People piccies

[V8S]

I have recently taken some pics of people for the first time (on purpose and not just snaps) and I'd really like to do more as my first results surprised me as to how interesting it is.

Any tips on getting the best out of subjects, or how to frame or focus to catch fleeting moments?

[Simpo Two]

V8S said:

Any tips on getting the best out of subjects, or how to frame or focus to catch fleeting moments?

Anticipation, position for best composition, correct settings, more anticipation, correct focus point, quick reaction time

Ths one is probably best called 'Yeah right!':

Edited by Simpo Two on Thursday 23 July 17:03

[V8S]

Also, how do you remain unobstrusive despite carrying an SLR that goes CLICK every so often?

Here's a couple of shots from Episode 1 of V8S' learning curve:





Any comments?

Pity I didn't include the kid's hands in the second shot, but maybe they'd detract from her face...?

[4hero]

The second shot is lovely V8S. As for her hand, no need for it being shot, you caught her emotion perfectly

Candid is the key in my opinion, get them while they least except it. I use a 70-200f2.8 and 100-400 so can afford to be distant from the subject, a zoom definitely helps!!

A couple of my favourites (apologies in advance for the size):





Not sure why, but I really like this shot (I was hiding behind a sofa ).



Some random girl texting on the street.



This lady turned around just as I was away to take a shot of her, cool result though and I was pretty close!



Stealth mode: on, that's my tip!!

[CivicMan]

V8S said:

I have recently taken some pics of people for the first time (on purpose and not just snaps) and I'd really like to do more as my first results surprised me as to how interesting it is.

Any tips on getting the best out of subjects, or how to frame or focus to catch fleeting moments?

............and be prepared for some "subjects" not to be happy to be covertly snapped.....

[4hero]

CivicMan said:

V8S said:

I have recently taken some pics of people for the first time (on purpose and not just snaps) and I'd really like to do more as my first results surprised me as to how interesting it is.

Any tips on getting the best out of subjects, or how to frame or focus to catch fleeting moments?

............and be prepared for some "subjects" not to be happy to be covertly snapped.....

Ignore Civic's comments, nothing to worry about Never had any issues personally, except for getting hassled by the cops for photographing men tossing cabers.

[GetCarter]

First up - I'm no expert in this field!

But...I made a book of pics of the locals last year (small village). Just snaps, not photographically great, but spent time trying to capture the character of the people, doing what they do (I messed around a lot, but eventually settled on 'sod the technique, get the shot!). Took a pic of every resident. Hopefully in 100 years, people will see distant relatives (or not). For what it's worth, IMHO the character of the person needs to shine through, neat photo techiques come second (but that might be just me). I kept a camera with me 24/7 to get these (127 photos in total) :

If I got it right, each photo tells a story, or a bit about the person.

http://www.stevecarter.com/people/locals.htm

Edited by GetCarter on Thursday 23 July 20:01

[Simpo Two]

CivicMan said:

...and be prepared for some "subjects" not to be happy to be covertly snapped.....

In the street I'd agree. Fortunately at weddings everybody is a fair target. However, some people can be a little reticent at first, or not know whether to ignore me or grin at me, but as the day goes on we all mix together and then it's instinctive. They get used to a bloke with a camera wandering about and swapping idle banter, and then even at fairly close range with a 17-55 there's no problem - people just carry on as they normally would. In short, I become part of the scenery.

[4hero]

I'd disagree about street photography, I do it more or less every week in and around Edinburgh, never had any issues? Maybe us Scots are not as paranoid as you southerners

[Simpo Two]

Well fair point, it just doesn't seem right to go round photographing strangers by surprise. If I saw someone in B&Q pointing a 70-200 f2.8 at me I'd certainly go and ask him what he was doing and why.

[4hero]

Simpo Two said:

Well fair point, it just doesn't seem right to go round photographing strangers by surprise. If I saw someone in B&Q pointing a 70-200 f2.8 at me I'd certainly go and ask him what he was doing and why.

What's the problem though? So what if he has a shot of you in b&q? It's maybe an Edinburgh thing, where lots of people/tourists have cameras, but it's all good around here.

[CivicMan]

This links to a PDF with all you need to know:

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/uk-photographer...

[4hero]

CivicMan said:

This links to a PDF with all you need to know:

http://www.sirimo.co.uk/2009/05/14/uk-photographer...

I have read this on many occasions. If a person felt I was harassing them I'd gladly delete the shot. It's totally understandable taking shots of people in their garden, through their livingroom window etc., is not permitted and I would never attempt such a thing. If they are in public (and I see a good shot) then I'll take the shot.

There is no privacy in public the UK.

Edited by 4hero on Thursday 23 July 23:06

[V8S]

Couple more:





As said in another of my threads, the autofocussing on my 5D Mk2 is becoming annoying, meaning I am missing many shots that I would think were better than these two. Hey ho...