When the street subject looks YOU in the eye

[Ross Chambers]

http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2011/sep/20/slide-show-ed-kashi-eye-contact/

I'd run from some of these folk, but then I don't find the misfortunes of others to be a part of my range.

 

[guitstik]

I have always liked those types of photographs as they create an interaction with the viewer instead of making the viewer a voyuer. I might have to get this book.

 

[Jeff Kubach]

The photos do look interesting none the less.

Jeff

 

[onepuff]

The eye contact changes the picture from a scene to a dialogue. I like that.

 

[johnielvis]

yup.....now time to sell the junk.....marketing angle...

anyways, here's a PLUS from using film--you generally have all the rejects to look at 20 years later and say to yourself "DAMM---these are pretty good after all".....digital, you would have deleted them straight away and gone forever.

 

[CGW]

This guy does OK for himself with that style:

http://www.thesartorialist.com/

 

[Bateleur]

To be honest I prefer eye contact although on occasion if I'm noticed I ask the "subjects" to carry on doing what they were before I disturbed them. Perhaps not classic street work but that my style But great photographs and interesting comments too.

 

[lensworker]

I prefer no eye contact - the candid image is what I'm after. I like to go unnoticed by my subjects. That way, I do not influence their actions or expressions.

If I'm shooting on the street, I don't mind making street portraits, but that's a different type of image.

 

[removed account4]

i enjoy both kinds ... it all depends on the atmosphere and mood ....

 

[benjiboy]

It's better than many of the "street shots" I see of the side if people's faces when they are looking the other way, at least it elicits a reaction.

 

[jbf]

I do the same (search out eye contact in my shots).

I havnt done it in a while but its in a lot of my street shots.

http://www.fletchart.com/photography/street/

Just click through (please ignore the crappy artist statement... I need to re-write it without all the pretentious fluff. Had to do it for a class a few years ago and pictures are a bit old now as well...)