Thanks to this hobby, I bought my first DSLR last year with a long-focus lens, which enable me to shoot people without been noticed.
My first try in candid shot with this big guy (well, maybe not so big, but my last camera is a Canon IXUS50) was at the Beijing South Railway Station in last summer, when I failed to catch the train in the morning and had to wait for another 5 hours for the next. In the hours, I got two conclusions: 1. time pass by quickly when you have a camera, and 2. people are most beatuiful when they are in their own world.
According to the law, it is legal to capture people in public places (if you don't sell the pictures). However, a law is just a law, some people may not be willing to show themselves in a photo, while some others are happy being shot. This lovely little girl (no, she is not a boy) is one of the latters, who really enjoy being a model.
You ask me how could I know that? That's because this smart young lady noticed my big K10D, but pretended to see nothing. At the moment, I found that this little one was acting a part there---that was very interesting, you may see women's nature in a young girl----nevertheless, this was not what I wanted. Thus, I waited and waited until she moved her attention away to some foods and games.
To photographers, children can be the most ideal models, for they always live in the sun.
They are innocent,
curious
and sometimes......thoughtful......
They don't have, as my friend Al said, "a street face"--- an expression disclosing fatigue, angst, craving, distress, or depression--- that often seen in the adults.
What is interesting is that when an adult becomes aged, they may be retrieve a relaxed face. So you may feel that from birth to death, it is a circle but not a line.
Personally, I love capture women, besides kids, as they are more emotional by nature than men. The most beautiful women, in my eyes, are those who are in love,
in thought,
or, with smile.
Tell the truth, sometimes I also wonder if it is all right to observe people through my lens, and I might be a bit afraid of their reaction when they perceive me. However, candid photography is so attractive to me that I just can't stop myself.
So, what do you think?
4 comments:
This is a great post Silvia! Time definitely passes faster when you have a camera. You get whisked away into other worlds when one is in your hands. It's true that children have this precious innocence we lose when we grow up. Maybe that's why they make such great subjects. They are always curious, happy, and show their emotions clearly. Maybe missing your train was actually a very lucky occurrence. You got some excellent photographs out of it and some excellent insight into others' lives.
:)Thank you, Joe.
You are right, that was a lucky occurrence. That "missing" may be a gift from the God. :D
When we lose something we get something else, or, often, something more. :)
Oh I also love candid shots!
It brings out character even on random unknown people.
Although here in Japan, I think I have lots of 'street faces'. hehehe
Silvia, about the privacy... In The Netherlands the law has two section: 1) taking photo's is permitted in public space (street, parks, etc). In semi public spaces (library, railway station, sport stadium) you should abide by the rules of the facility. If allowed you need not ask permission. In private space (home, hotel, office) you should always ask permission.
2) in publishing photo's you should always take into account the interest of the persons portrayed. So, publishing a photo of a photo model could cause a loss of income for that model. Publishing a photo of a government official in an awkward situation, could cause damage to his career. A counter argument here is the public interest to know of situations which need attention (truth).
Hope this helps.
www.flickr.com/henkkoning
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