A question about Street Photography

[glockman99]

The gear I currently use for my "street-people photography" is a Nikon F3HP (with MD-4 motordrive), and either a Nikkor 105mm f/2.5, or a Nikkor ED 180mm f/2.8 lens. I also have a nice Tokina AT-X 28-85mm f/2.8-4 lens for when I need to go wide.

Photographing total strangers as they go about their business can be hard at first, but once you gain confidence in yourself, and your equipment, it gets easier. Make your shots quick, and be unobtrusive as you can...Even IF using a camera/motordrive combo that's as large and as "noisy" as the F3HP/MD-4 is.

 

[yellowcat]

In the UK you are going have to be careful:
"....new laws are introduced that allow for the arrest - and imprisonment - of anyone who takes pictures of officers...."

http://www.bjp-online.com/public/showPage.html?page=836675

http://www.amateurphotographer.co.u...nd_police_action_as_nonsense_news_175462.html

http://www.metro.co.uk/news/article.html?in_article_id=273220&in_page_id=34&in_a_source=

 

[Lahnet]

I like to do my street photos a little discrete. Not because I "don´t dare" to shoot with a big SLR. I just think
it is easier to get the shots I want unnoticed.

I also use a little planing. Eksampel: The rain it coming down hard and I would like a pic of a beautiful lady
carrying a umbrella. I find a spot where I don´t get wet and the background is good. An old building or
whatever...Then I wait until the pic come to me, and of course I can take the pic without she is aware of it.
Hope it make some sence

 

[Roger Krueger]

In SoCal a lot of folks feel it their duty to show solidarity with dear Paris by hating papparazzi. So street with a big modern-looking SLR gets you a lot of heat. But street with a shabby Zorki people seem vaguely O.K. with, and street with a Mamiya Universal people are too amused at the weird camera to get mad.

 

[keithwms]

I like to do my street photos a little discrete. Not because I "don´t dare" to shoot with a big SLR. I just think
it is easier to get the shots I want unnoticed.

That's a very good point you raise. In today's climate, if you get in someone's face with a lot of gear, then they will automatically be annoyed. This is for several reasons, I think:

(1) nowadays, a lot of snapshots wind up on the web. Until ~10 years ago, people could assume that in the worst case they might wind up in some magazine. But now, regardless of the quality of the image and the professionalism with which it was made, millions might see that image.

(2) some folks are also reacting quite strongly to "big brother" fears and there are cases where this is warranted. For example, some government employees worry about being recorded in the context of a street protest or such because that puts them automatically on a watchlist which could then delay (or derail) promotions. It used to be unlikely that this would happen, but now, with the possibility of facial recognition software in use even at big sporting events....

(3) the number of people who will point a digital camera (or cell phone) at a given street scene has gone through the roof. Nowadays anything of interest will be surrounded by large numbers of people recording it with all kinds of gizmos. If you happen to be the subject, then of course this could be quite intimidating. I think we've seen the effect on government officials as well, there is the fear that somebody's gonna 'capture' you, and then it'll wind up, photoshopped, in some weekly grocery rag. In this context it is a lot more reasonable for people to resent street photographers than it was 10+ years ago.

Overall, discreteness is just as important for street as it is for wildlife... we want to record the subject in a natural disposition. This is my issue with Winogrand, so much of his work (esp. later work) was borderline invasive IMHO. And if somebody sees your camera rather than your face, then of course they will react aversely.

In the end, every photographer has to assess the effect of being seen by the subject. Some may prefer it, citing emotional connection; others may prefer the wildlife-stalking (for lack of a better term) discrete approach. It's definitely a good thing that we don't all think the same way and take the same photographs.

 

[sar-photo]

Hi Alisha,
I've been taking photo's for many years now but have only recently started to get into street photography. I'm quite shy by nature, so found myself missing opportunities because I was too embarrased to put the camera to my eye and take the photo. But I'm a lot more confident now (not 100% - probably about 75%) and this is due to taking photo's of people during festivals etc. I work in Edinburgh (that's Scotland in case there are any other Edinburgh's out there ) and festival time is almost upon us. In August/September the Royal Mile is blocked off for traffic and the place is alive with street performers, tourists, workers and weirdos! Nobody bats an eyelid at someone with a camera and it did wonders for my confidence. You must have similar things happening in California.
If you want to check out some excellent recent street photography from a variety of photographers then have a look at in-public

Good luck
Simon

 

[manfromh]

Good people to practice on are those who hand out leaflets on the streets. They give you a leaflet, you take a picture.

