject. Eye contact can add to the pic unless it distracts from what's going on in the scene.

 

[nwcanonman]

Was that a reaction to the camera, or the first bite from his "McYuck" burger? 😛

 

[Doug]

Just mugging for the camera, I guess! Have no idea who this kid is, and he just spontaneously interjected himself into the photo. What the heck, I just went ahead and snapped him!

 

[Russ]

"Colombo approach" ?

I can't answer for the other poster, but it might be the subterfuge of bumbling and fumbling, pretending not to know how to use the "damn techie camera" and innocently asking for the subjects help in getting their picture.😛

Harold

That pretty much sums it up. I have very rarely used the "Columbo" technique, but it works like a charm.

Russ

 

[lars]

I found this too, I need to warm up and get my photography mojo going before I can just start blasting away. If I have a very interesting (to me) subject that is much easier.

Count me in as well. In fact, I was just thinking about that on Saturday. After taking a few shots, I start getting more and more comfortable putting the camera up to my eye and firing off shots at people (although the attached photo was shot with a waist level finder).

...lars