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Photography (Basic) - Introduction to photography and other graphic techniques
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or a “genuine candid” of a sailor you just happen to see. The technique is the same in both cases. All that is important is for the pictures not to appear posed. The subjects of candid photographs are not posing or acting; they are simply being themselves and behaving as though  the  photographer  is  not  there. The  compactness  of  35mm  cameras  make  them ideal  for  candid  photography.  SLRs  with  their  fast, interchangeable  lenses,  TTL  metering,  and  large  film capacities make candid photography one of the most rewarding areas of our profession. A long-focal-length lens is also a good choice for this type of photography. The long lens lets you maintain distance between yourself and the subject, and, if people are aware of your presence, they will not be as self-conscious. If you are taking “real” candid shots, a long lens is a necessity. When people know you are shooting them, get them to occupy themselves, so they will “forget” there is a camera watching them. Only then, can you get a truly candid picture. When the person notices what you are doing, ask their permission before you shoot. People usually will not object, particularly if you are polite and work quickly. Stay casual and relaxed. People soon get used to seeing you with the camera, and you will be on your  way  to  some  good  candid  pictures. Preset your focus and exposure whenever possible so  you  can  respond  quickly  and  avoid  attracting attention to the camera. Estimate the likely subject distance, set it on the lens focus scale, and stop down for greater depth of field. Camera handling must be fast and smooth.  Time  does  not  allow  for  fumbling  with  camera controls, flash equipment, exposure meters, and film loading. Keep  alert,  keep  looking,  and  keep  shooting.  Shoot plenty of film. Do not be stingy; in the long run, film is cheap. You will miss enough good pictures by the very nature of your subjects-people-and being tight-fisted with film does not increase your chances for getting good  pictures. Do not try to control the people you are shooting. Let them assume a natural “pose” in an appropriate setting. You may tell them, “please do not look at the camera.”  Try  to  capture  the  details  of  their  environment in your pictures. This adds interest to what they are doing. And finally, make your candid pictures reflect the people  and  events  around  you. There are situations when you do not have the time for a candid approach, or it just is not feasible. You can still produce interesting people pictures by using the "frame approach." FRAMING PEOPLE IN THEIR ENVIRONMENT The "frame approach" simply means posing your subject in a situation or environment that is most meaningful  to  the  subject  or  assignment. When your subject is a chaplain, place him before a chapel or at a desk with a cross that is visible over his shoulder. If the person is a Boatswain Mate, get him or her on deck actually working on the job. Put the Navy instructor near a blackboard or the pilot in an aircraft. The frame approach works with people working in all types of environments and ratings, such as Machinist's Mates,  Airman,  Fireman,  Personnelman,  Opticalman, and so forth. It works with just about everybody. It is easy. Your subject is usually more relaxed in his or her own environment, and props to work with are already there. Before you approach an assignment, have the one key ingredient to success in mind-a definite idea of what you want. In other words, plan ahead. Find out all you   can   beforehand   about   the   subject   and   the environment. What could be worse than arriving at an assignment and finding your "just average" Personnel- man  is  really  six-foot-four,  completely  bald,  and wearing thick bifocals. It might help to know that even though you find the person in a “closet” called an office, most of the work is done in the computer room down the hall-the one with the banks of computers and tape racks that make wonderful “frames.” There are some things you must remember. Use the frame approach to maximum advantage. The first and foremost is to exaggerate.  Be sure to really have a frame for your subject. If your subject is a legal officer, make sure there is no mistaking that this person works in the courts or with books and papers. If your chemist is at a blackboard, make sure that there is something on it and that the test tubes are not hidden or too few. Again, exaggerate.  You  are  going  from  three  dimensions  to two. Do not be subtle. Your objective is to make a meaningful picture of a person, not just an identification shot.   Vary   your   setup-get   in   tighter-back   off some-change camera angles-and keep the subject prominent. The overall result of your efforts should be a unique picture.  Even  if  you  were  unable  to  capture  the personality of your subject, the picture should at least be personable. This can be done by making the person a prominent  part  of  the  picture.  Photograph  the  person  in a meaningful environment, one that gives a sense of who the subject is, and what he does, rather than leaving the viewer with a sense of only what he looks like. 6-3







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