How to shoot social events?

<p>No, not "serious" social events like weddings, but friendly dinners, parties, and the like. I need more help than most, because I seem terrible at shooting people. I love landscape, macro, and geometrical objects. I can just "see" the shots, and sometimes I can even get the shots exactly as I see them in my mind. But I am totally lost when it comes to people. I just want them to get out of my shot so I can take interesting pictures. But because I'm the guy with the camera, my friends call on me to take pictures. So what's a good teaching resource for shooting social events?<br>

I feel I'm so ungifted at shooting people that being able to look at good examples of pictures of social gatherings might help me. I can use them as templates, and maybe I can work from there. There seems to be "standard" sorts of pictures that people expect, except I don't know what they are. I promise to suppress my urge to tell people to get out of my shot. <br>

That brings me to my other problem. I suspect a part of being good at shooting social occasions is being able to communicate and work with people. Since I'm a little aspy, it doesn't come naturally to me. But even I realize that people are not objects, as much as I want to twist them into things that will actually make for interesting pictures. I need to talk to them somehow. So what do I do?<br>

I guess I basically want to be able to "see" shots with people the same way I can "see" shots with inanimate objects. I'm not sure how to make that happen. Please help!</p>

<p>I'm not sure that getting comfortable with photographing people is something you can learn on your own if you're not naturally inclined. But it can help to have some real-world support, encouragement and guidance. You may benefit from a workshop or mentoring with photographers who are experienced in portrait and candid photography.</p>

<p>Check out <a href="http://deinfaces.com/about/">Bob Dein's website</a>, especially his bio page. Bob got into photography only about 13 years ago, and said he wasn't comfortable photographing people - strangers in public - until after taking a workshop in 2011. Since then he's accumulated a remarkable portfolio of portraits of people he meets in public, and seems to have a gift for candid portraiture that even he wasn't aware of until fairly recently.</p>

<p>You don't need to get comfortable with photographing people. Just photograph them. Hopefully, as you do it, you will get comfortable. Unless you want to talk, don't worry about talking to them, shoot them as they talk to each other. For example, of the people in the attached photo, the only one I have ever talked to has her back to the camera.</p><div></div>

<p>I find it better to not talk to people right before you take their picture at events, rather capturing them when they don't know you are, natural shots look much better. Since you like macro and landscape and you say it isn't serious work I would say you approach it like you would your landscapes, a bit more methodical. I would first pick a subject, say a group of people. Wander around a bit with this group in mind until you find a nice vantage point and the compose your shot. After you have it the way you want just wait until the perfect moment, probably when everyone laughs or has nice natural smiles. A longer lens might help you stay back a bit and be less noticeable so people don't feel compelled to turn and say cheese when you take a shot of them. <a href="/photo/16539434">Here is an example: </a> In this shot I knew I wanted someones reaction to the bride but I didn't know who so I got myself in position and waited until her sister gave me a good reaction. Now with all this said of course working on your ability to socialize with strangers will help you feel comfortable and help your shooting as well.</p>

<p>I don't have any special way to "see" a person at an event other than just shoot with different angles, light, framing, distance, etc. so it appears natural and not posed. But having a "little aspy" could be a hindrance in social situations and interacting with people.</p>

<p>with Canon Rebel XSi /450D at an event</p>

<p><img src="http://farm9.staticflickr.com/8354/8303746272_68fd9b55b2_c.jpg" alt="" /></p>

 

<p>I was going to say something similar to Hector. You mention that people often get in the way. Some of the best event photos and people photos are precisely when it looks like people are in the way, because that can look very real and dynamic. Your asperger tendencies might even help you. Being who you are is sometimes the best medicine for anything you want to do. Go with it. You may not have to be a great socializer. You can still get some great shots, even edgy ones. Experiment. Let people get in the way and find good angles to make use of that. Alienation can be put to excellent use.</p>

<blockquote>

<p>"Alienation can be put to excellent use."</p>

</blockquote>

<p>Good point. While there are many occasions when I enjoy chattering with strangers and <a href="/photodb/folder?folder_id=1058319">making casual portraits or just snapshots</a> from those chance meetings, there are also times - usually late at night - when I can't sleep and just walk around the neighborhood, not intending to talk with anyone, and snapping photos of other people who seemed isolated and alienated in the dark. Over time I noticed those photos tended toward a fairly cohesive visual theme. <a href="/photodb/folder?folder_id=1048692">So I just went with it</a>.</p>

<p>Step 1. Understand light.</p>

<p>Step 2. Anticipate moments.</p>

<p>Step 3. Understand your camera and the photographic process thoroughly.</p>

<p>Step 4. Critique your photos objectively and constructively to see what you can do better.</p>

<p>Step 5. Go back to Step 1 and repeat the process over and over again.</p>