Street Photography - Sunday April 13

[laawaaris]

I want to be a better wedding photographer - but it is really hard. There are so many people at a wedding and so much to do, and something that would really help out is to build a rapport with the people you have NOT met previously at the wedding.

So I propose that on Sunday April 13th, some of us go out to Downtown with the goal of shooting people we encounter on the street. The goal will be to ask permission from real people to photograph them right then and there. Of course, safety and common sense should be used - but photographing someone from 200mm away is not the idea.

For me this will be really difficult, because I am shy and quiet by nature. But I think it can help any photographer who deals with people (wedding, portrait, etc) to discover ways to build a rapport with someone you do not know, and still get good photos.

Below are the details - and if anyone wants to join, you are more than welcome.

Location: Main & Texas Avenue (on Main Street where the Monorail flows along Main Street)
This location is one block from the Sambuca Restaurant. This location is in the center of the "fun" district in Houston where there are
lots of places to go out at night. The location is simply a meeting spot and folks can venture out to other nearby areas, however the
location was chosen because it is a bit colorful and might provide some variety in shooting opportunities.

Date: Sunday April 13
Time: 1pm-4pm (or whenever it is over)



Attending:

1) Bobby (laawaaris)
2) Eric (nuke789)
3) Rob (RobTeasner)
4) William (not a member of TPF)
5) Herb (herbinhouston)
6) Rosie (not a member of TPF)
7) Lety (not a member of TPF)
8) Melissa (not a member of TPF)

Maybe:

1) Naheeda (ns134)
2) Keith (Mr KWA)
3) Sam (syuan)
4) Wayne (venchka)
5) John (d4klutz)
6) Allen (AllenAyres)
7) LoungeLizard (Jesus)
8) Melody (not a member of TPF)
9) Scott (not a member of TPF)
10) Fernando (not a member of TPF)

[Bella]

This sounds like something I need to do too, for the same reasons. However, I'll be in Austin that weekend. Let me know if you decide to make this a regular thing tho.

-Cindy

[richardsfault]

Wouldn't it go better and be less stressful with willing models?

Today's world is not one in which I would enjoy shooting stramgers.

[ns134]

Originally Posted by richardsfault

Wouldn't it go better and be less stressful with willing models?

Today's world is not one in which I would enjoy shooting stramgers.

i think the whole point of this exercise is to combat shyness and get a feel for working with strangers like you would in a wedding setting, not just to get practice on his photography skills.

its a good idea...i might just join ya...
i gotta see if i have something else planned that day.

[laawaaris]

It's not a portfolio building outing, or even an outing designed to get to know each other (although we can go out later). I wouldn't expect to get any good pictures from the shots that are taken.

Rather, I would expect to spend time and effort working on something you are really interested in. And doing it in a very different way - with the goal of being outgoing, creative and inventive on the social and interactive level of photography.

Honestly, I think everyone is somehow attracted to street photography - I've often seen men on the street that I would love to snap photographs of, even if they turn out really bad, just because they are unique and different.

Usually, I have been afraid of what they might think of me, and I dont end up approaching. As a result I miss the moment, and end up with no cool stories to tell. Worst of all, I don't have any photos that would be really cool - regardless of whether they are my best stuff or not.

[nuke789]

Sound like a good ideal.
Sign me up

[Mr KWA]

lol wow way to step up! You all go down and ask permission and I will simply go down and capture the fun of watching ya'll have the exercise.

[RobTesnear]

Sounds like a lot of fun, Bobby, and who knows, we may even learn something, possibly about ourselves.
No better way to do it, or overcome the fear of doing it, than to do it! As was said earlier: Way to step up!

How do you intend to handle their wanting to see the photos? (Laptop, online, email, etc)
Like an impromptu TFP/CD shoot? What are the parameters? (Adults, children, pets, etc)
Do we all shoot whoever accepts or do we have to recruit our own client and shoot them exclusively?
Any limit on the number of attendees?

Just a few questions to get the party started.

[laawaaris]

Those are good questions.

Because it would take place in downtown, I would suggest leaving your expensive gear at home. Don't bring any big flash units or expensive lenses/cameras, just any camera you feel comfortable taking a picture with, even a point-and-shoot.

Its really just a fun shoot, to let loose and try something different. But if a bunch of people show up, I feel we need a little bit of structure.

I was thinking we could try the following:

1) For each person that is photographed, you should try to have a sustainable conversation with them. Ask them about themselves, about politics, whatever comes up or what you can think of - they may even ask you about your camera. This is the real goal of outing - to come back with experiences, the photos are just a means to have an experience.

2) Every person should aim to take a photo of 12-15 strangers each hour they shoot. The person has to be aware and understand you are taking their photograph. Not a sneaky picture, you have to approach them directly.

3) Folks should buddy up in partners; each person can pick out a "pair" of strangers for the other person to shoot. One stranger in the pair could be easy for the partner to approach (ex: kind an old lady on a bench); another could be harder for the person to approach (ex: a single man in a group of people waiting at the traffic light or an attractive female). The partners keep alternating to keep the flow going. [Of course caution and safety precautions should be used]

As for letting the subject see the photographs, that is up to you. I have photographed a few people on the street previously, and none of them have ever asked to see the photographs. However, I once photographed an old Chinese man in the park and he stared at my LCD screen for a good few minutes because he was so happy. So it really just depends.

I have other ideas, but I would like to hear from others what they think so far.

[laawaaris]

As an example, I went to shoot an event this week. It was sort of in a mall area, and while I was waiting I spotted some kids and decided I wanted to shoot them. I was a little nervous - should I approach the mom or the kids.

I decided on a whim to ask the kids directly. They were a little nervous in the beginning, but they loosened up and relaxed later on. So did I, and on a whim I asked them what they wanted to be when they grew up. They told me they like to play Japanese drums (it's long story). Now I have some new material to loosen up kids at a future wedding.

I shot the event with a little more energy than I usually have, and talked to a lot of the people I photographed.

At the end on the way out, I shot the wait-staff, as they were packing the truck with food to go home.

[laawaaris]

I was out of town this weekend, and am just bumping this thread.

I told some classmates at my BW Darkroom class about it, and some of them said they would be interested.

[venchka]

Maybe. Possibly. I'll be in touch later to let you know for sure. I wish Polaroid instant material wasn't so scarce and expensive. It would be a hoot to give folks a picture on the spot.

[herbinhouston]

that sounds interesting, count me in, thanks herb

[d4klutz]

Count me in as a Maybe... i might have to leave early, but would love to try this out.

[AllenAyres]

Is there any kind of event/fair/celebration going on downtown that would attract a crowd of people we could harra/ take their picture?

Going toward the aquarium/museum district would have families that would probably not mind having family photos of their day out - would be similar (except for dress) of the type that go to weddings.