Start photographing people

[haileyn]

I am relatively new to photography. My husband bought me my first dslr for Christmas last year.

Since then we have mainly taken landscape photographs, on the odd occasion we have photographed each other and friends or family - but mainly for keepsakes and not much else.

I would like to know our opinions...what do you think is the best way to get into photographing people? Where should I start?

Thanks in advance for your help and advice

[KodiakStar]

What type of people shots do you want?

Sit down portraits? Street shots? Model shots on location?

Each has different aspects that would lead to different suggestions

[RexK_Cozumel]

There is one suggestion that stays the same however. Get better lighting gear. Preferably off camera lighting gear and modifiers. Learn how to see the light and shape it. That is probably the single most important thing about portraiture.

[KodiakStar]

Originally Posted by RexK_Cozumel

There is one suggestion that stays the same however. Get better lighting gear. Preferably off camera lighting gear and modifiers. Learn how to see the light and shape it. That is probably the single most important thing about portraiture.

Light gear is great, unless you are doing street. Unless you feel like going up to a stranger and firing your flash in their face... Could lead to great shots, but a few fist fights and damaged gear

[RexK_Cozumel]

LOL... which is exactly why you should not take pictures of strangers with out talking to them. If you want to see good street photography check out some of JoeyL's work.

I am pretty sure he uses flash. Also pretty sure it is an off camera flash. It might even be a monolight on a monopod attached to a battery pack held by an assistant named Ryan. Not exactly inconspicuous.

Street photography does not mean sneak up on people and snap a photo with out them knowing. That is like paparazzi stuff. Except paparazzi will blast away with their flash in people's faces and could care less.

[haileyn]

Originally Posted by KodiakStar

What type of people shots do you want?

Sit down portraits? Street shots? Model shots on location?

Each has different aspects that would lead to different suggestions

I would like to do model photography at some stage, but I think that it will still be a while before that.

I would like to do some street photography, I know of a few spots where there are some interesting subjects.

I will be shooting with a Nikon D60 and 18 - 55 mm lense that I got with the camera. Only have on camera flash.

I would like to learn how to shoot people in the sense that I want to learn how to capture their emotions...the worse for me is seeing an "empty" expression in a photo, I far prefer spontaneity, more relaxed photos.

[KodiakStar]

This video is good: YouTube - WNYC Street Shots: Joe Wigfall
It is about Joe Wigfall, a NYC Street Photographer. I really like his work.

Bruce Gilden's work is crazy, since he gets right up in peoples faces. Not many can do that I don't think.

There are (as seen here) some people who are against candid street photography, but as many say. Once the subject knows that you are taking a photo of them, they tend to react differently. They will pose, change their facial expression, etc.

Portrait photography, start with yourself. Seriously! Try a 52 project, or 365 project of self portraits. If you have family members, children, best friends, people you are on speaking terms with. Ask them to take their photos.

Study poses, lighting, adding lighting, reflectors... (the list goes on!)

Eventually, perhaps "Model Mayhem" would be a great outlet for you, once you get a bit more experience.
It is a place where photographers and models can get a start and link up to do photo shoots.

The main thing is to start photographing as much as you can!

[RexK_Cozumel]

I am not against candid street photography. I am just saying that that is not the only way to do street photography. You can get just as much emotion or even more by simply talking to the person and getting to know them a little and letting them feel comfortable with you. It is just a different way of doing things. I am just tired of people saying that street photography can only be done candid.

[haileyn]

Thanks KodiakStar. Will hopefully some shots soon will put them up for critique

Originally Posted by RexK_Cozumel

I am not against candid street photography. I am just saying that that is not the only way to do street photography. You can get just as much emotion or even more by simply talking to the person and getting to know them a little and letting them feel comfortable with you. It is just a different way of doing things. I am just tired of people saying that street photography can only be done candid.

I don't necessarily think that street photography should only be candid, but what I have found is when people know you are photographing them they close up in a way (from my own experience), not everyone is as comfortable to be themselves when they are being photographed.

[RexK_Cozumel]

Originally Posted by haileyn

I don't necessarily think that street photography should only be candid, but what I have found is when people know you are photographing them they close up in a way (from my own experience), not everyone is as comfortable to be themselves when they are being photographed.

Well how would you feel if you noticed someone that you didn't know at all taking pictures of you? I find that if you just go up and talk to the person and show a real interest in them and let them get to know who you are and what you are doing then they are more relaxed and act normally. You also get the added benefit of having more time to compose the shot and can add lighting for effect if you need it.

Of course some people will tell you to go away. but those are the same people that if they caught you sneaking pictures of them they would probably assault you.