Candid photography is not always easy with a DSLR.

[rebeccalouisephotography]

Long time no speak, I have been so busy with college that I have not had a chance to sit down properly. Speaking of college I thought I would grace you all with some of my images from my photography exam today.

It is hard to take candid photographs with a huge DSLR I must admit, you don't half look suspicious, but hey hoe; you gotta' do what you gotta' do.

Enjoy.

[Camellia]

Hi Rebecca

The first 2 give me a definite sense of movement. I can imagine you sneaking the last shot.

I agree with you about feeling suspicious with a camera. Good on you for giving it a go - you have more courage than I do. You've done well with these shots.

I'm getting really paranoid about people having a go at me over taking photos in public places - silly but true.

Please keep sharing your work.

R

[Shadowman]

Where are all the photographers who should be taking photographs of us taking photographs of them? I think photographers make the best candid subjects.

[wilgk]

Hi Rebecca - good job, this is often difficult as you have found, but I really like what you have done in # 1 and #2.
I have sat at the Hairdressers & thought it would be an interesting shot all the clients still under various machines and whatnot and the staff shown moving busily amongst them.
I get that feeling that I would have wanted to capture from your shot so well done

[William W]

It is hard to take candid photographs with a huge DSLR I must admit, you don't half look suspicious

and

I agree with you about feeling suspicious with a camera. Good on you for giving it a go - you have more courage than I do. You've done well with these shots.

Learn how to hip shoot:

"My Favourite Barista"
5D, 24L
F2.8 @ 1/125s @ ISO800 (Hip Shot)

and


"Tonight"
20D, 50/1.4
F/2.8 @ 1/100s @ ISO200
(Hip Shot)


Or shoot from the chest, with a pre focus point:

"Visiting Max Brenner"
5D, 50/1.4
F/4 @ 1/250s @ ISO400


And you don’t “look suspicious” – but it is you who “feels suspicious” and this feeling is transferred to acting suspiciously.

This feeling can be removed by carrying your camera EVERYWHERE.

And also - just talk to people. “Candid” does not necessarily mean they don’t know you are there – many people are quite happy for their “candid” picture to be taken – and they will play to the camera for you.

Even Pphotographing kids at close range - despite all the hoo-haa about people carrying cameras - which I ignore: most people actually like their photo being taken.

It mostly depends upon how YOU act and how you INTER-act with people:


"Love Those Glasses"
5D, 24/1.4
F/9 @ 1/400s @ ISO100


WW

[Camellia]

I like your advice Bill. I will act on it.

R

[William W]

I'm getting really paranoid about people having a go at me over taking photos in public places - silly but true.

What does "having a go at me" mean specifically?
What do they do?
What do they say?
How do you act?
How do you re-act?
Where are you exactly when this happens the most?
Describe yourself.
What type of person generally "has a go" at you?

You can't solve the problem unless you critically define it and then dissect it and then know what is causing it.

WW

[Camellia]

What does "having a go at me" mean specifically?
What do they do?
What do they say?
How do you act?
How do you re-act?
Where are you exactly when this happens the most?
Describe yourself.
What type of person generally "has a go" at you?

You can't solve the problem unless you critically define it and then dissect it and then know what is causing it.

WW

You're right Bill. It's my own self-consciousness that is the problem. I'm a fairly quiet, reserved, shy person. When I am visiting Melbourne, I feel quite comfortable with my camera because there are lots of other people with cameras on the streets. In Canberra, I feel a bit obvious. I see suburban scenes that I'd like to photograph but I'm worried that people will wonder what I'm up to. It is my own insecurity that is the cause of my paranoia.

R

[William W]

Where are all the photographers who should be taking photographs of us taking photographs of them? I think photographers make the best candid subjects.

“Hipshot at Airport”



“Tourists Capturing City Nightscape”



“Girl Photographing Surfers at Beach”


“Venue Reconnoitre - Windows; Mirrors; Tight Spaces, Fun, Fun, Fun”

WW

[William W]

You're right Bill. It's my own self-consciousness that is the problem. I'm a fairly quiet, reserved, shy person. When I am visiting Melbourne, I feel quite comfortable with my camera because there are lots of other people with cameras on the streets. In Canberra, I feel a bit obvious. I see suburban scenes that I'd like to photograph but I'm worried that people will wonder what I'm up to. It is my own insecurity that is the cause of my paranoia.

