Why I may never be a good people photographer….

[dazedgonebye]

On my lunch break, I walked to a nearby park to look for photo opportunities. There was a bit of construction going on so I positioned myself in a good spot and fired off a few of the heavy machinery working in the dirt.
As I was walking past, one of the heavy equipment operators came up to me and started in on a story about how he once had a photo published. He was a big grubby guy with bad teeth and a completely un-groomed beard. In his hard hat and dungarees, next to the mammoth earth moving machine, he would have made a great subject.
Did I snap a picture of him in his work environment? Did I ask him to pose with his gear? Of course not! And why not? Because I’m a big chicken when it comes to shooting people! I’m only comfortable shooing cacti ‘cause cacti have no expectations. Cacti don’t want to see a copy of the picture. Cacti never ask if I’m nuts for choosing some strange angle and looking up at them.
I make myself crazy! :bang:

 

[vrgard]

Hey, Steve, don't be so hard on yourself. Believe me, I have felt the same way many times. Don't know why it's so difficult to just take a simple shot of someone but I've hesitated many times myself. It does seem to get easier with practice, and I'm going to keep trying since I really like candid, natural-setting shots with people in them, but I'm a long way from always feeling comfortable doing it. Good luck, Steve, in making progress yourself.

-Randy

 

[Ash]

You gotta have the gift of the gab. I'm a right wuss as well, so I learnt to shoot first and ask later.

This went pear shaped when a guy, lovingly nicknamed 'teardrop' (think, prison tattoo's) caught me photo'ing in his direction in my local hangout (old shop i worked in).
Course, I took a step back and said how I wasn't photo'ing him, how I was photoing his mate, and pretty much every other person in there backed me up that i wasn't gonna pass the photo onto the police, then i threw a few photo's along the counter, he looked at them, and changed his tune. It's good to have something to back yourself up with the not so nice people.



Then again, when I was with Rich, we photo'd him with santa in debenhams, and I was too much of a wuss to ask, and Rich was the one to ask if he could sit on the Santa chair. Most people don't mind! As long as the person is warm when talking to you, you will probably receive a nice response if you want to photo them.


Don't say much, just say "can I catch a photo of you there?" or put the camera to your face an say "yea keep talking!"

 

[Ash]

oh, or, scale focus and shoot from the chest 😀

 

[Robert]

I find it hard to photograph people candidly as I am always waiting to be pulled up by the person in the frame.

I would be embarassed if someone challanged me. I suppose I would get used to it given time.

A lot of people don't like being photographed by strangers.

 

[Sparrow]

I start on lampposts for a few shots, sort of breaks the spell, then when I feel I’m braver and “I’m just working” move on to people.

 

[dazedgonebye]

I blame my parents.
They worked hard to pass on a highly developed sense of polite behavior. Snapping pictures of strangers would have been out of bounds. I can almost hear my mother....

 

[Ash]

See, my parents were the same. Best behaviour and all that. Then again my favourite photo my mother took was in New York, of a Bum on a bench sleeping under a newspaper.

Something tells me she never asked for permission 😀

 

[bibimbap]

Dude, just follow - through.
The park is nearby, yes? The construction site is still active?
Go back tomorrow - say hello, talk about cameras and pictures. Ask to take one. Does your interest go deeper than seeing this guy as just a colorful "type" ?
Read a quote somewhere from a National Geographic photographer, something like "every good portrait documents a relationship" between the photographer and the subject. (Robert Caputo?)
Sounds like you got the relationship started - now go get the picture!
Good Luck.

P.S. I am also a zonie.

 

[Ash]

lol.... follow through.


yea it's just like being shot down in flames by someone you fancy. 'Get back on the horse' or you'll never be happy! Go for it!

 

[dazedgonebye]

It's scary to see how deep the old programing goes.
For good or ill, a tribute to my parents' effectiveness.

 

[dazedgonebye]

Dude, just follow - through.
The park is nearby, yes? The construction site is still active?
Go back tomorrow - say hello, talk about cameras and pictures. Ask to take one. Does your interest go deeper than seeing this guy as just a colorful "type" ?
Read a quote somewhere from a National Geographic photographer, something like "every good portrait documents a relationship" between the photographer and the subject. (Robert Caputo?)
Sounds like you got the relationship started - now go get the picture!
Good Luck.

P.S. I am also a zonie.

Good advice I'll never follow. 🙁

 

[Ash]

Break the mould. You know you want to 😀

 

[aad]

I think if you're speaking to a person, a snap is fine. Sometimes a few!

As far as sneak/grab shots, I've done them, and decided that I won't show photos of people that are identifiable-no face shots-unless I've engaged with them somehow. I may have a right to take a picture in a public place, but I also have a right to pass gas in public, and I try to refrain from that as well.

 

[35mmdelux]

i take the shot and don't worry about it. Move on. Someone will always want to contribute their 2 cents, sometimes negatively. Even HCB said that he would take the shot and get out of there.

Documentation is diff, where one would want to build a rapport. PJ is about getting the shot first and foremost.

I've photographed in construction sites and wharfs. Only once on a wharf was I told not to take the shot and I didn't.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I read somewhere that a good way to decide if "street" is for you is to take one roll of film, tell yourself that you only have to take 24 (or 36) pics on the street. Go out and do it, then next time do it again...till you're comfortable.

The more you shoot the more you realize that most people don't notice you, unless you want them too.

godd luck,
Todd

 

[Ash]

Leica Standard shot, this was using scale focus. I stood RIGHT next to these two drunks trying to focus and angle the camera for the shot.

They hardly looked at me. ok ok they were probably drunk, but they didn't even look me in the eyes once in the 5 minutes I was next to them!

 

[popstar]

As Todd says, I think this is one of those areas that can only really develop with practice. I consider myself somewhat of a people-person, yet I had a hard time taking pictures of strangers initially, even once I started conversing with them. Over time, it got easier, though there are occasions that I still pass an opportunity by and regret it for the next block or two.

Steve - I think you are being a bit harsh on yourself. Rarely, in photography or otherwise, do I think we live up to our own expectations. Cut yourself a break here. One day you'll be able to take that photo - and it will be worth it! Good luck! 🙂

 

[mich8261]

I would also like to "learn" how to approach people for street portaiture. Candids are one thing, but a good portrait is another. I was in Greece for my honeymoon, saw these three old men sitting together on a bench in this quaint town square. They looked the part. I wanted to take their picture, but wanted to be polite about it and ask their permission. So I went up to them, asked them in English if I could take their picture, pointing emphatically at the camera. They responded in Greek, which I do not speak. So I stood there for a minute, not knowing what to do. I didn't take the picture. I can only imagine that I provided some laughter for these guys who likely said yes only to watch me walk away without taking the picture. Next time I shot from across the square with a telephoto lens. Not the same.

Nachkebia has posted some superb portraits from his trip to India. I wonder what his approach is in general and then specifically when encountering subjects who do not speak his language(s).

dazed, let us know if you go back to the park...

 

[Ash]

Roland, those two aren't homeless as such. And no it's not challenging, but if you've ever been caught by one of them and had to sit through 15 minutes of ramble, you'd understand why a shot and a quick gettaway is a success 🙂