Today my son went to the dentist. I wanted a shot of him with the light and the shiny instruments and gloves. I wanted a clinical looking shot, thought it would look really interesting. On arriving at the appointment i explained to the dentist that i was doing a project and would like a photograph of my son at the dentist. At which point the dentist and the assistant both jumped to the opposite side of the room and exclaimed "as long as i'm not in it!" This was obviously my opportunity for the shot but it wasn't the one i wanted. I took a photo - more because i was expected to than because it was a nice shot (it wasn't!).
I'm very new to asking people for photos so any advice on how i should have handled this better would be much appreciated. I didn't particularly want the dentist in the shot, just her hands.
On another note do you think it made a difference that the dentist and assistant were female - not trying to be inflammatory just interested?
@gwhit123 I think it made a difference that they were medical professionals in the office. I'm not sure if you're in the US or not, but my first thought was that they were afraid of being in a photo that would ultimately be used as evidence in a medical malpractice suit.
When I do street photography and the situation is such that I ask before I shoot, I typically just go up to the person with my camera prominently displayed. I explain the 365 Project concept, tell them why I'd like to photograph them doing what they are doing, and ask if they'd mind me taking the shot. The responses have been overwhelmingly positive.
To be honest, my reaction would be the same. I just find it unpleasant having my photograph taken, if I knew my photograph is being taken. If I don't know, and am then shown the photograph afterwards, I'm fine with it. What's more, I'm a better subject if I don't know, as well.
I had just this situation yesterday! I wanted to take some shots in the kitchen of a school lunchroom and asked permission after explaining 365. No one wanted to be in the shot but I assured them it would be only hand shots and they were fine with it! I showed them a few of what I took to assure them it was only hands and they were happy to see them.
@kannafoot@gwhit123 I live in the US and work in the insurance industry where I see a lot of claims so my first thought was the malpractice issue. Sad anyone has to worry about that, isn’t it?
@kannafoot@lisabell live in the uk so less of a problem but becoming worse. Sad really. @grammyn yeah i was kicking myself for not saying that about just hands! @Cheesebiscuit in some situations i would just take the shot but thought this was different
tough one... while I do believe that is easier to beg for forgiveness than ask for permission, I also would have asked. When they say no, you could just explain to them that you're not going to take a photo of them or anything that can be identified as them (so hopefully no worried with malpractice?), just of their hands.
I think th is is an issue of just keep trying and see what explaination works for you. I've recently started the 100 strangers project and still trying to work my way through how to approach people to let them know i'm not a total psycho and wont stalk them
I am a dentist and would probably have said yes, provided it didn't distract me from my work (no flash). Having said that, doing this project probably influences my response. I also didn't immediately think of being sued, but I'm only recently qualified and haven't had a complaint out anything made about me yet, so maybe that men's I'm just not cynical enough.
My very clever friend, world traveller and excellent photographer Ryan Sitzman wrote this excellent article on this very subject, taking into account the added complication of possibly not speaking the language of your potential photo subjects, but many of the ideas apply here, it's about coming up with a strategy before-hand: http://photodoto.com/how-to-photograph-people-you-meet-while-traveling/
@loopdeloup thats a really good article. Thanks for sharing! Aftrr the fail this morning i tried again with a busker. Gave him a pound and asked if it was alright. He was unfazed and took some pictures. None were very good, still rushing but at least i did it! Ill put some up later!
Thanks for all of the advice. I listened and this afternoon while i was taking photos for my architecture get-pushed i started chatting to a busker and asked if i could take some photos. some were alright! He mentioned that lots of people take photos but he never sees them so i took his email and am going to send him the finished results.
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When I do street photography and the situation is such that I ask before I shoot, I typically just go up to the person with my camera prominently displayed. I explain the 365 Project concept, tell them why I'd like to photograph them doing what they are doing, and ask if they'd mind me taking the shot. The responses have been overwhelmingly positive.
@grammyn yeah i was kicking myself for not saying that about just hands! @Cheesebiscuit in some situations i would just take the shot but thought this was different
I think th is is an issue of just keep trying and see what explaination works for you. I've recently started the 100 strangers project and still trying to work my way through how to approach people to let them know i'm not a total psycho and wont stalk them
@wormentude please dont get that cynical. Thats a good thing!
http://photodoto.com/how-to-photograph-people-you-meet-while-traveling/
Thanks for all of the advice. I listened and this afternoon while i was taking photos for my architecture get-pushed i started chatting to a busker and asked if i could take some photos. some were alright! He mentioned that lots of people take photos but he never sees them so i took his email and am going to send him the finished results.
Happy. thanks for advice