This has bothering me for a while, and this seems like a good place to ask - what is your personal etiquette and ethics surrounding street photography?
Just to put my own two cents out there - I think it's amazing if you have the guts to approach a stranger and speak to them - but it makes me really uncomfortable when people are photographed without their knowledge or permission (which may not be a problem if you're taking them for personal use, but in the digital age where they can be easily shared with hundreds of strangers...) I've taken these kind of shots before, so I don't intend to speak from any kind of high ground, but since I started photog 5 or 6 years ago my attitude has changed and I wouldn't feel comfortable doing this any more. Partly because I've become more aware of how threatening it could be to have someone know where you are, if the time of day, place, or companions of the person are recognisable (there might be many reasons for this - to name a few, people in illicit relationships who don't want to be seen with the other person; people who have experienced stalking or DV; people working in any kind of security-sensitive job for whom it's important to keep their family and loved ones secret; people who have started new lives away from past ordeals; children, who can't consent to the use of their image...) For me it's an invasion of privacy. I've had people to do this to me before in situations where I can't escape (on the train for example) and it's made my skin crawl, you don't necessarily know when someone is taking a cool street shot or when they're perving on you, and that feels p scary and exploitative.
Like I said, i don't want to speak from any kind of high ground, this is just what I've been mulling over in my head - I've taken these kind of shots before and I'm not asking this in response to anything in particular. And of course it's possible to do street photography in a respectful way, or in a way that doesn't show close ups of people's faces and identity. Was just wondering what everyone's stance on this is?
PS - I did search for this topic in the search bar, the most recent discussion on this seems to be from 2013, so I hope it's okay for me to ask this again!
I struggle with this too. I love street photography but I'm not quite brave enough to pull it off. I think a lot of it depends on where you are. If you're at a ballgame you have to be cool with the fact that you're probably in the background of someone's selfie anyway.
Then there are private moments that should stay private. One of the best shots I've ever taken was when I was in chemo. Its a shot of the guy across from me in the infusion bay. It was clearly his first time there, he still had a rather thick head of hair. He had this 1,000 yard stare and the raw emotion is something that I can't even really describe. There is a feeling when you go through something like that like you don't belong here with all these sick people hiding their bald heads under a variety of hats, scarves, wigs. Eventually you come to accept that you do belong here and you are one of "them" but not at first. It's a compelling image but for obvious reasons one I cannot put out there.
Although I have rarely taken any street images, I enjoy them very much. I think the purpose of street photography is to document people, but it isn't about specific people, even when one person is the subject of the photo. I think that street photography is an important genre of photography.
I understand what you are saying as well. My oldest child has been the subject of unwanted photographs by random people and feels very strongly that it is an unwanted invasion of privacy, as you said.
Last night when I was busily taking photos of a sunset, my daughter was taking many candids of me, and I had no idea whatsoever until she showed me. My point is that any of us could be the subject of photos either intentional or not at any time and not even know about it.
It's perfectly legal, and no one can tell you to delete images or destroy film. So far as I'm concerned, that's the problem solved.
Interestingly, a 'street shot with people' was one of my 'get pushed' challenges recently. Here it is:
I was challenged a couple of times (although curiously, only ever by the Newcastle supporters – not by any of the home fans – even though I wasn't in colours as I didn't have a ticket), but nothing came of it other than a lot of bluster (shouting and swearing, mostly) and no action. A couple of people asked (quite aggressively) "Are you taking photos of me?!" and I just said "Yes, I am". It was no big deal.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yep, I agree Kathryn - there are some situations where you can't help but be in the background of someone else's photo or selfie (I think that's different to setting out to make a stranger the central subject of a photo, though). And I also agree that some moments should be kept private especially if those are intimate moments belonging to someone else, as you describe.
Thanks for sharing that thread Tracy, I didn't see it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well and your daughter's.
Sorry Kit but I'm not convinced that's decent reasoning - being legal definitely doesn't mean it's right! Lots of bad things have been legal throughout history. More to the point, the law is nowhere near catching up with the way that technology, photography, and social media have exploded in recent decades, so the law is a particularly tricky defence if we're talking about those issues. Will be interesting to see how law goes on to deal with social media and privacy in coming decades (the recent Apple/FBI debacle for example). That is a really cool image, though, I like it
I did a photo workshop a while back & part of it was about taking photos in the street. I did push myself & went to ask a group of 'interesting' girls if I could take their photo - they were more than happy & even asked me if I wanted them to pose! I felt way out of my comfort zone though. Now I tend to either take the backs of people or side shots where you can't see faces clearly or very long distance type shots! I also prefer to shoot from the hip to avoid any sort of possible confrontation!
