anthony johns Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 Hey! The one thing that I seem to have a hard time with in taking streetphotography is that I don't know how to approach a person to take a photo.Should I just take a picture if the person is interesting or should I ask them?If I go up to someone should I say you look interesting in the lens or just askto take their picture? People get suspicious and I don't want to insult people.What do you do? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pablito_pistola Posted February 11, 2007 Share Posted February 11, 2007 Anthony, it does not matter what others do. You need to negotiate this for yourself by following your intuition. There is no way to avoid the awkwardness but if you just push ahead you'll figure it out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asher Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Anthony- this question has been addressed before, and below are some quotes & notes that I've saved from prior posts. My apologies for not saving the names of the sources:<p> <li>Be direct; don't sneak around or "act guilty"</li> <li>Don't take a picture of a total stranger doing nothing particularly interesting- no point (lousy photo), and arouses suspicion</li> <li>The most important aspect is confidence and getting over the initial nervousness of engaging in what is a invasive activity</li> <li>Mason Resnick on Garry Winogrand: "(Winogrand) walked slowly or stood in the middle of pedestrian traffic as people went by. Incredibly, people didn't react when he photographed them. It surprised me because Winogrand made no effort to hide the fact that he was standing in way, taking their pictures. Very few really noticed; no one seemed annoyed. Winogrand was caught up with the energy of his subjects, and was constantly smiling or nodding at people as he shot."</li> <li> More from Mason: <a href="http://www.photogs.com/bwworld/ramble798.html"> Rambling with Resnick - Resnick's Guide to Street Photography</a></li><p> I guess the best way to start is to just do it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
amorteguy Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 <p>Asher - thanks for the link on the article. Very entertaining! However, the author implied it was hard to find the Decisive Moment by Cartier-Bresson. Wrong! I found a dozen for sale on my first attempt!</p> <a href="http://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?sts=t&an=bresson&y=21&tn=Decisive+Moment&x=110">www.abebooks.com</a> <p>Just pick the one you want, from $950 to $5000. No problem!</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
luke_neher Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 A few other viewpoints:</P> - Be direct; don't sneak around or "act guilty" - Many consider invisibility of tantamount importance.</p> - Don't take a picture of a total stranger doing nothing particularly interesting- no point (lousy photo), and arouses suspicion - I thoroughly disagree, a large part of street photography is capturing the everyday, the ordinary. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john sypal Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Read this: http://2point8.whileseated.org/?p=3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
spanky Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Why not do both? Some people I ask others I do not. Each day is different and each situation is different so after awhile you'll learn to trust your instincs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_gorman Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 How to approach a person to take a photo Just take the photo, worry about if they are going to remove your head with a large shiny sword after you have done the wicked deed. If they do, well, hey. Technique, courage in the real sense of the word; and a big smile wins the day. Try not to think too much otherwise you will disappear up your own smelly place. Street photographic techniques given to you by P/N.... superior member's guide. All in real techno color and surround sound. Thanks to all who have certificated the above. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_gorman Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 For that individual who has achieved in life a Moderator Uniform....question yourself. Why should a manufacturer, not be questioned about a camera which is unable to producing a technically correct pix not be challenged? I'm forgetting the exciting price for this cam. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scott friedberg Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 A famous brand once used the slogan 'Just do it'. That's about all I can recommend to you. There are no special tricks IMO, it's all intuition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_gorman Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Off topic, sorry. Feel free to delete without any hard feelings. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_gorman Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 There are no special tricks IMO, it's all intuition. Show me, i'll show you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fjords Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 yeah, if your close enough, subjects are either engaging and/or clueless, it's the concerned perv standing outside the frame to your 'right' that's dialing 911, or their layer, that will confront you:) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_gorman Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 To much mouth on this place and not enough real work. Talking photographers and old trust dudes mouthing off about nothing, Let those who are doing it get on with it.Find another hobby and let those who are doing photography get on with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
anthony johns Posted February 12, 2007 Author Share Posted February 12, 2007 Al, I take that as a direct insult! It's not just a hobby, it's art, humanity! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asher Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Al Gorman said: <i>"To much mouth on this place and not enough real work."</i><p> Some truth to that Al, but if you feel that way then why hang out at a forum where people come to discuss things? There's no PN pre-requisite photographic skill to having an opinion. Doesn't mean you have to agree, but there it is. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_gorman Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Some truth to that Al, but if you feel that way then why hang out at a forum where people come to discuss Some truth. All truth. Honesty in photography. Some of use will stick with the truth. Honesty, if it suits; will bend it. Okay, some will die in a terrible way, but does it matter? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_gorman Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Al, I take that as a direct insult Not the street forum. Has it been taken over by the "TALKING PHOTOGRAPHERS" Bored with listening to sht. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_gorman Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Al, I take that as a direct insult! It's not just a hobby, it's art, humanity! Then you should be happy to listen to others opinons. Art is not about the third Reich where there is only one opinion. Yours. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmnop Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Mostly I just try and take the picture that I was drawn to first, so that I'm sure to get the moment I wanted. If they've noticed and look like they want an explanation, after the fact I tell them that I'm studying photography and smile or some such thing, and its generally a really friendly exchange. Sometimes I ask first, for instance if I'm interested in taking pictures of someone's tatooing, pet, baby etc. I'm not really smooth at this yet, but haven't gotten into any trouble. I will say this, with the exception of pictures I've taken children who were mugging for me, my favorite pictures are the one's where people were unaware of being photographed--its more the essence of street photography rather than portraiture done on the street.--emily Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
asher Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Mental note to self: Do not attempt to engage Al Gorman in rational discussion. Head hurting, feeling confused and disoriented. Fading... OK feeling better now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_gorman Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 Do not attempt to engage Al Gorman in rational discussion. That is a personnel insult. If i respond i will banned....you should be....but then you post in many differnt names. No bottle?Hiding. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_gorman Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 http://www.photo.net/photos/Asher With respect!!!! Okay, i'll i never utter a word or photo. Goodbye. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_gorman Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 And the world of street photography ended.... with Asher. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
al_gorman Posted February 12, 2007 Share Posted February 12, 2007 What utter crap. Okay, this is the loving internet. Love you John Boy.............. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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