For a month now, I have several topics that I would like to write about. But I have been in a “lazy” mood. Today, I would like to share with you my recent “Street Photographing” experience.
Many of you, wonderful photographers, have given me many great advices on photographing, and Street Photographing in particular. I really appreciate all the advices. Most recently, Ben at “Flights. Camera. Satisfaction” has suggested “take more time exploring the environment with your eyes, identify a good subject and then wait for the right moment”. Thank you!
Like I said in my previous post, Every Thursday during summer, we have a “Thursday on 1st and 3rd Summer Market & Music Festival”. I have learned that it’s easier to shoot street photos at events, so I decided to grab the opportunity last Thursday.
I went with my Lumix DMC FZ200 because it is easier to hide 😉 We were at Peace Plaza first. Several kids were playing with water. I took time to look around (Ben, you should be very proud of me! Ha.) and quickly identified a couple of my target subjects. Whenever I saw something I liked, I aimed and shoot to catch the moment.
The photos turned out OK (maybe even “good”?) But they were not as good as I would like them to be. At that moment, I heard Ben’s voice saying “waiting for the moment”, so I had my camera focused on a girl and waited. That’s when I took the following photo.
Girl at Peace Plaza
I like it much better (I mean… I love it!). Yeah! I learned to wait for the moment.
If I am right… Otto at “In Flow” has talked about asking for permission. I was standing behind the girl’s parents and I really wanted to tell them that I had taken a couple of pictures of their daughter. I really wanted to, but I didn’t. I was afraid of embarrassing myself. So sorry. I will continue working on that.
Next, I saw a girl singing. When people walked by, most of them would turn their head to look at her (She is pretty!) – I wanted to catch that image. But people walked too fast – in my opinion. I didn’t catch the first one; I missed the second. Finally I just pressed the button.
Street Performer
Next, I saw a lady at Henna booth. I quickly took a photo of her – how quickly I forgot Ben’s words 😉 The photo wasn’t too good. When I noticed that she was looking at me, I asked if I could take a photo of her (Now, Otto should be proud of me. Ha.) She said yes.
Even though she said yes, she was a little shy, I could tell. I patiently waited for her to calm down (Ben, do you hear me? “Patiently” was the key word.) and then took the following photo, which I liked.
Henna Lady
A couple of ladies were braiding girls’ hair on the street. I “slowly” took a photo of them without thinking (oops, I didn’t ask for permission.) When I saw one lady looking at my camera, I asked her if it was ok (with body language). She said sure (with body language). I then took a couple more, but I thought they looked more relaxed on the first photo.
Braiding Hair
That was my experience on last Thursday. Time to take a break 😉
HHC Blog 
I’ve enjoyed this whole post Helen… Love the way you tell the stories and the images are successful 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Robyn. I have learned so much from everyone, so I thought I should give everyone a report. 😉
LikeLike
I think its great and I love it. Thanks Helen 🙂
LikeLike
😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I especially enjoyed the last one.
LikeLike
Thanks, Pam. It was fun watching it – I have no idea how to braid hair. I should ask the lady if they can do it for straight hair. Helen
LikeLike
Good advice on being patient. I should heed it too. Thanks for sharing.
LikeLike
I am glad you like that advice. Thanks to Ben… Have a good evening – it’s evening here 😉
LikeLike
Great photographing adventure, Helen! Thank you for walking us through… 🙂
LikeLike
oh, I especially like the first one. 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Amy. I learned a lot from this group and received a lot of encouragement. I just can’t thank all of you enough. Next post will be Otto’s workshop… If I can get out of my lazy mood. 😉
LikeLike
You, lazy??? I should get out and learn some rules, instead snapping as I please…
LikeLike
Amy, if I am not lazy, I would write more.
With that said, I think it’s ok to be lazy for a while 😉
LikeLike
🙂
LikeLike
Yay, Helen!! Would it be weird for me to say that I’m so proud of you? You actually asked people for permission 🙂 And I love the moments you’ve captured! Ben’s advice (he’s got a fantastic blog and a wonderful eye) is well-heeded. As for Otto, I’m not familiar with his blog but I’m off to check it out right now 🙂
Congratulations!!
