samedi 30 octobre 2004

Candid Camera Blend in... become a day-tripper When it comes to photography of people on the street there's a world of difference between the paparazzi style and the candid approach. When it comes to candids you are looking for spontaneous, off-the-cuff grabbed shots which are not necessarily snapshots. Their essence is seen in that moment of time when they were seen doing something... not what they wanted to appear to be doing... nor what the photographer wanted them to be doing. Candid photography is not just about portraying people in unguarded moments - those uncomfortable situations ranging from embarrassing to compromising - those are more the area and forté of the rat-pack. Candid photography is about observing human life through the camera, recording it and perhaps making a statement for others to look at and, if they wish, to compare themselves for reasons including self-confidence, ego, humour or even shock horror, etc. Candid photography can be practised anywhere there are people from on the street, in the home, at work, at the supermarket... it is possible wherever there are people. You don't have to know your subject (it may actually help if you don't) but you have to be aware of your subject without is being aware of you. For many, candid photography is difficult... there's an unnerving feeling at having a camera pointed at you... and often the same feeling when you are pointing a camera at someone else. People's reactions are unpredictable and range from unconcerned to anger... or from genuine humour to utter fright... that's if they notice you taking the photograph! The secret is to see but be unseen. Strangely I come across more instances of the internet group-talk increasingly praising the merits of Leica rangefinder cameras for street candids. And we're meant to be in transition from the auto-focus age to the digital age! But I think I know why the Leica school of street shooting is getting the results... not because of it's legendary quietness, but because modern cameras (AF-SLRs and digital-SLRs) are so BIG! I don't know why the idea is so ingrained that you need a high-spec multifunction camera with a fast wide-angle zoom lens plus a flash on top of the prism to be any kind of photographer... I know where the idea comes from (camera sales brochures and photo magazines)... but it sure as hell makes me nervous when a 35mm camera toting snapper comes within a few yards of me wielding equipment bigger and heavier than a movie camera. I mean, have you seen the size of the latest 16+ megapixel Canon EOS 1D MkII or whatever its called? I remember Roger Hicks' abrasive retort at having a similar 35mm SLR or DSLR thrust in front of his face at a recent PMA or Photokina expo... he said, "Actually, I prefer smaller cameras... which is why I use medium-format!" Quite a put-down and typical of one of the most knowledgeable photographic writers around. I generally use Leicas for my candid photography... and my favourite is the Leica IIIf with a collapsable 5cm Elmar which, without a neck-strap, easily slips in and out of my jacket or trousers' pocket for absolute candidness on my part. After all, the best way of not looking like a photographer is to be seen apparently without a camera. I can take the camera out of my pocket, pull the collapsable lens out and turn to lock, very quickly frame and focus, press the shutter, and have the camera back in my pocket before the person has had time to react. If they give you the nod or a knowing smile which says, "Hey, that was a neat trick... you certainly caught me out then," you can repeat it and probably get away with it a second time as I did with the lady eating a sandwich... it was a great little scene with the lithe, naked statue seemingly edging towards her snack... and I got three different shots getting closer and closer as I chatted and laughed without stopping shooting. I know she didn't feel threatened in the least by my approach... especially with such a small camera in my hands. She probably thought I was another day-tripper from her coach party with a simple point-and-shoot... which, despite having being noticed, is when I know I've still been a candid cameraman. 9:15:50 PM    comment []