"For Sale" - How to approach people?

12/20/2006 03:53:22 PM · #1

I passed some great road side vendors that I wanted to take pictures of for the "For Sale" challenge and after finally working up the courage to ask one of them if I could I was rejected. How do you approach folks to take their picture? Should I have said "I'm in a photo club and I'd like to take your picture?" or what? I think the one that rejected me might have thought I was with the "government" and was going to fine him for not having the proper permits or something....

I was disappointed and ended up taking this:

which is very boring compared to what I had access to. There were some really great characters selling things on the side of the road that would have been much more interesting.

12/20/2006 03:56:00 PM · #2

How did you approach him ?

I think the worst way to start is 'hi, could I take your picture' It is a great way to finish, but not the best opening line.

'Hello' is a good start. So is talking about what they are selling, maybe go with a compliment, have an actual conversation, take an interest, try to build some rapport. Then if that's working well, see about the picture. Not much, but I have a couple of blog posts about this and I'm working on more. This Radiant Vista podcast also deals with ways to build rapport in a short period of time to work on a street portrait.

Message edited by author 2006-12-20 15:57:43.

12/20/2006 04:21:27 PM · #3

Thanks Gordon. I probably did say "Hi, your setup looks so neat, can I take a picture?". No introductions, no small talk, nothing. No wonder he thought I was crazy. I'm gonna go read your links now.

12/20/2006 04:53:26 PM · #4

Ok I read your blog posts and I greatly appreciate it! Your experience on 6th Street pretty much mirrors was how my day went, except after my first "No" I couldn't muster up the courage to ask another. Your description about shooting, not looking at the results and getting out of there would be me to a T.

Can you go into details on your statement "I explained what I was trying to do"? Did you convey to them that you were trying to capture "life on 6th street", "Interesting People of Texas", or was it something like "I'm trying to win a ribbon on dpChallenge and your picture will be on the Internet"...LOL.

gloda

Canon EF 24-70mm f/2.8L USM

12/20/2006 06:05:40 PM · #5

FWIW, my For Sale entry and all outtakes were taken by approaching people, saying hello, telling them my name and that I'm a student at the local university. I told them that I was taking pictures for a photo competition and asked them nicely if they'd mind me taking their pictures.
The guy in my entry was really happy and allowed me to take his picture right away. I even suggested a pose.
Another guy on the Christmas market pointed out a distracing element in my composition when I showed him the picture I had taken of him on the LCD, and let me take another picture.
A woman in another stand at the market was a bit shy, but I told her it would take but a second and she agreed.
I guess you have to judge quickly whether people just can't be bothered and want to get rid of you or whether your huge lens frightens them.

12/20/2006 06:16:04 PM · #6

Originally posted by jasonlprice:

Can you go into details on your statement "I explained what I was trying to do"? Did you convey to them that you were trying to capture "life on 6th street", "Interesting People of Texas", or was it something like "I'm trying to win a ribbon on dpChallenge and your picture will be on the Internet"...LOL.

I was simply honest - I explained I was trying to get better at taking pictures of people. That I wanted to get better at and if they weren't busy, would they help me out. I also explained what had caught my eye in the first place- why I wanted to take the picture of them, or with them in it.

I think honesty helps - if you're up front about it, people will either say yes or no, and you can move on from there. Complimenting them or explaining the reason why you want their picture (assuming you do it in a flattering way) can go far to get beyond the initial weirdness too.

Craig talks about a lot of that in his podcast.

Olympus 40-150mm f/2.8 PRO M.Zuiko

12/20/2006 06:18:38 PM · #7

Originally posted by gloda:

guess you have to judge quickly whether people just can't be bothered and want to get rid of you or whether your huge lens frightens them.

I also try to avoid the huge lens when I'm doing this. The one common theme I've heard from several professional travel or street photographers is about how the amateur photographers will walk around with camera bags, big lenses, a couple of bodies slung around their necks, tripods etc - anything to look like a professional. While the professionals are trying to minimise, go with simple cameras, small lenses, insignificant, non-photographic bags - anything to not look like a professional photographer.

I shoot with an 85mm prime on my camera - it is really small. I wish I had something like an XTi or other smaller bodied SLR. a 5D would work well too. Anything to be less intimidating or professional looking.

Brad

Olympus OM-D E-M1

12/20/2006 06:29:59 PM · #8

Originally posted by Gordon:

I wish I had something like an XTi or other smaller bodied SLR. a 5D would work well too. Anything to be less intimidating or professional looking.

Consider your wish granted.
I have a 350D and will even toss in the kit lens and you can get rid of that bulky, pro-looking MarkII. I'll even spring for the shipping. Oh heck, to sweeten the deal, I'll add a slotted ping-pong ball flash diffuser AND a 64MB CF card.
I hope the black body 350D isn't too pro for you. I can always find a well worn silver one...

:)

Message edited by author 2006-12-20 18:32:27.

xXxscarletxXx

Nikon D80

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 18-135mm f/3.5- 5.6G ED DX

12/20/2006 06:31:31 PM · #9

*Coughs* I wouldnt of asked.. just took..

LevT

Olympus OM-1

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

12/20/2006 06:34:53 PM · #10

Asking people for a permission to take a photo is noble but unfortunately very often it destroys the spontaneousl feel of the scene. Most people start acting, and act they cannot. So I much rather would try to take a photo surreptitiously to capture the real emition even risking their displeasure in case they notice me doing it. Having a small or long tele lens really helps. I had so much fun photographing vendors and buyers at a market in Jerusalem last month (unfortunately, before the challenge started), all of them were taken without permission (I was yelled at a couple of times :)). I used my 50mm f1.8 lens which is really small. Shooting "from the hip" with a small P&S camera works even better, however the unpredicable focusing and delay inherent in those cameras spoil too many shots.

John Pahl

Nikon Coolpix AW 100

Pentax DA 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6 AF

12/20/2006 06:48:51 PM · #11

Originally posted by xXxscarletxXx:

*Coughs* I wouldnt of asked.. just took..

Same here, but I am new yet and don't know much of anything, lol..

When at my sons school events or basketball practice I have been turning the camera on other people too. Cute little kids doing there thing, teachers, other parents, etc...

Never asked anyone yet. :)

12/22/2006 11:12:56 AM · #12

Thanks all. I had a 50 1.8 on a 350d, so not very intimidating. I did consider your method LevT, but I don't think I'll ever be that bold! You really had to get close with your 50 1.8 for some of those shots huh? Thanks for the link to your album, my favorite is "Shopping for Sabbath", and I really like the "Jewish Cowboy". Its a shame those were last month, they would have done great in the challenge.

I would have a different mindset if I was a tourest I think. I think I could be a little bolder if I was obviously a tourest versus living in the same area.

I'll also trade my 350d for anyone's Pro camera to enhance your street photography. Really I don't mind at all, anything to help you out.