Need advice for street photography

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d_gogarty

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Hello all, I am new to photography and am currently trying to take a series of photos of an area where I grew up, the purpose of which is to create a series of images that are descriptive of the area as a whole.

I feel that the people are an important part of this image and this is where I'm having an issue. When people see me with pointing the camera I generally get an horrible look or they will dive out of the way as if I was pointing a gun! I have also approached people to ask them for a portrait with no luck.

I would appreciate any advice on ways of getting those natural looking photos that just show people going about their everyday.

Thanks :)
 
d_gogarty said:
Hello all, I am new to photography and am currently trying to take a series of photos of an area where I grew up, the purpose of which is to create a series of images that are descriptive of the area as a whole.

I feel that the people are an important part of this image and this is where I'm having an issue. When people see me with pointing the camera I generally get an horrible look or they will dive out of the way as if I was pointing a gun! I have also approached people to ask them for a portrait with no luck.

I would appreciate any advice on ways of getting those natural looking photos that just show people going about their everyday.

Thanks :)
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My main tip is to use a longish lens, my "weapon of choice" is a Sigma 150mm 2.8. Another is to ry and let people walk into the shot - point the camera not directly at them but at a point they are heading towards, that way they think you are shooting something else. Final tip is worry less about getting the shot right - point, shoot and move on.

Good Luck.
 
I use a 30mm, for street I feel the need to be up close and personal, not quite far away with a zoom. You're certainly not going to capture a 'natural looking photo' if you're asking people if you can take a shot. The key is to get the job done without necessarily intruding on their space, and get to a point where by the time they've realised you've done it, you're gone.
 
The area I'm photographing is Barking in East London [ http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barking ] where I grew up 15 years ago. I suppose its kind of a run down area which is currently undergoing some redevelopment. I have photographed much of the area ie. buildings, parks, shops, graffiti etc but I think photos of the people are essential to give an insight into what the place is all about.

As an amateur I have no fancy kit, just a Lumix FZ38 and an old Fuji point and click.
 
hmm , depending on time of day/night, the longest lens you can get hold of, give you a head start that way ;)
 
Dman said:
I use a 30mm, for street I feel the need to be up close and personal, not quite far away with a zoom. You're certainly not going to capture a 'natural looking photo' if you're asking people if you can take a shot. The key is to get the job done without necessarily intruding on their space, and get to a point where by the time they've realised you've done it, you're gone.
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Surely using a 30mm lens completely contradicts the approach you describe? I love my 30mm, but there's no doubt that my subjects are aware of me when I'm using it, as such a short focal length requires me to 'intrude' on the subject's space, therefore precluding my ability to capture a 'natural' (read candid) looking picture. Most of my favourite street shots (but by no means all) are candid shots, this is where I find the 70-200 comes in handy :thumbs:
 
Depends on you and how you are with people (and photography). Shorter focal length (35mm on a 35mm camera is the 'traditional standard' for street photography) and get in amongst the people you want to photograph.

It depends where you are, how busy it is, etc, etc. but generally if you're in with the people, doing the same things they're doing, they won't take notice of you. If you're stood 15 feet away sniping them, they'll be more likely to notice.

A 200mm lens has to be pointed right at them, with a 20mm lens you could be stood next to them pointing the camera past them / at a completely different angle, and still have them fill half the frame.
 
Jayst84 said:
Depends on you and how you are with people (and photography). Shorter focal length (35mm on a 35mm camera is the 'traditional standard' for street photography) and get in amongst the people you want to photograph.

It depends where you are, how busy it is, etc, etc. but generally if you're in with the people, doing the same things they're doing, they won't take notice of you. If you're stood 15 feet away sniping them, they'll be more likely to notice.

A 200mm lens has to be pointed right at them, with a 20mm lens you could be stood next to them pointing the camera past them / at a completely different angle, and still have them fill half the frame.
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Doing the same thing they're doing...? No disrespect, but I find this all a bit flowery. So you're out taking street pics with your 5D + grip + 35mm lens (which is pretty damn wide for a full-frame, I'd say 50mm), and you get amongst a bunch of people and they're not going to notice you? Uh.. lol. A shorter FL will come in handy if you're standing in the thick of a crowd, but you're not going to get many 'natural looking' pics, coz people are going to be aware of the whacking great big black thing you're pointing in their faces. :lol: And seeing that the OP said I am new to photography, I think a longer lens would be his best bet as he builds up his confidence :thumbs:

But coming back to Dman's post that I was commenting on; I find

Dman said:
I use a 30mm, for street I feel the need to be up close and personal
Click to expand...
directly contradicts..
Dman said:
The key is to get the job done without necessarily intruding on their space
Click to expand...

...maybe it's just me, but being up close and personal without intruding on their space is a bit of an oxymoron.. :eek::lol:
 
Nifkin said:
Doing the same thing they're doing...? No disrespect, but I find this all a bit flowery. So you're out taking street pics with your 5D + grip + 35mm lens (which is pretty damn wide for a full-frame, I'd say 50mm)...
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A bit flowery yes, but still true. Sometimes you're going to get eye contact, but the case may be that you want it, it doesn't mean that it's not still a natural moment.

I don't have a 35mm lens (I wish I did) so I do most of my street photography with a 5D, grip and 24-70 L with a great honking lens hood on. Far more conspicuous. I still do alright though.

35mm isn't that wide at all. Just down to personal preference and how you like to shoot. You'll get over your nerves far quicker if you get stuck in and do it, rather than hiding round the corner sniping people.

Each to their own though, you (the OP) can see some street stuff on my website for how a shorter focal length can work (or not as the case may be). The majority was shot with the set up I mention above, bar two shots I think, one taken at 200mm and one at 400mm. (Should be easy enough to spot).
 
ive got to garee with James ,,get in close and become part of the scene ,most people end up ignoring you ,then you can get the pics ,if you go sneaking aroung with a long lens you'll stand out like a sore thumb .
 
I prefer to use a shorter lens - in the 'old' days it was a 28mm or 35mm lens, now it's a 17-35mm.
But I also use a 70-200 for those tight head-shots that you sometimes need.

I'm also coming round to the idea that if I'm likely to be doing any serious photography in a particular area, I might just phone the local plod and let them know in advance that I'll be there.

I know all the arguments pro and con and I'm loath to admit that might come to this, but I think advance warning that a group of toggers would be out with cameras would go a long way to avoiding any confrontations and let us get on with what we went there for in the first place - taking photos.
I know what I'm like and at the first hint of any percieved obstruction, I'd get all loud and lairy and that'd be the end of that day's shooting - not ideal.

Street photography is difficult enough as it is, without looking over our shoulders waiting for a jumped-up community-liaison officer to wade in...

Just email them with a mobile number and a rough idea of when and where you might be, would, I think be enough.
It also shows them a level of courtesy that will go a long, long way to assuaging any fears they might have that photographers are being deliberately confrontational.
 
Thanks all that's very helpful. I agree with Simon that the bigger camera may be a problem when getting amongst it, maybe I'll try just taking 'snaps' with a point and shoot camera as I walk around. Perhaps the larger camera is better for more considered photos where I have a chance to set up my position and the frame?
 
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