I've just been chatting on another thread about someone's gorgeous street photography photo and thought it would be good to ask a wider range of people about it.
I love street photography but don't actually do it because I don't feel comfortable about it. I would like to give it a go though, I would use my digital SLR so it would be quite obvious.
I'm interested on people's opinions on how to go about it. Do you talk to the subjects either before or after? If it's a public place is it OK to take a photo of a stranger and then share it online?
I find this an odd one as I'm not sure I'd be happy with people doing that to me (though I recently had some photos taken of me in a public place and lots of strangers took pictures of me, some asked and some didn't). I didn't mind so much because I was already being photographed, it seemed a few people thought I was a model which made me laugh (I am certainly do not have model looks!).
If I ever take a photo of a busker I would put money in their collection pot as I think it's a way I'm enjoying their entertainment. Photographing someone who sleeps rough would be an interesting subject but perhaps a cup of coffee or something to eat would be good for them.
To me the whole thing of street photography holds a moral dilemma, but am I over thinking it? When Google did those pictures they ended up blurring people's faces and I wonder how this would be different. Is there a difference between photographing adults and children? I got a great photo of a child on his Dad's shoulders at the torch relay but didn't use it because it was a child I didn't know.
Anyway, thoughts on this would be greatly appreciated!
I've taken a few as a tourist in another country, but I can't just imagine going out and doing it, to me it's an invasion of privacy. I got a big scare once in UK on holiday I took photos of some kids in street playing soccer and they came over to me and asked what I was doing said they were telling their parents etc... So that gave me a big reality check. So I understand the moral dilemna. Luckily it's not my scene.
@mandiijones Wow, that would have freaked me out! It is difficult taking photos of kids. If I'm in the park with my boys I always make sure I get pictures with just them in and avoid taking shots where parents might think I'm taking pictures of their kids. I would like to get some of the teens in the skate park though, but I'd probably ask them if they mind. Perhaps this is easier as a woman than a man though? It is unfortunate that people seem to worry more about men's intentions.
I've asked the local teens - I know enough of them, some have said no, some have been fine, but I've never used them. My deal would be that if I got something I thought was good enough for publication I'd give them a print out.
I've taken masses of street shots (not that it shows here) but mostly in London and on the tube. I do try to put pictures up that aren't recognisable or wouldn't upset the people concerned. Although I tend to not be too careful of men with their tongueshanging out
Hi Corinne... This was recently discussed... If you go back about 4 pages on the latest discussion threads you shld find it (I can't seem to copy and paste the link properly w my iPhone)... I do a fair amount of street photography (although not so much in last two weeks as I was away at a cottage for a bit)... As do lots of others on 365... I almost never talk to the people I'm photographing and I've yet to run into difficulty (knock on wood!)...
I have qualms about it because I feel it’s an invasion of privacy, and it’s not really fair to post someone’s picture on the internet when they can be clearly recognized, without their knowledge or consent – especially if it’s done for amusement or the picture is unflattering in some way. The internet is a public place. There is no such thing as guaranteed anonymity, take a street photo that’s sufficiently interesting to get a lot of attention (for whatever reason), it only has to be passed around from person to person and before long someone, somewhere, will recognize the subject.
I do sometimes take pictures but I try to do so without identifying the faces. If the face is clearly visible, and they’re not a public performer or stallholder, or posing for a photo themselves, and haven't given consent, I’m not going to feel comfortable about it and I won’t usually post it. I’d hate to be on the receiving end, and I wouldn’t want my friends or family to be either. YMMV.
Hi Corinne.
In a previous life I used to do quite a bit of street photography and I was finding that the whole tension of photographing strangers gave me an incredible buzz. I would constantly challenge myself to get closer and more obvious. A really good set of articles about street photography and ways of working well worth reading is here http://2point8.whileseated.org/2005/09/06/rule-1/
Are you over thinking it? YES The should I ask or not ask question can be answered by whether you want a Street Photography shot or a Street Portrait shot, as soon as you ask it becomes a portrait.
I can't speak for other countries but in the UK as soon as anyone steps into a public place then they have no privacy rights as far as being photographed, there are obviously harassment issues if you continually stalk someone and repeatedly thrust your camera in there face.
Also the above does also apply to photographing the police engaged in front line duties, even if they try and tell you otherwise.
In the USA you are allowed to take photo's of people in public.
I just did my first real street photography because of the "get pushed challenge (thanks @38mm for starting that) and it was so fun.
I did not hide that I was taking people's pictures. I was very obvious & open. I even set up a tripod when it got darker (because of camera shake) and was right in front pointing at the crowd.
Earlier in the evening one of the security guys asked me what I was doing and I said "I'm taking pictures of the people here", he said his daughter was into photography and told him it's all legal. If someone would be upset about it or ask that I don't , I would respect that & not post the pic's.
I am a little more careful about children. I know parents get nervous about it so I can understand that. I think children make excellent subjects in photography but I don't want someone to get my intentions wrong and there are a lot of crazy people out there.
I thought of doing a collage of facial expressions of surprised people when they know I'm taking their picture. That could be fun - but I don't want my camera to be taken away and smashed so I might not go that route.
Here is my Street Photography shot from yesterday. I call it communication since there are 3 styles of communicators in it.
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I've taken masses of street shots (not that it shows here) but mostly in London and on the tube. I do try to put pictures up that aren't recognisable or wouldn't upset the people concerned. Although I tend to not be too careful of men with their tongues hanging out
I do sometimes take pictures but I try to do so without identifying the faces. If the face is clearly visible, and they’re not a public performer or stallholder, or posing for a photo themselves, and haven't given consent, I’m not going to feel comfortable about it and I won’t usually post it. I’d hate to be on the receiving end, and I wouldn’t want my friends or family to be either. YMMV.
In a previous life I used to do quite a bit of street photography and I was finding that the whole tension of photographing strangers gave me an incredible buzz. I would constantly challenge myself to get closer and more obvious. A really good set of articles about street photography and ways of working well worth reading is here http://2point8.whileseated.org/2005/09/06/rule-1/
I can't speak for other countries but in the UK as soon as anyone steps into a public place then they have no privacy rights as far as being photographed, there are obviously harassment issues if you continually stalk someone and repeatedly thrust your camera in there face.
Also the above does also apply to photographing the police engaged in front line duties, even if they try and tell you otherwise.
See the last street photography thread for how I deal with confrontation :)
http://365project.org/discuss/general/13608/question-about-street-photography
I just did my first real street photography because of the "get pushed challenge (thanks @38mm for starting that) and it was so fun.
I did not hide that I was taking people's pictures. I was very obvious & open. I even set up a tripod when it got darker (because of camera shake) and was right in front pointing at the crowd.
Earlier in the evening one of the security guys asked me what I was doing and I said "I'm taking pictures of the people here", he said his daughter was into photography and told him it's all legal. If someone would be upset about it or ask that I don't , I would respect that & not post the pic's.
I am a little more careful about children. I know parents get nervous about it so I can understand that. I think children make excellent subjects in photography but I don't want someone to get my intentions wrong and there are a lot of crazy people out there.
I thought of doing a collage of facial expressions of surprised people when they know I'm taking their picture. That could be fun - but I don't want my camera to be taken away and smashed so I might not go that route.
Here is my Street Photography shot from yesterday. I call it communication since there are 3 styles of communicators in it.