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street photography -- are you discreet about it?

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If I see a scene developing then I won't ask lest I disturb everything coming together. In that situation, if I see someone uncomfortable with having their picture taken then I'll go up to them and explain what I'm doing to put them at ease, but that's after I get my shot.

Often times I'll just ask, or look them in the eye and hold up the camera if I'm farther away. I really haven't run into many problems. Just be confident and comfortable. Nervousness is a huge deterrent.

--
Ramen is how I afford my glass
http://www.blindmike.com
 
Bill T. said:
But in general, have the decency to not to approach people who are
at some temporary or permanent disadvantage or clearly having a bad
day, it can only lead to trouble and confrontation. Some of us
used to think pictures of down-and-out, miserable homeless people
established one as socially relevant photographer, but in fact this
was merely egoistic predation at its worst.
Click to expand...
I got screamed out for having a camera out while touring the hurricaine areas lat year. I was not even pointing the camera at anything. People nerves were frayed and taking out their agression.
 
I'm in.

+ Enviroment. If there are a lot of cameras around, shoot away. You can also get away with big lens. Festivals and parades tolerate this a lots. If there are few camera around, use smaller lens, take picture, and move on. Don't stare at your subject for too long.

+ Know your subject. If you shoot disadvantage people, make sure you don't offend them, or prepare to run. If your subject appear to be a pretty woman, find out who she's with. The man/men/ Neanderthal she's with might try to impress the woman in a not-so-gentlemen manner.

+ Dress accordingly to your self-image. Big camera, big lens, big event, dress somewhat more professional ( don't over dress). Small camera, small lens, shoot and run, dress down to avoid attention.

+ Prepare an apology. "sorry, you are just so pretty, I can't resist. May I have your numbers ?", " I'm learning the control of my camera", "I take picture for art" , " I'm building up my porfolio", " I'm learning to shoot sport", ect....

+ Don't shoot around sensitive areas, like government building, courts etc. Nothing's worth having armed police harrass you. Don't shoot in privately owned areas, like shoping malls, parties, .. since you'll be of other people's mercy.

+ Act like you own the place. If you appear to be guilty, people will think you're guilty.

Gab.

--
------------------------------
Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice ...
 
Gab H said:
I'm in.

+ Enviroment. If there are a lot of cameras around, shoot away. You
can also get away with big lens. Festivals and parades tolerate
this a lots. If there are few camera around, use smaller lens, take
picture, and move on. Don't stare at your subject for too long.
Click to expand...
Very true: I invite others to protests and it helps when we walk together to our cars. I just did a protest in Little Haiti in Miami and we had a few people very interested in the gear.
Gab H said:
+ Know your subject. If you shoot disadvantage people, make sure
you don't offend them, or prepare to run. If your subject appear to
be a pretty woman, find out who she's with. The man/men/
Neanderthal she's with might try to impress the woman in a
not-so-gentlemen manner.
Click to expand...
Stay the @#$@#$ away from kids as you are instantly guilty and any able boded male will help a female who accuses you of being some kind of a pedo.
Gab H said:
+ Dress accordingly to your self-image. Big camera, big lens, big
event, dress somewhat more professional ( don't over dress). Small
camera, small lens, shoot and run, dress down to avoid attention.
Click to expand...
Press style ID hanging from your neck will help.
Gab H said:
+ Prepare an apology. "sorry, you are just so pretty, I can't
resist. May I have your numbers ?", " I'm learning the control of
my camera", "I take picture for art" , " I'm building up my
porfolio", " I'm learning to shoot sport", ect....
Click to expand...
My business card has defused many a situation that could have developed.
Gab H said:
+ Don't shoot around sensitive areas, like government building,
courts etc. Nothing's worth having armed police harrass you. Don't
shoot in privately owned areas, like shoping malls, parties, ..
since you'll be of other people's mercy.
Click to expand...
Well, you might have to try it one time to learn not to do it if you don't heed the warnings from encounters that many have posted here and other forums. Some just don't belive it could happen to them.
Gab H said:
+ Act like you own the place. If you appear to be guilty, people
will think you're guilty.
Click to expand...
True. Sometimes it is better to stay where you are rather than try and slip away.
Gab H said:
Gab.

--
------------------------------
Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice ...
Click to expand...
 
A good way to get candids AND as permission is to ask permission and take their pic (if they consent). Then, after you take their pic, wait a second for them to look away and continue to do what they were doing, and take another one. Hey, you got their permission.....
 