R

Good morning Raylee,

The underlined bit is your answer.

Simply go out with the "job" of taking Urban Scenes for your camera club assignment.
If anyone asks you what you are doing just say "I am taking pictures of urban scenes for my amateur camera club assignment, my teacher, Bill said we need to practice a lot, to get good at Photography."

WW

[Camellia]

Thanks Bill. I'll do that.



R

[Shadowman]

“Hipshot at Airport”



“Tourists Capturing City Nightscape”



“Girl Photographing Surfers at Beach”


“Venue Reconnoitre - Windows; Mirrors; Tight Spaces, Fun, Fun, Fun”

WW

Very nice, you don't often see a photographer's companion taking interest in what is being photographed.

[William W]

Very nice, you don't often see a photographer's companion taking interest in what is being photographed.

HA!
Thanks for the nice comment. . .
A perceptive eye I think you have
I have collected those shots over many years . . .
I quite like the theme . . .


"Photographer & Assistant" (Water Colour)
5D 135/2
F/2 @ 1/30s @ ISO1600 H.H. Manual Exp. Available Light


I think that is enough from me for a time, I have been a little bit of a piggy at the table on this one - someone else's turn to chat.

WW

[William W]

I'll do that.



R

Brava!

WW

[Camellia]

and




Learn how to hip shoot:

"My Favourite Barista"
5D, 24L
F2.8 @ 1/125s @ ISO800 (Hip Shot)

and


"Tonight"
20D, 50/1.4
F/2.8 @ 1/100s @ ISO200
(Hip Shot)


Or shoot from the chest, with a pre focus point:

"Visiting Max Brenner"
5D, 50/1.4
F/4 @ 1/250s @ ISO400



"Love Those Glasses"
5D, 24/1.4
F/9 @ 1/400s @ ISO100


WW

Bill

When you shoot from the hip, what settings do you use on the camera? It'd be a bit hard to use manual for such a spontaneous shot.

Thanks

R

[William W]

When you shoot from the hip, what settings do you use on the camera? It'd be a bit hard to use manual for such a spontaneous shot

Not necessarily - manual mode does not pose as many problems as you might first think and often it is the best mode to use.


However, that is a good question and I had to go to the files to check - and then I had to think about how I pulled each shot and what I was doing at the time I pulled it - that was really difficult - - - don't ask too many questions like that, hey!

*

“Barista” was Program AE Mode with Program Shift engaged / Spot Meter / AWB

(Rationale – I set “P” while walking up the street – had poke in the window and did a quick meter reading to check that the DoF would be OK if the camera was in P mode. Walked in the main door. Aligned camera and AF and had AE set to Spot Meter to get the shadow side (averaging metering likely would underexpose the shadow)

*

“Tonight” was Tv Mode / Pattern (averaging) Metering / AWB

(Rationale – I was shooting a Wedding and had Tv set because I was using Flash Fill – didn’t want to make changes to the camera as B&G were about to make a move. I saw these two and liked the shot – I knew sans flash I had enough DoF and that distance – the only mistake was the Tv was too slow and I got her hand movement blur – but in some ways that adds to the picture story)

*

“Max Brenner” was Manual Mode / Spot Meter / AWB

(Rationale – I was sitting at the next table – easy to get a Meter reading in that situation – not necessarily off his face. Easy to get AF – not necessarily of f his face – just needed to judge the distance accurately and lock both AE and AF)



All shots:
AF is switched to “*”
AF engaged
ONE SHOT AF
AF at Centre Point ONLY
Single Drive
Shoot RAW + JPEG (L)
Thumb over viewfinder for "Barista" and "Tonight".

***

What camera(s) do you have?
What lenses?

Best to practice at the wide, at first to get your aim OK
Best to know DoF and how it realtes to "The Shot"
Manaul Mode has a great advantage in that you do not need to cover the viewfinder.

