How to do street photography in bad neighborhood

<p>My advice was based on only losing a $100 P&S when you get your a-- whupped.</p>

<p>People in those neighborhoods are notorious for kicking out outsiders. You won't stand a chance even without a camera.</p>

<p>After I told my approach to a film student, he now wanted to go along and gave me a suggestion. He said we can rent a very good video camera with selective focus and just drive around the neighborhood. Then pick out still frames and edit in photoshop. Hmmmm...seems like a good idea. Do those still frames from video camera have photographic quality? He said the fashion industry is doing it for catwalk...so it must be good enough.</p>

<p>They probably think you're undercover cops. If not, they'll resent the implied voyeurism and act accordingly. You'll be attacked.</p>

<p>Please don't do it. I don't want to see you on the news. Someone else's enthusiasm in trying to drag you into this does not make it a good idea.</p>

<p>Chi, if it's any consolation, I would feel very uncomfortable making fashion photos for really rich people. I usually bump around the local woods to make a lot of my photos. You can't be everything to everyone. </p>

<p>Maybe you're just not involved and incorporated into the area enough yet to do a great job at this. I would imagine that the people who go there and do well are probably saying right now, "All I've got are these ho-hum photos of people doing wrong stuff. I want to make a picture of a lion!" </p>

<p>Besides, if you just "go by" and make some pictures, that's like tourism. Is that what you want? </p>

<p>And, if you get the "cool" photos of the bad stuff in this world, what about everything else that may be much more boring, but just as much a part of the story? All of that stuff will take time. </p>

<p>+1 for the reality check. While not impossible, if you have to post a question about how am I going to do this, <em>and your personal safety</em>, then I guess the only prudent answer would be, you're not ready enough to make the photo right. </p>

<p>I don't do war or crime photography, but I imagine that it'd be better to err on the side of prudence when you feel your task is at odds with your physical and social safety. </p>

<p>Sometimes when I go into the woods to make some photos, I see these places that look like they would be good vantage points, but for one reason or another, I end up passing them up; frequently it is because I feel that I am prepared enough to get in, but not prepared, at the time, to get back out safe and strong. So, I pass those over. Probably not nearly the same as the crime photos, but I think there's something in there that you ought to feel and decide right with anytime you're doing anything that might cause you trouble later.</p>

<p>I'm pretty sure there's somebody somewhere who would call me out and tell me I'm a wimp for not taking on everything; but, I'm also pretty sure that some of the people I've worked with in blue-collar jobs would be quick to ask me once I got out, "How could you be so stupid, after all we've been through?" </p>

<p>If it feels like a small challenge that wakes you up a little bit, it's probably a "Go." If you think it's gonna run you over and destroy you, then you need to let it go by. </p>

<p>I'd say pass this over.</p>

<p>As someone who shoots in these kind of neighborhoods quite frequently I'd like to suggest that you wait until you know more about the people and they know more about you. Read "Gang Leader for a Day" to understand more about working with this segment of the population.<br /> <br /> Please don't drive around with a video camera. You will look like a cop and very well might get shot at. Before we serve any high-risk warrant we drive by the property in question at least twice with a video camera. Not a good idea unless you're wearing a vest and can handle armed threats that might pop up.<br /> <br /> Talk to some local charities that work in the area. Volunteer. Get to know people. That's really your most viable way in. <br /> <br /> If you don't know it already make sure to learn how to read body language. Also learn how to deescalate a situation that is threatening to turn violent/dangerous.<br /> <br /> Be very, very careful.</p>

