I feel a little mean posting this picture. Is it compromising peoples privacy when you take their photo unawares or if you are in a public place are you fair game?
I was in the railway station just taking different shots when I saw this lady coming down the ramp to board a train & I just couldn't resist.
As I passed her she asked me what I was photoing & I just waved my hand vaguely in the air feeling guilty.
I thought she said I hope you are taking me but thinking back it could have been the opposite! A very pleasant face & she was friendly but I feel I might have taken advantage of her!
Unfortunately this is my favourite form of photography & just wished I lived in a bigger place so would get used to spying which is what it is really.
Out for a meal again tonight, this time with the now retired ex stewards in the Horticulture tent of the Agriculture Show.
Three good things:
1. Room cleared & old carpet up ready for the decorator tomorrow.
2. Harry is mowing lawns before the forecast rain tomorrow.
3.My brothers birthday today....Happy Birthday Michael!
@happypat I think I have seen her here in Clitheroe, a while ago, she had a lot of baggage and was pushing it up to the pub where me and my friend were heading to. She must have had a room there for the night, she was in the bar having a laugh and a drink with the regulars.
Great street shot Pat. It is always a dilemma. Sometimes it is best to ask, but when I don't feel I can or should I shoot from the hip, and no-one ever notices!!
@cdonohoue Well this is what made me think twice about posting...perhaps I shiuld have cropped them out. Unfortunately if one doesn't conform to the so called norm this is what you get
Fabulous street shot Pat!!! Love the guys' expressions as they watch her!!! So glad you have developed the " oh that post/bird/door/house/thing behind you" explanation! Sometimes I feel I'm stealing a pic if I don't ask but rationalise that it seems like the whole world uses phones to take pics and no one cares or seems to notice!
I took some pictures of a group of people across and up the street and when I downloaded them, two of those people were looking straight at me! I knew one of them and they didnt look happy at all! I felt awful and deleted the photo! This sort of person here must be used to all these glances and perhaps photos! I love your sort of "waving your hand vaguely in the direction" Paula in South Africa takes pics from her car with her husband beside her who keeps a weapon in case she gets attacked! Crikey, what are we about?
She looks like she has something of a tough skin and there's a resignation about her manner. Still, there's equally a personal exposure seen here that must be something of a trial for her to bare. The onlookers hardly look empathetic do they. And then someone took here photo too and posted it here. Tut tut, Pat! :)
She was doing well do keep control on that ramp which I seem to remember is steep. I remember walking up the ramp to the old exit after long journeys and always being pleased to see my mum waiting at the top of it! I think you can justify this picture by shaming those young men who should be coming over to give her a hand! I feel your pain with this sort of shot - sometimes I take them and then I feel really bad - but she is a happy person and that makes a difference - I took a little series of sad alcoholics out in the cold on New Year's Day and then couldn't bring myself to post.
She is certainly loaded up .you would think one of those guys could have helped her on her way . I like you feel a bit award taking random pics of people
Good street shot and good fun. I admit to being cautious myself in the street, I tend to use my long (300mm) lens, then I can be 50mtrs away from the target - chicken I suppose.
It's a fabulous shot. I too wonder when I am overstepping. I wonder what it would have been like to say something like...I'm taking a photo of you. I have a lot of respect for your ingenuity and keeping looking so warm and open. Better to honor her than stand by laughing with arms crossed across your chest.
I agree totally with Jane and really the difference between this woman with her cheerfulness and those blokes with their smug grins is one of the thing that makes this an endearing shot. I won't post shots of poeple which show them at a disadvantage but this one doesnt
Pat, street photography is not illegal, you are entitled to photograph in a public place.....I understand the dilemma about shooting in public place and the even bigger dilemma about posting the results on the web....but at the end of the day it is social history and without our shots then we have no history.
btw: Great shot....have you thought about converting it to mono
It's a great shot, Pat. I do understand the dilemma as, obviously from all of the above comments, many of us do. I am very self conscious about street shots, especially since I've been busted a few times. But I like what Phil says - it is a social history. You are courageous - keep shooting in the streets!
What bothers me (and that is good as you made me think!) is the idiot behind her in his nice clothes laughing.
She could tell interesting stories I imagine.
btw: Great shot....have you thought about converting it to mono