You ask politely and it happens.

John Bragg · Apr 13, 2024

When you are out and about with camera in hand, do you ask strangers if you can take their picture ? I am getting better at it and it reaults in a different dynamic in the photograph.. Less spontanious but more connected somehow.

Untitled_254034GB by E.J. Bragg, on Flickr

Working Man by E.J. Bragg, on Flickr

Pieter12 · Apr 13, 2024

I agree, most people will allow you to take their picture and appreciate being asked. However, they do tend to pose for the photo (especially the selfie-trained ones) and the results are different from a good candid shot.

Daniela · Apr 14, 2024

I seldom ask people to take their photo because I prefer to have more anonymous and evocative pictures. However, the times I've done it, people have always said yes.

For my own experience, I find the human connection aspect much more interesting than the photo-viewer connection that you mention. For example, just this week, I had a touching experience as I was waiting for the train. There was a group of rowdy teens and their shadows were just beautiful. I asked them if it was ok to take a picture of their backs and shadows and they said yes. I found it very endearing that they just stopped talking and froze so that I could take the picture. Just a few seconds of interaction, but how kind and caring of them to do so! I still haven't developed the negative, but those are the pictures I feel most comfortable with: where there's a figure, but not an identifiable person. And most importantly, there's also a sense that we made the picture together.

I had another experience that brings conflicting feelings, because I love the end result, but the person is identifiable...so now I have a stranger's portrait...and I find that just weird (it's a photo of a vegetable seller at a market; he asked me to take his picture). To deal with this, I made a print and went back to give it to him. I haven't found him yet, but making a print for him gives a sense of purpose to the experience. In terms of the photograph itself, I like the end result, but have ask for his permission to share it. That's a big issue I find with this: having to ask for permission to show it. It makes me feel like the photograph doesn't fully belong to me if the person is identifiable. I just don't feel comfortable posting it without the subject's consent.

Beyond my neurosis, at the end of the day, I agree with you that asking strangers brings positive experiences overall

Alan Edward Klein · Apr 14, 2024

I often ask others if I can take their picture - with their camera. When I see one person shooting a picture of their partner or kids, usually they're tourists. Taking their shot with both or all of them with their camera gives them a shot together. I try to get in some local artifacts in it which places them at the location. They are always appreciative. I don't bother shooting them with my camera as I don't consider that street photography but rather portraiture which doesn't interest me. I prefer off-the-cuff shots

Sirius Glass · Apr 14, 2024

I rarely take portraits, but when I do, I first talk to them and then ask permission. Perhaps because I talk to them first, I have never been refused. Although I have been told not to take photographs of people I never considered photographing.

John Bragg · Apr 14, 2024

Sirius Glass said:
I rarely take portraits, but when I do, I first talk to them and then ask permission. Perhaps because I talk to them first, I have never been refused. Although I have been told not to take photographs of people I never considered photographing.

Only once have I been refused and it was a local "Character" that I knew well. He was our local window cleaner and a lovely old man. Sadly, soon after, he suffered a massive stroke and I wished that he had agreed to a portrait as he was never the same again.

Pieter12 · Apr 14, 2024

Alan Edward Klein said:
I often ask others if I can take their picture - with their camera. When I see one person shooting a picture of their partner or kids, usually they're tourists. Taking their shot with both or all of them with their camera gives them a shot together. I try to get in some local artifacts in it which places them at the location. They are always appreciative. I don't bother shooting them with my camera as I don't consider that street photography but rather portraiture which doesn't interest me. I prefer off-the-cuff shots

Ever see the American Express commercial where the young couple hands their camera to a boy, thinking he would take their picture with his donkey?

Alan Edward Klein · Apr 14, 2024

Pieter12 said:
Ever see the American Express commercial where the young couple hands their camera to a boy, thinking he would take their picture with his donkey?

No, I don't recall Pieter. But you gave me an idea for getting pictures from people who might refuse the request. Do you know where I can buy a donkey?

Pieter12 · Apr 14, 2024

Alan Edward Klein said:
No, I don't recall Pieter. But you gave me an idea for getting pictures from people who might refuse the request. Do you know where I can buy a donkey?

The couple poses with the donkey as the boy makes off with the camera. Theft? Or misunderstanding—did the boy think this was a trade?

Bottom line, people may not reasonably trust a stranger with their camera or phone.

John Bragg · Apr 14, 2024

Pieter12 said:
The couple poses with the donkey as the boy makes off with the camera. Theft? Or misunderstanding—did the boy think this was a trade?

Bottom line, people may not reasonably trust a stranger with their camera or phone.

Was the Donkey f3.5 or f1.4 ? Electronic or mechanical ?
Auto or manual ?

mshchem · Apr 14, 2024

I'd love a donkey!

Pieter12 · Apr 14, 2024

I

John Bragg said:
Was the Donkey f3.5 or f1.4 ? Electronic or mechanical ?
Auto or manual ?

I got the sponsor wrong it was Visa, from 1994. You can figure out the rest.

beemermark · Apr 14, 2024

I'm a very shy person, or as my wife says a very anti social person. I find I'm extremely timid about taking shots of strangers. However the few times I've done it, it's been really rewarding. Generally someone comments about my Leica or Rolleiflex and after striking up a conversation I ask if I can take a picture. Note the stranger always initiates the contact. After reading the OP I'm going to get brave and talk to strangers (BTW I'm 73 and should get learn how to talk to people)

jamesaz · Apr 15, 2024

mshchem said:
I'd love a donkey!

Like the photographers in the 50’s that went door to door with a pony and cowboy outfits in kid size. Parents were almost obligated to purchase prints.
Donkey cart photos are more of a Tijuana or Nogales thing.

RezaLoghme · Apr 15, 2024

Alan Edward Klein said:
I often ask others if I can take their picture - with their camera. When I see one person shooting a picture of their partner or kids, usually they're tourists. Taking their shot with both or all of them with their camera gives them a shot together. I try to get in some local artifacts in it which places them at the location. They are always appreciative.

I do that too. Always heartwarming.

Pieter12 · Apr 15, 2024

Poet in the parking lot.
Came across this dude catching some rays in the beach parking lot a few years ago. We chatted a bit, I took his picture. Nice guy.

MattKing · Apr 15, 2024

I once had a newly married couple come up to me at Queen Elizabeth park in Vancouver - a very popular location for wedding photographers - and ask if I could take photos of them. Apparently the photographer they had arranged for that limited purpose no-showed them. As I did that as a part-time business, and as I happened to have my Mamiya C330 over my shoulder, and film at hand, I was happy to oblige.
I made a little money, got some good photos to them to help them remember and share their special day, and I think helped make them very happy. It was gratifying, and actually a lot of fun.
I was there at the park with my Dad. I think he was also impressed.
So sometimes, someone else politely asks, and it happens.

You ask politely and it happens.

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