Street photography without pissing people off?

[Russ - SVP]

Why all the secrecy and stealth? If a photographer is to shy to be sincere and honest in their intentions, go back to shooting scenics.

 

[removed account4]

Why all the secrecy and stealth? If a photographer is to shy to be sincere and honest in their intentions, go back to shooting scenics.

i think that is the difference between Street Photography and street photography. as you and colin have both said
there is a difference between someone with conviction, showing dignity and compassion and life and some of the
other things labled "street photography" .. its the other stuff that i find creepy .. and sometimes leaves me wondering why someone
would photograph as they do. kind of reminds me of the fad IDK 10 years ago of people paying street people to fight eachother. i mean, whats the point
other than power and a you tube video ?

 

[Russ - SVP]

i think that is the difference between Street Photography and street photography. as you and colin have both said
there is a difference between someone with conviction, showing dignity and compassion and life and some of the
other things labled "street photography" .. its the other stuff that i find creepy .. and sometimes leaves me wondering why someone
would photograph as they do. kind of reminds me of the fad IDK 10 years ago of people paying street people to fight eachother. i mean, whats the point
other than power and a you tube video ?

What, people paid street people to fight each other?

Russ

 

[bvy]

This all sounds noble and commendable, but the most popular street photographers (of the last century anyway) weren't known for their kindness and respect toward other people. I'm thinking of Cohen, Gilden and others. And, as these things go, I find their work much more engaging -- not in spite of their approach, but probably because of it. You can take honest pictures and pat yourself on the back for it, but it's not going to make the work interesting. It's hard to be a good street photographer without being either a little intrusive or a little creepy. And no, I'm not endorsing being an asshole in public. It's just the reality of it.

 

[removed account4]

What, people paid street people to fight each other?

Russ

https://www.google.com/search?ei=hN....5.801...0i22i30k1j0i22i10i30k1.0.4-XFkJv5yVs

 

[Russ - SVP]

i think that is the difference between Street Photography and street photography. as you and colin have both said
there is a difference between someone with conviction, showing dignity and compassion and life and some of the
other things labled "street photography" .. its the other stuff that i find creepy .. and sometimes leaves me wondering why someone
would photograph as they do. kind of reminds me of the fad IDK 10 years ago of people paying street people to fight eachother. i mean, whats the point
other than power and a you tube video ?

.

This all sounds noble and commendable, but the most popular street photographers (of the last century anyway) weren't known for their kindness and respect toward other people. I'm thinking of Cohen, Gilden and others. And, as these things go, I find their work much more engaging -- not in spite of their approach, but probably because of it. You can take honest pictures and pat yourself on the back for it, but it's not going to make the work interesting. It's hard to be a good street photographer without being either a little intrusive or a little creepy. And no, I'm not endorsing being an asshole in public. It's just the reality of it.[/but creepy and disingenuous

This all sounds noble and commendable, but the most popular street photographers (of the last century anyway) weren't known for their kindness and respect toward other people. I'm thinking of Cohen, Gilden and others. And, as these things go, I find their work much more engaging -- not in spite of their approach, but probably because of it. You can take honest pictures and pat yourself on the back for it, but it's not going to make the work interesting. It's hard to be a good street photographer without being either a little intrusive or a little creepy. And no, I'm not endorsing being an asshole in public. It's just the reality of it.

Intrusive perhaps? But creepy, no. Intrusive and creepy are two different things.

 

[Ste_S]

This all sounds noble and commendable, but the most popular street photographers (of the last century anyway) weren't known for their kindness and respect toward other people. I'm thinking of Cohen, Gilden and others. And, as these things go, I find their work much more engaging -- not in spite of their approach, but probably because of it. You can take honest pictures and pat yourself on the back for it, but it's not going to make the work interesting. It's hard to be a good street photographer without being either a little intrusive or a little creepy. And no, I'm not endorsing being an asshole in public. It's just the reality of it.

Gilden may be in your face when he's taking the photo, but he comes across as charming when challenged (at least in the youtube videos I've seen). I love the video of a lady challenging him in West Bromwich, UK (not far from my neck of the woods) and he's great with her.
I think @Kiron Kid is spot on - be sincere and honest, which Gilden is.

