Photographing people in the public, reactions

[freybear3]

(I was unsure if this should go in the general section or the people section)


When you photograph people in the public, strangers. How do they react?

Example: Strangers at a park, Strangers walking down the road, etc....



I want to do candid photos of strangers in public, but before i do, i want to hear experiences from others. How did the people react when you took their photo?

I am not going to be selling the photos, just for personal use, to gain experience.

[TravisForsyth]

I recently only started taking pictures of other people and it took me a long time to work up the guts to do it for fear of confrontation from some angered passer by. I keep a few release forms in my camera bag as well as a ton of moo cards with my name and contact info on them so people can reach me should they want a copy for themselves.

As for reactions, I haven't had too many strange reactions a lot of people who stop what they were doing that had me so interested so they could smile for the camera or make a funny face but nothing too crazy.

[kencaleno]

The term "Candid" means that the person or persons are not aware of their photo being taken-Just do it!, sometimes you get noticed,but I never have problems if I'm noticed-mind you I'm 6 feet 2inches and 250 pounds!-Just smile and carry on.Dslr's are not the best for street photography-better to use an unobtrusive point and shoot(as shown). regards, Ken

[candleman]

careful with that.. especially people with kids.

i once had a guy jump out in frnt of my car, (my wife was driving) and yell at me "whats with the camera, why you taking pictures of me"

err... i wasnt

i proceeded to show him the pictures of the powerlines and sent him off with a warning not to get agressive with strangers.
but it works both ways.. i can understand he would be defensive being with his family.

so unless you have camera insurance and medical i wouldnt do it.

[spazoid1965]

There is an attachment which screws onto the front of your lens called a "Spy Scope". It has a mirror inside a black tube which looks like a longer lens. Here is an example of one.

http://goods.us.marketgid.com/goods/54/19606/

There are several different brands. The one I have is no longer in production. I've found it's best not to shoot horizontally with this item. It's less noticeable to point toward the ground and shoot to your side. It appears that you are just fiddling with your camera and not really taking a picture.

[freybear3]

wouldn't the huge hole on the side of the lens be noticeable?

[zarquon]

Odds are 99% of people aren't going to know what that hole is for, if they even notice it

[fletch]

Originally Posted by spazoid1965

There is an attachment which screws onto the front of your lens called a "Spy Scope".

Dodgy! _______

[vandergus]

I know the spy scope thing sounds creepy but things like this have been used by serious photographers. Helen Levitt, a phenomenal street photographer, was said to have used right angle lenses like this occasionally. In her case, the intent wasn't really to spy on her subjects but to keep them unaware. People act differently when they know they're being watched and that's not always the behaviour the photographer wants to capture. Any tool can be used nefariously, it's up to the photographer to apply it appropriately.

[kencaleno]

The more you try to be inconspicuous, the more conspicuous you become,better to appear as a tourist, (snapping away at anything and everything) rather than attempt to hide your camera.With a small digicam,very few people will take any notice of you-unless you get right in their face. Ken