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heavyweather !4AIf7oXcbA
Portrait thread gogogogo!

(Comments?)
>> heavyweather !4AIf7oXcbA
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I'd love some criticism. :)
>> heavyweather !4AIf7oXcbA
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Here's a few more really recent portraits, all of them random strangers on the street.
>> heavyweather !4AIf7oXcbA
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>> heavyweather !4AIf7oXcbA
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>> Anonymous
What's your procedure for approaching strangers to take their portraits?
>> Anonymous
they're just portraits...what's so special about them? they don't even express any group type/discrimination/anything appealing for that matter.
>> heavyweather !4AIf7oXcbA
>>40486
The biggest barrier to taking impromptu portraits on the street is actually yourself. People are astonishingly willing to have their picture taken. So, I'll generally just approach them (not from behind, it's best not to surprise people) and ask, "Can I take your picture?" That'll usually get you two or three if you take them quickly. Make SURE to meter beforehand, because they won't wait while you fiddle with dials. If they ask why, just say you're a photography/photojournalism student (it helps if you are, heh). The less said, the better, generally.

The way I get closeups is I'll take a picture from a comfortable distance (that I don't really even plan on using), and talk while I'm doing it, telling them where I go to school, etc. Then, I'll ask, "Is it alright if I get a little closer? This is a wide lens, and so I need to stand pretty close in order to get a good picture."

But mostly, just conquer your shyness, and don't let those interesting strangers pass by you. You'll be really surprised and pleased by the stories you get from people you otherwise never would've met.

>>40487
What's so special about any photo? It's just a landscape, it's just a macro shot, it's just a long exposure. Gtfo dude. I was asking for commentary on framing, lighting, emotion, details, anything you guys notice or think is nice that I haven't thought about yet. No, it's not a series, it's just a random bunch of portraits I took over the weekend.
>> des
>>40491
now now
>>40487
wasn't being nasty. His point is not invalid. When you're doing stuff like this, it's best to have the picture tell a story or at least catch the subject with an especially emotive expression. If you don't, it looks like well-done snaps.
>>40477
I do like this one, it does seem a little dark.
>>they won't wait while you fiddle with dials.
Works to your advantage- When streetsweeping close up, wait until right before they're frustrated and get to leaving. It makes them look more natural.
>> Anonymous
>>40491
Dude calm down, learn how to take a critique, jeez. This IS the photography section, not the "show pictures you randomly took" section.
>> Anonymous
>>40491
Any tips about how to "catch" people doing something, so they're acting normally and not "oh, hey, camera guy?"
>> Anonymous
>>40516
Not OP, but whatever. Buy a huge telephoto lens and take to the shadows. Good luck. Just kidding, but a long telephoto lens sure does help. If people don't notice you're there, then chances are they are acting normally. Concentrate on the most expressive features of people like their eyes or corners of their mouth. Of course it's more easily said than done. Like all things, it takes practice. Prepare to get a ton of mistimed shots if you're anything like me.
>> ac
>>40516
Keep taking pictures until they start ignoring you. I have a friend who always starts outings with me giving me this huge fake-looking smile every time my lens swings her way. After an hour or so of me snapping away, she just sort of ignores me and the pictures start turning out well.
>> Anonymous
>>40536
I do that sometimes, but I find the flatter look of telephoto-ed shots doesn't work well for people photography.
>> Anonymous
i guess i can't say i like them at all
there's nothing special about these shots, it looks like anyone could've taken these (with a decent camera)
the shots look way too random for my liking.
when taking shots off people on the street (or people you don't know) ...it's best to shoot them as they are.. or to actually have them pose and go for a composition more interesting.
all the shots look almost identical because of how you framed them.. and not in a good way.

keep it up though
>> Anonymous
Although it doesn't work for everyone and each and every occasion, but I usually stop and talk with them. After a while, I'll tell them that I'm interested in taking pictures and that I would be very appreciative if I could take theirs. It's a bit awkward during the first few shots (with them posing and all), but just keep talking and eventually, they'll be ignoring the camera and be more interested in the conversation.