Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 2006/02/06
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]Hi Ted, That's a great how-to manual. If I ever find myself at such a VIP event, Prime Minister or otherwise, I shall avail myself of your suggestions! The only time I can remember off-hand when I really wished I had an invisibility cloak while photographing was some years ago, when I found myself covering the speech of a US Supreme Court Justice. I was photographing from the side, just in front of the stage he was on, as he read from his notes. I decided I wanted a photo from a little behind him, something that would catch a bit of his profile and show the audience as well...actually, it would have been from the shadow side, now that I think about it, as he was lit from the front. Anyway, I tried to move up the stairs to the stage so I could get my angle. I didn't get far when I was stopped by the firm hand of a Secret Service agent on my chest. "You can't go up there." He said it with a smile and a friendly look, but there was no doubting his words. Those guys are serious! Needless to say, I didn't get the photo I was hoping for! But, I did live to photograph another day! :) Now it's off to bed for this east coaster. Best, Aaron Ted Grant wrote: >Aaron Sandler offered: >>>in the end you can make your photos because of the >>way you relate to your subjects, including the vital part that you invest >>a *week* or more sitting in the corner until you're just part of the >>scene to the families. It's very similar to the way Doug Herr describes >>his wildlife photography process or Ted describes trying to stay >>unobtrusive while shooting in a medical setting.<<<< > >Hi Aaron, >It's an ability some folks have to sit quiet, move little and still be >photographing the actions or non-actions going on, yet without appearing >to have taken any pictures. But come away with absolutely stunning >naturally looking photographs. > >In my case I've had to shoot during a meeting of executives with the Prime >Minister, capture facial expressions, hand motions while a point was being >made and or any number of little nuances happening during the meeting. > >Doing all without disturbing anyone nor drawing attention to myself as a >photographer. Piece of cake when you learn some of the tricks. ;-) > >1/ >You must be in the room and in your position before anyone else is there >of any importance. > >2/ >You select your position where you'll sit to make use of the best light >for the main players. No you do not stand like a statue and walk about >because you'll be asked to leave, you become a "visual moving >distraction!" Not only do you sit but you don't fidget around. Your 3 or 4 >cameras are loaded with new rolls and ready to go with basic exposures >set. Other rolls are out of the canisters in a shirt or jacket pocket for >easy access when re-loading. > >3/ >As people arrive you sit quietly and it's absolutely essential you are in >place before they arrive because when they do and see "some guy with >cameras" most of the time they think "press? what the hell's he doing in >here?" If you personally know anyone as they enter a nod of the head in >recognition is all that's necessary, keep your mouth shut unless >addressed, then answer quickly & quietly. The least of this the better! >Remember you are the recorder not attending the meeting. Some guys can't >keep their mouth shut if they were at they're own funeral. You just >remember to keep yours shut in this kind of situation. > >Once everyone is in place look for empty chairs around the periphery of >the room where you might need to move to during the session. Providing it >can be done without anyone realizing you've changed position. HOW? ;-) >Piece of cake! ;-) > >4/ >When you want to move, "You must know exactly where you're going!" That is >before you even stand up! Don't stand up and start looking for some place >because the meeting, those sitting around a big table, who are facing in >your direction, you'll distract, they'll look at you, that inturn >distracts those who do not see you, they'll turn their heads looking at >who the others are looking at! It's a natural Mother Nature action of >curiosity! > >You may get away with it "once!" Don't press your luck a second time. > >5/ >Now you know where you're going, you wait for a speaker to draw all eye >attention away from where you are, get up walk smoothly to your new chair >sit down.... do nothing but sit there. Any movement on your part will draw >attention because now you're in a new position for people who would >normally only have seen a wall and empty chairs. > >Sitting still allows them to see something new without being distracted. > >6/ >If at all possible make only one move during the meeting because if you >think you can move all over without sooner or later being turfed out the >door you're sadly mistaken. Maybe the PTA meeting you'd get away with it, >but not likely board meetings and others of VIP nature. > >Anyway there you go it's "the invisible photog routine." ;-) > >If one relates well to others as we know Tina does through her photography >of being there, but not. :-) Doug Herr with his wonderful instincts for >photographing wildlife. And no matter how astute the wildlife is, Doug has >the true magic of being there and not being there with the wildlife, as >Tina with humans. > >I'm not sure some of you folks got anything out of this or understand what >our kind of photography is about at times, but it's far more than the gear >and far more about how we re-act to other humans and critters. Most >importantly? How we carry ourselves while we're working. > >Is it something you can learn, yes I believe so, but it sure as heck takes >lots of practice. > >ted