Today I was asked by someone for a few tips on shooting street/candids. Many people like this genre, but it is not the easiest to perform…
Today I was asked by someone for a few tips on shooting street/candids. Many people like this genre, but it is not the easiest to perform successfully for many reasons, and often shots come out like – erm… snap shots. Since I took the time to write these brief pointers up for my friend, I thought I may as well share. Feel free to add, contest, debate, or send me lots of money. That last bit was a joke. Street/Candid / A few pointers: - A mid-zoom lens is ideal for candids. I use a 70-200mm on a crop body, and that would be fine for a full frame, also. If you do not have access to something in this range and/or can’t afford it, then concentrate on wider street scenes instead, and work within your equipment limitations. You do not need to have very expensive gear to do street. - 80% of people will be flattered you are taking their photo. Don’t try and hide it too much – and smile a lot. Walk up to people afterwards, and show them what you took (if digital). Without a long lens, you will more then likely be noticed most of the time. My rule is smile – and they smile back :) / (a hefty monopod can come in handy if things get out of hand) - 15% of people will not like their photo taken and either try and hide or cover their face or something. If you notice this – let them go – easy :) Respect people and their wishes. Many other opportunities around. - 5% of people are born assholes – or intensely dislike being photographed for their own private reasons. When you encounter this, just call out that you are deleting the image, and walk away. A few days ago, I was shooting a laughing session out in a city square. I laughed along with them. Someone asked me to join in, and I said that I was laughing on the inside ;) Then this guy rode up, and walked up to me. He asked me why I was shooting and I told him because it was a nice, fun thing to shoot. I asked him if he were going to join in and he said “no, not with a photographer around”. He said this as if I were a murderer. I said “easy fixed, mate. I promise not to take a photo of you”. And he walked off. Some people are just surly. NEVER hand your camera over to anyone. Even in the US, it is your right to take photos of anyone providing you are in a publicly owned area. This includes law-enforcement officers. Of course if they demand it, you must hand over your gear. But they are in the wrong, and it can usually be contested successfully. - A good way to take candids, is to visit fairs, fetes, etc – and face the crowd. Go to the side of the stage area and walk around, getting people used to you. Then start scanning the crowd through your lens. Make some jokes, take interest in the proceedings, become one with the crowd. Eventually people ignore you and you become a hunter/predator hahaha!!! / Look for emotions – listen to what is happening around you and time your shots to get the best emotive reactions. Position yourself so that light is to the left or right behind you, so that you can get reflections (catch lights) in the eyes. Always consider your backgrounds while shooting. Nothing worse then spending hours cloning out a light pole from behind someone’s head ;) / And frame your shots to allow for movement, as well as giving space to the direction someone is looking. - Wider street shots live and die by the ‘story’. This takes a little bit of keen observation and patience. A good system, is to position yourself in a people-traffic’ed (yes, I made that one up) location where you have visually composed an interesting scene. It may be a poignant billboard, or a large puddle in the street – maybe a pool of soft light spilling from an overhead lamp. And then wait like a spider :) A car will rush by as someone is walking, splashing them with muddy water – you time your shot to capture their indignation and water spray like an upturned umbrella. A mother and child walk through the lamplight, and as the mother moves back into darkness, the child, holding her hand, is illuminated. Your billboard espousing ‘have a happy day’ becomes a backdrop to a crying girl – or an arguing couple. Observe/setup/plan/wait/timing….a tripod is useful… Learn your camera so that settings are intrinsic. The less you need to think about technicalities, the more you can free your mind to focus on art. Hope that helps a little. Above all – try and relax and enjoy yourself. If you are uptight, it is contagious. If you smile, and interact with people, you will be automatically accepted.
