Sunday, July 17, 2011

Sunday Stills - people

Taking photos of people is not my forte. For some reason, I find it uncomfortable. I don't really know why. Maybe it is because I hate having my photo taken.
Pictures of street scenes look much more lively with people in them, but somehow, mine all end up looking a little... flat. I checked my archives and spent hours studying them to see where I was going wrong.


Then I went out and tried to get some people.

I decided to work on getting over my self consciousness about it by starting with something familiar.
Like a duck,
with some random people sitting at the cafe
(apparently oblivious to this duck in the pool)













then I moved on to some geese, with a random guy on a park bench reading...

this was getting easier. 
I moved on to focusing on these people using the binoculars and ended up with a random gull

I did manage one without any avian distractions... this one, taken last Sunday at the Elora Gorge (before I knew the theme) of a man who climbed over the wall, risking life and limb for a good shot. 
(he said he does it all the time and felt quite safe. I was holding my breath trying to capture his foolhardiness)




as a bonus,

feeling a little more confident

I was with my niece and we visited friends with a rescued kitten.
this adorable little thing was abandoned by her mother after her siblings died. we think she is about 4 weeks old. we also think she may be a boy, but somehow we all persisted in referring to him as she.
all taken for Sunday Stills and as usual, images will embiggen with just a click
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19 comments:

  1. EdJuly 17, 2011 at 2:59 AM

    Excellent shots, the guy on the lip of the gorge is a man after my own heart, anything for a great shot..:-))

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  2. persiflageJuly 17, 2011 at 3:17 AM

    I love your photos, and what a pretty kitty.

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  3. Cindy July 17, 2011 at 4:10 AM

    You know I really like the shot with the man reading the newspaper with the geese...well not the geese reading the paper...you know what I mean. lol. have a great day. I am not the best with taking people shots, but will have to learn...hope your Sunday is wonderful. hugs.

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  4. Ann, Chen Jie Xue 陈洁雪July 17, 2011 at 6:09 AM

    I vote for the man squatting and trying to photograph a fish?

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  5. AnonymousJuly 17, 2011 at 7:19 AM

    These are all great choices. I'm with Ed, the guy on the ledge is a bit scarey...those crazy photographers!! :)

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  6. SueannJuly 17, 2011 at 8:01 AM

    I love the shot with the geese!!
    All the photos are wonderful
    Hugs
    SueAnn

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  7. Laughing Orca RanchJuly 17, 2011 at 11:36 AM

    Fun shots! I like the duck in the pool shot and my favorite is the guy with the camera. Wow! Great angle!

    ~Lisa

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  8. CrystalJuly 17, 2011 at 11:55 AM

    I think you did [retty good for not being used to taking people pics, I love the man reading, and the guy on the ledge, Id have been holding my breath too.

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  9. Horses Are Our LivesJuly 17, 2011 at 4:15 PM

    you did great this week! I love the guy on the park bench. Makes me feel like I am there!

    http://picturesbybrenda.blogspot.com

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  10. secret agent womanJuly 17, 2011 at 4:46 PM

    People photos is not my strength either. But I really like the B&W of the guy on the park bench.

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  11. The SagittarianJuly 17, 2011 at 7:10 PM

    Yup, that black and white park bench would get my vote too, all great photos tho' and I know how you feel about photographing people; I used to worry that I would get shouted at or something and now I just use my long lense and I can be a fair distance away from the unknowing subjects!

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  12. SarahJuly 17, 2011 at 8:28 PM

    I too cringe at "people" photography and am always dissatisfied! But yours photographs were great! I LOVED the ones with the avian extras! I might borrow your idea and try it out! That one of the geese in the park is my favorite!

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  13. geewitsJuly 18, 2011 at 5:10 AM

    The man reading on the bench is excellent. Pure artistry!

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  14. jennyfrecklesJuly 18, 2011 at 3:21 PM

    I know what you mean about taking photos of people. Looking at mine, anyone might think I was the only person living round here! So I think it's a brave move to practise a few shots and these have worked really well. Of course, the kitten steals the show!

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  15. gtyyupJuly 18, 2011 at 3:50 PM

    Well, for being a lil' bit shy about people shots, you did fantastic! I like how you focused on something else for the photo...and slowly you got more confident. Great challenge!

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  16. EG CameraGirlJuly 18, 2011 at 4:55 PM

    I'm not uncomfortable taking photos of people either, probably for the same reason you are. I'm ususlly sneaky about how I do it. I need to learn to be much braver.

    I think you did very well!

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  17. Oregon EquestrianJuly 18, 2011 at 5:05 PM

    The guy on the cliff gives me the willies. I like the folks who are oblivious to the duck and geese. Can't lose with cute kittens!

    I found myself sneaking photographs using my display screen so it would look like I was reviewing the pictures I'd already taken instead of snapping the individual's picture. My display screen flips out and rotates so I could angle the camera as desired. Very covert!

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  18. IreneJuly 18, 2011 at 8:23 PM

    I really like the one of the guy reading on the park bench. It is perfect and not at all contrived. I like the fact that it is in black and white too. Very understated.

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  19. AnonymousJuly 19, 2011 at 7:59 PM

    So, are you suggesting the world is for the birds?
    I like the duck in the pool and the oblivious diners.

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