cambolt
Green Spotted Nose Turtle
What are your thoughts on the subject? Anyone tried it? Some people seem to frown upon it, but it seems to me to be the almost complete opposite of the controversial techniques of Bruce Gilden - ie jumping in front of someone and blasting their face with a flash.
And I suppose all street photographers do it to an extent, I usually try to lower my camera to generate less attention, and others try to choose more 'discreet' cameras...
And I suppose all street photographers do it to an extent, I usually try to lower my camera to generate less attention, and others try to choose more 'discreet' cameras...
btgc
Veteran
I think hidden cameras do not make a world better place. Someone fears, someone hides. This is opposite of what I imagine as a healthy world where I like to live. For me, it's enough we have security cameras on every other corner.
I know some masters of past used this technique. Easy to try if it fits your style and needs.
I know some masters of past used this technique. Easy to try if it fits your style and needs.
Sparrow
Veteran
Personally I find the idea unethical, but then the state does it all the time these days and I seem to be one of the few objectors
Phantomas
Well-known
Gilden and hidden cameras in the same topic!...
WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Popcorn...
WAIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Popcorn...
Phantomas
Well-known
On topic, I don't really care about the opinions here nor really have one on hidden camera photography (everything depends on how things are done and end results), but here's a guy that used a camera somehow modified for "night-vission" shooting in a candid manner. He was photographing "doggers" - people that have impromptu sex with strangers, usually in parks/woods at night.
Leo Maguire "Strangers"
Leo Maguire "Strangers"
btgc
Veteran
Photographed "doggers"...reason? Not having juice to join 'em?
I see, photography is powerful tool for personal psychoanalysis.
Sigh.
I see, photography is powerful tool for personal psychoanalysis.
Sigh.
Phantomas
Well-known
Even though you seem to have your mind set negatively towards this, I'll indulge, I have the collection of photographs from last year's World Press masterclass which this series was part of. Photographer shot this on an assignment with theme...... "Respect" (surprise!). The idea was to translate how the "doggers" are being respectful of each others feelings, needs and privacy. This is photographer's explanation in short, not mine. I do not have any personal feeling towards this series, neither positive nor negative.
As far as the comment about "not having juice to join them" I find it too juvenile to even give it a second thought.
starless
Well-known
I am curious to see a good photograph taken with a hidden camera.
But then I've never heard of anyone using one and claiming to be a photographer.
But then I've never heard of anyone using one and claiming to be a photographer.
Steve M.
Veteran
I gotta admit, photographing people that have sex w/ strangers in the woods isn't something I'd want to see much of (depends on the people involved, of course), and you'd have to be a little strange to get involved in something like this, yes? Unless you're the vice squad. They probably have TONS of film on file.
Does it matter how the shot is taken anyway? Isn't that really about the photographer, (who like small children should be seen and not heard from)? There's already way too much narcissism and voyeurism involved in today's photography, and far too much self promotion. I'd prefer to see some dynamite imagery, no matter how the shots were taken. Alas, the popularity of online amateur photographers has diminished quality to a very low level.
See here
http://www.amazon.com/Many-Are-Called-Walker-Evans/dp/0300106173
for great hidden camera photographs from one of the best ever. Of course, to take great hidden photos you have to be, ahem, a great photographer.
Does it matter how the shot is taken anyway? Isn't that really about the photographer, (who like small children should be seen and not heard from)? There's already way too much narcissism and voyeurism involved in today's photography, and far too much self promotion. I'd prefer to see some dynamite imagery, no matter how the shots were taken. Alas, the popularity of online amateur photographers has diminished quality to a very low level.
See here
http://www.amazon.com/Many-Are-Called-Walker-Evans/dp/0300106173
for great hidden camera photographs from one of the best ever. Of course, to take great hidden photos you have to be, ahem, a great photographer.
jm51
Member
The doggers go to spots where they know they will be watched.
starless
Well-known
I think you are right.
Hiding the camera wouldn't help you take better pictures. It only matters how good a photographer you are.
Lilserenity
Well-known
I agree. Having a hidden camera does nothing at all for me and I find it a bit weird, if I am taking candid pictures then I have nothing to hide and if someone wants to have a pop at me for taking their picture at least they can see I am not trying to be "underhand" -- also I want to take time to compose the picture. The thing I struggle the most with is not just taking random street pictures of people doing stuff, but somehow bringing them together eventually to capture a feeling that isn't just "someone on their mobile", "someone looking at books." And to be able to try and put that together, I need to be able to compose the picture.
There again, I've only the once had a bit of a tight situation doing candid shots (on a bit of a rough area where I hadn't realised there had been an assault about half an hour before I turned up and everyone was on edge) but I enjoy the banter and the chit chat you can have with people, that's half the fun for me, understanding the place through their eyes.
But as I say, I struggle with that whole bigger picture thing. Doesn't stop me trying though, and I think the key for me is engaging directly with people and then sitting back watching things unfold with a bit of their perspective and context.
And that context is usually incredibly mundane but if you've talked to someone about the cold whistling in through the community hall windows making everything damp and the council won't do nothing about it, then sit back and observe the conversation, that's when I feel I am closest to being able to capture a picture that when put in sequence means a little something, however superficial or trite it might end up being.
btgc
Veteran
I'm not saying photographer did a sin or something in that vein. I just were surprised someone would need or want to take pictures of this people, let's add here going into specifics of IR photography. I really see this fact through a prism of mental issue rather than ethics or professional challenge.
taskoni
Well-known
And you certainly are not alone in this one.
sreed2006
Well-known
@btgc, this is not the first time on the RFF board that you have provided a possible mental evaluation of a person. This is not the first time that it was absolutely hilarious.
I really like your dry sense of humor.
btgc
Veteran
Well...probably I need to add clarification here. If this has happened it's only because I'm looking for explanation, not for sensation. I believe people act in certain ways not because they act somehow randomly, rather I tend to think there's reason for certain behavior. When I take a picture on street I have certain mental connection to subjects or emotion provoked by them and I agree there's deeper relation with subject(s) than I sometimes would think. Thus I just know what would drive me would I make such shots. Of course I have to admit there can be some more complex explanations but as water finds the shortest way I usually find simplest explanations are most valid ones. As they say in movies, if someone is killed you have to look for a person which had a valid reason. Most of times killer is one with a reason not one who just looks like a typical killer.
raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
hidden camera...what if the camera wasn't hidden, but it's just that the target doesn't know that the camera was there or can't see it ?
in the 1970s, a japanese photographer KOHEI YOSHIYUKI, used infrared flash and film to capture people observing and participating with other couples in the bushes.
Since infrared can't be seen by the naked eye, this is considered "hidden" ?
Weegee captured people in the cinema with an infrared flash and film,
in the 1970s, a japanese photographer KOHEI YOSHIYUKI, used infrared flash and film to capture people observing and participating with other couples in the bushes.
Since infrared can't be seen by the naked eye, this is considered "hidden" ?
Weegee captured people in the cinema with an infrared flash and film,
Zorkiiglaza
Established
What about shooting from the hip?
Zone focus and point in the direction either with predetermined exposure or auto exposure. In many cases, as soon as the camera comes up to the eye, the candid shot is gone. Or you could be like Bruce Gilden and get the surprised, often pissed off look
Zone focus and point in the direction either with predetermined exposure or auto exposure. In many cases, as soon as the camera comes up to the eye, the candid shot is gone. Or you could be like Bruce Gilden and get the surprised, often pissed off look
mwooten
light user
Yeah, I think this is how I fall.