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DJ-S1 · September 16, 2004

Well, this isn't exactly street photography, but it is one of the few photos I've ever taken of someone I don't know. This was taken at a local fair at a farm; this is right in front of the entrance to the corn maze, where some folks were waiting for their kids/grandkids to emerge.

As soon as I saw her, I knew there was a something good there. But as I went to actually take a picture, I got freaked out. So I just snapped this quickly (almost before I got the camera to my eye!) and walked away!

Afterwards I was laughing at myself... I have a long way to go to emulate Andy!

So I'm curious, would you have taken this shot, would you have moved around a bit, is there even a good shot in there or am I dreaming... thanks in advance!

Andy · September 16, 2004

congrats on a good effort, dj

i might have gone to the opposite side of the bench, and crouched lower. shooting wide really helps, too.

you got the 'fast' part down, that's important! i'm usually in/out in a second or two.

keep up the good work and attitude!

ginger_55 · September 16, 2004

andy wrote:

congrats on a good effort, dj

i might have gone to the opposite side of the bench, and crouched lower. shooting wide really helps, too.

you got the 'fast' part down, that's important! i'm usually in/out in a second or two.

keep up the good work and attitude!

Would you have asked permission first, or would you have crouched, snapped and run?

g

DJ-S1 · September 17, 2004

andy wrote:

i might have gone to the opposite side of the bench, and crouched lower. shooting wide really helps, too.

Yeah, that cart thing is annoying. Problem is, from the other side I'd be shooting into the sun. I've been having trouble with shots like that, either the shadows are pitch black or the highlights are totally gone. Not that I thought of walking around to the other side, of course! Next time I'll do more scoping before I shoot.

Thanks for the tips, Obi Wan!

pathfinder · September 17, 2004

DJ-S1 wrote:

Yeah, that cart thing is annoying. Problem is, from the other side I'd be shooting into the sun. I've been having trouble with shots like that, either the shadows are pitch black or the highlights are totally gone. Not that I thought of walking around to the other side, of course! Next time I'll do more scoping before I shoot.

Thanks for the tips, Obi Wan!

Why shoot into or away from the sun? Take advantage of the light and shoot the lady on the left from a frontal view with sidelighting - might work better and avoid the garden utensils as well. I always like sidelighting if I can find it, and if the shadows aren't so profound that they ruin the image.

Here is a shot taken with sidelighting to use the shadow as a picture element....

And here is a low angle light used to illuminate a child's face in tag football

Andy · September 17, 2004

ginger_55 wrote:

Would you have asked permission first, or would you have crouched, snapped and run?

g

crouch, snap, and move on. dear, i don't "run" for anybody

gubbs · September 17, 2004

Another benefit of going wide, people are unsure if they are the subject because the camera isn't pointing directly at them....

I think this guy guessed though?? or maybe he was just wondering why i was sitting on the floor

wxwax · September 17, 2004

gubbs wrote:

Another benefit of going wide, people are unsure if they are the subject because the camera isn't pointing directly at them....

I think this guy guessed though?? or maybe he was just wondering why i was sitting on the floor

I've done it that way myself. I think having an unobtrusive camera helps a lot, too. Have a honking L lens seems to draw attention. The benefit of the G3's flip out screen is that you can be shooting someone, but because you're looking in a different direction, they sort of assume you're not taking their pic.

Andy · September 17, 2004

i want them to know

wxwax wrote:

I've done it that way myself. I think having an unobtrusive camera helps a lot, too. Have a honking L lens seems to draw attention. The benefit of the G3's flip out screen is that you can be shooting someone, but because you're looking in a different direction, they sort of assume you're not taking their pic.

but i still don't shoot with my 70-200L

i walk right thru / by my scene, usually with my 16-35L aboard. they know what i'm doing.

DJ-S1 · September 17, 2004

Being a noob, I find it much easier to frame with the evf than with the flip out screen. So it's sort of a give-away what I'm doing! My little S1 does have a pretty unobtrusive 330mm lens though, so I could use that to my advantage...

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