LikeLike
Thanks, Stacy. Yes, you may say that you’re proud of me. That makes me feel so good 😉 But did you notice that I only asked for permission after I was caught? I still have to work on that one. Also, maybe it’s better to take a photo and then ask for permission? I don’t know. It seems like people have better expression when they don’t know someone is taking photos. I am still thinking about this one.
Everyone I met here is awesome! You are VERY awesome – I hope I have told you that.
I am taking Otto’s e-workshop right now. I will have more on that later. He is great!
Helen
LikeLike
I think it’s not uncommon to shoot first and then ask later if “caught” 🙂 I, too, have wondered about removing the spontaneity of the shot if permission is asked beforehand. I’d love to hear what you learn from Otto on this! His workshop sounds wonderful. Good for you for taking it.
Thanks for your compliment – seems we have a mutual admiration society going 🙂
LikeLike
I am hoping Otto will comment on this here. I am hoping. 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you for sharing your experience!
LikeLike
You’re welcome! It’s no fun to keep everything for myself!
Have a great evening! Helen
LikeLike
That little one is absolutely adorable.
LikeLike
I agree. I can keep taking photos of those kids the whole day 😉
LikeLike
I think that you took awesome pictures, I can learn a lot of watching your pictures thanks
LikeLike
Thank you! Your comment makes my face red. I don’t know a lot about photographing; I just love doing it. Thanks for your encouragement.
I have to figure out how to translate your blog to English so I can read it. I have a feeling that I would like it a lot.
Have a great day. Helen
LikeLiked by 1 person
Me to I just began to take pictures, and I love it. I loved your pictures
LikeLike
Thanks. I like yours too! Maybe we can help each other learn… 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think you did very well, Helen. My favourite is the one of the street singer. It’s a little but unsharp by your movement with the camera I presume, but that just adds to the personal feeling and the energy of the moment. And just to have said it: I don’t advocate asking permission in general, but it depends on the situation. Particularly with kids one needs to be careful I think.
LikeLike
Thanks, Otto. I was hopping you would comment on getting permission issue. When I read one of your previous posts, and wasn’t sure what exactly you meant. Thank you for making it clear for all of us. I feel somewhat relieved 😉
I agree with you on taking kid’s photo. To be honest, I always feel a little guilty (uneasy)when I take their photos and particularly when I post it on my blog. They do have precious expression on their face that I love so much. I guess I will have to start letting the parents know to be sure it is OK. Thank you! Helen
LikeLike
Absolutely fantastic!! 🙂
LikeLike
Thank you so much. 😉
LikeLike
Great effort Helen, I’m so glad my advice was useful for you! I love the first and third shots, great moments captured there. And very brave to ask about taking a photo, I can’t say I have ever done that myself. That’s something I definitely need to work on. Looks like you are definitely on the right track with the street photography 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Ben. I think the big thing for me is I used to try to catch the moment, and catching the moment has some kind of urgency in it so I often click quickly and the result is not good half of the time. Now I will continue catching the moment if I see something I really want to catch, and also plan ahead so I can wait for the moment too.
Thanks. Helen
LikeLike
Sounds like a good plan Helen, it should give you the best of both worlds. Happy snapping! 🙂
LikeLike
😉
LikeLike
Looks as if you had a wonderful experience. Your first shot is simply precious!!! 🙂
LikeLike
Thanks, Cee. I love kids. But I also want to protect them. I am still wondering about taking kids’ photos. Have to do some research to find out more. 😉
Helen
LikeLike
I find the last two images the best as I can see context in the image without needing explanation. good work, taking time and patience sounds right for street photography.
LikeLike
Thanks, Ben. Your comment always means a lot to me. Question: do you mean you can’t see context in the first two photos? Your comment also makes me think… how many different kind of photos are there? The ones with context, the one shows beauty, the one present an art… Hmm. Very interesting. I have to think hard on this. Thank you! Helen
LikeLike
Helen–this was great–especially your discussion about asking permission. Sometimes I do, and people have always said, ‘yes.’ It is when I don’t ask that I somehow feel like a stalker. If they look my way before I snap a photo, I put my camera down. Yes, that would make me look extremely guilty of stalking, wouldn’t it? 🙂
LikeLike
I am totally with you. Just came back from a party; I told everyone that I would take photos of them, and then I just took photo whenever I wanted. 😉 It’s nice that I had informed them and it’s also nice that they didn’t know when I was going to take pictures. 😉 Helen
LikeLike