Been a wile since I’ve posted a swag of shots. I’ve been busy working, and haven’t been out much. However this week, I spent a few days w…
Been a wile since I’ve posted a swag of shots. I’ve been busy working, and haven’t been out much. However this week, I spent a few days walking around, obsessing with abstracts and reflections, mainly. Anyway – a few from Monday with Caroline Gorka and Thursday with Cathy Cavolo. / Comments always welcome :) / 1. Feathers stuck on a tombstone. / 2. Taken through a series of windows. ‘As-is’. / 3. Desaturated and toned. / 4. Ok, I have a thing for windows lately :) / 5. A girl in a playground, reflected of a black car and through a wire mesh. / 6. A blood red dove. No, really. / 7. As-is / 8. Likable old chap. Spent a while chatting to him afterwards. / 9. His expression is what captured me. / 10. Funky buildings reflected through a windshield. I think it was a BMW… / 11. Beautiful little forlorn doggie :( / 12. More reflections. Changed natural tone from green to sepia. Otherwise, as-is. / 13. Possibly my favourite of the batch. I waited a long time to capture this just right. As-is, from camera. / 14. When you think you’re alone… / 15. This little guy was throwing a tantrum. Shortly afterwards, his older brother clamped a hand over his mouth to stop the squealing. He beat me to it… / 16. Are you being served? / 17. Confused – where’s the dunny? / 18. I waited to capture this solemn-looking man just right against the backdrop. I liked how the sun highlighted his frame. / 19. Untouched, out of the camera. Reflections off the Yarra. / 20. Ezekiel
I was in Sydney last weekend… these are some of the many interesting people I saw… 1 / !http://images-1.redbubble.net/img/art/siz…
I was in Sydney last weekend… these are some of the many interesting people I saw… 1 / / / 2 / / / 3 / / / 4 / / / 5 / / / 6 / / / 7 / / / 8 / / / 9 / / / 10 / / / 11 / / / 12 / / / 13 / / / 14 / / / 15 / / / 16 / / / 17 / / / 18 / / / 19 / / / 20 / / / 21 / / / 22 / / / 23 / / / 24 / / / 25 / / / 26 / / / 27 / / / 28 / / / 29 / / / 30 /
Spent a lovely day walking around Melbourne City with Caroline today. here are few shots from…
Spent a lovely day walking around Melbourne City with Caroline today. here are few shots from the day – enjoy. / / / / 1 / 2 / / / 3 / / / 4 / / / 5 / / / 6 / / / 7 / / / 8 / / / 9 / / / 10 / / / 11 / / / 12 / / / 13 / / / 14 / / / 15 / / / 16 /
... to get an email fro the singer whose photo I took – which resulted in the image Let It Wash Over You...
... to get an email fro the singer whose photo I took – which resulted in the image Let It Wash Over You / Jess has asked my for a print of it to hang on her wall – and has said she is still using it for publicity. / It is one of my own personal faves ..and I’m so damn honoured :) / Just wanted to share…
Have been so busy lately, I forgot I had these from last Friday. / Spent the day in the city with Caroline Gorka. / A few shots from the da…
Have been so busy lately, I forgot I had these from last Friday. / Spent the day in the city with Caroline Gorka. / A few shots from the day. Uncropped. / Enjoy :) / 1 / / / 2 / / / 3 / / / 4 / / / 5 / / / 6 / / / 7 / / / 8 / / / 9 / / / 10 / / / 11 / / / 12
..of Melbourne people ..shot today while out with Christine Wilson / 1. / !http://images-3.redbubb…
..of Melbourne people ..shot today while out with Christine Wilson / 1. / 2. / 3. / 4. / 5. / 6. / 7. / 8. / 9. /
I have put together this year’s collection of my favourite photos in a gallery. A couple of things - / These are not necessarily my bes…
I have put together this year’s collection of my favourite photos in a gallery. A couple of things - / These are not necessarily my best photos, whatever that means. They definitely are not my most popular photos – in fact, the majority of them have not been seen before. But they are my personal favourites in 2008 (in chronological order), for many and various reasons. You’ll find many genres, from landscape to street, from floral to abstract. However, many of my favourites cannot be shown, as they were taken for clients who do not give permission for public display. Another bit of trivia – I counted 11 photos that have been cropped. I mention this, because one of the things I enjoy about photography is to frame and compose on site. Anyway, enjoy. There are a lot of them – 105, I think. Slideshow works best, on black. If you skim through them, I’ll know, and come and eat your cat. 2008 – A Photographic Retrospective
Popped into the city for a couple of hours, and snapped these… 1. / !http://images-2.redbubble.net/img/art/size:xlarge/view:main/2286…
Popped into the city for a couple of hours, and snapped these… 1. / 2. / 3. / 4. / 5. / 6. / 7. / 8. / 9. / 10. / 11. / 12. / 13. / 14. / 15. / 16. / 17. / 18. / 19. / 20. / 21. /
