Lets Have A 'Brave Day'

Hmmm I doubt that mini, but I guess you never can tell, I am shy and not very confident about myself, but then I guess I can hide behind my camera now :) Looking forward to the meet though.
 
Well we had a good chat, so you're not as shy as you think you are ;)
 
I am shy until I get to know people and start to feel relaxed, never really talk to people on my own have to spend some time with them first, and as such it takes me time to make friends, took me ages of talking to matt in a chat room on the internet before I met him :) and look what happened there.
 
Ok then, any advice any of you can give me about doing street photography, do you ask people before taking the photos if so what do you say, or do you just snap away, what sort of places are good places to go?
 
It depends on the type of images you're after.
If you're starting out, I would recommend jumping in at the deep end: Use a short focal-length, which forces you to move in close and ask your subjects first - after a couple of moments, you'll forget your trepidation and be worrying about exposure and compositions anyway.
Don't be afraid to ask your subject to move around a bit either. Work the subject - go for a wide establishing shot, then a medium shot and then a close-up. Move round the subject - shoot various angles from high medium and low viewpoints.
Once you have a subject that's willing to let you work them, don't waste the opportunity - take lots of images - there's nothing worse than just taking a couple of hurried snaps and then thinking later - "ooohhh I should have done this or that while I had the chance..."

Do NOT - forget to thank your subject for their time.
If you offer them a print - or emailed image - send it to them asap or keep in touch to explain the delay - act like a professional and you'll be treated like one.

You don't say where you're from - start with an area that's familiar to you.
 
Thanks for that, I live in Bradford, but I was meaning what kind of area, town, market, shops, park. Matt has the car today so cant go far today, although could get the bus, might go out this afternoon or tomorrow and give it a try. Ohhhhh nervous now just thinking about it.
 
When I tried it Sue I didn't have the confidence to approach people as Rob suggests above. I used my 300mm and kept well back! IMO if you ask people first or let them know what you are doing then you loose the whole candid nature of the shots.
 
Dont know if i have the confidence to go up to people but I guess it would give different shots, might have to take both lenses out with me and swap over, might even pinch my 50mm back from matt.
Will also have to have a play with makro lenses matt has, never really used it properly. Another uncomfortable area for me.
 
OK, but even for candids, you should try and use a short lens, otherwise they end up looking like Police surveillance photos - and any monkey can be taught to do that.

I feel another Street Photography Masterclass coming on...

Best to start with are markets - lots of people milling round, all intent on what they're doing and not bothered about you. If they do make eye contact, for God's sake smile and explain, don't just look furtive and hurry away.
Some traders may be reticent about being photographed as they may be on the Social and will think you're working for the DSS or something. That's why I say ask first.
Watch the subject then shoot them when they're serving a customer - and talk to the subject, don't hide behind the camera. Soon enough they'll forget what you're up to and go back to doing whatever it was that attracted your attention in the first place.
 
Sue - I'd find it as scary as you would I think, but I can certainly see the logic of what Rob's saying about market traders etc being good. It's got to be easier to approach someone like that who talks to people for a living. You could even consider picking a quiet moment and going up with camera round neck and starting by buying yourself an apple or something to give you the impetus to go to the stall in the first place.

I did my first "asked" street shot on Saturday too - my two Policemen! Bearing in mind how worried I'd been I gave myself a massive pat on the back for that! :thumbs: Go for it - you might surprise yourself!
 
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