I may never do street photography

Berkeley Mike · Aug 14, 2019

I remember folks talking about "people-watching". It expressed a passive interest in people. Unless one was found gawking it was pretty harmless.

When one uses a camera there is a sense of targeting people and being obvious about it. People react to that. Toss in the Internet where an image can be manipulated and go around the world...the potential exposure of oneself to a camera has a very different meaning.

NB23 · Aug 14, 2019

The thing I like most about street photography is when someone calls the police on me. I stay a little bit and then I leave.

You should see their face when I’m leaving. They go from being full of self reassurance to “hey where are you going?”
And then I tell them to feck off, that there’s nothing holding me. You should see their face when I tell them that I’ll come back, maybe. Priceless!
That’s the moment where they realize they have to wait there all alone. And a few minutes later they become embarasaed by their own stupidity, having to explain to the police that there was this guy taking photos, and who left laughing out loud.

I don’t know why, but those losers think that because they call the police I somehow have to wait for the cops to come.

I did this numerous times, and every time it totally makes my day.

There’s that time when a bus driver called the police on me with a bus full of people in a hot summer day. And when I made sure that the cops were coming and that he totally ruined the day of 100 passengers, I took my scooter and left with the biggest smile you’d ever seen. You should see the driver’s face. He was almost begging me to wait, so he wouldn’t lose face. That was a legendary moment of patheticism.

faberryman · Aug 14, 2019

NB23 said:
The thing I like most about street photography is when someone calls the police on me. I stay a little bit and then I leave.

You should see their face when I’m leaving. They go from being full of self reassurance to “hey where are you going?”
And then I tell them to feck off, that there’s nothing holding me. You should see their face when I tell them that I’ll come back, maybe. Priceless!
That’s the moment they realize they have to wait there all alone. And a few minites later they becone embarasaed by their own stupidity, gaving to explain to the police that there was this guy taking photos, and who left laughingly.

I don’t know why but those losers that because they call the police I somehow have to wait for the cops to come.

I did this numerous times, and every time it totally males my day.

And you wonder why people don't like street photographers.

NB23 · Aug 14, 2019

faberryman said:
And you wonder why people don't like street photographers.

I edited my post.

Please understand, I was only underlining their total and deep stupidity.

They maybe don’t like me taking photographs, but believe me, they hate themselves even more afterwards.
When you’re stupid you usually end up paying a high price for your stupidity. And that’s what they’re doing, paying the price.

logan2z · Aug 14, 2019

faberryman said:
And you wonder why people don't like street photographers.

No kidding.

nmp · Aug 14, 2019

NB23 said:
I edited my post.

Please understand, I was only underlining their total and deep stupidity.

They maybe don’t like me taking photographs, but believe me, they hate themselves even more afterwards.
When you’re stupid you usually end up paying a high price for your stupidity. And that’s what they’re doing, paying the price.

Is that your picture I see in the buses around town?

NB23 · Aug 14, 2019

nmp said:
Is that your picture I see in the buses around town?

If the sign reads “wanted for taking pictures of a passenger picking his nose”, yes, that’s me.

But I believe that the bus driver has been fired for severely disrupting/sabotaging the service. Or at least I hope so.

jtk · Aug 14, 2019

Willy T said:
On a mild summer evening in May, 2005, I got out of my truck in the lot adjoining a strikingly beautiful lighthouse on the central coast of California. I had a modest Canon G-something on a strap around my neck as I walked. Many, many other people were also arriving and heading in the same direction. The lighthouse and outbuildings were glowing in the sunset.

A couple, a fortyish woman and much younger man walked near me. Her young daughter asked the woman if she could go alone to the public restroom nearby. "Ok," the woman said, "But watch out for all the perverts hanging around," while pointedly giving me the vicious stink eye. I couldn't help but burst out laughing,

It's probably somewhat worse nowadays. You don't necessarily need to be doing "street photography" to stir the latent angry paranoia in people. It may help if you are not alone, best if you are half of a couple; a sad reflection on our times that you need a domestic partner to signal your 'normality" and allay the fears of a public always on the lookout for criminals.

jtk · Aug 14, 2019

Native Northern Californian, relocated to New Mexico. Never have experienced any of that bad stuff. Undoubtedly thanks to personal vibes. I think most people are perceptive and that they properly identify weirdos. If you have those bad experiences it's probably your own doing.

