Practicing photojournalism

[Lazy Photographer]

I went to a couple of events, one a celebration for India winning the world cup of cricket and the other a protest rally of socialists who don't understand how democracy or money works. I've always been attracted to photojournalism and most of the photos below are my first real attempt at it. A couple I already know are too dark to be considered truly journalistic in nature, but I like the mood of them.

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[thierry]

great shots my friend!

 

[Lazy Photographer]

Thanks.

 

[imagemaker46]

Some nice images, well done. Some look like they were shot down on Yonge Street.

 

[photocist]

Last shot is my fave. Did you just walk up and take the shot or ask the guy?

 

[Lazy Photographer]

IM46: The first few are from Dundas Square, which is Yonge St. and Dundas. #4 is Queen St. just west of Yonge and the last one is in front of City Hall.

Photocist: I took a couple of quick shots without him know, I call them hip shots. Then I started talking to the guy and once he seemed comfortable asked for his photo. He asked what's it for and I said oh nothing really, I'm just an amateur who likes shooting people. It was shot with my new Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens.

Thanks.

 

[photocist]

Thanks for the info. I really want to start to get candid/ posed shots of people on the street but im afraid for some reason. thanks again!

 

[Lazy Photographer]

Thanks for the info. I really want to start to get candid/ posed shots of people on the street but im afraid for some reason. thanks again!

I was the same way. How I worked it out was to start by trading homeless people a couple of bucks for their photo. Then one day I went out and made it a game to see just how many people I could get to say No to being photographed. I thought it would be easier to have rejection as a goal. That day I managed to get more people agreeing to let me photograph them than at any other time. Eventually you get to a point where the fear dissipates. I find nowadays people think I'm shooting for a newspaper or magazine because of how utterly fearless I am in my approach. I mostly don't ask but when I do I simply tell then, "I'm going to take your photo, okay?" and then just take it. I'll even move them into good lighting if the lighting's bad. But to get to that level of comfort you have to take the first step. I suggest on your next outing set a goal for yourself to approach one person for a photo. It's easier if you're with another photographer, I find. Best of luck.