Finding people to shoot

volosong · 02-10-2009, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by volosong

Telephoto lenses.

I really wasn't trying to be funny. When I want to shoot "culture", I've found long lenses the best. They give you a stand-off distance, which in one aspect, is very non-threatening to the subject. And, most times, they won't even notice you. About the only thing that is lost with the usage of telephoto lenses is a narrow DOF.

Of course, I never, never take pictures of children unless I get permission first. It's easy with my grandkids because I can shoot them all I want, and if there are playmates around interacting with my grandchildren, them too.

heliphoto · 02-10-2009, 10:29 AM

Originally posted by WheresWaldo

I am sure glad this is a photography related forum, when I saw the title the first thing that popped into my mind was Unreal Tournament "Headshot!" when you nailed an opponent in the head with the sniper rifle.

Dominating!

Gooshin · 02-10-2009, 10:30 AM

!!godlike!!

**xs400** · 02-10-2009, 10:48 AM

Originally posted by volosong

When I want to shoot "culture", I've found long lenses the best. They give you a stand-off distance, which in one aspect, is very non-threatening to the subject. And, most times, they won't even notice you. About the only thing that is lost with the usage of telephoto lenses is a narrow DOF.
.

This works for me. I do most of my street photography with the DA-50-200mm. People rarely notice that I am taking their photos.

heliphoto · 02-10-2009, 11:13 AM

Originally posted by Gooshin

!!godlike!!

I'm gonna have to dig that game out.

luckyrabbit · 02-10-2009, 12:18 PM

Originally posted by heliphoto

I'm gonna have to dig that game out.

Is that Dota?

djayvo · 02-10-2009, 03:25 PM

It really pays if you carry a small portfolio of your work. Found it useful from taking pics of motorcycles in front of the Hells Angles club to beautiful women. If they are upset and are confrontational pull your portfolio out (as long as it’s good) and you will be surprised at the attitude change. When they see that your professional in your work and not a creep or a stalker they usually don’t mind. I even had club members pose with their bikes.

Last edited by djayvo; 02-11-2009 at 05:56 AM. Reason: spelling

**Rense** · 02-12-2009, 12:39 AM

Got into street photography only very recently and I really enjoy it. I think you just should try and your nerves when shooting unknown people will rather quickly change in confidence and a pleasant thrill. Sometimes I pretend to shoot just a cityscape and then either change my angle of view to the person I want to shoot, or wait until the person walks into my picture. Needs some preperation and pre-thinking, but it works....

In the beginning I used mostly medium telephoto lenses, but now I use everything between 50 and 135 mm. Oh, and mostly I act and move quite inconspicuous, but sometimes I just stand still, kneel in a busy street, whatever. Acting this way people just don't expect you to be photographing them. It's too unexpected, too strange....

**Kerrowdown** · 02-12-2009, 01:28 AM

Originally posted by xecutech

When I am out in public, I see a lot of interesting people that I would like to take pictures of. I don't want to freak them out!

I see a lot of your pics on here with people out in public. How do you go about getting shots of strangers without getting the police called on you?

When I saw the subject line of this thread, politicians sprung to mind.

reeftool · 02-12-2009, 09:51 AM

Originally posted by djayvo

It really pays if you carry a small portfolio of your work. Found it useful from taking pics of motorcycles in front of the Hells Angles club to beautiful women. If they are upset and are confrontational pull your portfolio out (as long as it’s good) and you will be surprised at the attitude change. When they see that your professional in your work and not a creep or a stalker they usually don’t mind. I even had club members pose with their bikes.

As an old motorcyclist my advice to anyone is don't take pictures of club riders or their bikes without asking permission first.

Gooshin · 02-12-2009, 10:32 AM

Originally posted by reeftool

As an old motorcyclist my advice to anyone is don't take pictures of club riders or their bikes without asking permission first.

or what?

you're on public streets, i'm on public streets

heliphoto · 02-12-2009, 10:45 AM

Originally posted by reeftool

As an old motorcyclist my advice to anyone is don't take pictures of club riders or their bikes without asking permission first.

Huh... I'd never take pictures of motorcyclists myself... They're so damn sloooowwww that I'm usually just trying to get 'em to pull over or hope there's a passing lane coming up. Gah! I miss fast motorcyclists (what happened to them? - they all crash?)

Seriously, what's the danger with taking pictures of aging architects, layers and dentists? One might offer me his business card???

ve2vfd · 02-12-2009, 11:48 AM

Originally posted by Gooshin

because its legal, dont worry about cops, unless in addition to taking photographs you like to hop fences and pick locks.

Awww crap I'm in trouble then!

One of my hobbies happens to be lockpicking

Fortunately I'm not much of a fence hopper!

Pat

Vylen · 02-12-2009, 02:14 PM

Originally posted by Gooshin

or what?

you're on public streets, i'm on public streets

they also don't have anyone restraining them... and they probably have friends too....

wouldnt want to take photos of gang members if you understand...