Willy T · Aug 14, 2019

jtk said:
Native Northern Californian, relocated to New Mexico. Never have experienced any of that bad stuff. Undoubtedly thanks to personal vibes. I think most people are perceptive and that they properly identify weirdos. If you have those bad experiences it's probably your own doing.

Well, thanks for your opinion. I myself think that the poor woman was simply fearful for her child and a little overwrought, but find your conclusion that I must have been emitting weirdness vibes mildly amusing - what a very odd thing for you to say.

I'm glad that you personally "..never experienced any of that bad stuff..." during your time in that state. The nature of your comment makes me wonder, though - perhaps others were instead looking askance at you?

Sirius Glass · Aug 14, 2019

Colin Corneau said:
At the risk of sounding like a fuddy-duddy, I put this hysteria and mean-spiritedness squarely on the influence of social media.

Social media has indoctrinated our society to think they are the centre of the universe and that every passing brain fart is on par with Einstein and Hawking. There is an undeniable 'chicken coop' mentality now, where a frenzy of violence is unleashed at the first hint of blood. We are all isolated behind our phones (and if you think it's bad with adults, just have a look at 12-30 year olds now) and the entire world is a tiny screen...no wonder people see other human beings as just things. It's not a problem to attack and demonize a thing, is it?

I've certainly seen a difference over the past decade or two in terms of the overall mood. I still photograph in public and haven't had a problem -- but the change is evident. People are *miserable* and just looking for a reason to BE miserable. I get it -- I spend more than 5 minutes on any social media platform I feel like sh!t myself.

The worrisome part, I think, is what we lose by isolating ourselves. We lose art, first of all...think of the great images by Winogrand, Meier, Meyerowitz, and so many more. Now think of them being deleted...that's what social media trains people to do.
We lose connectedness -- actual, human interaction -- in favour of the false, sterile faux-connectedness of algorithms that exist only to sell us ads.
We lose empathy and good will -- instead, we get meanness, suspicion and anger.

Not a world I want to live in. I can't help but think in future decades, we'll look back on this era the same way we look back on a society that advertised cigarettes to pregnant women and spraying DDT everywhere..."what were they THINKING?!??"

+1,000

Plus it is a truly great way to get your computer hacked and you house broken into while you are a way.

Colin Corneau · Aug 14, 2019

Willy T said:
....
A couple, a fortyish woman and much younger man walked near me. Her young daughter asked the woman if she could go alone to the public restroom nearby. "Ok," the woman said, "But watch out for all the perverts hanging around," while pointedly giving me the vicious stink eye.....

That woman is TOXIC and exactly the reason seemingly 99% of kids are suffering "anxiety disorders" and on 20 types of meds. Of COURSE they're scared of their own shadow, their whole life they've had a mean-spirited harpie telling them there's a boogeyman behind every corner.
That mother should be put in a stockade and pelted with overripe vegetables.

nmp · Aug 14, 2019

Colin Corneau said:
That woman is TOXIC and exactly the reason seemingly 99% of kids are suffering "anxiety disorders" and on 20 types of meds. Of COURSE they're scared of their own shadow, their whole life they've had a mean-spirited harpie telling them there's a boogeyman behind every corner.
That mother should be put in a stockade and pelted with overripe vegetables.

"Never criticize someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. That way, you're a mile away and you've got their shoes."

firemachine69 · Aug 15, 2019

Other than street performers (of which I always toss a few dollars in their instrument case), my personal rule is, if someone's face is prominently in the shot, I ask permission. I suggest a few of you folks that have perhaps a too liberal attitude give it a try. Legally right or not, does not make our hobby any sort of friends with a poor attitude...

StepheKoontz · Aug 15, 2019

jtk said:
Native Northern Californian, relocated to New Mexico. Never have experienced any of that bad stuff. Undoubtedly thanks to personal vibes. I think most people are perceptive and that they properly identify weirdos. If you have those bad experiences it's probably your own doing.

People 100% pick up on the vibe you exude. If you feel creepy about what you are doing, people pick up on that.

NB23 · Aug 15, 2019

StepheKoontz said:
People 100% pick up on the vibe you exude. If you feel creepy about what you are doing, people pick up on that.

Absolutely not true. This is way too simplistic.

