How to discreetly take pictures of the urban public

discreetly take pictures of the urban public

Rate: (4 Ratings)

Capturing the brash reality of an inner city environment on film will ultimately mean having to handle your camera around an army of impoverished people. Follow these steps and precautions to minimize your encounters with the drunken rage of homeless wisdom.

Flag Article

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

Your camera
Camera bag
Safe and friendly daylight
Stealth

Step1

If your camera is manual you should pre-cock the shutter and set the aperture to a normal daytime setting, then place it securely in your bag before venturing out. This way you can simply take out the camera and shoot immediately.

Step2

Now make your way into the city and find an image you want to capture, and stand still.

Step3

Look around and take note of the company surrounding you. How grisly are they? Is it them you are trying to photograph? If so you must be quick.

Step4

Undo the cover of your camera bag and put your hand inside.

Step5

Without making awkward eye contact or staring, try to just look into the general direction of your photograph so as not to agitate the wildlife.

Step6

Swiftly take your camera out, focus, and click.

Step7

Start moving along with the crowd, and pre-cock your camera again and place it securely into your bag.

Tips & Warnings

You can easily get a vagabond to pose for a few cents or a cigarette.
Depending on the area, do not sit in one place just holding your camera waiting for the moment. Keep your camera pre-cocked in its bag ready to go instead.

Comments

imagery said

Flag This Comment

on 6/30/2008 Good article. I have become pretty good at taking video without looking through the viewfinder. First I zoom out and focus and then hold the camera at waste height pointed upwards as I shoot. Of course you get a lot of junk, but who cares it's just electrons. You also get some truly candid moments.

Lindaperry said

Flag This Comment

on 6/20/2008 Your article is interesting, first one that I read on this particular topic. Here is my comment about photography in the street, in general:

One can take awesome pictures in public, in crowds, anywhere if one gives up the idea that the picture must be taken with an SLR or expensive camera. Disposables and point-and-shoots have proven themselves throughout history showing without a doubt that the picture and the eye are important rather than the make,model or expense of the camera.

One of my photos published in an International Magazine was done with a small point-and-shoot -film, camera. Another photo for a front-page story of a local paper, was also done with the same point-and-shoot camera.

It is in the eye, in the right time and right place, and in the spirit, that is what captures the moment, so much more than the thousand-dollar camera or lens.

Equipment is ni