This photo is apparently going to be used by the singer for posters around Melbourne :))) / !http://images-0.redbubble.net/img/art/size:la…
This photo is apparently going to be used by the singer for posters around Melbourne :))) /
There was an invasion in Geelong today… by Pirates !! / A New Years Family day was held on the Geelong Waterfront, where the Wiggle…
There was an invasion in Geelong today… by Pirates !! / A New Years Family day was held on the Geelong Waterfront, where the Wiggles good friend Captain Feathersword made an appearance, and it seemed he bought all his pirate matees…. 1 / / / 2 / / / 3 / / / 4 / / / 5 / / / 6 / / / 7 / / / 8 / / / 9 / / / 10 / 11 / / / 12 /
Here are some photos I took on New Year’s Eve 2008 in Melbourne.. / It’s a little tradition for us to take the kids into the City to watch…
Here are some photos I took on New Year’s Eve 2008 in Melbourne.. / It’s a little tradition for us to take the kids into the City to watch the fireworks. / Happy New Year 2009 & / Enjoy.. Basia :o) Hmm…. Maybe fellow bubbler?! / Couldn’t help my self.. it was just floating in the breeze waiting to be photographed! /
A small, quick selection of photos taken at the Palestinian Protest against Israeli involvement in Gaza. / This particular event was in Me…
A small, quick selection of photos taken at the Palestinian Protest against Israeli involvement in Gaza. / This particular event was in Melbourne this afternoon where I shot with Simon Liberta there were many held throughout the world today. 1. / 2. / 3. / 4. / 5. / 6. / 7. / 8. / 9. / 10. / 11. / 12. / 13. / 14. / 15. / 16. / 17. / 18. /
A fun day, and I was back to my favourite genre – though, there’s candids, street, architecture, abstracts and PJ here :) Link:...
A fun day, and I was back to my favourite genre – though, there’s candids, street, architecture, abstracts and PJ here :) Link Also – some police action. / The guy caused a huge stir – cops running everywhere, around 6 cars – all for a just-purchased, machete in it’s wrapping :) Link
Some photos from yesterday, as I walked around. / These are not exactly a representation of the day, but rather, what I ended up liking m…
Some photos from yesterday, as I walked around. / These are not exactly a representation of the day, but rather, what I ended up liking most. Enjoy. Link
Yes,, I know,, I’m late! But better late than never! / Here are some (patriotic) candids taken in Mornington during the (hot) Australian …
Yes,, I know,, I’m late! But better late than never! / Here are some (patriotic) candids taken in Mornington during the (hot) Australian Day 09 celebrations! Enjoy! / ... / I’m really getting into this whole candid street photography!! / B 1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 /
Hi Everyone, / Yesterday we photographed the Pako festival in West Geelong. The Pako Festa is a multicultural event for the broader Gee…
Hi Everyone, / Yesterday we photographed the Pako festival in West Geelong. The Pako Festa is a multicultural event for the broader Geelong region. The event has performances over five stages, cultural food, workshops, art and craft exhibitions, street performers and a range of free activities for children. I’ve inserted a couple of photos below. If you’re interested in checking out the whole set of shots I took of the parade and candids from the day in a slide show, click on the link below which takes you to my blog and there is a slideshow link there → Pako Festival 2009 / / / /
I see so many interesting People in my travels I thought I would share a few candid faces with you they made me smile I hope they make yo…
I see so many interesting People in my travels I thought I would share a few candid faces with you they made me smile I hope they make you smile to. / 1. / / 2. / / 3 / / 4. / / 5. / / 6. / / 7. / / 8. / / 9. / / 10. / / 11. / / 12. / / 13. / / 14. / / 15. / / 16. / / 17. / / 18. / / 19. / / 20. / / 21. / / 22. / / 23. /
I’ve been very busy working, and so have not uploaded any photos for a long time. I feel a little guilty, so here is batch of photos of t…
I’ve been very busy working, and so have not uploaded any photos for a long time. I feel a little guilty, so here is batch of photos of the Antipodes Festival in Melbourne. I was booked to shoot the festival, and had a great time doing it. Lots of photos – feel free to skim through them… Cheers LINK
Today I photographed the ANZAC Day march in Melbourne. I had a rollercoaster of feelings watching the ol’ diggers march down St Kilda …
Today I photographed the ANZAC Day march in Melbourne. I had a rollercoaster of feelings watching the ol’ diggers march down St Kilda Rd. I felt so proud to be an Australian, with a massive crowd there to cheer them on, and have so much respect and admiration for what the diggers did for us, least we forget them. Click here or on the image below to go to my blog for more photos, hope you enjoy them.