For my stranger's portrait project I always ask permission and, anyway, I need to have some info about the subject to accompany the photo. If I'm taking a shot of somebody in the street I tend to ask if it's a situation where their face will be clearly visible.
But I do feel there is a place for candid photos and often folk will not be recognisable in the photo. I feel that phone cameras have changed the boundaries in street photography.
@carolineb7@quietpurplehaze thanks for the replies, interesting to hear your thoughts. congrats on having the courage to talk to strangers, that's really cool! Hoping to work my way up to that:)
Yep that's true Hazel I think that because everyone effectively has a camera on them at all times these days, we've got a lot of new issues to navigate that have never bothered people before
@izzyromilly@quietpurplehaze I don't think the strangers projects, where you ask permission before shooting, is the same as street photography. I definitely think there is a place for candid street photography, and if the photographer asks first, then it really is not the same.
I'd hate to only see street photography where faces were not visible! Documenting humans in candid situations is a legitimate pursuit and certainly capturing emotions and expressions is important in that endeavor.
I get that some people are shy or just private, but if you are out in public, then you just are out in public afterall. I've not seen mean spirited street photography, and I know some people will not photograph children or the homeless, and people create their own guidelines.
All the pictures I take is candid ... I never ask a person for their permission. Its in Gauteng, South Africa anyway to dangerous to ask because the changes of being robbed is very good. 90% of my pictures is taken out of our car.
If the person is out in public for all to see then I don't see a problem taking pictures of them. I always use my discretion before taking a picture of someone.
I'm trying to tell a story with my street pictures .... not to humiliate or embarresh people.
Hmm, I don't consider myself a "street" photographer, but I lean toward photojournalism or narrative photography. Often the same shot (without people) makes for a flat scene--I like how life is breathed into a shot. It means that I look at the photography as time I spend working an angle for something I might want to see again--not just to grab someone else's image, especially when I don't know them. I hope that makes sense. I have taken some things that I imagine I would probably be better off asking for a personal release form, and some photography competitions make it a requirement for a release form of images of people, so there's that too. In the end, it's public domain--exercise good people skills and photography skills, and often there is a great photo in the mix! Oh, and I have enjoyed photobombing some other photographer's efforts--it's a wide open world now!
I think if someone has something to hide such as illicit relationship etc, then perhaps they shouldn't be out in public. Illicit by definition is hidden.Likewise , people in sensitive situations are most likely aware that almost 100% of the population has cell phones and they may get caught in a shot and hopefully plan accordingly.
That being said, I try to be sensitive and would not post a photo that one might find embarassing.
@manek43509 'perfectly legal', of course, depends on the laws of where you happen to be photographing...Cops in Italy, for example, are allowed to seize, review and remove images from your camera, yet the paparazzi thrive anyhow as buying those images is not prohibited. Technically, photographers here are required to get a signed release if subjects are recognisable. That being said, if people are in public and the image isn't overtly offensive and doesn't exploit juveniles- no harm done. I've asked permission of people loads of times with mixed results, but generally positive.
I've read somewhere that more pictures were taken last year than in the entire history of photography. With the popularity of mobile phones and tablets I understand how this can happen. If that's the case then can you imagine how many other peoples photographs you are already in - inadvertently, but still in. It has become such a ubiquitous part of our lives, I think for the most part people don't even notice anymore.
I think a more important question is "What should I photograph?". Personally I adore taking pictures of people or things made by/for people, and plants, landscapes and animals don't interest me as much. I actually don't think a picture is complete unless there is a person involved in some way. But some things I will not take; as a man I think it's unacceptable to take pictures of young girls for example. Or couples in love, or anywhere I feel I'm intruding. Aesthetically I hate pictures of people eating or using a mobile phone (and try finding a scene without one of those anymore!). I also don't like pictures taken from behind people - that to me is is probably closer to your question because it's meant to be taken without their knowledge.
