Pictures of strangers in public areas...I have never tried it but have always wanted to. This might sound silly but how do you go about it? Do you need to ask permission before/after the photo? Any advice or example pic would be nice, thank you.
Sarah, do you follow @robinwarner ? If not go check out some of her portraits...they are amazing (in my opinion) . This is something I have wanted to do as well, but I am so nervous about it. But, since seeing some really great shots here on 365, I have started trying it. So far I have mostly side shots, because I don't have a large telephoto lens.
I'll have to check out Madeline's suggestion. But Robin tries to tell the story behind the photo as well. I like that because she is sort of teaching me as I view her shots.
Sarah, thank you for posting this question. I live in NYC and there so many people that I can't avoid taking photos of them even when I don't want them in my shot. The two suggestions, Brinkley and Warner are amazing photographers.
@selardore I have wondered the same thing recently, thanks for posting. @madeline515@jwresa - Thanks for the opinions of 365er's to follow, they are wonderful!
When it comes to taking photos of strangers, you have to practice a way of hiding without looking like a creeper. If you ask permission of someone before hand, you won't get that candid, natural look you want. 9/10 times the people will look staged if they know what you are doing.
Sometimes when I snap a photo of someone I'll walk over, introduce myself, give them a business card and let them know if they email me I'll send them a free copy of the photo. Sometimes I'll get an angry look, or someone who wants me to erase my memory card. It's a big world out there. The key is to be polite.
Try to blend in, but don't hide. Then you look like paparazzi. If they see you, smile and wave.
The law in the United States is that you are allowed to shoot anyone in a public space where they do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. That means you can shoot people on sidewalks, subways, malls, parking lots, beaches, parks, and more. However, you cannot shoot someone inside their own house even if you are standing on a sidewalk. Inside their own home or other private property they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
It's tough at first. But you'll get more comfortable with it, and you'll learn how to shoot without drawing so much attention to yourself.
@triptych_angel hahaha...we need to live closer, lol then we could go stalk the pubic together :D
Think I might head up to St Andrews market next week...it's a hippy market full of artists, so maybe they wont mind me photographing them if I promote their products...
My 'stalker shots' aren't so great but I take them whenever I'm driving. I'm always in the passenger seat so every time the driver stops at a red light, I look around for any pedestrians nearby and take a picture of them. Since you're inside a car, people will be less likely to notice.
You got a great reply from Jason but if you need more Australia specific guidelines, they're well publicised if you do a Google search. There was a great summary from the ruling judge in a fairly recent case of invasion of privacy brought by Kidman. He said, "In Australia, no person has a right not to be photographed" a case where double negative really punches. Beware of local rulings in Malls - they're allowed to do that, but they can only ask you to leave or stop taking photos, nothing more.
@ellida thank you :) I was wondering if Australian laws where different. I'm going to try a local market, try and take the photo first then ask permission. I just feel better doing it this way, because personally I wouldn't want someone taking my pic without my permission.
I don't know anyone who as ever actually used one of these, but it seems like a good idea!
you point the camera in a fake direction and it basically takes the photo 90 degrees to where you're pointing, mostly I love that it's called the 'Super Secret Spy Lens' http://www.likecool.com/Super-Secret_Spy_Lens--Camera--Gear.html
I normally just ask.. I feel better if I get it out of the way.. Even if it's just making eye contact with someone and gesturing with my camera to see their reaction.. I've never had anyone tell me no, but I tend to target folks that look more open (?).. I'd feel awkward taking sneaky photos, but that's just me..
My ex used to have a huge pink mohawk and we'd notice people taking pictures all the time. I remember one bloke who came over and asked if he could take a picture, said he was doing a gallery the following week and asked for permission to use it and gave us directions there. He was very polite and up front and it was great.
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@madeline515 @jwresa - Thanks for the opinions of 365er's to follow, they are wonderful!
Sometimes when I snap a photo of someone I'll walk over, introduce myself, give them a business card and let them know if they email me I'll send them a free copy of the photo. Sometimes I'll get an angry look, or someone who wants me to erase my memory card. It's a big world out there. The key is to be polite.
Try to blend in, but don't hide. Then you look like paparazzi. If they see you, smile and wave.
The law in the United States is that you are allowed to shoot anyone in a public space where they do not have a reasonable expectation of privacy. That means you can shoot people on sidewalks, subways, malls, parking lots, beaches, parks, and more. However, you cannot shoot someone inside their own house even if you are standing on a sidewalk. Inside their own home or other private property they have a reasonable expectation of privacy.
It's tough at first. But you'll get more comfortable with it, and you'll learn how to shoot without drawing so much attention to yourself.
Think I might head up to St Andrews market next week...it's a hippy market full of artists, so maybe they wont mind me photographing them if I promote their products...
you point the camera in a fake direction and it basically takes the photo 90 degrees to where you're pointing, mostly I love that it's called the 'Super Secret Spy Lens'
http://www.likecool.com/Super-Secret_Spy_Lens--Camera--Gear.html