In an effort to get over my aversion to photographing in public places I periodically took my cameras to school.... don't know what it is with my camera and being in public. Not sure if I'm afraid people are going to look at me weird or if I'm afraid of getting clobbered by someone cause they didn't want their pic taken but I'm working on it.... A couple of weeks ago their was some sort of huge block party type thing going on....have no idea what it was all about, but I took the opportunity to took some quickie pics... no one gave me looks or hit me....hehehe.... So here they are....really didn't take to many and these were the best of the bunch I suppose....they really aren't very good, so if anyone has tips on how to do street photography and the like I'd appreciate any tips for improvement......

shot #2

shot #3

shot #4

Good for you trying to get past your aversion. I can relate to that problem somewhat, but I guess it is because some people have given me strange looks. No one has clobbered me over the head...yet. I think all 3 photos are a good start for you are giving us, the viewer, a story in each one. I like number 3 & 4 the best and almost think they might be better in b/w...but that is just my taste. I am interested in hearing any tips people may have to offer on street photography, as well. Good question Michelle :)

Opsss... should have said 4 photos. Ya, I can count. LoL!!

Im not trying to be funny here, but when I spend an afternoon out driving around stopping from place to place, I bring along a small ice chest of cold beer. Im not endorsing drinking and driving here by any means, but for me, I have discovered that I am much bolder, or at least less inhibited after beer #3. I have no problem shooting buildings and such, but like Michelle, I can have a difficult time shooting people on the street. That is, until after the third beer. #1 and #3 above would have given me the most anxiety. :~)

I know the feeling Michelle. It's part of the reason I started doing street photography (to overcome that tendancy). I dunno about tips though. Hmmm...if I think about how I go about it, a lot of time I find locations that intrigue me for some reason. Areas where people are already at or walking through on a somewhat regular basis. A backdrop or foreground that will work well. I then set up a mental zone which is a bit bigger than the area I want to photograph in. I may then walk around the area a bit or I may stay in one spot and wait. When someone or something that catches my eye comes into my zone, I start composing as they move through. I then try to capture the "right" moment in the shot. I guess you almost anticipate what they are going to do as they move through the "capture zone". it's like the shots I took of the ladies dancing from the last car show I went to. I could see the setup I wanted and I tried to anticipate certain movements. A toss of the head sending the hair out. A flip of a skirt or position of the arm. At some point I realized I don't really think of it in my head anymore, I just automatically begin anticipating and amazingly I am right more times than not about a movement. There's also the "photo of opportunity" shot. You're walking along with your camera and you can almost see the photo coming together before your eyes. Again, I think it takes some anticipation of what the subject(s) are about to do in order to capture it all. Here's a little trick I use to use when someone would give me the hairy eyeball when I first started. I'd bring my camera down after the shot with a look on my face like "crap...dude just stepped into my shot." Then I'd stand there waiting for the person to move "out of my shot". I'd then bring the camera back up as if to say "ok..lets try this again." Not only do most people stop giving you the hairy eyeball and look kind of sheepish (for "ruining your shot") but it tends to put anyone else in the area who noticed at ease. "Oooo...he's just taking pictures of the buildings or the sky or ...etc." I've noticed that if you stay in an area long enough taking shots of scenary (or looking like you are) you fade into the background for almost everybody around you. I dunno...not exactly scientific. I will give this tip though, keep doing what you just did. Before taking the full plunge and walking around the normal streets taking photos, go to events like this. People somewhat expect others to be taking photographs at these types of events. It takes some of the pressure off of you as a photographer. That's how I eased into it. Shooting car shows, festivals, etc. Then moving to some tourist type places (waterfront, etc). Next thing you know I'm in downtown seattle taking shots...then in the middle of the night. Now I've got the guts to walk into a car show, go up to strange women who are just attending and asking them if they'd like to pose by a car. :) Next I'll be knocking on Michelle's door carrying my camera, a little catholic schoolgirl outfit and wearing a huge smile. :) -=>Donald

Donald gave you some good tips. Public places where some type of event is going on is a good place to take people shots. I also recommend a powerful zoom lens. The distance between you and the subject gives both some comfort in that they don't really know you can see up their nostrils. Of course you have the steady hands problem but fast film may help with that.

In the case of shot number 1, just tell them what you are doing and ask if they mind. People involved in an event generally don't care, they figure it is part of the show.

This shot, for instance was taken at a civil war renactment. The people there are dressed in costume and expect people to be gawking at them. Also, the people that attend the event are aware of a camera but not so intimidated by it.

Good luck and have fun.

Well this is some great tips from all of you....hmmm...don't drink beer...pack wine coolers instead? @ Donald....you kill me... I almost peed my pants laughing....uhmmm...my address is......

...and if that doesn't work, offer them the beer! Guess you can tell from my Gallery, I avoid people whenever possible. Certainly are good suggestions here. Particularly the one about public places, where people expect to be photographed. 'Chelle, particularly like #2with the on-looker in the sunglasses.

"Offer them the beer"...ROFLMAO! :D

i was going to say that! hehe- (great advice Donald)

LoL... yupp... phtographing everyday street life isn't allways the easiest... I do photograph a lot of street life and street action, both people, skating, boarding and dancing... and when I'm out there I try to clobber as many as I can... It seems to be the only way to get people to stay in place.. Nooo... just kidding.. Lines, lines and more lines... Thats what counts.. It's not easy to compose a image the way that you want in that short amount of time... but practice gives perfect.. And DOF... working with DOF and experimenting... Where is the focus of the image... What of all those things that are happeing do one wish to portraite... POV is importent to.. as in all other photographing.. What feeling do one wish to create?!... Jaadajaaadajaaaadddaaaa.... and I do not really know why I'm rambling about this... You allready know all of this.. I know you do.. cause Ie seen your work!! =)

i think starting out in a touristy place or fesivals and shows is good advice. in cambridge, with all the tourists around, people don't get too fussed about cameras. i still haven't brought myself to do that this sort of photography though!

Glad to see, that I am not the only one with a fear of photographing strangers. I can take my camera anywhere and photograph people I know, but to point a camera at a stranger, well I just can't find the nerve, unless I can catch them not looking (lol). Also I have to be careful of photographing women, my wife gets very jealous!!

I'm in the same boat here! I always feel like I'm invading peoples space and it makes me VERY hesitant to take these type of pix. With all the stuff happening in the world...alot of people are on edge and this makes it harder to "blend in" (IMHO). I haven't attempted the "have a brew and shoot" technique described above. Do ya think DONUTS would work!?!?! BTW...that dude with the shades in the 2nd pix looks pretty intense! Looks like he wouldn't take no BULLSH#T!!!!