If I might link to this:http://photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=972502

Study the Cats - open the first picture and read the title - you don't always need a light meter.



WW

[Camellia]

Hi Bill

I have a Canon 500D. My favourite lens for general photography is the 24-105mm L series. I use my 60mm macro a lot for flowers etc. I have the 100-400mm L series that I'm trying to get the hang of. I also have the 50mm f1.4, 10-22mm and the 18-200mm kit lens.

Sorry but I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for in the cats. I'm guessing that you spot metered because I can see the detail in the cat's fur. Maybe around the cat's chest for the mid tones?

I checked out some of your other photos. I'm curious about the Statues in the Garden of a Genius - is that the Norman Lindsay home in the Blue Mountains? I have a soft spot for Norman Lindsay. I went to his home as a child but wasn't allowed in some of the rooms because the pictures were 'too rude'. I remember the Magic Pudding display and that's probably where my copy of the book was bought. I vaguely remember the gardens. I really must go back there.

R

[William W]

I have a Canon 500D. My favourite lens for general photography is the 24-105mm L series. I use my 60mm macro a lot for flowers etc. I have the 100-400mm L series that I'm trying to get the hang of. I also have the 50mm f1.4, 10-22mm and the 18-200mm kit lens.
Sorry but I'm not quite sure what I'm looking for in the cats.
I checked out some of your other photos.
I'm curious about the Statues in the Garden of a Genius - is that the Norman Lindsay home in the Blue Mountains?

Good evening.
You have an awesome lens collection – I expect you are a very keen Photographer.
The 10 to 22 would be good to practice hip shooting – I expect a good shot of Julia next week, please.
I did not use any light meter whatsoever for the Cat – that was the point of directing you to that link: to show you that a light meter is not necessary for every shot. The Cat is Front Lit by Sunlight. The shot was taken between the hours of 10:00am and 4:00pm in Summer time – if you can’t work it out I will tell you the answer, but just think on it a bit longer.
Yes, good memory: Norman Lindsay’s Garden. With the utmost respect, I choose disagree with those folk who made that choice for you – Lindsay was not rude – he was indeed, a genius.
If you feel inclined I would like to “check out” some of your photos – if not that’s OK too.

Nice chatting, you seem a very pleasant person.

WW

[rpcrowe]

A large camera doesn't necessarily have to eliminate getting candid shots. The more familiar you are with your equipment and the faster you can operate it, the better chance you have of shooting unobserved despite using a large camera/lens.

This is one of my favorite candid shots... I was leaving a lacquer shop in Xi'an, China and saw These young People's Liberation Army soldiers lining up. Their officer was shouting to our tour, "NO CAMERA - NO PICTURES!"

I slapped my Canon 30D on P mode and self timer; with my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens at 17mm. The camera was hanging from a neck strap. I faced away from the soldiers towards my tour members and hit the shutter button. Then I turned towards the soldiers with my hands off the camera and waited for the self timer to trip the shutter. I shot several exposures this way and got this one.


However, using a longer focal length lens can allow you to shoot from a greater distance and to isolate your subjects while they are unawares of your camera; like this shot done with a 70-200mm f/4L IS lens. This is one of my favorite lenses for street photography...


And then there are times when your subject or subjects are unaware of your camera because they are so involved with their own activity such as these guys lifting a big Buddha statue onto a truck...


Or you can be unobserved when a pair of lovers are interested in each other and the rest of the world is outside of their interest...


Using a pair of cameras allows me a wide focal range at my finger tips. Using the fast focusing capability of my Canon lenses I can shoot very quickly. I most often carry the two cameras with 17-55mm and 70-200mm f/4L IS lenses mounted. This way I have a focal range of 17-200mm (I don't miss the 55-70mm gap). I pretty well know which of the two lenses I need for any shot...

[rpcrowe]

However, I agree that photographers, especially in places like China are often great subjects...









Even a photographer shooting a photographer. I wonder what HIS shot looked like!


http://rpcrowe.smugmug.com/