Trying out street photography - DPChallenge Forums

06/21/2012 12:49:34 PM · #1

I am new to street photography. I gave it a try sometime last year, but I realize I wasn't built for it, so I gave it up. I recently found a rekindled interest in it so I am giving it another try. It is currently outside my comfort zone as aspiring photographer. But I want to learn it.

I am not very comfortable taking photos of people I don't know, much less without their permission. Sometimes i get lucky, a smile is all it takes to get a nod of approval from total strangers and then I fire away. But most of the times, I find myself in awkward moments, not knowing if I have the courage to point my camera to someone and just take photos.

I learned that if I try to ask permission first, I get either an outright rejection, or perhaps an approval but then I lose the candidness of the shots.

So most of the times, I just take photos, always preparing myself for possible confrontations with my subjects, and in which case, I would gladly delete their photos if they ask me to. Luckily, in my few weeks since I started shooting total strangers, I have not been confronted by unwilling subjects. But there is always that feeling that makes me think to always prepare for such a situation.

Anyway, to those of you who are already into street photography, how do you handle it? Do you seek approval first? Do you simply make yourself comfortable and start shooting?

And then there's this other thing: Is it right to post candid shots of total strangers in to your flickr or facebook or any other site?

Most of the photo sharing sites that I am a member of allow communication from viewers. I employ the idea of posting those photos until someone contacts me and asks me to take them down. Am in the right?

Looking forward to your responses.

Thanks.

rockyrajan

Canon EOS-600D/T3i Rebel

Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM

06/21/2012 01:11:11 PM · #2

I pretty much adopt the same approach as you.. Just point and shoot away; im not at bashful as u when it comes to shooting total strangers and i dont take permission most times since it steals the candidness of the shots.

If someone objects, one can always delete the pictures so nobody gets upset, but seeking permission totally is contravenous to the idea of street photography which is supposed to be candid and spontaneous.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

06/21/2012 01:35:28 PM · #3

Caveat, I live in Ontario and only know the laws pertaining to my province. I know in Quebec they're slightly different in favor of the model.

Originally posted by LandzEnca:

Anyway, to those of you who are already into street photography, how do you handle it? Do you seek approval first? Do you simply make yourself comfortable and start shooting?

I'm either using my 50mm f/1.4 or 100mm macro when doing street photography. I love the 50mm because I know I need to be roughly 2-3 feet away to get a good shot. Normally I stand on one side of the person if I assume they're going to cross the street or something similar and wait for them to look in my direction. When they do, I fire away. I never ask permission first, here, you don't have to. If they're in public, they're fair game to be photographed. It took about a week of doing this before the nerves settled down, now I think nothing of it.

Originally posted by LandzEnca:

And then there's this other thing: Is it right to post candid shots of total strangers in to your flickr or facebook or any other site?

In Ontario, if it's not for commercial use, it's fair game. Even if you do use it commercially and make profit, the model would have to sue you under Civil law and hope for the best.

Originally posted by LandzEnca:

Most of the photo sharing sites that I am a member of allow communication from viewers. I employ the idea of posting those photos until someone contacts me and asks me to take them down. Am in the right?

I wouldn't take them down unless forced by law. They're you're images, do with them as you please unless you did something illegal. In Ontario, you never have to delete a photo. I've only been asked twice and told the subjects they might want to read up on the laws before rambling off some BS (child porn laws in both cases) because I was shooting kids at the park. I was capturing their joie de vivre while playing in the sprinklers.

CS

Message edited by author 2012-06-21 13:35:46.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

06/21/2012 01:37:38 PM · #4

A good approach I have used is to explain to someone that I am an amateur photographer and they have an interesting face, would they mind if i took a couple of pics? Most people are flattered. If they are obviously doing something, I will ask questions and inquire about it. People love to talk about themselves, and once they are talking to me, I can snap away and they are acting naturally again. You also get some interesting background info to go along with the photos. That's good for what I think of as street portraits. This is one of my favorite examples of that, and is an outtake from the street portraiture challenge. He had been doing some work on a historic hotel and was more than happy to tell me all about it.

I'm actually less comfortable with the traditional zoom lens and subject being unaware, but sometimes it's the only way of getting the shot you want. I was after this shot for a year or so until the opportunity presented itself across the street.

One benefit of shooting in the FW Stockyards is that it is a tourist area, so nobody pays any attention to big, pro looking cameras.

Message edited by author 2012-06-21 13:38:48.

Sony Sonnar FE 2.8 35mm ZA

06/21/2012 01:41:52 PM · #5

Here's a good link with interesting reading.

CS

jagar

Samsung Galaxy S9/S9+

06/21/2012 01:54:29 PM · #6

I think the most important thing is being friendly, this will probably sound silly but if I'm in a joyful nothing can bother me mood, everything seems to happen naturally without any bother whatsoever, on the contrary if my mood sucks and im not in the moment then nothing goes smoothly. If somebody notices me then I quickly judge if that person is approachable, if so then I ask their permission. An important point that we tend to forget: everybody is so busy thinking about themselves and we are just tiny spots in their universe.

Spork99

OM System OM-1

Canon EF 100mm f/2.8 USM Macro

06/21/2012 02:04:59 PM · #7

There are as many approaches to street photography as there are street photographers.

Magnumphotography

Canon EOS-5D Mark II

Canon EF 500mm f/4.0L IS USM

06/21/2012 08:26:01 PM · #8

Asking people is great way, as it eliminates possible confrontation.
I personally prefer unaware subjects.

