Color portraits and or photographs of people

Christina - I have problems taking (candid) shots of people

I think that when they (people) look at the camera and they know that you are taking a photo of them - it spoils the shot, (for me anyway) - with one of two exceptions

I really think it depends on the situation. For example, When I shoot people, I never hide that fact. I never sneak around. In fact, often, I will go out of my way to get noticed. Most folks want their picture taken, they just don't know it. :)
There are few times when someone will ask me why I took their picture. I always answer with the 100% truth what ever that truth is. Every now and again I will be asked to delete an image which I do, unless of course it is film. Every once
in a while I will get cussed out and I have been cussed out in languages I do not even know. But it is a part of the risk. But I have also had a couple dozen pictures published and picked up by various newspapers and have been used in brochures
and such. I try to introduce a personal element to my images. As far as the true candid, I love those as well. Those work great as well. It all comes down to context. Here are a few examples of some recent ones.

With his lady, I saw her and said..How about a smile pretty lady. Of which she did...I then gave her my card with name and email on it.
I emailed her a copy of it. I have ''hundreds'' of these types of images. These are the easiest for me to make.
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A few feet away, I came across this transaction. completely candid. I simply stuck my LX-5 in there and snapped away. They never
saw me even though I was 4-5 feet away from them.
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As I kept walking, I saw this scene in front of me and could not pass it up. I stood there, composed and shot my image. The fellow just stood there in disbelief almost.
But in the end, he did not care.
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Got to the corner, saw this scene, jingled my keys and as soon as one or both would turn, I would snap away, which I did.
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And on my way home, I met this fellow. His name is Troy and asked me to take his picture. I ended up buying him a chicken for lunch.
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Javier,

It is obvious to me, from looking at your photographs, that you not only have a very special talent for street photography, but that you are also very much a "people person."

Best regards,

Antonio
 
Not to worry, Javier, and thanks for these as well your description of how you go about photographing people on the streets!

Christina, I think your first shot is stronger and would try it as Antonio suggest by cropping in on the left more - and perhaps in black and white where we'd be more tuned into the moment and you could add more contrast? Just a thought.

JohnE, you all is forgiven for posting that most excellent portrait of that young woman hellbent on her cycling adventure! Love the intensity of the moment! She is so into it and so beautiful. Very touching. The colors are great! Love her glasses!

Brian, all I can say is "Get ready!";) Honestly, I'm sure all will be fine with you and your daughter as she continues on in her passage. Ours is now 21 and she's managed to do quite well. I know you and yours are very close so fret not, but please don't make he wear that armour on her dates!:D

Pelao, I am so glad to see you here from "across the hall" and what a way to introduce yourself with this beautiful portrait of your daughter!(y)

Great thread and let's keep it up!

Here is one from me, just to add to the image collection. It happens to be of my own daughter, taken when we went out with our cameras while she was home over our Thanksgiving. She's about to take a picture herself in this one.

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LX5
 
Pelao, I am so glad to see you here from "across the hall" and what a way to introduce yourself with this beautiful portrait of your daughter!
Hi BBW - thanks for the welcome. Glad to be here. Like the other place, there is just as much talk about photographs as there is gear. I love both...:D
 
Took these in Spain in September and no matter how I try I'm just not sure if they work. I took them at an odd angle to start with and that didn't help! Tried B & W, Sepia etc. etc. Shall I keep them or not? I like the way they mirror each other's body language.
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I meant to comment on this image earlier. To me, I see the second image as the one holding the moment.
I would title it...
Passing the time.

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Here is one from me, just to add to the image collection. It happens to be of my own daughter, taken when we went out with our cameras while she was home over our Thanksgiving. She's about to take a picture herself in this one.

5210506090_f000c12528_b.jpg

LX5
I love the way the slash of color in her hair echos the leaves still in the tree. I wonder if that also shows up in her self-portrait?

-Ray
 
Ray, Those are fantastic. There is a certain quality of film that I do not believe digital will ever match!. I especially like the second one with the boy chasing the flying rats. :)
 
Nikon D5000 user snapped by an Olympus E-P1 with Voigtlander 25mm f/0.95

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Paul 1 OV by peterb666, on Flickr

My idea of a group photo - the AusPhotography Christmas picnic shot with my Nikon D90 and a borrowed Nikon 80-200 f/2.8. While the camera is a cropped sensor job and I consider 'compact' the lens is somewhat substantial. Not as substantal as the Sigma 150-500 f/5.6-6.3 that I was playing with so I guess that isn't too much of a crime against the "compact" world...

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AP Sydney Meet Group Shot by peterb666, on Flickr
 
Javier, thanks for doctoring my "Passing the time" shot! It looks a lot better straightened and cropped. You made the decision that I could not and cut out a person:) Meant to thank you before but I forgot where I posted the image (I often do that:redface:)
 
Javier, thanks for doctoring my "Passing the time" shot! It looks a lot better straightened and cropped. You made the decision that I could not and cut out a person:) Meant to thank you before but I forgot where I posted the image (I often do that:redface:)

Thank you. I think we all fight the crop or not to crop fight. Then when we decide to crop, it is like. ''What do I crop?'' I think what made your photo wonderful is that it was a spontaneous capture. Had you sat there and composed the capture, you would have missed the moment. The fellow would have turned away and there went your eye contact. As far as cutting limbs, if you have to, simply ''avoid the joints'' best you can and give the appearance that you did it intentionally even if that was not the original plan. The crooked photo does not bother me, but I know others have a problem with that. The nice thing about street photography is that for the most part, you throw away the rules. :)
 
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