GoingCandid

The settings
Since my lens is the sharpest on an aperture of about f/4, I use Mode A with
aperture f/4, the shutter is set by the camera (be sure it's fast enough, at least
1/160 with a 50mm) and the ISO value depending on the light. Often I use ISO
400 as in the city it's always a bit darker than out in the field. I set it to “Continuous
High Speed”, so my camera takes up to 6 frames per second while I
shoot. The auto focus is on continuous and the light meter on matrix measure.
With the 50mm from Nikon I normally have an exposure correction by -0.7EV.
The guts
It's not everyone's thing to jump into other people's faces, but you can get
over this barrier. You just have to practice with a longer lens and maybe ask
first. Then you may be able to get closer after a while. You will figure out that
it's not that bad and hardly anyone says anything. At certain events people
don't even care. The more people, tourists and photographers are there, the
easier. Try it! May after 2-3 beers it will be easier, but as I don't drink, I cannot
judge that.
The technique
You find the right place, the right character and you just approach him. Maybe
you pretend to shoot something else first and then point at the person and
press the button. Wait until 3 shots are made and walk away. The most important
thing is that you never, never ever, have eye contact with your subject.
The only eye contact happens through the viewfinder. If you look at the
person, they realize that you have taken their photo and they will ask questions.
And when they ask questions, you have to answer and it might get difficult.
Just approach, shoot and walk away.
Two videos on “How to…”
I have made two short videos to show how this works. I guess you can see
what I mean and you can follow the technique or how it works. It was a big
festival and there was music and a lot of people. At such events there are a lot
of characters in the streets and it's very easy to take their portrait. It's not as
difficult as you think. Have a look and try it out yourself:
Video 1 | Video 2