<p>Mikael, the book you recommended is very close to what I'm trying to do except in a different medium. I'll order the book before I make the decision. I was very childish and immature to not think this through. My amibition blinded me for years but my consciousness did keep me from doing it. I have to admit my motive came from doing good things and some selfishness and desire for a series of photos. I still remember I got the idea from an exhibit for a photographer (forgot the name) in SFMOMA, the work was portraying the war in iraq or afganistan. But all the artworks were fake...the soilders, bombs, tanks, victims were all setups. It's good for Hollywood but I was angry for that type of work being display in MOMA. I felt the photos were not accurate and I cannot trust it. So I wanted to do my own complex project that is real. Not talking about a couple good ones. I want to do a journal and touch upon all perspectives of poverty, struggles and violence that middle class ignores. I don't want the pictures of dealing drugs and money. I want the human side; people working, kids going to school, groceries shoping, etc. when the environment is always a threat. I want to show how people are affected by its environment and no one there to help them. Even though I work for public health, but I really don't know the primary reason for the project. For society or portfolio...I'm not clear.</p>

<p>I wouldn't say childish and immature, just that to really explore any environment, you have to learn about the environment. Think of it as the first steps. In medicine, one of the precepts is , "First, do no harm." By asking questions and working on your feelings, you didn't blunder into a bad situation and didn't get yourself hurt nor aggravate the "bad." Had you had a bad experience, word gets out, maybe even press coverage and the negative reputations get reinforced.</p>

<p>Your project is just going to take some more time and preparation to accomplish. If you are trying to show "normal" life in a bad neighborhood, there are people who live or work in the area that can provide help to you in studying the locale, whether it's local social service agencies, charities, religious bodies, etc.</p>

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<p>I still remember I got the idea from an exhibit for a photographer (forgot the name) in SFMOMA, the work was portraying the war in iraq or afganistan. But all the artworks were fake...the soilders, bombs, tanks, victims were all setups. It's good for Hollywood but I was angry for that type of work being display in MOMA. I felt the photos were not accurate and I cannot trust it.</p>

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<p>You have completely misunderstood An-My Lê's work, which is what you appear to be referring to. I suggest reading her statements and some of the critics' writing about it. It was not represented as portraying the war itself.</p>

<p>Walk through the neighborhood everyday (at whichever time you actually want to shoot), with a tiny camera slung over your shoulder without taking a single shot. Gradually spend more time in the neighborhood and then start taking a couple of shots a day (start with architecture shots). Should be possible to do it all in a month.</p>

<p>Derek and Beverly Joubert have movies where they explain how to film wild animals in Botswana. This is similar.</p>

<p>Wild animals in Botswana are not armed!.I can not believe how naive some people are.</p>

<p>Hmmm, well street photoraphy is all about how you present and express urself. Be presentable and be friendly and I am sure you would get a lot of street potraits.<br>

I have made a lot of street potraits of people;<br>

<a href="http://www.adambacker.com">www.adambacker.com</a><br>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/adambacker2009">http://www.flickr.com/photos/adambacker2009</a><br>

Well, if people refuse immediately say "its okay" and leave it. Sometimes if u r lucky they might call u back.<br>

good luck!!!! hope u will get the courage to go ahead to ur neighbourhood and get some good pics</p>

<p>Wild animals kill only for food when they are hungry. They never molest and they don't trade in narcotics or other contraband. They never, never break the Jungle Law. Regards, sp.</p>

<p>I'd believe wild animals would be armed to the teeth, and claws of course. As for the Jungle law, I know it but, do they? I'd still make my presence known and the fact that I'm not food, nor carry money for food, nor a threat to their food.</p>

<p>Wild animals do indeed kill for reasons other than food. This is well documented. And irrelevant to this discussion.</p>

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<p>I want to take photos of the projects, drug dealing, homelessness, prostitution and poor art students in that area.</p>

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<p>Why?</p>

<p>Riley, if you'll read the entire thread in context the original poster has discussed his intentions and motivations pretty thoroughly.</p>

<p>Oh, my apologies. Should have read more carefully.<br>

It seems that a lot of the time people go into these types of projects for the wrong reasons, and it just isn't good for anyone. The city I'm from has a pretty bad homelesness/drug problem, and there's inevitably a bunch of people wandering around snapping photos like it's a zoo. Doesn't seem to help much.<br>

Anyway, sorry - you've got good intentions and it sounds like a great project. Hope it works out eventually.</p>