That's not been my experience. Invariably the people I photograph loosen up, react and express themselves freely, and, even when deciding to pose, show their true personalities (I think the recent PESO "The Poser" shows that clearly). Sometimes they just go on about their business. However, I'm very good at relating to people when photographing them. That may have something to do with my "street" personality, or just the way I amble along in a non-threatening manner and let people know that I respect and appreciate them ... often we talk a bit. Perhaps it's as much a matter of being comfortable behind the camera in such situations, and keeping things fluid, moving, and interactive. If you're gonna stick a camera in someone's face, you better know that they approve, and, better yet, embrace the idea. It's the photographer's job, as it were, to make their subjects feel comfortable and relaxed. Often my people will suggest situations in which they want to be photographed, and these situations, or poses, show aspects of their character and personality that might take hours or days to discover had they not been willing to open up and share something of who they are.
Perhaps what YOU want is a snapshot of what they were doing before you were observed. What I want, and maybe what many photographers want, is to photograph them and get something of their soul and their heart and their personality - a portrait or a character study. Sure, it's kind of nice to get a candid of someone doing something interesting while they are oblivious to the camera and the photographer - Juan does that pretty well - but he usually works pretty close to the people he's photographing. He's developed a good skill. Shel > [Original Message] > From: keithw > Most adults, too, unless they have significantly better things to think > about at the moment. But usually, I do think it has an effect on their > behavior. They stiffen up, or change position, or frown, or otherwise > lose the looseness and spontaneity they had before they noticed > you...which is what we wanted in the first place!
