Re: Samples

Again, Ted, a very big THANK YOU! These are great suggestions; I'll practice my 
poker face in the mirror before going out. ;-)

I tried again today at the Palo Alto Farmer's Market. Not many people at all as 
it was already in the 80's at 9:30am. I took some of the advice of your first 
email; relaxed (a bit) and just walked around shooting hoping some would be in 
focus and framed "good enough". Only problem was my shutter speed dial had 
turned to "B"! With the new M8's "discreet" mode, "B" sounds just like 
"discreet"; the shutter makes a small click when you depress it and more noise 
for cocking when you release it. "B" sounds exactly the same! Since I didn't 
check the histograms for quite some time, all the initial efforts were garbage.

So only about 1/3 of what I shot was usable, after I discovered it. I think 
these are a bit better, though nothing extraordinary to be sure. But there are 
definitely more images that are at least usable. And I think there's a bit more 
intimacy in some.

So again, a really big thanks for your input. Keep it coming!!
Best,
Bob

Today's start here:
http://raflexions.com/Streets/content/L1001222_large.html
I like the last one, "Treasure" the best...

 Bob Adler
Palo Alto, CA
http://www.raflexions.com




________________________________
From: Ted Grant <tedgrant@xxxxxxx>
To: leica@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Sunday, June 28, 2009 11:15:00 AM
Subject: RE: Samples

 
Hi Bob,
 
When you have a go at it again watch for photo moments when subject is
most engrossed in reading a newspaper or magazine. Or other activities. The
more the subject is involved mentally with whatever the interest, the less 
chance
they’ll realize you are pointing a camera “somewhat”  in
their direction.
 
In my earliest days I admired the greats of the time who seemed to be
able to take pictures right up close and shoot people without the subject
having any idea the picture was taken. So I figured if they could do it using a
Leica, it being the camera of choice in those days, why couldn’t I?  I
read an article in a photo magazine and learned how to do it with a 50 or 35mm
lens on your Leica. Sit on one end of a park bench and photograph a stranger 
sitting
on the other end without them realizing you had taken their picture. J You want 
nervous?
Stomach cramps, panic about being smacked? At first it was terrible. Best bet, 
watch
for someone who is grossly involved with a newspaper or some other activity,
watching their children or dog playing. 
 
You don’t have to say anything other than maybe a “good
morning or afternoon whatever” only if they should indicate it as you are
sitting down. That’s all! Do not get into a conversation because now the
picture taking unobtrusiveness is lost and you become embroiled in a gab
session.
 
Never look directly at them at anytime, always via peripheral vision or
better, you are looking at them without looking directly at them! If they catch
you looking in the same direction, actually you can move slightly as though
they have become a block to what you are looking at or to whom you are looking
for. Sneaky eh? Now they may turn to look in the direction to see what you are
looking at….. “YOU CONTINUE LOOKING!” That is until they lose
interest and return to their reading.  “Click!” But you do not
look at the camera for a moment, or advance film or any action indicating you
made an exposure. In the event they turn to look at you. Don’t flinch
keep scanning the background beyond them without acknowledging they are looking
at you.
 
It’s a complete faking out of eye and attention direction even though
you are facing them …. But your expression indicates you are looking beyond
them, certainly in appearance of eye line.
 
Sure it takes guts in the beginning, probably more so in America than Europe ,
but it works. I’ve even indica ted 
with my hand for them to kind of lean back a wee bit without saying a word as
though they are in the way, usually when they are about to speak. Throws them
off immediately. Then make a frame, even though it’s a throw away, give a
nod of thanks. Then if they ask what you were doing, give a quick innocuous
answer about a moving subject now out of view. . Then you’ve probably
broken the actual “picture moment” so move onto your next subject. And
use the same technique again.
 
By the time you’ve got this down comfortably it generally becomes
a piece of cake. But always be quick. Actually when you first sit down you can
make motions of focusing and fiddling with the camera indicating like you are
just learning. 
 
One time I had the manual with me and I saw this incredible subject and
really wan ted photos of HER! ;-)  Sat
down, took out manual, flipped a few pages then picked up camera looking
through viewfinder in a number of directions, back to the manual, put it down
so it was facing in her direction, then put camera up and made like I was
taking pictures, then back to the manual. Did this for a few minutes without
paying any attention to this person, but sneakily working more and more in her
direction, click the camera a couple of times, return to manual. Finally the
picture moment was perfect, I put the camera up looked through the view finder
placing the subject somewhat to the right side of the viewfinder, then it 
doesn’t
look like the camera is poin ted directly
at her. Then for a brief second I lowered the camera slightly and looked over 
top
of the camera at a point beyond her, returned camera to eye, click! J
 
Sneaky devil did it again. J One does this lengthy routine
only if there’s great potential for a good photograph. Otherwise, sit
down, a slight fiddle, look beyond subject, eye to camera look at subject
through viewfinder….. click!”  put camera down and look again
beyond subject. The only reason you do that is…. Just maybe a better moment
occurs. 
 
