How do you shoot candids on the street

[LBL2009]

My 18-55mm lens does not allow me to zoom in at people at far distance and I don't have the courage of pointing my camera at people nearer to me for fear of offending them.

How do you take candids on people without a zoom lens?

 

[Rashkae]

You can still take full-body candids. Patience is a virtue.

But if you want to focus on the faces, get a telephoto lens like the 18-250, which will also be a nice walkabout replacement for your 18-55.

 

[mstennett]

Just take the photo and if the person sees you go up and show them the picture and thank them...you might get a second close up... far more interesting for street photography is to engage the subject...walk up to people.. smile, ask politely and you'll be amazed at how friendly most people are... On a recent walk of Little India.. out of about 18 people.. only 3 (very polite) knockbacks.. and one free ice lemon tea... use you 18mm and get in close.. ie 3 feet away.. try it..!!!

 

[Dream Merchant]

Just take the photo and if the person sees you go up and show them the picture and thank them...you might get a second close up... far more interesting for street photography is to engage the subject...walk up to people.. smile, ask politely and you'll be amazed at how friendly most people are... On a recent walk of Little India.. out of about 18 people.. only 3 (very polite) knockbacks.. and one free ice lemon tea... use you 18mm and get in close.. ie 3 feet away.. try it..!!!

Congrats on your success at LI.

I would have to say though, that shooting candids at Little India is different that most other parts of Singapore. Over there, most LI denizens LOVE being photographed.

But you do have a valid point - be nice and SMILE and one might be surprised at how non-hostile folks on the streets can be.

 

[zac08]

My 18-55mm lens does not allow me to zoom in at people at far distance and I don't have the courage of pointing my camera at people nearer to me for fear of offending them.

How do you take candids on people without a zoom lens?

Just stand in front of them and shoot openly.

I tried tat once with just a 50mm at Orchard road and the results were interesting. Those who hid their faces or turned away, I'll leave them alone. Those sporting enough are pretty nice as subjects.

There are some examples in my Flickr site. Street album

 

[sidloojl]

be thick skin..lol.

 

[night86mare]

My 18-55mm lens does not allow me to zoom in at people at far distance and I don't have the courage of pointing my camera at people nearer to me for fear of offending them.

How do you take candids on people without a zoom lens?

and the part in red is the problem.

what do you have to lose?

 

[LBL2009]

Be polite and smile, no problems. Thick skin will take some time or start saving money for a 50-200mm lens. :embrass:

 

[catchlights]

Be polite and smile, no problems. Thick skin will take some time or start saving money for a 50-200mm lens. :embrass:

or just wear like a tourist, mostly likely you can get away with shooting people up close, except some places notorious for beating up tourists you should avoid.

 

[welspain]

My 18-55mm lens does not allow me to zoom in at people at far distance and I don't have the courage of pointing my camera at people nearer to me for fear of offending them.

How do you take candids on people without a zoom lens?

thats where the excitement is...

 

[LBL2009]

or just wear like a tourist, mostly likely you can get away with shooting people up close, except some places notorious for beating up tourists you should avoid.

Was at Joo Chiat road few days ago shooting the shop houses and back lanes. I didn't point my camera at people, especially the women. Don't know the area and thought I better be safe.

 

[Octarine]

Was at Joo Chiat road few days ago shooting the shop houses and back lanes. I didn't point my camera at people, especially the women. Don't know the area and thought I better be safe.

The difference between citizens and 'night workers' should be obvious. Avoid the latter ones. Sometimes it helps not to pay attention to the people but pretend to snap some house or object just nearby. Let them 'accidentally' be in the frame.

 

[deepanshus]

or just wear like a tourist, mostly likely you can get away with shooting people up close, except some places notorious for beating up tourists you should avoid.

which places are these?

 

[LBL2009]

Sometimes it helps not to pay attention to the people but pretend to snap some house or object just nearby. Let them 'accidentally' be in the frame.

Yes. Have to learn this.

 

[atomboy]

How bout resting your camera in front of you around your stomach area, fix the focus, and just keep snapping away as you walk? After a while, you should get a feel of what you are shooting I think

 

[zac08]

How bout resting your camera in front of you around your stomach area, fix the focus, and just keep snapping away as you walk? After a while, you should get a feel of what you are shooting I think

Just shoot normally.. shooting from the hip would be easier with rangefinders or if you're using wide lenses. But you won't get much keepers tat way.

Just compose and shoot carefully.

 

[PennyLane]

Street photography sounds interesting, but I don't know if i'm thick skinned enough to snap at close range. Hmmm....

 

[zac08]

Street photography sounds interesting, but I don't know if i'm thick skinned enough to snap at close range. Hmmm....

you only have to try it out a few times to get the hang of it...

 

[pinholecam]

My 18-55mm lens does not allow me to zoom in at people at far distance and I don't have the courage of pointing my camera at people nearer to me for fear of offending them.

How do you take candids on people without a zoom lens?

Know what is the 'stand off' distance you need for the shot (eg. head to waist level shots,) with the focal length you are using (Eg. 2m for 28mm). Set to manual focus and prefocus to 2m on the lens. Set to a f stop that will give you good enough DOF (eg. f5.6). Single out your subject ahead (not last minute). Move-in, get into range (Eg. 2m as set on your lens), bring up camera, snap. Thats it. Often fast enough before the subject knows or can react. Usually faster than fiddling with camera auto focus.

 

[LBL2009]

Know what is the 'stand off' distance you need for the shot (eg. head to waist level shots,) with the focal length you are using (Eg. 2m for 28mm). Set to manual focus and prefocus to 2m on the lens. Set to a f stop that will give you good enough DOF (eg. f5.6). Single out your subject ahead (not last minute). Move-in, get into range (Eg. 2m as set on your lens), bring up camera, snap. Thats it. Often fast enough before the subject knows or can react. Usually faster than fiddling with camera auto focus.

:thumbsup: Very good advice. Thanks a lot.