Sometimes, it is easy to get into the "photographer" mode and dictate poses to your subjects, like we see on the movies. Memories of Austin Powers come to mind -- "Work it baby! Groovy! Yeah!" But reality is, this works only for a few posed-for shots of friends. You will soon discover that your favourite shots, the shots that look artistic and exciting, will be the shots that you take when people are not looking -- we call these "candid shots". But once people see that you have a camera, and once they get that you are taking pictures, suddenly they become self-conscious and feel like they have to smile at the camera, which makes the whole thing look artificial and less valuable. Students learn (some more quickly than others) that stealth is usually the best approach.
But how to be stealthy when you have a camera in your hands?
The key is to be able to be stealthy in your approach. Try to take the shot from far away, using the zoom function.
But how to be stealthy when you have a camera in your hands?
The key is to be able to be stealthy in your approach. Try to take the shot from far away, using the zoom function.
- Don't stare at the person before taking the shot. If you see something that looks exciting, keep a poker face on, set your camera, then point and shoot -- without making a big deal over it.
- Remember -- some of the best shots of folks are taken when they do not even know they are being filmed or photographed!
- If you ensure that you protect the dignity of your subjects by only keeping and showing shots of them looking their best, then they will not mind your stealthiness.
- Important -- If you are asked to delete a shot, always delete the shot. Don't get into an altercation over a photograph.
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