=Capture a stranger street style=

[javier]

Javier, I am pretty new to this site, and have not even posted a picture yet, looking for a good place to jump in, so to speak. I have to say you have an amazing body of work, something to be really proud of. I wish I had the moxy you do, as other also have. I love street work but have yet to really overcome my fear of offending. I bang around the safe places, use telephoto lens so I keep my distance. Well I recently have said "no more" and gotten back into my prime lens'. I have not yet gone through this entire thread, but I will soon. I had read your comments as well as others and have been energized, I am getting out there, Thanks. :thumbup:

Thank you very much. I appreciate the kind words. I will tell ya. The best way to do some street shooting is with short primes, or very short zooms. If you check the exif on my images, the longest lenses I use are 35mm, but most are with my 24mm primes. I like short lenses because it is more personal. I never hide and am obvious when I shoot folks. Often times dropping down to one knee right in front of them to get eye contact and usually a smile, though not always..For me, it does come pretty easy but it does take a little time to get the confidence needed.. I have been asked more times than I can count on techniques I use. I will look for some and post them up here. Thank you again.
Street photography is never boring, even when I come back with nothing

 

[jensgt]

I was wondering that...I would be nervous to be that obvious about taking peoples pictures...but then I think it makes a huge difference living around DC people are so private and uptight about things...just the short time I spent hanging around Venice Beach and that area...its probably not that big a deal to people. A lot less bothersome than the people asking for money, or trying to put headphones on your head to hear their new cd they have for sale. A fascinating place, but very different from east coast for sure. I wish I could move out there...

 

[javier]

I was wondering that...I would be nervous to be that obvious about taking peoples pictures...but then I think it makes a huge difference living around DC people are so private and uptight about things...just the short time I spent hanging around Venice Beach and that area...its probably not that big a deal to people. A lot less bothersome than the people asking for money, or trying to put headphones on your head to hear their new cd they have for sale. A fascinating place, but very different from east coast for sure. I wish I could move out there...

Actually not really. I have shot in many places all over the country and various countries and it is pretty much the same. Heck, I have shot in some really bad, nasty areas and yea, I get cussed out and even threatened, but I still get the shot. You need to know your limit. But the biggest mistake in street photography ''imo'' is being sneaky. If you get caught, it could get ugly then. Where as if your obvious and get caught as I do all the time, it is no big deal. Worst case, they will ask you to delete the image of which, I really don't have too, but I do anyway and move on...Most people will ask me to email them the pic, or apologize for getting in my way...I always have buisness cards with my web address and email that I hand out as well...This also helps with creditability.

My personal working range for my street images is 5 feet to 20 feet, sometimes 30, but that is getting to far already.

 

[jensgt]

Thats cool. Next summer I might go down to Ocean City (MD) and sit on the boardwalk and try this.

 

[javier]

 

[johngpt]

Light, shadow, composition in this is superb Javier.

:thumbup:

 

[javier]

Thank you John. I always appreciate your comments. Here was the first one I took of that scene.

 

[johngpt]

LOL, nice juxtaposition of mannekin and person! Each looking away!

 

[javier]

LOL, nice juxtaposition of mannekin and person! Each looking away!

Yes, I have found and I am always looking for images that do portray a juxtaposition. Those usually make for good street shots, but are also not very common, so often I need to use my imagination.

 

[johngpt]

Would have been funny if you called out to her, asking her to look where the mannekin was looking!

 

[javier]

We had a rare rain today, so I took the opportunity to go out and have some fun. I know rain is common in many places, but not in my part of the world....So when it rains, it is hip, hip, hooray!!

Pentax K20D with DA*50-135f/2.8...It is a weather resistant set up and it felt good to put it to the test...But boy was I drenched by the time I got home. So much fun....

 

[johngpt]

Getting this when trying to quote and reply.

It's popping up with anything I click on related to TPF.

 

[T-town photographer]

I really love the this shot

Michael

 

[johngpt]

That's the one I wanted to comment on, but then it wouldn't let me. I can post Quick Reply.

 

[johngpt]

I really love the this shot

Michael

Aha, if I use Firefox rather than Safari, I can navigate around the site without the malware warning popping up!

So now I can also say how much I like this one Javier!