Lautermilch said:
Stay the @#$@#$ away from kids as you are instantly guilty and any
able boded male will help a female who accuses you of being some
kind of a pedo.
Click to expand...
This, I agree. Never, ever shoot kids in candid situation. Sometimes people will overreact. Can't really blame them... Just don't shoot kids.
Lautermilch said:
Lautermilch said:
+ Dress accordingly to your self-image. Big camera, big lens, big
event, dress somewhat more professional ( don't over dress). Small
camera, small lens, shoot and run, dress down to avoid attention.
Click to expand...
Press style ID hanging from your neck will help.
Click to expand...
If I got a press ID, I'd just put a big lens on one's face and take picture. Damn, I'd do anything to have one of those.
Lautermilch said:
Lautermilch said:
+ Prepare an apology. "sorry, you are just so pretty, I can't
resist. May I have your numbers ?", " I'm learning the control of
my camera", "I take picture for art" , " I'm building up my
porfolio", " I'm learning to shoot sport", ect....
Click to expand...
Click to expand...
Lautermilch said:
My business card has defused many a situation that could have
developed.
Click to expand...
I thought so ..

Gab.

--
------------------------------
Anything worth shooting is worth shooting twice ...
 
If you go to protests or other public gaterings many others will have cameras for various reasons and you will be their subject. The man in the middle on the bottom row was with the local police and he made it a point to target me. This was done during a jazz festival.

http://www.pbase.com/lautermilch/tv

I don't object. I just smile for the camera.
 
Gab H said:
Lautermilch said:
Stay the @#$@#$ away from kids as you are instantly guilty and any
able boded male will help a female who accuses you of being some
kind of a pedo.
Click to expand...
This, I agree. Never, ever shoot kids in candid situation.
Sometimes people will overreact. Can't really blame them... Just
don't shoot kids.
Click to expand...
I strongly disagree. Just deal with the parents first, or at least try to fit in with the crowd. Kids are wonderful subjects and I've actually had less problems with kid candids than I have with adult candids.

--
Ramen is how I afford my glass
http://www.blindmike.com
 
Been trying to resist this, but...

In spite of my own philosophy about permissions, all of us would-be street photographers need to take a good long look at some of Cartier-Bresson's work. The guy is amazing, and his work is exquisite, pure poetry...there's now other way to put it.

As i understand it, he walks (or walked) around with a beat-up Leica held out of the way, senses the "Decisivie Moment" coming just seconds away, lifts the camera, and SNICK, he's got it. He's the reason my old Leica M2 now is covered with no longer removable black photo tape.

Bill T.
http://www.kupercontrols.com
 
virtuamike said:
Gab H said:
Lautermilch said:
Stay the @#$@#$ away from kids as you are instantly guilty and any
able boded male will help a female who accuses you of being some
kind of a pedo.
Click to expand...
This, I agree. Never, ever shoot kids in candid situation.
Sometimes people will overreact. Can't really blame them... Just
don't shoot kids.
Click to expand...
I strongly disagree. Just deal with the parents first, or at least
try to fit in with the crowd. Kids are wonderful subjects and I've
actually had less problems with kid candids than I have with adult
candids.
Click to expand...
Not if there are other parents with kids around. The reaction of a pro loooking photographer walking around will be like a lion walking near a heard of gazelles. That photographer will be watched.

I've photographed kids at outdoor events under escort of one parent. As long the others see a 'mom' with me, I don't raise any concern. I even get requests. But you try it alone, it will be a different situataion.
 
Lautermilch said:
virtuamike said:
Gab H said:
Lautermilch said:
Stay the @#$@#$ away from kids as you are instantly guilty and any
able boded male will help a female who accuses you of being some
kind of a pedo.
Click to expand...
This, I agree. Never, ever shoot kids in candid situation.
Sometimes people will overreact. Can't really blame them... Just
don't shoot kids.
Click to expand...
I strongly disagree. Just deal with the parents first, or at least
try to fit in with the crowd. Kids are wonderful subjects and I've
actually had less problems with kid candids than I have with adult
candids.
Click to expand...
Not if there are other parents with kids around. The reaction of a
pro loooking photographer walking around will be like a lion
walking near a heard of gazelles. That photographer will be watched.
I've photographed kids at outdoor events under escort of one
parent. As long the others see a 'mom' with me, I don't raise any
concern. I even get requests. But you try it alone, it will be a
different situataion.
Click to expand...
Smile at the parents. Talk to them. Make them feel at ease. I've shot kids in the park by myself and I haven't had any problems.