I did my first non-candid shots of people on the street today.

 

[hughitb]

But I'm a lot more confident now (not 100% - probably about 75%) and this is due to taking photo's of people during festivals etc. I work in Edinburgh (that's Scotland in case there are any other Edinburgh's out there ) and festival time is almost upon us. In August/September the Royal Mile is blocked off for traffic and the place is alive with street performers, tourists, workers and weirdos! Nobody bats an eyelid at someone with a camera and it did wonders for my confidence.

I think this is great advice and I have started doing this too. It's a lot easier to take these sort of pictures at some sort of "event" and by doing so I think you are going to develop more technique and more confidence. In fact, I seem to remember reading about how Joel Meyerowitz started by doing exactly this as well .....

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I was doing some street photography the other day. I was taking pictures of some homeless people, some of them look better than me!

Jeff

 

[Shangheye]

If you see it, take it...far better to ask forgiveness than permission (you can always say sorry)...and anyway..permission tends to ruin the photo. If I am seen (and that is rarely, becasue you learn to work fast), then a smile does wonders. K

 

[dpurdy]

I don't like the whole sneak around stealing pictures of people thing. I hate having people photograph me and I go by the old "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" bit. I think street photographers should be open and honest and if someone doesn't want to be photographed then they should be able to keep their privacy. I love photographing people at weddings because they expect me to photograph them and they realize the value of documentation of the event. Otherwise when I photograph in the street I shoot things with no people.
Dennis

 

[Taslim Abdani]

The advice about festivals is right on. Also parades are very good (not the parade itself but the activity just prior to the start or just at the finish). Sometimes the persons watching the event are more interesting than the event itself.

 

[fotch]

I don't like the whole sneak around stealing pictures of people thing. I hate having people photograph me and I go by the old "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" bit. I think street photographers should be open and honest and if someone doesn't want to be photographed then they should be able to keep their privacy. I love photographing people at weddings because they expect me to photograph them and they realize the value of documentation of the event. Otherwise when I photograph in the street I shoot things with no people.
Dennis

Interesting viewpoint. When you step outside your castle and enter a public place, say a sidewalk, others can see you. They are not stealing looks, are they? Candid photography is just a extension of this. Only if they use pictures for commercial purposes (other than news event) would this be possibility considered stealing.

Nowadays, when a person goes to a bank, Walmart, down some streets, they are being video taped so if its bothersome for some, where a disguise or stay home. Not trying to be antagonistic, just realistic.

 

[takef586]

Start getting ready for it. Tell yourself you have a homework to do, so be businesslike about it. Take a 35 or 50 mm with some fast film (Tri-X@800 is a good start), set your lens on f8 and the distance to where you would normally need to focus. Be on a lookout, be fast, avoid looking people in their eyes after you shoot, just lower the camera and walk on looking for another subject. If this should be too difficult at first, get yourself a wide angle 21 to 28mm, zone focus it and shoot from the hip or from an extended arm, but with you head turned away. Have fun...
here's a couple of stolen shots with focusing:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2407/1558660052_74a844d95c_b.jpg
http://www.flickr.com/photos/59177039@N00/1988723255/sizes/l/in/set-72157602535394830/

here a couple prefocused but framed through the viewfinder:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2417/1809721501_910dc67bb0_b.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3144/2953241571_2cd6563483_b.jpg

and here a couple zone focused and shot while looking away:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2134/1801048870_c8f1bea5c8_b.jpg
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1337/717899087_dded5aa8fc_b.jpg

 

[fotch]

Hey take586, very cool.

