this post was submitted on 25 Oct 2023
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Photography
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A place to politely discuss the tools, technique and culture of photography.
This is not a good place to simply share cool photos/videos or promote your own work and projects, but rather a place to discuss photography as an art and post things that would be of interest to other photographers.
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I tell them why I want to take the photo. “Do you mind if I try to catch the sun in your cigarette smoke? It looks really cool.” “You’re framed really nice between those lamps.” “Could I try to bounce my flash off that wall and onto that sketch you’re doing? I think it’d make a great picture.” It helps me in my intention and puts them at ease knowing my intention isn’t, ya know, sketchy. For candid shots though you just have to do it. Some days I’m too anxious. But if I can get in the zone and just shoot it’s a good thing.
Most people, particularly anyone with a passing fancy for photography, will return the favor of expanding their brain in this manner with a few seconds of their time for your photo. It's not a compliment; it's insight into your process that they can try themselves, or if they already knew it, they will realize you have some idea of what you're doing.
Exactly. That’s the idea. To let them know I’m a photographer with the intention of making a photograph, not a weirdo that wants to just look at them forever. If it’s less about them and more about a photo, they’re more open to it. They’re helping me make something and it doesn’t take much effort on their part. So I usually avoid anything that could be construed as a compliment. “The sun looks really interesting through your hair” > “Your hair looks really pretty with the sun shining through it.” Sometimes a compliment is the right way though. My gut usually tells me what’s appropriate and most advantageous.