Why do I shoot people?
As much as I love to present stories with my photos I love to hear stories from people I meet on my walks!
Having the ability to approach a total stranger, start a conversation and get to know them, even for a brief period of time … it’s priceless!
It’s a human relation thing. Lot’s of people think that interacting with your subjects will affect your photos and it does. They are right! But it affects them in such a positive way. You are able to give your subject that personal element that will get viewer closer to them … it will make viewer start asking so many questions about face on the photo.
When you talk to them, you can catch those tiny tells about how they feel about certain subject, what makes them happy or sad …
If you want to catch best smiles and emotions ask them about their family, grandchildren or anything that you think will make them shine. In the process they are starting to trust you and they open up.
I meet one guy sitting on the bench, smoking cigar and having a beer. He was looking tough and I was looking for a challenge. I said hello, took a seat next to him and started to make a small talk. My camera was in my hands so at one point my intention was obvious even if I wasn’t photographing. We talked for 10 minutes about everything and then I asked does he mind if I take some photos while he talks … he nodded and I started shooting.
You want to approach with best intentions in mind and get it off slowly so you don’t scare them or something. Yes, they are like those little birds … :)
It really depends from subject to subject. That’s why there is no solid plan on how to do it. It’s your inner radar that you need to follow.
Most of the time they want to collaborate with you. It’s the curiosity thing.
For me, it is the best thing that happened to my photography. To relate to other kinds of photography, talking to people and getting them to open up is like looking for the best Point Of View in landscape photography. It’s there, you just need to find it.
And it doesn’t have to do anything with your courage … it has to do with how you connect with people in your surroundings.
If you pass that barrier, you are in for an awesome ride.
One more thing. Don’t rush. You have time. Even if they stop for a brief period of time, you owe it to them to take the best possible shot.
Mihailo