 

[JBrunner]

I don't like the whole sneak around stealing pictures of people thing. I hate having people photograph me and I go by the old "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" bit. I think street photographers should be open and honest and if someone doesn't want to be photographed then they should be able to keep their privacy. I love photographing people at weddings because they expect me to photograph them and they realize the value of documentation of the event. Otherwise when I photograph in the street I shoot things with no people.
Dennis

This issue has recently been clubbed to death in another couple of threads, and while this post is an answer to the OP, and I'm not picking on it specifically, I do not want this thread to degenerate into another mess about the morality of the activity, so please everyone respect the spirit of the thread thus far.

Thanks .

 

[Domenico Foschi]

Alisha, the suggestions of Takef586 are excellent.
Also start shooting in areas where there are many people, like a street fair, an area where there is heavy foot traffic etc.
The awkwardness will go away in due time and sometime will come back but you don't let it take over.
I discourage you from using a telephoto lens: get into the crowd, feel it and love doing it and I assure you it will show in the pictures.
This video from Meyerowitz has been very inspiring for me and I hope it will push you a little further to actually take that dive.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qjy...D3309955D&playnext=1&playnext_from=PL&index=8

 

[DLawson]

Alisha, the suggestions of Takef586 are excellent.
Also start shooting in areas where there are many people, like a street fair, an area where there is heavy foot traffic etc.

I just spent the weekend at a street fair, not shooting (much), just being there. One thing that may help is that the crowd is probably already full of people taking pictures. True, most of the people I saw were using cell phones, but images were being captured one way or another.

For me, that takes some strength away from the devil on my shoulder who says that I'll stand out as a freak.

 

[Sirius Glass]

For me, that takes some strength away from the devil on my shoulder who says that I'll stand out as a freak.

I think that you meant the angel on your shoulder, as if the devil may care.

Steve

 

[Markok765]

Actually most people don't use DSLRs for street photography, most use something small and unprofessional looking such as a Leica or other RF. It's also quieter.

 

[arigram]

Go after the crowds like Domenico suggested.
My list of advantages in that situation:
1) You will not stand out and people are more likely to pay much less attention to someone taking photos of them.
2) You will feel less intimidated
3) People are more defensive when they feel alone and specifically targeted
4) Most of street photography is about the composition of the main elements: people and environment. A crowd creates opportunities
5) Happy accidents, out of balance dynamics, interacting elements, complex visual relationships are all part of the gig
6) At crowded places, people are not just passing by, but doing things together: filling tight spaces, talking to each other, selling goods, performing and so on
7) Faces, many, many faces and a myriad of expressions and looks
8) You might meet other photographers
9) Even if you focus at one or two persons, even excluded from the crowd, they are less likely to be as defensive as on an empty street

Also, excellent subjects are street performers: they are very welcome of the attention of a photographer (especially with a cool camera) and feel good when being noticed.

Street photography needs
1) Quick eyes
2) Fast hands
3) Guts
all of which have to trained and will only get better by doing more and more of it. Experience is the keyword.

 

[Domenico Foschi]

Excellent points Ari, especially #5.
Alisha, you will see that as you get more uninhibited you will be able to see more. It has happened to me from time to time that I witness great scenes one after the other. That happens when your inhibitions disappear and you become the camera, and all flows in front of you.
It reminds me of Minor White's quote:" There are times when a photographer walks on water".

 

[thisismyname09]

Actually most people don't use DSLRs for street photography, most use something small and unprofessional looking such as a Leica or other RF. It's also quieter.

I think you mean "most people who know what they're doing." I was in downtown chicago yesterday and saw plenty of people with DSLRs. Then again, I shouldn't be talking. I was lugging around my RB67...

More on topic, I have the same trouble with taking pictures of random people. I've found that every time I do, people don't mind or don't notice, and it gets easier the more you do it.

 

[Prest_400]

I would like to get rid of my shyness or the whatever stuff that it is. It keeps my camera at home, I feel discouraged to take the camera and take it to the street; I'm unable to go walking around the streets of a city with the camera hanging on a side; I feel uncomfortable... Just because I feel people will look at me odd. I don't like to be the center of attention.
It sounds stupid, but it's a big crap for me. Street photography would speed up my shooting a lot, so I would learn more, too.
I feel that I can get over it, but when the day arrives, I get discouraged and end leaving the camera at home.

 

[Markok765]

Hmm, go shooting with a friend?