bakari

I haven't read through the entire thread, only the firt 8 pages or so. But if it hasn't been said before, I'll say now: get a digital camera and just shoot! Find a good book on photographic composition and other techniques and get out and shoot what you like: people, nature, boats, animals, landscapes, whatever. But a digital camera will allow you to take risks without going into dept. I've had a digital camera for over a year and it has done wonders for my photographic skills. I have lots to learn, but also lots of confidence to keep learning because of my digital camera.

<a href="http://amani.blog-city.com">My photoblog</a>

You guys are really helping understand the seriousness and demands of a project such as this. When I was walking around the shelter or standing by my car watching people come and go, I realized doing some type of candid street photography would be exploitative and insensitive to the plight of these people. I realized that I'm going to have to do some serious thinking about committing myself to such a project. I do think the time and effort would be worth it, but I need to approach the projeck with serious care and respect for the people I might photograph. Perhaps I might start with a more accessible subject and keep doing my street photography before I actually plunge into what is required of photographing the people of Loaves and Fishes.

I'll keep you posted on what I decide to do.

Thanks,

bakari

I'm seriously intersted in doing a photo essay on homeless people who

gather at around a place called Loaves and Fishes, which is located

on the outskirts of downtown Sacramento. I visited the area last week

but I simply did not know how to approach people in terms of doing

the project. I naively had my camera around my necked as I walked a

couple of blocks, thinking someone might ask me take their picture. I

realized that I could treat this project like I do street

photography. I know that I need to spend some time there out of

respect before I become so bold as to take pictures. I would

appreciate any suggestions on how to approach such a project as an

ameture photographer. I do have a couple of hours in the morning to

spend visiting the area, so I'm willing to put in some time.

Thanks for the feedback,

bakari