Wednesday, June 10, 2009

The Preacher

I have really gotten into photographing people in crowds the last couple of years. Festival settings and outdoor concerts are great places to grab candid shots of people.

Many times when people take candid photographs of others, especially people they don't know, they tend to use a longer lens and are back away from their subject. I find that getting in closer and using a wider lens, works well for me. I will use a longer lens but if I can get closer I will.

I haven't yet had anyone give me any grief about photographing them this way, plus you can say hello if you like.
One thing if I'm in close generally there isn't anything between me and the subject I'm shooting to get in the way. Plus I seem to blend into the crowd this way.

These are shots I made at a local festival of the arts. I think there were more people in the crowd watching the interaction of this preacher guy with some of the folks in the crowd than were watching the performers on stage. He did have a few people in the crowd quite worked up. But it made for some interesting images.