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ctfchallenge | all galleries >> Challenge 120- Dilapidated >> Eligible > Waiting*
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10 November 2006 Christina Conroy

Waiting*

Los Angeles


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Rod 16-Nov-2006 10:00
Wow Shu I don't know if a person would love to pose for money or they would be insulted, I think being sneaky like Ed & me is the way to go:-) I think Ed has the same ability as me to look very innocent when the need arises:-)
Squared C15-Nov-2006 05:12
I think it's a great idea Shu! If you send me some $5 bills I'll take people's photos for you! No really, I've thought of it too. I still can't find my courage!
ctfchallenge15-Nov-2006 03:22
Rod--Ed does wot you do, points, composes and quickly turns away. Then he bravely points again and usually gets the shot. He has never been reprimanded and has gotten some nice shots. I was thinking of carrying around some $5 bills and offer them to folks for the privilege of taking their photo. What do you think? shu

ctfchallenge15-Nov-2006 00:16
Good eye and great capture. -RK
Paul 14-Nov-2006 09:25
Excellent. Bang on topic with a great photo.
ctfchallenge14-Nov-2006 06:11
Christina, Bravo!! The color saturation, texture of the screen, perfect "pose" and old juice box (?) behind his foot makes this shot absolutely wonderful to view!! (Do I hear a whisper "winner?") I love those punctuating "blue knobs" on his (is it ?) luggage. I bet he is proud to be your subject and doesn't mind being categorized "dilapidated" for the cause. LOL shu
ctfchallenge14-Nov-2006 01:03
I too, like so many others am afraid to approach people and ask to take their picture, nice camera or not. As Rod said, they also become self conscious and the look they had, that you wanted to photograph, is gone. I don't know what the answer is, especially for "candids". Our camera club has a professional photographer coming to give us a presentation on taking "candids and studio portraits", on November 21st at 7:30pm. If anyone is in the area (Pittsfield, Massachusetts), you are welcome to attend! Henry
ctfchallenge14-Nov-2006 00:25
I have a hard time photographing strangers too. I may brave it when I get my telephoto lens back and may even ask someone someday. Other than that, I have a hard time thinking of people as being dilapidated, maybe old and wrinkled but I still think primarily of objects as being dilapidated. Nice shot anyway Christina. CJ
Squared C13-Nov-2006 15:30
Thanks for the sweet comment Sue Anne.

Rod, thanks for the tip. I try to do something like that, but with my darn autofocus, it never really seems to work out that the person I intended to shoot comes out in focus. I have had some success being in an outdoor mall setting since people are so wrapped up in themselves they don't notice anyone around them. That sometimes works.

aam, I think a discussion on this in the main thread would be great. I could use all the tips people have to offer!
sue anne13-Nov-2006 10:33
I like this shot - it tells a story.
Rod 13-Nov-2006 08:27
Well done on giving it a go Christina:-) As far as taking peoples picys I would imagine asking someone would make then too self conscious & ruin the shot. Wot I do is pretend to be shooting something else in their direction, I first focus on them & immediately swing to the left or right as though I was shooting something else all the while with me finger still half pressed from the pre focus. When I see the person with my other eye is how I want to shoot them I swing the lens back to them & click & then quickly point the camera to their left or right. I get the feeling they think I'm up to something but they're never sure so they say nothing. Wide angle is good for people walking towards you as the lens is not really pointing straight at them because I keep them just left or right of center & you're still pointing the lens in that direction as they walk on by, they must assume your just shooting the general street scene.
aam1234 13-Nov-2006 06:53
I'm like you Christina when it comes to photographing strangers, and I don't think it has to do with shyness. What worked for me so far is let the person know his/her pics will be taken, most people don't mind. As a matter of fact a lot of people view it as a compliment when being photographed.

I think this is an interesting topic for discussion in the main thread. I might start one soon.
Squared C13-Nov-2006 06:09
Thanks for the comment aam and Sharon!
And thanks for the story Sharon! It actually makes me feel better about trying it! I think that my New Year's resolution will be to take a photo of a person every week. I thought maybe every day but I have a hard enough time finding any photo to take each day. Maybe I can just haunt coffeeshops near bus stops!

aam, how do you have the courage to do it? I take it you're not a shy person... I'm not usually either, but somehow I can't find the courage to shoot people.... maybe next year!
elips13-Nov-2006 04:28
Really nice, Christina! I too am usually too shy to take pictures of people on the street but one day I thought I would just get over it. I was in downtown Albany and saw this older African American man, not an indigent, with an interesting face so I screwed up my courage and told him just that and asked if I could take his picture. He reluctantly allowed me to take a few shots and then chatted with me for a bit. Just before he went on his way he laughed and said "You know, while you were standing there thinking I had an interesting face, I was standing there thinking you had an interesting a**!" We both had a good laugh and parted company! It was a totally non-threatening situation but I guess he put me in my place! ~Sharon
aam1234 13-Nov-2006 03:43
Most folks don't feel comfortable taking pics of strangers, I certainly do. And I'm with Mary Anne re: small camera vs. a DSLR. With a P&S people just don't care.

This is very nice Christina, good capture.
Squared C13-Nov-2006 03:04
Thanks guys.

Mary Anne, I'm a complete wuss when it comes to taking photos of people on the street. I was actually across the street in a coffee shop when I saw this guy sitting in a bus stop. This is zoomed all the way in and then cropped. I can't take credit for having the courage to just take someone's photo on the street. I'm pretty unable to do that at all. Can anyone give me the courage?!?

It's funny that you say that you have a hard time since you've gotten the 350. I feel like I would be the opposite. I keep thinking that if I had a "professional-looking" camera then people would take me seriously and actually accept having their picture taken. If someone approached me on the street with a point and shoot and said, "Can I take your photo?" I think I'd be a little creeped out. But with a real camera I can make up some excuse about being a photography student or something...
ctfchallenge13-Nov-2006 02:10
Great catch, Christina. I'm always hesitant to take shots of people on the street, especially since I've had my 350D. The swivel screens of the S and G series allow you to be much less obvious as a photographer.
--Mary Anne
Brent 13-Nov-2006 01:22
This guy is looking a little dilapidated now, and if Pringles potatoe chips are his main diet, he'll be really dilapidated before long. Great character study Christina.