One trick I will use is panning through your subject. Starting with the camera pointed to one side of the subject. Then panning by them, Snapping off a frame or two as you pass them by. Then continuing the pan, as if you are following another subject. Then review the images. Just don't look up and stair at them after! Look to a side and stair at something else. This is were acting skills, can be a benefit. I usually will hold my head up high in interest. Maybe scratch my chin. Then look back down. You get the idea, but this seems to work quite well. As it will throw most observers off.

Also shoot on holidays, such as Canada Day. In Ottawa is nuts! People are packed downtown and so camera friendly. Plus the recorded images are priceless. Yeah, canadians are at their best that day!
Times like this, standing out is not a bad thing either..Drunks love attention! Plus you may even make some new friends. Or at least maybe a free draft.

06/21/2012 08:29:40 PM · #9

Thanks guys for your replies. Im glad im not totally different in my approach as some of you. Yep, i totally understand that different places may have different laws about it and where im at right now seems to be tollerating.

I also get to talk to the subjects sometimes, but that is usually after the shot. Usually it's me thanking them.

Im on my phone right now, later when i get a chance i wlll post some of the shots that i took this past week.

Thanks again.

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

06/21/2012 10:19:02 PM · #10

Not much, but here are some of the shots I took this week. Hoping for some comments. Thanks.

Covert_Oddity

Nikon D700

06/21/2012 10:46:51 PM · #11

Something I used to do a lot when doing street was point my camera where I wanted to take the shot and let people walk into it. It was a very different feeling from pointing a camera straight at someone and taking a photo, it was more like, you knew I was taking this picture, you walked into it, you clearly don't mind :)

It actually worked well for my style of street photography, I always liked to make it about the interaction of the people with the environment around them rather than just candids of people.

It's never bothered me putting street shots online, though I've usually avoided shots where children are recognisable, I know there's no law against it, but I know some parents object so just felt best not to at all.

Flash

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

06/26/2012 09:06:16 AM · #12

I find a long zoom telephoto can be beneficial when trying to capture that "natural" moment. Sometimes a midrange zoom can be useful when you are keen on observing people "lost" in their enviornment.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

06/26/2012 09:28:31 AM · #13

Originally posted by Flash:

Sometimes a midrange zoom can be useful when you are keen on observing people "lost" in their enviornment.

Agreed. I've found my 18-135 is just about perfect for this type of stuff. I can travel light and go from a moderate wideangle to zooming in from across the street.

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM

06/26/2012 09:28:32 AM · #14

Originally posted by Flash:

I find a long zoom telephoto can be beneficial when trying to capture that "natural" moment. Sometimes a midrange zoom can be useful when you are keen on observing people "lost" in their enviornment.

Personally I would never recommend anything telephoto-- you just completely lose the feeling of the moment and there is zero human interaction which is something key to street photography IMO. I think instead of using a long lens its better to just be discrete and take the shot without the subject(s) noticing. I use a 50mm and I can't stand how zoomed it is. I can't wait to get a 35mm... I can see where you're coming from and I understand in very specific circumstances but in general I'd say stick to wide-ish angle ..

Google Glass Google Glass

06/26/2012 10:05:22 PM · #15

All the shots i posted were at 200mm. Totally far from my subjects. I guess when the confidence starts to build up, i should try to be nearer. I have a 50, and i hope to be confortable using it next time.

ambaker

Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM

06/26/2012 11:39:38 PM · #16

The first time I tried street photography, I saw an old farmer selling corn alongside the road.

EL-ROI

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 IS

06/26/2012 11:41:35 PM · #17

www.85mm.ch

Someone posted this link in another thread. This guy shows you everything you need to know at no charge. He does everything except press the shutter for you. Granted he us pretty "in your face" about getting his close up headshots and that mat not be what you are after. But he has talent and us offering free info!!

Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 APO DG Macro HSM for Nikon

06/27/2012 04:33:45 AM · #18

Those are amazing shots. An amazing portfolio. It's great how he lets his subjects look straight to the camera and capture those wonderful portraits.

meow

Nikon D7100

06/27/2012 08:37:03 AM · #19

These are great,LandzEnca!
Real crisp and clear with great subjects. Looks like you have nothing to be concerned about!

Message edited by author 2012-06-27 08:39:33.

Olympus OM-D E-M5 Mark III

06/27/2012 09:32:25 AM · #20

Originally posted by LandzEnca:

You just have to lose the nerves. Yesterday I was out at lunch, turned the corner and this woman was laying on the bench smoking. Pulled up the camera snapped a photo and walked past her. She asked what I was doing. Told her I take pictures of beautiful things. Going on a date tonight as last night was my wife's birthday.

Yo_Spiff

Olympus 12-100mm f/4.0 M.Zuiko ED IS PRO

06/27/2012 09:49:31 AM · #21

Originally posted by Venser:

Told her I take pictures of beautiful things.

Excellent answer! I'll have to keep that one in mind.

bvy

Sigma DP1x

06/27/2012 10:33:08 AM · #22

Originally posted by Yo_Spiff:

Originally posted by Venser:
Told her I take pictures of beautiful things.

Excellent answer! I'll have to keep that one in mind.

That is a good answer. I like it too. I'll be adding it to my repertoire.

To add to the discussion, I prefer 22mm to 35mm, 28mm being just about ideal.

Flash

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

06/27/2012 10:59:53 AM · #23

Certainly different philosophy's at work here. One is trying to cature the interaction/reaction of the subject to the photographer while the other is attempting to cature the subject within its own context. Lens choice would seem to be a by-product of which approach you choose. My preference is to capture the moment unnoticed and without intervention/interaction/reaction with the subject and let the moments' capture suggest the story. Perhaps the definition of "street photography" includes an interaction with the photographer and my preference is more indicative of candids.