When I have a camera in my hand, I know no fear
Alfred Eisenstaedt
I’m not sure all of us who take photos feel the same as Eisenstaedt, but it does seem that holding a camera gives a lot of people a sense of freedom. They appear more relaxed, less constrained by their surroundings. So what a great opportunity that is for the rest of us who are also carrying a camera with an eye to some street photography!
I’ll start this contribution to Cee’s Capturing the Photographer challenge with a few from my archives, including the featured image. This is an alternative edit of the one in my recent Friendly Friday challenge post about the use of frames in photography. It was too appropriate for this theme not to include it again!
The archive shots are followed by a couple taken especially for this challenge, at the London Stands With Ukraine march this weekend.
Selfies by Tower Bridge
At a wedding near Siem Reap, Cambodia
Photographing the Eiffel Tower from Belleville, Paris
Taking a selfie at the London Stands With Ukraine march
Professional photographer at the London Stands With Ukraine march
When Virtual Tourist members get together, cameras are constantly in action, so I’ll finish with a gallery of some of my friends at various meetings over the years.
19 Comments
RosalieAnn Beasley
Most of the time I try to keep people out of my pictures unless they are family. When I take photos of the children competing, sometimes I don’t even see what I have photographed until I see the photo
But as I’ve gotten older I have become less shy about taking photos of people although I try to do it so that they don’t see me doing it.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, I prefer not to be seen while taking these photos Rosalie – it’s not just a matter of shyness, I also prefer that people don’t pose for me 🙂 Only a couple of the VT people were aware of me I believe. My friend Isa and I have developed a tradition of taking a photo of each other taking a photo at some point during our meetings 😆
Teresa
Oh I love this. It is lovely to see the photographer on a photo
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Teresa, glad you liked it! It was such a good theme from Cee 🙂
Cee Neuner
Congratulations! I enjoyed your post so much that I featured it in CBWC.
I hope you have a terrific weekend.
https://ceenphotography.com/2022/03/31/cbwc-unusual-perspectives/
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Cee, I appreciate that 🙂
Cee Neuner
The pleasure was all mine. 😀 😀
restlessjo
I guess the pro was fair game, and the march was a good opportunity for people shots. Are we near to a cease fire yet, do you think? I wonder that every day.
Sarah Wilkie
Everyone at that march was very happy to be photographed (I think they wanted to be seen to be there) and yes, the pro was fair game I reckon! Ceasefire? Some days I feel we’re inching closer, other days (like today) I fear not 😥
Nemorino
Good to see some familiar faces here. (Although partly hidden behind cameras.)
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks Don – I have so many ‘VTer behind a camera’ photos!
Cee Neuner
Sarah, I so adore you photo of photographers for this week. I’ve always enjoyed taking photographers since they are in their passion.
You are not too late. Challenges are always open. Though to be considered for “featured” you need to within 7 days of the challenge. And you made that deadline easily 😀
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Cee, I’m happy you like my contribution AND its timing 😆
starship VT
Love this piece on photographers shown in black & white, Sarah! I loved seeing familiar faces in this group too!! Great photos!
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks so much Sylvia, glad you enjoyed the VT memories too 🙂
margaret21
Well done! I still feel far too shy about People Photography. So that Eisenstaedt quote doesn’t work for me. And it seems odd in other ways. If I want to relax and really enjoy my surroundings, I leave the camera at home. I guess it proves what I believe, which is that I am a snapshot-ist rather than a photographer..
Cee Neuner
Margaret, it took me a long time to feel comfortable taking people. Zoom lens works best for me. That way I don’t feel like I’m getting in people’s face or intruding.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, as Cee says, a zoom lens is essential for street photography I reckon. Also I have a swivel LED screen that enables me to frame and take a shot with the camera held on my lap or similarly low down. I’ve also been known to click surreptitiously while walking past a scene and straighten and crop later if I have the person I wanted in frame (which is about 50% of the time!) I have a photo taken that way in the post I hope to publish tomorrow – let’s see if either of you can spot which it is 😆
Cee Neuner
I will have to keep an eye out. 😀