Digital Photography Ideas

Learn Digital Photography: Photographing People

I recall some wonderful images of people. These photos
were taken back when I was a photography student
of Les Krims at the college in Buffalo, NY. One assignment
he gave was just that--photograph people.

Giving it a try I took the bus downtown, stationed myself at
a department store doorway and pointed my camera out at
pedestrians on Main Street, but I felt very uncomfortable.
I kept thinking of Diane Arbus and her images of people
as freaks. "Freaks was a thing I photographed a lot."*
she's quoted as saying.

I couldn't look at people that way.

My second attempt was at an annual parade in the
Polish section of town the next weekend. I think my
intention was to photograph the parade itself. But
when I got there the parade watchers were equally
fascinating.

People were relaxed with my pointing the camera.
They were intent on the parade and didn't notice
I was there. My confidence grew and I shot an
entire roll of film.

They were black and white photos, a mix of adults leaning
against buildings sometimes framed by the doorways.
Each expression flickered a different response which shaped
character into their faces. The ads on the buildings behind them
them caught a bit of history as did the style of clothing worn,
hairstyles and men in hats. There is something about black and
white that brought out textures and patterns of clothing without
their color competing.

I attribute the success in taking those photographs to ......

You'll just have to subscribe to my free newsletter to read the
rest of my article with my ideas for photographing people.

You'll also get Tips and Habits of a digital Photographer -
immediately and for free.

Sign up is on the upper right of this blog.

* http://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/biography/arbus.html

posted by Ruth Bilowus Butler @ 12:17 PM 0 comments