The flexibility of digital cameras and their lenses has made the taking of candid ‘spur of the moment’ images much easier. With automatic single or continuous focusing, 3D matrix metering, automatic white balance and automatic ISO, the camera can react very quickly to changing conditions. Writing of images to the memory can be as fast as the camera can take an image, so continuous high speed exposures are possible. Combine this with the vibration reduction facilities of some lenses and cameras and the restrictions of low light, fast moving subjects and camera movement are virtually removed, so finding a comfortable position is made a lot easier – I can become part of the crowd and take images unobtrusively. Images can be digitally enhanced with imaging software which make difficult lighting situations more feasible, reduce noise etc. The number of images which can be taken without worrying about changing spools of film makes the taking of experimental shots easier, so the creativity of portraits is also enhanced.
Michael Freeman says in the book ‘Photographing people’, “Now you can photograph people under almost any circumstances, day or night, outdoors and indoors, without having to stop and adjust the situation or lighting”. This is a significant point, as less equipment needs to be taken on a session and there’s so much more latitude on what can be photographed and more control given to the composition if required. It follows that it should be easier to find the ‘comfortable situation’ when using the automatic camera settings than it would be in a prescribed, studio setting.
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