Ugh, when it comes to people, I have a block.

Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2006 11:06 pm

I dont really like taking pictures of people, especially when it is supposed to have a theme.

So I need some creative help. Some ideas. Basically I am supposed to take 100 pictures for a photography class (beginner type class) that reveals something about the subject. I dont know what kind of theme I can put together that will settle the 100 pictures. Very daunting.

Oh, and I am doing self portraits because it is easiest with class and work schedules.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 10:34 am

Oh come on, someone throw something out there!

Joined: 27 Oct 2004 Posts: 452 Location: Gloucester, UK

How about 'People at Work'. A fairly wide theme and one where much can be done from a distance using a long lens and taking candid shots. It's about the only way I would do it, because I don't like taking photos of people either.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 12:15 pm

100 self-portraits? That might be challenging. Maybe take up to 5 photos of yourself in a series of actions? That way you'll only have to come up with 20 actions/themes that reveal something about yourself.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 12:55 pm

Just go to a mall and take shots of the first 100 people that you see. You may have some explaining to do unless you hide behind some shrubbery, but it will all be over in minutes!

:) keithwms

Joined: 29 May 2005 Posts: 499

Keith's idea has potential. 'Law Enforcement - the Inside View'. Get yourself arrested for lurking in the shrubbery, but make sure they don't confiscate your camera (or take a second, inconspicuous one as well). Risky, but should help you stand out from the rest of the class.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 4:21 pm

Glomus wrote:

Keith's idea has potential. 'Law Enforcement - the Inside View'. Get yourself arrested for lurking in the shrubbery, but make sure they don't confiscate your camera (or take a second, inconspicuous one as well). Risky, but should help you stand out from the rest of the class.

Personally I would like to show up for class and not be in jail :)

Keep them coming.

Premium Member Joined: 29 Oct 2004 Posts: 5758

Hard for me too. I am phobic of taking pictures of people here, but in developing countries I'm like the paparazzi.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 7:11 pm

drpablo74 wrote:

Hard for me too. I am phobic of taking pictures of people here, but in developing countries I'm like the paparazzi.

Being said that,
We suggest that you go out of the country and collect your 100 people shot (also enjoy your vacation)....

Cheers =)

Joined: 31 Dec 2005 Posts: 129

Theme is Details!
Photographic presentation of details that are usually overlooked by people seeing the whole. For example the person easily recognizes that the picture is a portion of an apple (or one person or "men", "women" kids or whatever) but showing a detail never really looked at as a point of focus. 100 pics of overlooked details.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:12 pm

I did this for a similar assignment. I photographed one girl in 7 different situations attempting to make her look as different as possible in each, by varying hair style, makeup, apparel and locale.

I did not get theatrical, but if I had, I'm sure that I could have come up with more than 7.

100 photos sounds like a stretch to me for any assignment.

Premium Member Joined: 29 Oct 2004 Posts: 5758

adorski wrote:

We suggest that you go out of the country and collect your 100 people shot (also enjoy your vacation)....

You must not have been around for my recent 2-month stint in West Africa, but here is a reminder.

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:44 pm

I've been around Paul from the day you've left till the day you cameback I was following your journey =)
(including the Thanksgiving day that you've missed)

Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2006 8:59 pm

Any other ideas? I think I am going to go with the work idea. Whee.

Joined: 13 Feb 2005 Posts: 22 Location: Cork, Ireland.

Sounds like a tough assignment!

This might require being closer to the person, but how about shots of people's gestures when greeting each other? [100 shots of that sounds time consuming though!!]
Maybe a better (more general) option would be of people communicating? (it would apply to lots of locations and methods - more flexible).

Best of luck anyway, Cid.