However

Why all the secrecy and stealth? If a photographer is to shy to be sincere and honest in their intentions, go back to shooting scenics.

I disagree with this. There's some great street photography from people who are shy and kept their distance, but yet are still honest and sincere. Fan Ho for instance.

I think you have to take pictures that reflect your personality, and if you try and force it people can tell and you loose your honesty

 

[Colin Corneau]

Helen Levit was not brash and in your face. Winogrand was assertive but he wasn't in yer face in the streets.

Artists like Fred Herzog, Vivian Meier or Saul Leiter were quiet and respectful people. Those are just the big names...a million more doing great work who are similarly oriented.

 

[Russ - SVP]

Gilden may be in your face when he's taking the photo, but he comes across as charming when challenged (at least in the youtube videos I've seen). I love the video of a lady challenging him in West Bromwich, UK (not far from my neck of the woods) and he's great with her.
I think @Kiron Kid is spot on - be sincere and honest, which Gilden is.

However



I disagree with this. There's some great street photography from people who are shy and kept their distance, but yet are still honest and sincere. Fan Ho for instance.

I think you have to take pictures that reflect your personality, and if you try and force it people can tell and you loose your honesty

I have no issue with shyness, etc while street shooting. It’s the shooters that feel that they have to be sneaky, hide, use long lenses, etc. Shy, or determined is fine. Do what works for you. I just do not believe that surreptitious methods are necessary or will yield decent results.

SVP

 

[Russ - SVP]

Yes, they are nothing special. But the attached snaps did not require surreptitious methods of shooting, and someone a bit more shy or reserved can easily procure meaningful street snaps. Like most other art forms, practice, practice.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

OM1 + 35mm prime + Winder, mirror up. Set lens to f 5.6/3M. Camera on neck strap, one hand in pocket firing the button on the winders remote lead.

I've not actually done this but will have to give it a go sometime as I've got the kit.

"Not actually done this" explains this weird approach. I think, it was one known street photographer doing this. He seems to be very strange person in his life.

 

[justpete]

See it, snap it. Reaction is all part of it, yeah he's reacting to the camera. Not interested in candids, bland, documentary stylistic and boring to me, fwiw

 

[markjwyatt]

The most unobtrusive street camera for today is the smart phone. People think nothing of them, and you can point them around all you want. I still prefer a "real" camera, and find that I just point where I want, gauge reaction and shoot fast. Sometimes just pop in a room, point in a general direction and grab a shot. In this case I just popped in, pointed and photographed a statue.


Madeleine by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr

 

[CMoore]

Was that the only frame.?
Because, to be honest, that looks like Great Composition to me. If that was just a "quick grab", the Camera Gods sure were on your side for this one.
I think it is a wonderful shot.!

 

[markjwyatt]

Was that the only frame.?
Because, to be honest, that looks like Great Composition to me. If that was just a "quick grab", the Camera Gods sure were on your side for this one.
I think it is a wonderful shot.!

Thanks! Yes, it was the only frame. I went by the exhibit a few times and it was always full of people. Then I saw that set-up, put my camera to my eye and shot (I think I had a second or less to watch the little girl with the camera to my eye, and when she turned to the left I thought time to shoot). No flash, ISO 800 (automatically on the Fuji).

 

[jtk]

Possibly related: Standard issue NY Subway photos:
http://lenscratch.com/2018/06/natan-dvir-platforms/

 

[cliveh]

Possibly related: Standard issue NY Subway photos:
http://lenscratch.com/2018/06/natan-dvir-platforms/

He is very good and appreciate his style.

 

[markjwyatt]

Possibly related: Standard issue NY Subway photos:
http://lenscratch.com/2018/06/natan-dvir-platforms/

I wonder if he swaps photos in the 3 frames he uses. He could take a bunch in a given position (possibly panoramic), then pick the best three for a given shot. We would never know.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

I recently watched Cohen and Gilden. Cohen is talking with people and acting like friendly goof.
I watched a lot more of BG and with him and about him. I learned to enjoy his portrait and after hearing from him, I understand why wannabes never even close.