Basically, everyone is neutral and you are the one attributing things to people around you, according to your own personality and experiences. If you are sicko, you will attribute it to the people Surrounding you.

Here is a good read for you: http://www.psychologytoday.com/intl...describe-others-is-the-way-people-see-you?amp

wahiba · Aug 15, 2019

A camera with a wide angle lens and directed from waste level works. Lomo kit is perfect. Sardina for the poor, like me but at a price there is a 35mm auto. There is even a 120 version. Didn't one of the greats use his early Leica surreptitiously in this way?

Sirius Glass · Aug 15, 2019

nmp said:
"Never criticize someone until you've walked a mile in their shoes. That way, you're a mile away and you've got their shoes."

I have walked in her shoes and she is borderline certifiable.

Sirius Glass · Aug 15, 2019

wahiba said:
A camera with a wide angle lens and directed from waste level works. Lomo kit is perfect. Sardina for the poor, like me but at a price there is a 35mm auto. There is even a 120 version. Didn't one of the greats use his early Leica surreptitiously in this way?

Labeling Lomo as waste level is just ever so appropriate. Thank you for a good laugh!

StepheKoontz · Aug 15, 2019

NB23 said:
Absolutely not true. This is way too simplistic.

We are gonna have to disagree here. If someone is acting nervous and weird, people do pick up on that.

Ste_S · Aug 16, 2019

StepheKoontz said:
We are gonna have to disagree here. If someone is acting nervous and weird, people do pick up on that.

Yup, absolutely agree. One of things you learn when you first start taking photos on the street.

Ste_S · Aug 16, 2019

Ariston said:
I have seen street photography done without being invasive. A lot of strangers on the street will even happily pose in weird ways if you ask them. And many will give the okay AFTER you have taken the photo, if you just introduce yourself and ask.

The worst is the people who photograph poor or homeless people - trying to capitalize off of someone else's misfortune, but claiming in their vanity that they just want to bring "awareness." They are rude, vain, and liars.

It is legal. But it is also legal for me to stand outside your house every morning and follow you to work.

Like Don McCullin, Vivian Maier and most of the other famous photographers who shot on the street, right ?
What a rubbish statement.

removed account4 · Aug 16, 2019

Ste_S said:
Like Don McCullin, Vivian Maier and most of the other famous photographers who shot on the street, right ?
What a rubbish statement.

Comparing VM or HCB or anyone else from pre 2000 with current street workers can't really be done, we live in different times, and DM, well, he is a hard boiled documentary photographer, much different than a lot of people who shoot street and post their work on their instagram feed or turn their street work into memes. Im not suggesting that all people who shoot street fall into this category but i've even seen people who have posted work on this website photographing a homeless person in a pile of rubbish near where he /she worked with a cup of coffee they put next to them and a $1 bill just to photograph a passed out, sad dirty homeless guy and make some sort of stupid comment like "morning coffee" .. i know not all are like that but the few bad apples tend to spoil the bunch .. no real sense of responsibility or empathy or care for fellow human beings and from what i have been told by people who try to educate me about street work, that is what its all about, not making a mockery of people.

MFstooges · Aug 16, 2019

Regarding "morning coffee" I bet this is quite a popular title in the Narcissomedia i.e. IG, FB. TW for all iphonographers to show how good their life is compared to their peers.

jtk · Aug 16, 2019

jnantz said:
Comparing VM or HCB or anyone else from pre 2000 with current street workers can't really be done, we live in different times, and DM, well, he is a hard boiled documentary photographer, much different than a lot of people who shoot street and post their work on their instagram feed or turn their street work into memes. Im not suggesting that all people who shoot street fall into this category but i've even seen people who have posted work on this website photographing a homeless person in a pile of rubbish near where he /she worked with a cup of coffee they put next to them and a $1 bill just to photograph a passed out, sad dirty homeless guy and make some sort of stupid comment like "morning coffee" .. i know not all are like that but the few bad apples tend to spoil the bunch .. no real sense of responsibility or empathy or care for fellow human beings and from what i have been told by people who try to educate me about street work, that is what its all about, not making a mockery of people.

I agree very much with your comment about "bad apples"...however, from what I see on Photrio Media, they are not a minority. Photography is increasingly a Rorschsach Test...

I may never do street photography

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