Like many other photographers out there, my camera has become part of my identity. / I take a lot of photos. / I take a lot of photos wit…
Like many other photographers out there, my camera has become part of my identity. / I take a lot of photos. / I take a lot of photos with strange perspectives. / I take a lot of photos with strange perspectives so get into strange positions at times. / So now my family and friends have a new pastime…taking photos of me taking photos. / All quite normal most of the time, although laying down on railroad tracks is probably a little unusual. The photos they seem to take the most amount of pleasure in though, are the gratuitous bum shots… ...and they are getting closer… ...and closer…musta been a wide angle lens for this one! Initially I was mortified, but now these just make me giggle. Share some of the crazy positions you’ve been caught in unawares for a laugh. Don’t be shy…my butt obviously isn’t!
/ / What started off as a wet start to the day, and not…
/ / What started off as a wet start to the day, and not looking too good, the rain held off for the Zombie Shuffle. The Undead gathered at Carlton Gardens waiting for their flesh rotten friends to arrive. / / The crowd grew restless as the time approached for the shuffle to begin, the cry of Braaaains! rang out more frequent. / / / / / Lucky there was a brain juice counter, doing a brisk (free) trade and quenching the thirst. / / / / / ... some had a snack before the long shuffle ahead / / / / / while others were more content to make sure the rain didn’t spoil their day / / / / / Who said you can’t get kids to eat food such as brains etc? / / / Reinforcements Arrive! / / / / / And The Shuffle Begins! / / / / / / Mmmm, photographers brains…. / / / / They even eat each other / / / / Little Red Riding Hood didn’t stand a chance / / / / In the Zombie Zone / / / / Think I’m in trouble / / / / Zombies Making Religious Statements, what next? / / / / Descending into hell? / / / / Looks like there’s no milk today / / / / Even the billboards joined in / / / / and here we end / / / / / Something to think about for next year…. / / /
The chant began….“brains, brains, brains” The cry grew louder as the Zombies swarmed together at Carlton Gardens waiting for the…
The chant began….“brains, brains, brains” The cry grew louder as the Zombies swarmed together at Carlton Gardens waiting for their shuffle of doom through Melbourne’s CBD. Here’s a few shots from the day, click on the Slideshow link to see the full set. Thanks for looking :-) . .
So anyway….. the Geelong Throng (well a fair few of us anyway), got together on the we…
So anyway….. the Geelong Throng (well a fair few of us anyway), got together on the weekend for a barbecue at Serendip Sanctuary, in Lara. Thankfully, and surprisingly, the rain stayed away for the most part. / These are some of the faces of the Geelong Throng… 1 / / / 2 / / / 3 / / / 4 / / / 5 / 6 / / / 7 / / / 8 / 9 / / / 10 / / / 11 / / / 12 / / / 13 / / / 14 / / / 15 / / / 16 / / / 17 / / / 18 / 19 / 20 / / / 21 / / / 22 / / / 23 / / / 24 / / / 25 / / / 26 / / / 27 / / / 28 / / 29 /
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