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10/24/2005 11:20:30 PM · #1 |
so on my recent lonely photoshoot at a park I noticed people doing things that would look great in a picture, but what i was told from my friend was that you shouldnt just shoot strangers like that and its very tricky to explain how you can do it. best thing is to just ask them permission yet heres where the problem lies. I want to shoot the strangers doing their normal thing not knowing i'm using them so it looks natrual. another thing...how do you go about asking a complete stranger if its ok to take pictures. I tried taking pics without someone knowing of this little kid playing in the lake and her mother took her away and they left the park :( i guess they thought i was some oddball
I was also told that if you do take pictures of stranger to never post them online or in your portfolio for if they do find that picture you will get sued and lose.
Message edited by author 2005-10-24 23:21:39. |
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10/24/2005 11:22:47 PM · #2 |
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10/24/2005 11:23:20 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by longlivenyhc:
bring lots of ammo |
not that kinda shooting |
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10/24/2005 11:24:45 PM · #4 |
I actually struggle with those very same questions.. do i.. dont i.. what if's.. ahh the questions are never ending.. ;)
Message edited by author 2005-10-24 23:25:11.
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10/24/2005 11:29:59 PM · #5 |
| A lot of the really good candids are done with a long lens. it's easier if you are 20-30 yards away. |
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10/24/2005 11:31:16 PM · #6 |
| I guess you could confidently pull out the camera shoot and then approach them and get a name and promise them some copies. The key is don't look like you're being sneaky. Try not to look like a creepy pervert. With kids, definitely ask first. In todayĆ¢s world, you might get the law called in if sneaking shots of kids. |
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10/24/2005 11:32:21 PM · #7 |
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10/24/2005 11:38:31 PM · #8 |
I honestly just take the picture. Public places are just that public places. Now mind you, I don't try and hide my camera and I don't have a mirror at the tip of my shoe to look up under skirts or such and I, at least in my opinion, am usually neat and tidy and I try not to look like a freak. I've seldom had any complaints about it from the people I've shot and the few times that I've taken a shot that might have irked the person that I took, I offered him?her a look and have often been asked to e-mail them a copy of one of the photos. (I usually agreee to sending one only, even if there are multiple shots). As for children, I find it easier to shoot first and ask permision later. But I am very transparent of my intentions and am usually not more the 20 feet away from my subject in plain sight. Now if they happen to be looking in my direction or not is another story... If they never notice me, all the better, if they do and I get a coy smile, kudos if they do and show some offence, I offer to show then the pics and if they are angy I just walk away. Very seldom have I had to walk away!
Be open to meeting your subject, smile and you should be allright. Now the situation is a little different in semi public or private areas. In these situations it would be advisable to ask permission of the propriotors so they can let their patrons know of the possibility of getting snapped or let your subjects know personally that you intend to take some pictures of them.
Cheers,
Eric R Thibodeau... |
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10/24/2005 11:44:06 PM · #9 |
Originally posted by Presidente:
I was also told that if you do take pictures of stranger to never post them online or in your portfolio for if they do find that picture you will get sued and lose. |
If they (and you) are in a public place, you can take and post the photo for personal, educational, or editorial purposes, and you are "protected" -- they can try and sue you, but they can't collect.
What you cannot do without explicit (written) permission is commercially exploit the image of a recognizable person, including using it in an ad, selling it as a stock image, etc.
Printing and personally selling individual photographic prints is a gray area between these two ...
Message edited by author 2005-10-24 23:48:04. |
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10/24/2005 11:48:17 PM · #10 |
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by Presidente:
I was also told that if you do take pictures of stranger to never post them online or in your portfolio for if they do find that picture you will get sued and lose. |
If they (and you) are ina public place, you can take and post the photo for personal, educational, or editorial purposes, and you are "protected" -- they can try and sue you, but can't collect.
What you cannot do without explicit (written) permission is commercially exploit the image of a recognizable person, including using it in an ad, selling it as a stock image, etc.
