::..:: Everyday people ::..::

[digitalpimp]

Originally Posted by Marianne*

Been looking through this entire topic, and like everybody else, I'm blown away! Amazing pictures, the color, the subjects, light, it all works perfectly together.

Question for you: some pictures are really taken from right in front of people. Don't they mind? Or do you ask for permission? Or those 'crowded street' pictures. Do you really just stand in a busy street in between the pedestrians and just take pictures? Do these people notice that you are taking their picture? Do you talk to them?

I feel sooo uncomfortable standing in busy streets taking pictures. Even if i'm not pointing at people at all. I know it's something I need to work on, because (random)people are such great subjects.

Glad you liked my humble work, Marianne.

Though I can talk to a subject and ask for a shot, I never do because it will ruin the whole candidness thing. Just a fraction of them mind but most are lost in their own world to even bother to tell you off. I know because I myself wouldn't notice if someone's taking a photo of me out in public, and I call myself very observant LOL

You have to let your inhibitions go if you really want to do this street thing. 3 years back when I was just starting I use a telephoto lens because I was shy and afraid. As time passed, the focal length receded. 85mm, 50mm, 35mm, 10mm... and now 8mm (#s 60, 62-66 & 68), and none ever noticed. Overtime your skills will develop. You will know when to lift your camera and when not to. You will know when something is going to happen even before it does.

Like I said a couple of posts up. Women are lucky because they almost always get away scot-free. A smile is all you need. Us men point a camera at a kid and we can be labeled as pedophiles, at a woman and now we're perverts, use a telephoto and then we're voyeurs. Smile a wrong smile and... use your imagination LOL. It's sad.

Okay now, since I'm a man and I'm more subject to scrutiny, I tried to develop some kind of an "acting skill".
- Sometimes I act as an overly eager tourist and pretend to take photos of everything.
- For people coming towards me, (1) I shoot and just walk off, (2) shoot and pretend something's wrong with the camera then pretend to shoot again. This will erase doubts that you're shooting them since they will think they're out of the frame already since they are almost already beside you.
- Use a wide angle lens. You might be very close to your subject but the wideness would trick them that you're shooting something else. Just don't put your subject at the very edge of the frame or you'll risk distorting their face.
- Be a ninja. Shoot, hide the camera and exit the scene.
- Be obvious. Burst mode extravaganza.
- Shoot blindly. Dial f9 on Av mode and shoot from the hip or over the head.


Hope it helps!

[digitalpimp]

Some highlights from the recently concluded Thaipusam Festival in Singapore.


75) Trance.



76) Zen.



77) Amidst the sea of men.



78) What is pain?

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[Marianne*]

Originally Posted by digitalpimp

- Be a ninja. Shoot, hide the camera and exit the scene.

Haha, thanks for the tips, i'll keep them in mind and try to get over my shyness.

[digitalpimp]

79) Fadeaway.

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[kuul13]

Originally Posted by digitalpimp

Thank you so much. My technique's an open book.

What I did with #39 is set up a tripod and exposed for just a little over a second. Any faster would render the blurs more indistinct and the chances for your subject to move will be higher. I chose a pedestrian lane because there will be greater chances for me to get someone standing still and while others are moving (People react in different speeds. Some are very alert and some are... you know. ) I'm sure you'll get this kind of shot in no time. But wait. There's a twist to what I did. I wanted my subject to look to add more story to the photo. What I did was I shouted at the people and hoped that someone would look my way, and someone actually did. It took me 3-4 hours to get this shot right. I looked like a fool though for shouting the whole time but it's all worth it!

I did panning for #43. This technique is the same as panning for a moving vehicle but much easier because people will be moving from all directions. They will blur out very nicely all over the frame. Just don't choose a subject with the same pace as another and going towards the same direction. Chances are they will be both sharp.

#55 is the same as #39 but much much easier. This was taken at a train station. Ever notice some people stand near the edge of the platform while waiting for the train and some sit and just walk over when it arrives? I set my camera on the seats and waited for the right person. I just hoped that my subject was a lady with a very beautiful dress or a man in a business suit. I'll do this one again sometime.

Hope you got something from this response.

Wonderful!! Thanks for such a nice and descriptive response on how you took the shot. It is really helpful but need to try it someday. Am sure I won't be able to shout.. that's not me . Looking forward for more of your work. Cheers!

[Dziki Photography]

Incredible photos!

I have written a blog entry about "people" with my own pictures of people, check it out: Photography Here and There: People

I admit, they are nowhere near as great as yours but are a start

Again, amazing pictures,
Gabriela