I recently shot a series of photos at a children’s playground at a local park. There was something about the hard metal/wood shapes in a natural park setting–especially interesting when I switched to an ultra-wide lens. I felt modern metallic enhanced the look and feel I was going for so I adjusted my post processing accordingly.
The playground is often occupied by children and their parents but on this particular day I had it all to myself. This gave me time to experiment with different angles and compositions.
I’m careful about photographing children unless I have the parents permission or at least the parents are fully aware the children are being photographed.
It’s a sad statement of our society and times but as a male photographer I’m aware that taking photos of children, even innocently, might be construed wrongly.
I don’t want to place myself in a situation where motives might be questioned and if something was to happen to one of the children I don’t want to be the “creepy guy in the park taking photos of children” described to police.
Such a sad state of affairs, that we have to be afraid to photograph children. And they are such good subjects for photography–often you don’t need to break down the barriers of the facade like you need to with an adult to get a “natural ” image.
Equipment-wise, it’s such a great time to be a photographer. In other ways, however, we’ve never had it so hard.
@Eric: Yes, children are wonderful subjects for photography–they live in the moment.
Fear may be a bit strong but there is reason for caution these days when photographing children. I usually try to speak to or introduce myself to any parents about and ask if they mind me taking photos of their children.
If I put myself in the parents place, it would make me nervous if a stranger (especially a man) began taking unsolicited photos of my young children.
Luckily for me, I am so not a people photographer, and can avoid the pitfalls of photographing children quite happily. But you raise a very valid point and these days you have to exercise caution in so many areas of photography including general street shots and crowds where some folk can become abusive or aggressive towards the lens invading their ‘space’.
These photographs are simply wonderful, amazing detail and quality coupled with fabulous angles that work superbly. Brilliantly captured
This is an impressive series. I like the special processing effect very much.