Printing and personally selling individual photographic prints is a gray area between these two ... |
what would posting a picture like that in a challenge be considered under |
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10/24/2005 11:56:00 PM · #11 |
My experience is this:
Photographers are more afraid of people than people are of photographers.
I photograph people all the time. Sometimes I shoot them candidly and then introduce myself to them to let them know what I'm doing and why. Sometimes I approach them first and ask if I can take a photo. It all depends on what I'm looking for.
I use these photos for a variety of things. They may be for publication in the newspaper or for part of my personal projects. I'm never in a 'stealth' mode when photographing people. I'm out in the open and not trying to hide from anyone. Being sneaky is going to cause your subject to be afraid of you. If you aren't hiding, they won't be worried about what you are doing. If they do not want to be photographed for some reason, they will let you know. ALWAYS honor their request to not be photographed if they should ask.
Public, semi-public, and private property definitions are complicated, and what it boils down to is this:
If the people are in a place where there is no expected or implied privacy, they are game to be photographed. Expected or implied privacy does exist ONLY in places that are designated as fully public. What we, as photographers, should always do is introduce ourselves to our subjects and let them know what we are doing. They will give you permission, or not, at this time. |
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10/24/2005 11:56:52 PM · #12 |
My thoughts of photographing children is to ask permission (of the parents) if you don't know them, or don't do it. That being said, I've done it without permission, but the environment had alot to do with why I did. I was at a kids' school carnival where many other parents were there with cameras, so it wasn't out of place. Now, if I were alone at a playground taking pictures of other peoples' kids, that's where the creep factor kicks into high gear and you may find yourself in a situation where you've got some explaining to do...
As far as photographing adults, asking first is always good. It's not too often that you'll run into someone who absolutely refuses. Who doesn't like to have their photo taken? :o)
Pedro has some great candid street photographs, one of a street fight. There's times where you just don't want to butt in to ask permission.
my 2 cents.
George |
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10/25/2005 12:08:19 AM · #13 |
like everyone's said, you just shoot if you are in public. If you want to introduce yourself first then go for it. A lot of people are mellowed out about the whole 'voyeur' thing if you talk to them. I have to shoot randoms all the time (for a paper) but there was one project I was working on where I had to get model releases for people. I had to shoot like 10 random people, and by talking to them first I got what I wanted, model release and everything. Not everyone said yes but you just keep trying.
Publis is public, if you are shooting from public ground you are fine as long as you aren't selling the images. Entering them in a challenge is fine. If you wanna sell get that model release. |
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10/25/2005 12:12:10 AM · #14 |
I'm about as shy as they come, but I shoot people out in public all the time. I keep my camera right out in the open and try to look as "professional" as possible. Most of the time, people think I'm working for the newspaper or some other official capacity. If I happen to get a good candid (particularly when children are involved), I always show the parents and offer to email them the image(s). Nobody has ever refused that offer. The only difficulty is trying to shoot someone really photogenic who goes out of her way to avoid having her picture taken *cough*Dahkota*cough*.
There's nothing illegal about posting a picture taken in a public setting unless you try to make money from it, or use it in a way that would be obviously hurtful. Posting in a challenge is fine, but you'd probably need a model release to sell prints.
Message edited by author 2005-10-25 00:13:14. |
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10/25/2005 12:13:07 AM · #15 |
| Damn! I'm a little intoxicated at this moment but I would have to say that I shoot and run. Being female I can get away with this much easier than the typical man. Most of the time they know I'm shooting but they don't say a word. So in drunk conclusion, I'm assuming it's easier for a female. Shoot me tomorrow if my spelling is atrocious |
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10/25/2005 12:17:45 AM · #16 |
I've concluded that there are three options. I do all three.
First: Just walk up and ask. I'll say, "excuse me, can I take your picture?" with a smile. It's always worked for me. Nice way to get the subject composed well for an environmental portrait.
