Safdarjung Tomb and old Delhi

[Indizen]

Nice clicks, Yogesh

[Travelaholic]

So nice captures by Salil, specially 'Dial D for delivery' , the 'panwalah' and 'iceman comes calling'!

And then, again my question, how do you proceed while capturing people for street photography? Definitely you donot ask the person for his/her consent for being photographed, because, in that case probably you can not capture natural mood/ expression like this! And, is not it bit embarrassing to ask them after capturing the shot?

Or, is it really bit comfortable to shoot around in a group rather being alone?

[Indizen]

^ Do some people take offence/object to being photographed?
In touristic places, I've heard people happily pose for you, and then demand money!

[Yogesh Sarkar]

I guess it depends on the individuals, frankly unless you are projecting them in demeaning or embarrassing manner, I don't think any one should have any problem. Unless of course you are making money out of the photograph.

[Salil]

Originally Posted by Travelaholic

So nice captures by Salil, specially 'Dial D for delivery' , the 'panwalah' and 'iceman comes calling'!

And then, again my question, how do you proceed while capturing people for street photography? Definitely you donot ask the person for his/her consent for being photographed, because, in that case probably you can not capture natural mood/ expression like this! And, is not it bit embarrassing to ask them after capturing the shot?

Or, is it really bit comfortable to shoot around in a group rather being alone?

Thanks Travelaholic.

Well, everything depends - on where you are shooting and who you are shooting. Children usually don't oppose to being shot, neither do their parents, unless you are planning to do a family portrait. So, when it comes to portraits, children do remain my top priority. No point asking someone to pose before you shoot - doesn't solve the purpose - which is capturing the natural expressions/mood as you mentioned. My way is to use a zoom lens. I use a 70-200 mm and the portraits are almost always shot with the lens at max zoom. Unposed is the way to go for me when it comes to shooting portraits.

Come to Chandni Chowk and most people are actually used to being shot, specially the traders, street vendors, hawkers, shop keepers etc. And these are the people who are most unlikely to bring about a major change in facial expression even when aware of being shot at. But one thing you have to be really cautious of are beggars. I have heard horror stories of them lounging at the cameraman and grabbing the camera, threatening not to let go until he/she paid up!

[koolharry]

Life in delhi... well captured

[Yogesh Sarkar]

And once you pay one of them, rest assured that you will be thronged by other beggars as well.

At the end of the day, shooting in group has its rewards, since people request you to not take their photographs, instead of threatening (can happen at rare occasion) and those pestering for money, are usually kept at bay as well. Add to this, when people see a place surrounded by photographers, clicking whoever they can point their cameras at, somehow it eases them out, as they see you as a photographer/tourist, rather than a paparazzi/pervert (rarely an issue for female photographers).

Of course the golden rule is, once someone says no, respect their view and move on. I have seen a old foreigner getting almost beaten up for taking photographs of camel traders, even after they warned him not to!

[Travelaholic]

Thanks Salil and YS! Got some courage after reading your replies!

Probably someday soon I will venture out old Delhi area for some photography mission, either alone or probably with you guys,(if only it is not only for "photographers-who-are-also-bikers!)

[anupmathur]

Originally Posted by Travelaholic

.... either alone or probably with you guys,(if only it is not only for "photographers-who-are-also-bikers!)

Travelaholic, Narender Masterji, a photographer of repute here now, is not a biker! He was taken pillion by these friendly shutterbugs!

[rkbharat]

BTW I seriously missed this event, how was it planned, or I am too dumb to ignore some planning thread.

could have learned few photography tips from experts