Capturing emotions

[deck]

How do you capture emotions?

1. do you wait for it while pointing the camera at the person? (hope not)
2. or do you keep your camera at hand anytime you think there's gonna be a burst of emotions? (party or family gathering)
3. or do you try to induce that emotion? (laughter mostly)
4. Lastly, how do you capture emotion from a stranger?

I personally dont know, i wanna how to do it.... :):)

[Saralonde]

I think having your camera with you to capture the unexpected is one way, particularly with informal/casual shots. It helps if you and the camera are "blending in" a bit so people do not feel intimidated. Definitely won't get a natural and relaxed shot if people are uncomfortable. Sometimes a zoom lens works. It helps you keep your distance from the subject so that are not aware of the camera. That may help if your taking shots of a stranger.
Inducing an emotion? Can you tell a joke? Try some props, especially with children, such as blowing bubbles. A lot depends on the personality of your subject.

[trevorcarpenter]

With my kids, I simply make sure that I'm prepared to capture a large number of shots, with faster settings. Usually the automatic "sports" settings I can get great shots.

The shot below of my son is one of about 9 shots I took during his run.

http://static.zooomr.com/images/796780_6abd1e1ce9.jpg

[Bobscaught]

I keep my camera handy because I don't know what my son is going to do next. He's quite the ham! This is his "I'm ready for nap time" look. Although, he'd never admit it!

[smc1377]

You know, ever since I first saw this thread, I've been wanting to post what immediately came to mind. Call me immature--call me crazy. I just have to get it out.

Get your camera ready, walk up to a stranger and give them a swift kick to the doodads. You'll get plenty of pure emotions ranging from pain, confusion, anger, amazement, disbelief, etc.

Ok, I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

[deck]

You know, ever since I first saw this thread, I've been wanting to post what immediately came to mind. Call me immature--call me crazy. I just have to get it out.

Get your camera ready, walk up to a stranger and give them a swift kick to the doodads. You'll get plenty of pure emotions ranging from pain, confusion, anger, amazement, disbelief, etc.

Ok, I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

HAHA!!!! that got me laughing hard!! :D

Anyways, thanks guys for the replies, recently i always have my camera at hand and ready, also ive been approaching strangers and trying to start a conversation (being careful of the people i approach of course) and what ive learned recently is that it helps when you carry a friendly smile :)
Deck

[nikhilb]

You know, ever since I first saw this thread, I've been wanting to post what immediately came to mind. Call me immature--call me crazy. I just have to get it out.

Get your camera ready, walk up to a stranger and give them a swift kick to the doodads. You'll get plenty of pure emotions ranging from pain, confusion, anger, amazement, disbelief, etc.

Ok, I now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

:eek::eek:!

I have to admit that I am quite tempted to try it out. Maybe hit the gym some more first (and some advanced martial arts) :p:D

Would be interesting though. If you do try it, let me know.

[cgammonsjr]

I have always heard that if you want to get emotion out of a person in a friendly setting like a party is to get a person to tell a story about something that makes them smile, laugh, cry, upset or in awe. The emotions will come out in there faces as they tell the story and you can just snap away. It's a cool trick to get adults to show emotions. If it's an extremely funny story that really hits close to home you will have them laughing before they ever finish the story. But if it's an extremely sad or hatefull story you may have a limited time to shoot before the emotions run too high and it's uncool to take pictures. Works for me so try it.:D

[FedererPhoto]

I know for weddings, people are more 'open' about cameras being around. It's just accepted. Ditto about other family events, such as christmas and such. Having your camera around all the time is a given, of course.

[xxpinballxx]

If laughter is what you are after be ready to make a fool of yourself.....people always laugh when its at the expense of someone else.....just keep talking say things that are so off the wall you have no choice to laugh.....
I like the story idea for candid shots....its good to have someone else there for them to tell and you get the shots and they are not put off by talking to a lens.