Second: Shoot from the hip, in crowded places where people are busy and passing by, it's too hard to stop and ask people that are busily walking by. So I use a wide angle, fast speed, and a small aperature to keep things in focus. I carry my camera with my finger on the shutter release while carrying the camera down by my stomach as it hangs from the strap around my neck. Takes practice, but makes for interesting shots.
Lastly, speak softly and carry a BIGGGGGGG lens. I use a Sigma 50-500 and on my Reble, it's a 80-800mm with a crop. You can almost stand across the street and get a tight head and shoulder portrait. They just think you are too far to get much of a shot of them or don't see you at all.
Good luck.
Message edited by author 2005-10-25 00:21:57.
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10/25/2005 12:25:20 AM · #17 |
I will post a realted question.
What if I am officially shooting an event ? I can still be taking candids of people. In that case can I sell prints ? (May be the person I clicked wants to buy it or their friends ) |
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10/25/2005 12:37:30 AM · #18 |
| sell = model release. if you are shooting an event for a publication, it can be published there but not sold without the release. |
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10/25/2005 01:07:42 AM · #19 |
| Practice at : Renaissance faires, sci-fi conventions, etc ; as it is almost expected that you take pictures of people in their costumes. Some people spend tons of time on their outfits that they would be glad to have people take pictures of them. |
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10/25/2005 01:12:20 AM · #20 |
There was a pro-life rally today on campus, and there were a lot of people arguing about abortion. I thought it looked like a good picture, so I whipped out my camera and just stated taking pictures. People don't mind as much as you think...Actually, I think most people like it.
I'm a very social person...so It's an easy choice for me.
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10/25/2005 03:53:38 AM · #21 |
Since I got the digital camera, the few times I've shot people in public I've just gone up to them afterwards and let them chimp. Showed them what I was doing and said "I'll erase these if you like." Nobody has asked me to yet. But I don't shoot a lot of people...
R.
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10/25/2005 05:19:53 AM · #22 |
I think if you are shy, you may want to be really careful. I just walk up to people and ask them if they mind if I get a few shots of them just doing what they're doing. Most people don't mind. I agree that if you sneak your shots, you'll look like you're sneaking your shots and people will take offence and maybe not be too happy with you.
O', and I always ask if I plan on posting a photo on the web. My friend Amy, who has agreed to model for me, was very open about this. As a matter of fact, it was my photography that was one of the driving factors to her becoming such a close friend to me and my family! :)
Message edited by author 2005-10-25 05:23:35. |
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10/25/2005 08:42:42 AM · #23 |
I love going out and finding interesting people, situations, locations to shoot. 99% of the time I don't ask. 1% of the time I want a particular shot and do ask.
I am always seen taking pictures - I don't hide it. I have never had people ask me not to - the ones that don't want their picture taken move out of the way (or so they think). Many people will try to get into the picture (much like when the news cameras are around). Some ask me why.
As for MY picture being taken, now that I know you, Shannon, you can snap away. ;) Looking forward to the next GTG... :)
BTW - You can sell images of people without a model release for editorial purposes but not for commercial purposes. 'Art' photography is considered editorial.
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10/25/2005 09:05:29 AM · #24 |
I ask strangers ALL the time if I can take their picture. You have to build up courage sometimes and vibe out the person. I have never been refused. Keep in mind that they will not kill you and can only say "no" and then you move on. I also take photo's of people who seem scary at first and turn out to be remarkably nice and are sometimes the most cooperative of models...these guys, for example
  (btw, the second guy lives in a home for the mentally disabled in my neighborhood, seemed scary but had a very sweet disposition)
Maybe twice, people were concerned about where(how) their image was going to be used and I told them "nowhere" meaning "nowhere compromising"...like DPC.
I would advise you to stay away from kids in parks. Parents are extremely skittish these days and rightly so. There are a lot of creeps out there and you don't even want to be considered one in that mix.
Message edited by author 2005-10-25 09:55:13. |
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10/25/2005 09:07:03 AM · #25 |
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