[gazebi]

I'm pretty new to photography and i don't have a dslr or anything but i've been looking around flickr at candid photography and i'm love with it. I want to practice capturing moments of pure, unposed, emotion or action because i think it's so beautiful. I want to be able make some really interesting shots and well.. everyone has to start somewhere.

I'm just wondering how to get started - how do other photographers go around snapping these moments without being noticed? That's my biggest worry, i don't want to be confronted with a - "Why are you taking pictures of me, you creep!" or something like that. Anyone do candid photography?
There's gay pride coming up on soon in my city, that would be a good place to start right? I think i'd be able to get some great shots there because it's full of vibrancy, fun and of course pride and happiness

[ehc]

Magnum Photos is a great source of inspiration for this kind of thing (and there's link's to each photographer's websites/articles where you can find interviews and more useful things). It's great for learning about and seeing the progression through the decades of photojournalism.

I'm not exactly a ~photographer~ by any means, but what I was told was "Just go out and take pictures." You'll get more used to it, and with digital photography, however cheap your camera, you can afford to take hundreds of photos. Just get as much practise in as you can; Take your camera everywhere.

[DanBrwn]

>get started with candid photography
>dont want to be confronted with a - "Why are you taking pictures of me, you creep"
If you think you can take photographs of people on the street with out being confronted at all, you're going to have a bad time.


-Learn some phrases to disarm people who are pissed off
-Learn your rights as a photographer
-Smile kindly if someone looks at you like "the **** you doing"
-Dont use anything bigger than a 70mm lens, people see a big lens and think "PERVERT!"
-Use film, you cant delete a photograph on film (use this when you are a little more seasoned in the practice)
-Dont photograph in the style of Bruce Gilden
-Learn to push yourself to take the photos you are too shy to take


Also, post an update to let us know how you get on

[gazebi]

(Original post by ehc)
Magnum Photos is a great source of inspiration for this kind of thing (and there's link's to each photographer's websites/articles where you can find interviews and more useful things). It's great for learning about and seeing the progression through the decades of photojournalism.

I'm not exactly a ~photographer~ by any means, but what I was told was "Just go out and take pictures." You'll get more used to it, and with digital photography, however cheap your camera, you can afford to take hundreds of photos. Just get as much practise in as you can; Take your camera everywhere.

Thanks I'll have a look around that website and just go out and do it.

[gazebi]

(Original post by DanBrwn)
>get started with candid photography
>dont want to be confronted with a - "Why are you taking pictures of me, you creep"
If you think you can take photographs of people on the street with out being confronted at all, you're going to have a bad time.


-Learn some phrases to disarm people who are pissed off
-Learn your rights as a photographer
-Smile kindly if someone looks at you like "the **** you doing"
-Dont use anything bigger than a 70mm lens, people see a big lens and think "PERVERT!"
-Use film, you cant delete a photograph on film (use this when you are a little more seasoned in the practice)
-Dont photograph in the style of Bruce Gilden
-Learn to push yourself to take the photos you are too shy to take


Also, post an update to let us know how you get on

I thought so, this sort of thing is my weakness because i'm quite shy and careful and don't know what to do when confronted, but i guess i'll have to just see what happens and deal with situations when they happen. Not sure how, but we'll see Thank you!
I can't really use any lenses because i'm using a bridge camera, who is Bruce Gilden?
Thanks for your tips

[ehc]

That's Bruce Gilden.

[Nuffles]

I don't agree with that kind of street photography. It gets interesting shots but at the expense of intruding on somebody's personal space. If you want some really good street photography, then check out Humans Of New York. Each photograph comes with a short paragraph about the person/people in the frame. It's fascinating and beautifully done.