Would appreciate any help with the next step....

[Ottor]

I want to stretch out a little and move into an area I'm not very comfortable with. Like most others without formal photography training, I began shooting still life and landscape photographs.. Birds, flowers, scenery, macros, etc. - But I'd like to begin shooting stuff that makes me a little more uncomfortable - people. When you shoot a flower, you don't have to direct it; you don't have to pose it; you don't have to explain what your'er doing, or you don't have to explain the 'why' of the picture.. you don't have to sell a models release, and you certainly don't have the feeling that you're imposing any at all.

I really like the idea of "Documentary" type photography. I'd like to come up with an idea or 'topic', and go out and shoot pictures that portray that idea or feeling... My parents were alchololics and, for some reason, that subject attracts me... as well as homelessness. I'd like to photograph certain events, not the "Action" shot, but I'd like to capture photographs that 'portray' the event, and the people behind it... There are lots of antique flea markets, and some of the stuff they're selling, as well as some of the folks that actually attend and, or, sell are just as interesting..

Where do I begin? How do I present myself to the people that would be in the pictures? How do you approach an extremely photogentic person and portray what your'e doing, and why you want to take their picture??

Like I said - there's no interaction between me, my camera, and a beautiful tree..... my inexperience and lack of confidence is preventing me from moving on, and I'd appreciate some suggestions... After all, this is the Digital Photograhy School .... any teachers out there ??

tks,

[hgmartins]

I see myself in every word you wrote!! I too would love some ideas, because i don't really want to just "steel" some one's photo even though i have don it a few times. But I guess that is the best way to get the true expression on peoples faces and not the "oh there's a camera lets smile" kind of face.Will also wait for some advice,

[AmberTillman]

I took the plunge feeling the exact same way. I started with people that I know and moved in slowly. You still have to coax them and make them feel more at ease. Sometimes you have to help them relax even more because they know you. Once you get that together and start feeling comfortable with people in general, time to take the next plunge.

Just start asking people. You will be surprised at how many people want you to take their picture and want to share their life story. I know it is scary. There is no magic bullet or tag line... just gotta not be afraid.

I think the alcoholism idea is great. Maybe you can start by introducing yourself to someone who runs an AA meeting and tell them your idea. You may be able to document some of the participants. And the ones that stray, you may be able to document them while drinking...you never know what the situation holds. For me, I was just afraid to ask strangers. But the only way to do it to take the plunge. Some will say no. Don't take it personal. Just move on to the next person.

I am still scared..... but I know the only way to get it done it to not be afraid... or of course, there is the buy telephoto lens and shoot from so far away that no one knows your stealing snapshots of their life.... but we know that is not nice treat others as you would want to be treated

[LoveDSLR]

Originally Posted by Ottor

Where do I begin? How do I present myself to the people that would be in the pictures? How do you approach an extremely photogentic person and portray what your'e doing, and why you want to take their picture??

If you get butterflies in your stomach in approaching people then practice it by asking performers (while they are off stage) in local events first.

You can also act/dress like a tourist or a professional photographer on assignment.

[OsmosisStudios]

It can be somewhat unnerving, especially if you start with random strangers. Start with people you know, then work your way out from there.

[autofocus]

There are many events in people's lives where you'll find yourself as part of a large group. To me, these are great photo opportunities to do candid shots of "interesting" people. Think about partys, picnics, sports events, concerts, outdoor flea markets, outdoor food district markets, school functions, graduations, political gatherings, cruise nights, just to mention a few. All of these are a plethora of photo opps, and can be very rewarding and just plain fun. If you happen to be shooting a lot of pictures while attending these events, most people will stop noticing who, or what you are doing as long as you try to be discrete about it. I think these shots work best when you also include a little bit about the event in the background while shooting your subject. Picture being at a horse race...you target a subject, and shoot him in an excited state as his horse rounds the turn softly in the background. Hey, have fun, and remember, discrete is the operative word here.

Vinnie

[karen_s]

I practiced a lot on trees first, then moved on to people ;-) Seriously, I am going thru the same thing as I am quite shy and have difficulty approaching people, even without a camera. But, I am doing it anyway and have been pleasantly surprised by the willingness of people to let me take their picture.

Anyway, some tips from my albeit limited experience are:

Be honest and interested. If you are only after a great photo, people may sense that and turn you down. If however they feel you are truly interested in them, they will be more willing.

Be yourself.

Carry picture samples and business cards. I'm not in business but I have a card that notes my flickr address so people can see what I do. Beyond that, it lends you a touch of credibility. It also helps to explain your project as it may help you connect.

Offer a way for them to see their photo. I use Flickr to post the images but always ask if it's ok.

If they say no, don't sweat it. Just learn from it and keep trying.

Defy your lack of confidence. Even when someone tells me no thanks, I still tell myself I had the guts to ask and that was still better than not asking at all.

Be prepared to make a few new friends :-)

Good luck!

[LeeR]

Shooting at public events can be both nerve-wracking and exhilirating. One of my favorite tricks is to act like I am shooting near, but a bit off to the side, of my intended target. This allows me to set up exposure and focus ahead of time. Then, with my camera at the ready, I wait for the magic moment before swinging into place for the shot. The worst that has ever happened to me is the subject would realize what I had done and say, "Nice timing!"
Now, I warn you, there are legalities involved in trying to sell images of people like this, but you can always post them here and we will be able to see the improvement in your timing and composition.

[GadgetVirtuoso]

Check with some of the local photography groups. One of the local meetup groups here has shoots where the photographers all pay a small fee and we have a models for the shoot. This can help and has helped me learn about positioning. Most of the models are experienced enough you don't need to direct them, unless you want to. It also gives you a change to talk with other photographers and ask questions. The group I've gone out with a couple times charges $30 and we'll have several models usually no more than 6 or 7 photographers per model. The shoots usually last from 3-6hrs. Some people stay the whole time, others come late and others leave early.

[Benji]

I have visited this post several times over the last couple of days pondering what to say.

I too stared out shooting flowers, and trees and so forth (in the early 1980s) and then moved on to portraiture because there was no market back then for images of flowers. Today all one needs to do is Google "images of flowers" where they will find 112,000,000 images of flowers! So I tried some documentary type of work and no one wanted them either.

If a publication today needs a shot of an alcoholic all they need to do is what I just did and Google "images of alcoholics" where they can choose from 1,380,000 images they offer and for a few bucks buy the rights to one of them.

While the idea of being a starving artist and being altruisitc sounds appealing to some I prefer to be a well fed and altruistic artist.

Benji