I took this shot of couple enjoying some coffee at a local Starbucks (@a table next to me) who seem to be studying something on the phone together. Before I left, I spoke with them briefly, showed them what a nice looking couple they are, and the guy (Josh) asked me to send a copy of the pic to him, which I did right there at the table. It gives me (and them I would imagine) great pleasure to meet people like this when I am shooting and to be able to share with them like this when, just moments before we were strangers.
I really love these real life “moments in time” that you capture.
How long did it take you to feel comfortable snapping pictures of strangers in public? Has anyone ever become upset when you’ve taken a picture of them and, if so, how did you handle it?
Thanks for asking. I have been working on this skill since around 2014 or so. I do remember an incident at Ohio Univ., when I took a pic of a church and a young man nearby thought I was shooting him and insisted I delete his image. ONLY because I was with my wife did I oblige him, and allowed him to watch me delete the image on my camera. Not! What he didn't know is that my Nikon D7000 has TWO cards in it, and I have the second one making jpegs and the first one shoots everything in raw, so i had the image anyway. I have had a few people look at me weird over the years, but have never had any other confrontations. Often I will nod at people or thank them after I shoot them, especially when I am using my 50mm or 35 mm and I'm closer to them when getting shots. Honestly, I still get scared on occasion to shoot, but usually push through it, because of my positive experiences over many years. I get along with just about anyone, can strike up a conversation, share with them why I am shooting, etc. with no issues. Sometime I shoot with my iPhone 11 Pro, and others with my camera(s) which I ALWAYS have in my car console, and frequently at least one of them is strapped on me. Hope that answers your questions!
@ggshearron That was definitely a very helpful response.
I’m still quite new on this photography journey of mine (having consciously started at the beginning of the year) and still getting my footing and developing a sense of what I’m looking for, but I have passed up a few occasions of snapping a picture of others as I wasn’t comfortable in how they may react. It seems we have very similar personalities as I get along with just about everyone and can easily strike up a conversation, so I think I just need to get past that hesitancy and let it rip.
Thanks for your feedback. I’m sure I’ll have future questions!
How long did it take you to feel comfortable snapping pictures of strangers in public? Has anyone ever become upset when you’ve taken a picture of them and, if so, how did you handle it?
I’m still quite new on this photography journey of mine (having consciously started at the beginning of the year) and still getting my footing and developing a sense of what I’m looking for, but I have passed up a few occasions of snapping a picture of others as I wasn’t comfortable in how they may react. It seems we have very similar personalities as I get along with just about everyone and can easily strike up a conversation, so I think I just need to get past that hesitancy and let it rip.
Thanks for your feedback. I’m sure I’ll have future questions!