NiceShot Loc: Oregon coast

I'm in photo club, our assignment for this month is a candid shot of a person. I did some street shooting in Portland Oregon today. I got a few good ones. Had a great shot but missed on the focus. :(.
Any other ideas for some candid shots?

Danilo Loc: Las Vegas

An idea I used long ago requires two people:
I would be photographing someone and my partner would work his/her way around behind my subject with one of those air horns they sell at the marine supply stores...
GREAT PHOTOS!!

Shakey Loc: Traveling again to Norway and other places.

Ah! I suffered from the same problem years ago. The trick is to learn how to set your lens for its hyperfocal distance, then everything will be in focus. Do a search online for the phrase, lots of simple tutorials out there.

francesca3 Loc: Sausalito, CA

I would try to find places where people congregate and stand relatively still (or sit)---> how about bus stops, movie ticket lines, restaurants?
Or go around in your car with your window rolled down and shoot people waiting to cross the street. That way you can speed away before anyone has time to get mad at you.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

A party of some type, a public park, a baseball game (both inside and outside the ballpark), a parade, a public square, a skateboard park, a tourist attraction, a public transit station.

mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

Pick a busy time such as lunch hour and go out there, with camera but packed away and just find a nice quiet corner just slightly out of the action. Stand/sit there for a while and look at the people. Watch them cloesly and see what they are doing. Your best weapon here is your eyes. People will mostly be too busy wrapped up in what they are doing to worry about you taking their mug shot.

People reading the newspaper
People sitting on a bench or wall eating lunch
People shopping on a market
A couple holding hands walking along
Workmen doing their jobs
People rushing for the bus/train
People bored waiting for the bus/train
Street entertainers
Police on their beat
People walking their dogs
Somebody putting the rubbish bins out
A jogger out for a run

I would steer clear of random children photos unless you want to get bashed over the head or worse.

Watch them a little longer don't rush things. Notice peoples facial expresions when they meet up with a long lost freind in the street. Buisness men shaking hands coming out of an office block. People calling for a taxi. Sit outside a coffee house having a drink with your camera ready next to you. You will see all these things that you never nomally notice.

Candid is about catching the moment there and then from a voyuers point of view. Nobody here can give you inspiration as we can not predict the future. It is about you and the moment and then telling that story through the picture.

Hope this helps.

Oh I will just add that a long lens helps with candids.

francesca3 Loc: Sausalito, CA

Yeppers. Well said.

mafadecay Loc: Wales UK

Here Fracesca are you stalking me or am I stalking you!

francesca3 Loc: Sausalito, CA

We must be on the same wavelength!

pappy0352 Loc: Oregon

Try a big city Greyhound bus station, some unique shots there.

Pappy

NiceShot Loc: Oregon coast

That's terrible! I like it!

NiceShot Loc: Oregon coast

A party sounds good, do I need to buy the refreshments because I'm shooting them?

francesca3 Loc: Sausalito, CA

Wait outside Nordstrom and then go to the local free food place. Contrasts in the human condition.

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

That's a great idea.

NiceShot Loc: Oregon coast

Thanks for the ideas.  Yes,  a longer lens is needed.  Yesterday in Portland in front of Powells Books (a busy street corner...lots of people) a women in a red blouse, black dress with ruffles, drink in hand and walking a tiny tiny black poodle on a red lease came walking by.  I got a shot of them waiting to cross the street, but the lady was looking away. Then she started to cross the street and I took another shot. Nothing special. But when she got to the other side of the street, she stopped. The pooch lifted it's leg doing its business and looked my direction. And the lady waited. Unique individual, colorful and action!  But to finish the shot I needed more glass! Maybe 300mm.  That was a cool shot.