It takes a bit of work at the beginning, then it comes naturally and
shot before you blink! J
Cheers,
Dr. ted J
 
 
 

________________________________
 
From:leica-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:leica-bounce@xxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf
Of Bob Adler
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009
10:44 PM
To: Leica Enthusiasts Group
Subject: Re: Samples
 
Ted,
 
Your remarks are outstanding advice as usual, and I will take them very
much to heart. As you know, I'm more of a peeling paint shooter. It's very
uncomfortable for me to do this kind of shooting. I think people sense my
hesitation and discomfort; at least I think they think I'm thinking that... :-)
 
I certainly appreciate you taking the time to share your experience; I
know everyone appreciates it when you lend your guidance to their
efforts. 
 
I'll start with your last piece of advice; "relax".
Again, many thanks.
Best,
Bob
 
Bob Adler
Palo Alto , CA
http://www.raflexions.com
 
 

________________________________
 
From:Ted Grant
< ted grant@xxxxxxx>
To: leica@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Saturday, June 27, 2009
8:55:21 PM
Subject: RE: Samples
Bob Adler showed
& said:
 
Subject:IMG: Samples
 
>>>>>Spent last weekend down in Santa Monica . They have
a terrific Famers' Market, so I tried my hand at some street/people
photography. Certainly not in my comfort zone. Only one person got upset with
me so I didn't take his picture but it certainly shook me up for awhile.<<<<<
This one is my
favorite:
http://raflexions.com/PESO/content/L1001121_large.html
 
Other images start
here with a senorita:
http://raflexions.com/PESO/content/L1001084_large.html<<<<<<<<<
 
Hi Bob,
A couple of things
that might help. 
 
If you are caught,
smile and whatever you do…. DO NOT TURN AWAY QUICKLY AS THAT INDICATES
YOU ARE SNEAKY AND UP TO NO GOOD! Sometimes a friendly wave or nod of head in a
thanks kind of mode is enough to ease the situation. 
Another, if you
have taken a picture using digital, as most of us are these days, offer to show
the person the screen, “AN ABSOLUTE MUST!”  Do not let them
have your camera in their hands!! You do the show and tell while they look
only!
 
If necessary
explain what you are taking the pictures for. You are doing a photo
presentation for your local camera club as that is this months picture project.
Now the markets are open for the summer. Or whenever they open.  But make
the reason simple and understanding, much like a “school project.”
Or as I sugges ted , a camera club
project. 
 
 Show no
panic over a challenge of.. “Hey why are taking my picture?” 
Keep everything light and easy going. Most people, not all, are relatively easy
to get along with if you stay cool yourself indicating you are nothing more
than an amateur photographer doing your club thing. Or whatever you want to
indicate.
 
You might even
offer to send a print if he jots down his name and address on a piece of paper
you immediately supply with a pen. These things, only if it’s a complete
moron you have to deal with. However don’t give anyone your address. I
suppose if it’s a police officer who’s thick between the ears and
thinks you are a terrorist checking out the farmers market for whatever stupid 
reason.
Ok remember now we’ve all heard these stupid challenges from police and
security people in the past.
 
Best bet is a
simple wave of hand and smile, you might even mouth the words, “thank
you.”  Again only if it seems you have a complete klutz challenging
you.
 
Observe, click!
That fast, don’t be screwing around fiddling the lens focus ring back and
forth while aiming the camera at the subject. Learn to handle the camera like a
greased bolt of lightening! Camera up focus-click faster than I can type this,
then move on to something else. You might even walk closer to the subject
without looking at him, then put the camera up to photograph something in a
stall or pile of veggies or fruit while he watches you. Do this almost right at
his feet! But do not look back at him in any case, just carry right on without
any indication of acknowledging you took a picture in his direction.
 
Now if the person
becomes challenging regardless of what I’ve offered, you still have to
use your head, but most of what I said at the beginning works by staying calm
and using the club or school project as a reason you are taking the pictures.
AND SMILE NICELY! 
 
Relax now and go
do it again next week! J 
 
Cheers,
Dr. ted J 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Bob
 
Bob Adler
Palo Alto , CA
http://www.raflexions.com
 
 
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