My advice to you is be brave! Take photographs where people know what you're doing. You'd be surprised how many don't mind. And if you find someone so sensitive that they complain, just apologise and delete it.
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.
Tweets ahoy!
Join the Group
Pin With Me
Then there are private moments that should stay private. One of the best shots I've ever taken was when I was in chemo. Its a shot of the guy across from me in the infusion bay. It was clearly his first time there, he still had a rather thick head of hair. He had this 1,000 yard stare and the raw emotion is something that I can't even really describe. There is a feeling when you go through something like that like you don't belong here with all these sick people hiding their bald heads under a variety of hats, scarves, wigs. Eventually you come to accept that you do belong here and you are one of "them" but not at first. It's a compelling image but for obvious reasons one I cannot put out there.
Although I have rarely taken any street images, I enjoy them very much. I think the purpose of street photography is to document people, but it isn't about specific people, even when one person is the subject of the photo. I think that street photography is an important genre of photography.
I understand what you are saying as well. My oldest child has been the subject of unwanted photographs by random people and feels very strongly that it is an unwanted invasion of privacy, as you said.
Last night when I was busily taking photos of a sunset, my daughter was taking many candids of me, and I had no idea whatsoever until she showed me. My point is that any of us could be the subject of photos either intentional or not at any time and not even know about it.
Interestingly, a 'street shot with people' was one of my 'get pushed' challenges recently. Here it is:
I was challenged a couple of times (although curiously, only ever by the Newcastle supporters – not by any of the home fans – even though I wasn't in colours as I didn't have a ticket), but nothing came of it other than a lot of bluster (shouting and swearing, mostly) and no action. A couple of people asked (quite aggressively) "Are you taking photos of me?!" and I just said "Yes, I am". It was no big deal.
Most importantly, we won 3-2 in extra time.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Yep, I agree Kathryn - there are some situations where you can't help but be in the background of someone else's photo or selfie (I think that's different to setting out to make a stranger the central subject of a photo, though). And I also agree that some moments should be kept private especially if those are intimate moments belonging to someone else, as you describe.
Thanks for sharing that thread Tracy, I didn't see it! Thanks for sharing your thoughts as well and your daughter's.
Sorry Kit but I'm not convinced that's decent reasoning - being legal definitely doesn't mean it's right! Lots of bad things have been legal throughout history. More to the point, the law is nowhere near catching up with the way that technology, photography, and social media have exploded in recent decades, so the law is a particularly tricky defence if we're talking about those issues. Will be interesting to see how law goes on to deal with social media and privacy in coming decades (the recent Apple/FBI debacle for example). That is a really cool image, though, I like it
But I do feel there is a place for candid photos and often folk will not be recognisable in the photo. I feel that phone cameras have changed the boundaries in street photography.
Yep that's true Hazel I think that because everyone effectively has a camera on them at all times these days, we've got a lot of new issues to navigate that have never bothered people before
I'd hate to only see street photography where faces were not visible! Documenting humans in candid situations is a legitimate pursuit and certainly capturing emotions and expressions is important in that endeavor.
I get that some people are shy or just private, but if you are out in public, then you just are out in public afterall. I've not seen mean spirited street photography, and I know some people will not photograph children or the homeless, and people create their own guidelines.
If the person is out in public for all to see then I don't see a problem taking pictures of them. I always use my discretion before taking a picture of someone.
I'm trying to tell a story with my street pictures .... not to humiliate or embarresh people.
That being said, I try to be sensitive and would not post a photo that one might find embarassing.
I think a more important question is "What should I photograph?". Personally I adore taking pictures of people or things made by/for people, and plants, landscapes and animals don't interest me as much. I actually don't think a picture is complete unless there is a person involved in some way. But some things I will not take; as a man I think it's unacceptable to take pictures of young girls for example. Or couples in love, or anywhere I feel I'm intruding. Aesthetically I hate pictures of people eating or using a mobile phone (and try finding a scene without one of those anymore!). I also don't like pictures taken from behind people - that to me is is probably closer to your question because it's meant to be taken without their knowledge.
My advice to you is be brave! Take photographs where people know what you're doing. You'd be surprised how many don't mind. And if you find someone so sensitive that they complain, just apologise and delete it.