This week I was documenting street as they are not chaising people.
My black camera was the main chalenge. After one hour it became so hot I have to get inside and wait to let it cool down.
I just figured out how to put white masking on top and not affect white Leica letters

 

[oneANT]

After one hour it became so hot I have to get inside and wait to let it cool down.

Hey Kostya, been ages, nice to see that your hot metal is still burning images. I see a few familiar faces here too. I went film as well mate, even got my enlarger from here, but sold my M kit, couldn't get close enough(grin) ..you need an slr for that. Am trying to think of anyone in the street I pissed off. You get looks sometimes but they are the same faces you would see in family photos when people stick their tongue out. Have pissedoff a ratbag trying to take a kids money, have bothered some kids that were abusing folks on a train, is give and take, is in the public and the freedom and just like the people it needs to be respected. But this stealth thing, I don't get it, are they talking about candid photographers because street photography is not about people, every Street Photographer know that, is why the dial is in fractions of a second, is moments we are after.
Is no wonder we are hooked on film mate, is chocolate ..and the photo on the wall is cake.

The only problem is walls, there are not enough walls, a worldwide shortage.

ant

 

[oneANT]

This all sounds noble and commendable, but the most popular street photographers (of the last century anyway) weren't known for their kindness and respect toward other people. I'm thinking of Cohen, Gilden and others. And, as these things go, I find their work much more engaging -- not in spite of their approach, but probably because of it. You can take honest pictures and pat yourself on the back for it, but it's not going to make the work interesting. It's hard to be a good street photographer without being either a little intrusive or a little creepy. And no, I'm not endorsing being an asshole in public. It's just the reality of it.

That is so utterly not true ...even the reference to Gilden is wrong. Does he even have any Street Photography, he was a portrait photographer on the street.
I like his non-candid portraits for their novelty, but it was a different time. Gilden had pushed the boundaries for candid, he was never a Street Photographer. Candid photographers huddle under our banner and sometimes we see a nice candid, but Street Photographers are not interested in people, we chase moments. Sometimes we have a candid but even hcb was a portrait photographer.
Was Manson an inspiration for any Street Photographer, did Jack the ripper have a sharp lens in his little bag? ..adolf was a nasty little painter, so are all painters hiding secret ambitions to invade poland. You just cannot simply paint an entire genre with the personalities of one individual and especially not ones that cannot answer back. This is just so wrong. Honestly, how can anyone say that someone else is without kindness or respect, were they psychopaths, are you qualified to say ..

I can pat myself on the back. My photographs are amazing. Well done me, it was a long haul and I did it and I broke through a lot of barriers ...and I did that, and I look around my study now, and I see what I did and I am so proud of that.
Or am I not allowed to say ..?

I have some truly great Street Photography and I can tell you without question and in photographs ..that Street is an act of love.

ant

 

[oneANT]

The most unobtrusive street camera for today is the smart phone. People think nothing of them, and you can point them around all you want. I still prefer a "real" camera, and find that I just point where I want, gauge reaction and shoot fast. Sometimes just pop in a room, point in a general direction and grab a shot. In this case I just popped in, pointed and photographed a statue.


Madeleine by Mark Wyatt, on Flickr

I don't know what the rules are ..was never too good at them but this is stunning. If I have replied by posting this wrongly and against rules then I apologize, if the punishment is death, then it was still worth it ..such a Brilliant Photograph. OMG
ant

 

[oneANT]

..was just reading your technique for this shot. love this photograph. If I am reading you right, you just walked in the door and snapped.
Is a natural gift you have then ..what a photograph, congrats mate.
ant
( am just going through all the posts, the knowledge and photography here is really something. I never really spent time here, but i see now there is a little light, I have a feeling my light will be on for a long time ..some amazing stuff.)

 

[jtk]

Let's take up a collection and pay street photographers to fight with each other.

 

[markjwyatt]

I don't know what the rules are ..was never too good at them but this is stunning. If I have replied by posting this wrongly and against rules then I apologize, if the punishment is death, then it was still worth it ..such a Brilliant Photograph. OMG
ant

Thanks! I feel lucky to have been there to capture the moment. I guess this falls under "capturing the decisive moment"; though it may not be that extreme.