How to photograph strangers,

[jip]

I wrote a article on how to photograph strangers, and some tips and tricks for street photography.

You can find the article here:
http://jipvankuijk.nl/photograph-strangers-street-photography-tips/

Let me know what you think in comments here, or on the website! 🙂

Jip

 

[Rodchenko]

That's a good summary of the basics, and is well illustrated.

 

[Joosep]

Websites code is still broken...

Edit: Checked you code. Your css is bugged, check your "photo-wrapper" class, the issue lies there.

 

[Bob Michaels]

We all have different ideas. This talks much about equipment such as quiet and discrete cameras, lenses, iso, hyperfocal distance and the like. My thinking about equipment is quite different, only that you have to have a camera but any one will do. Forget being discrete. It makes no difference is you are using an iPhone or a Speed Graphic. Point it at someone and they know you are taking their photo. It is only your attitude and self confidence that makes any difference.

 

[Sparrow]

We all have different ideas. This talks much about equipment such as quiet and discrete cameras, lenses, iso, hyperfocal distance and the like. My thinking about equipment is quite different, only that you have to have a camera but any one will do. Forget being discrete. It makes no difference is you are using an iPhone or a Speed Graphic. Point it at someone and they know you are taking their photo. It is only your attitude and self confidence that makes any difference.

... yep, but then I tend to stand in fromt of people and they still don't seem to notice me, like this

... and then some folk just head straight for the prettiest and ask 😉

 

[Joosep]

If I like something. I just take a picture of it.

Even if there is a gang of idle men just sitting there...



In a crowded place I just take the shot and leave.



I try to be as anonymous as possible, just neutral.


Mostly nobody really even reacts.


The fear is just usually in the photographers head.

 

[Sparrow]

The fear is just usually in the photographers head.

 

[Joosep]

The fear is just usually in the photographers head.

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

All I can add is that I was raised in the era of "candid" photography, when the view was that the best images come if the subjects are too busy with what they're doing to notice the photographer...

 

[jsrockit]

Beautiful image.

 

[Bob Michaels]

... yep, but then I tend to stand in fromt of people and they still don't seem to notice me, like this .......

I am continually amazed at people believing you are not photographing them when you obviously look at something in the background between shots. I shot 5 or 6 frames at this hot dog stand by simply gazing up at the signs on the wall between each. Everyone just ignored me.

 

[NY_Dan]

 

[bonatto]

Sometimes the only thing between you and the photograph is your own self conscience. Like other's have said, the camera doesn't have much influence on the outcome other than psychological weight. Use what you like, exploit what you know.

 

[Keith]

Not quite in the street but I found this guy fascinating and asked if I could photograph him sitting on his bike. After an initial hesitation and a question of 'why I wanted to do so' ... he agreed.

I was a little nervous when I asked! 😀

 

[cz23]

I am continually amazed at people believing you are not photographing them when you obviously look at something in the background between shots....

Me too, Bob. That's one of the paradoxes of street shooting; the closer you get the less folks seem to notice you. I guess everyone is absorbed in their own doings. It's probably a good thing people aren't as attentive as we photographers hope to be.

John

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I wrote a ...
Let me know what you ...

Dude, sorry for following IMHO, but honesty is something which might sounds rude.

You wrote about your digital gear with Leica label on it.

But...
Way too many of backs shots. If you do take them, it has to be something interesting.


Untitled by Ko.Fe., on Flickr

You know, some story.


Benefit of cycling. by Ko.Fe., on Flickr

Also, take it close. Overwise you are presenting digital snapshots of environment with some people present in the distance.
Take it close, dude.


Untitled by Ko.Fe., on Flickr


*** by Ko.Fe., on Flickr

I understood your excitement to be able to use your gear and have some strangers present in framed pictures. But, get it closer to the subjects of your article.

Strangers and their stories you would have to tell us.


Time to pay. by Ko.Fe., on Flickr

Cheers.

 

[Sparrow]

... yep, back-shots, photographers ...

... and folk on mobile-phones are cheating a bit

 

[Sparrow]

... yep, or the dogs head 🙂

 

[Sejanus.Aelianus]

I'd still rather stay out of sight and show what's happening, not how they react to me...

 

[Rodchenko]

I don't tend to take shots of people on their mobile phones our outside having a fag. Too easy, not very interesting, and a bit of a cliche.