Gooshin · 02-12-2009, 02:17 PM

Originally posted by Vylen

they also don't have anyone restraining them... and they probably have friends too....

wouldnt want to take photos of gang members if you understand...

thats why you learn to ninja

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02-10-2009, 09:49 AM	#16
volosong Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: North Idaho Photos: Gallery Posts: 696	Originally posted by volosong Telephoto lenses. I really wasn't trying to be funny. When I want to shoot "culture", I've found long lenses the best. They give you a stand-off distance, which in one aspect, is very non-threatening to the subject. And, most times, they won't even notice you. About the only thing that is lost with the usage of telephoto lenses is a narrow DOF. Of course, I never, never take pictures of children unless I get permission first. It's easy with my grandkids because I can shoot them all I want, and if there are playmates around interacting with my grandchildren, them too.

02-10-2009, 10:29 AM	#17
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Originally posted by WheresWaldo I am sure glad this is a photography related forum, when I saw the title the first thing that popped into my mind was Unreal Tournament "*Headshot!" when you nailed an opponent in the head with the sniper rifle. Dominating!*

02-10-2009, 10:30 AM	#18
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	!!godlike!!

02-10-2009, 10:48 AM	#19
xs400 Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: San Francisco Bay Area Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,929	Originally posted by volosong When I want to shoot "culture", I've found long lenses the best. They give you a stand-off distance, which in one aspect, is very non-threatening to the subject. And, most times, they won't even notice you. About the only thing that is lost with the usage of telephoto lenses is a narrow DOF. . This works for me. I do most of my street photography with the DA-50-200mm. People rarely notice that I am taking their photos.

02-10-2009, 11:13 AM	#20
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Originally posted by Gooshin !!godlike!! I'm gonna have to dig that game out.

02-10-2009, 12:18 PM	#21
luckyrabbit New Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Nashville Posts: 13	Originally posted by heliphoto I'm gonna have to dig that game out. Is that Dota?

02-10-2009, 03:25 PM	#22
djayvo Forum Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Canada Posts: 86	It really pays if you carry a small portfolio of your work. Found it useful from taking pics of motorcycles in front of the Hells Angles club to beautiful women. If they are upset and are confrontational pull your portfolio out (as long as it’s good) and you will be surprised at the attitude change. When they see that your professional in your work and not a creep or a stalker they usually don’t mind. I even had club members pose with their bikes. Last edited by djayvo; 02-11-2009 at 05:56 AM. Reason: spelling

02-12-2009, 12:39 AM	#23
Rense Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Zetten - The Netherlands Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,050	Got into street photography only very recently and I really enjoy it. I think you just should try and your nerves when shooting unknown people will rather quickly change in confidence and a pleasant thrill. Sometimes I pretend to shoot just a cityscape and then either change my angle of view to the person I want to shoot, or wait until the person walks into my picture. Needs some preperation and pre-thinking, but it works.... In the beginning I used mostly medium telephoto lenses, but now I use everything between 50 and 135 mm. Oh, and mostly I act and move quite inconspicuous, but sometimes I just stand still, kneel in a busy street, whatever. Acting this way people just don't expect you to be photographing them. It's too unexpected, too strange....

02-12-2009, 01:28 AM	#24
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	Originally posted by xecutech When I am out in public, I see a lot of interesting people that I would like to take pictures of. I don't want to freak them out! I see a lot of your pics on here with people out in public. How do you go about getting shots of strangers without getting the police called on you? When I saw the subject line of this thread, politicians sprung to mind.

02-12-2009, 09:51 AM	#25
reeftool Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Upstate New York Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 9,554	Originally posted by djayvo It really pays if you carry a small portfolio of your work. Found it useful from taking pics of motorcycles in front of the Hells Angles club to beautiful women. If they are upset and are confrontational pull your portfolio out (as long as it’s good) and you will be surprised at the attitude change. When they see that your professional in your work and not a creep or a stalker they usually don’t mind. I even had club members pose with their bikes. As an old motorcyclist my advice to anyone is don't take pictures of club riders or their bikes without asking permission first.

02-12-2009, 10:32 AM	#26
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	Originally posted by reeftool As an old motorcyclist my advice to anyone is don't take pictures of club riders or their bikes without asking permission first. or what? you're on public streets, i'm on public streets

02-12-2009, 10:45 AM	#27
heliphoto Veteran Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Region 5 Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,539	Originally posted by reeftool As an old motorcyclist my advice to anyone is don't take pictures of club riders or their bikes without asking permission first. Huh... I'd never take pictures of motorcyclists myself... They're so damn sloooowwww that I'm usually just trying to get 'em to pull over or hope there's a passing lane coming up. Gah! I miss fast motorcyclists (what happened to them? - they all crash?) Seriously, what's the danger with taking pictures of aging architects, layers and dentists? One might offer me his business card???

02-12-2009, 11:48 AM	#28
ve2vfd Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Montreal, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,433	Originally posted by Gooshin because its legal, dont worry about cops, unless in addition to taking photographs you like to hop fences and pick locks. Awww crap I'm in trouble then! One of my hobbies happens to be lockpicking Fortunately I'm not much of a fence hopper! Pat

02-12-2009, 02:14 PM	#29
Vylen Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Sydney, Australia Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,262	Originally posted by Gooshin or what? you're on public streets, i'm on public streets they also don't have anyone restraining them... and they probably have friends too.... wouldnt want to take photos of gang members if you understand...

02-12-2009, 02:17 PM	#30
Gooshin Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Toronto, the one in Canada. Posts: 5,610	Originally posted by Vylen they also don't have anyone restraining them... and they probably have friends too.... wouldnt want to take photos of gang members if you understand... thats why you learn to ninja