--
Ramen is how I afford my glass
http://www.blindmike.com
 
I have an Olympus C5050. It is not tiny, but it is smaller than any dSLR. It also has a flip-up lcd panel so I can take pictures while looking like I am just playing with the camera.
 
virtuamike said:
Lautermilch said:
virtuamike said:
Gab H said:
Lautermilch said:
Stay the @#$@#$ away from kids as you are instantly guilty and any
able boded male will help a female who accuses you of being some
kind of a pedo.
Click to expand...
This, I agree. Never, ever shoot kids in candid situation.
Sometimes people will overreact. Can't really blame them... Just
don't shoot kids.
Click to expand...
I strongly disagree. Just deal with the parents first, or at least
try to fit in with the crowd. Kids are wonderful subjects and I've
actually had less problems with kid candids than I have with adult
candids.
Click to expand...
Not if there are other parents with kids around. The reaction of a
pro loooking photographer walking around will be like a lion
walking near a heard of gazelles. That photographer will be watched.
I've photographed kids at outdoor events under escort of one
parent. As long the others see a 'mom' with me, I don't raise any
concern. I even get requests. But you try it alone, it will be a
different situataion.
Click to expand...
Smile at the parents. Talk to them. Make them feel at ease. I've
shot kids in the park by myself and I haven't had any problems.
Click to expand...
It would not do me any good with my personal apperence. I could easily be an extra in a prison movie or 'Oz' at my age and with a shaved head. If an attractive female takes a DSLR to the playground I doubt anyone would care.
So I need and get an escort for those situations.
 
Haha so does that make me prettier than you? j/k =)
Lautermilch said:
virtuamike said:
Lautermilch said:
virtuamike said:
Gab H said:
Lautermilch said:
Stay the @#$@#$ away from kids as you are instantly guilty and any
able boded male will help a female who accuses you of being some
kind of a pedo.
Click to expand...
This, I agree. Never, ever shoot kids in candid situation.
Sometimes people will overreact. Can't really blame them... Just
don't shoot kids.
Click to expand...
I strongly disagree. Just deal with the parents first, or at least
try to fit in with the crowd. Kids are wonderful subjects and I've
actually had less problems with kid candids than I have with adult
candids.
Click to expand...
Not if there are other parents with kids around. The reaction of a
pro loooking photographer walking around will be like a lion
walking near a heard of gazelles. That photographer will be watched.
I've photographed kids at outdoor events under escort of one
parent. As long the others see a 'mom' with me, I don't raise any
concern. I even get requests. But you try it alone, it will be a
different situataion.
Click to expand...
Smile at the parents. Talk to them. Make them feel at ease. I've
shot kids in the park by myself and I haven't had any problems.
Click to expand...
It would not do me any good with my personal apperence. I could
easily be an extra in a prison movie or 'Oz' at my age and with a
shaved head. If an attractive female takes a DSLR to the playground
I doubt anyone would care.
So I need and get an escort for those situations.
Click to expand...
--
Ramen is how I afford my glass
http://www.blindmike.com
 
--Gary Winogrand, one of the more prolific street photographers, used a wide angle lens. He shot using two Leicas with 28mm lenses. He believed in being up close, and apparently had the personality and style to pull it off.
RLD
 
I usually ask at least by raising my camera. I know I will miss the moment but after a few seconds and a few waisted pictures they are back to normal and I can retry to capture the moment.

On one occasion I asked, and the woman pulled out a snake from a basket, I hate snakes but I have a unique picture
--
http://www.ilanphoto.com
 
BellaDonna said:
--
Donna Bella

To begin with, I think it is not proper for anyone with a camera to
take pictures of anybody just like that. There is such a thing as
privacy, decency and decorum in our society.

I will never violate another person's right to privacy, and
therefore I will never take pictures of anybody..tourist or not, in
a busy street or elsewhere without permission. There are other
subjects and more interesting scene along the way.

"Do unto others what you would expect others to do unto you."
No...I am not pontificating. Just my personal belief.

Donna
Click to expand...
You are going to have wait a long time for everyone to get out of your scene so that you can take a picture.

You don't have a right to privacy when you are in public. You won't be able to publish a picture if you have a close-up of a person without getting their release, but you can certainly can take the picture. At a distance, you are certainly clear to publish.

--
Scott
 
BellaDonna wrote:
[snip]
BellaDonna said:
To begin with, I think it is not proper for anyone with a camera to
take pictures of anybody just like that. There is such a thing as
privacy, decency and decorum in our society.
Click to expand...
According to the law, photographing people in public isn't a violation of privacy. According to someone's moral viewpoint, it varies.
BellaDonna said:
I will never violate another person's right to privacy, and
therefore I will never take pictures of anybody..tourist or not, in
a busy street or elsewhere without permission. There are other
subjects and more interesting scene along the way.
Click to expand...
Depends on your interest. I find photos of people to be extremely interesting if done well.
BellaDonna said:
"Do unto others what you would expect others to do unto you."
No...I am not pontificating. Just my personal belief.
Click to expand...
Photographers have taken pics of me on the street. I had no problem with it.

larsbc
 
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