Just one lomographer telling another lomographer tips about how to make his roll of film more interesting. methods tried and tested - and they just plain make sense.
If you’re reading this, you’re probably a newbie at lomography like I am. Either that or you’re a shy, quiet person who’s passionate about all things lomography. That being said, you’ve probably taken a cleared a few rolls of film, with most of the pictures being a) scenery (you know, buildings and the like) or b) familiar faces which you’re starting to get a little sick of. Come on, admit it.
Before: (looks familiar?)
So you’ve come to the point of wanting to take pictures of other people, RANDOM people. This might be more than a little traumatizing to some so here are some tips to conquer that fear.
Option 1: take without them knowing!
This is how it’s done: HIP SHOTS. Keep walking, when you get close enough, click and RUN. The subject will be left none the wiser and you’ve got a potentially great shot.
Okay, here’s the tough part
Option 2: “may I take your picture?”- asking
Look for easy targets to ask like people who are also holding cameras, they are more likely to understand where you’re coming from. Look for young children. NOTE: happy children. Those that are just staring at you have a fifty –fifty chance of bursting into tears after said photo is taken. Sure you’ll get some people who look at you like you’re crazy. So when you bring out your camera, bring a friend. That way you’ll be able to joke about it and just laugh it off.
After:
At the end of the day, it’s just a photo. Chances are, you’ll never meet that person again. Trust me on this, I live in an itsy bitsy country which holds a population of only 5 million. He/ she will never remember your face but you, the photographer, will always remember that awkward/funny/stupid/random moment and you will always the picture as a souvenir! You never know, you might make his or her day!
So go on and ask a random passerby today – you have nothing to lose but a single frame.
7 comments
olutek
3 option (similar to the first). Take a picture without looking at the person, with the camera at hip. Maybe he/she not notice :DD If he / she will do it... run ;o
willyboy
Option 4: create people Frankenstein-like and fashion them into photographic subjects
dewi0087
ibkc
Great article. I am a very shy person, but since I started taking my cameras with my everywhere (and that includes any camera, even my iphone camera) whenever I see an interesting person I make it a point to ask if I can take a picture. I have only been turned down once. People usually love it!
pomps
great photos! it's not easy to take photos to unknown people! I'll try Option 2 but I'm a bit shy :)
dianalerias
i once got a few old ladies telling me: no cause they were old and that i should take photos of young people instead.... frustrating, since i find old people make for the most interesting subjects!
ingwaybee
1st pragraph defines exactly what I'm feeling :). I don't know if I'm brave enough to try option 2. I'll stick with option 1 for now