shy in street photography

[jasminabalic]

hello..

 

I like street photography....and take pictures of people sitting on the street, doing whatever they do...but I am

shy to come in front of them...I do not know how would they respond...I am sure if I could get over that, I would

improve a lot...anyone have the same problem?

 

Thx.

[gsphotoguy]

I like the images you have on photo.net already.

 

I have been seriously working on that very issue for about a year now. I sometimes just point the camera and see the reaction. I have also engaged people in conversation and then asked if I can photograph them. I'm not sure you ever get over the fear of rejection. I have gotten some interesting photographs so far and have one subject who wants to continue working together.

[tonmestrom]

short answer: get over it. That's not very helpfull though, still it's the truth. Street photography is done really up close and especially in the beginning it can feel a bit awkward. You could try to start at places where people are used to people photographing like fairs, events and touristic places. Develop an attitude as if you belong there. I photograph in cities all over Europe and in my opinion most people don't really care. You'll notice that some will advise you to talk to your subjects while some will state they never do. For me it depends on the circumstances. Having said that I have met some great people out there over the years. In reality there is only one way, go out there and do it.

 

Maybe you find things like this helpfull:

 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dipTqJfiE4

[jasminabalic]

thank you Ton and Mark...I guess, I just have to find my own way.....I checked videos on YouTube, check Bruce Gilden video....I was laughing like crazy....

[charlesheckel]

How you approach the situation really affects the kinds of pictures you'll get, so I think you're well advised to consider the matter carefully. I looked at your portfolio and saw that you do thoughtful work. One approach that might work well for you is to carry a small portfolio and be ready to show your work if questioned.<p>It's legal to go ahead and grab shots in public places, and you usually won't be challenged if onlookers see the shot is of an interesting activity and obviously not demeaning, and no children are involved. I prefer to ask permission before shooting, and people will generally say yes if they've had a chance to see me doing my thing. I'm not very invasive, and pretty soon people tend to forget I'm there.<p>If I were enlisting cooperation from someone--a posed shot, or simply getting them to move into better light--I'd spend a bit of time chatting first and make my intentions clear. <p>In finding your own way, I'd suggest it's largely a matter of establishing that, hey, it's not a cryptic observer-object relationship--just Jasmina, participating in her own way and doing her own thing.

[william_livingston]

Jasmina-be bold--the meek shall not inherit the earth--tell them you are taking their picture and its free--works most of the time.

[Damon DAmato]

I like Charles' advice, and I liked Ton's advice, until he got to the part about Bruce Gilden. Every time someone

suggests watching that Gilden video, I cringe. You're suggesting to someone who is shy to go on the street, and

yell, "You own the sidewalk?" at people who object to photography. That guy is an a--hole, and his photos are

ugly. If you want to attract negative attention and creep people out, try Bruce Gilden's technique.

<br><br>

The other way to attract negative attention and creep people out is to sneak around and shoot from the hip. When

you get caught, people will assume you're doing something you shouldn't be doing, or you wouldn't have to hide it.

 

<br><br>

There is a middle ground. Go into the street with your camera and a good attitude. Don't hide anything, don't

abuse your subjects, and you'll rarely have any trouble. If we're talking about street portraits, I find that

people love to have their photo taken. I'd rather have taken the photo below, than a thousand photos of

freaked-out old folks from New York, but that's just me. Others may disagree.

 

<br><br>

<a href=" title="Sarah Palin Rally Protesters-30 by NoHoDamon,

on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3170/2914323752_f71bde1c66.jpg" width="500" height="400"

alt="Sarah Palin Rally Protesters-30" /></a>

[nogub]

Yes, when you want to get a picture from someone, it's a little bit hard to go ahead and ask them if you can do it. Well, you gotta be cool, of all the people I've asked they've all said yes. So you just gotta make the first step, then everything is done :)

 

Noel

[jasminabalic]

hehehe, ok, well I promise I will show you my results....but thank you for your advices...I just noticed that I would like to work more on people, and that I am shy...but I guess, with the time and practice it is going to be better....I now my homework now:)

[bernie moore]

Jasmina, I can see by the pics you posted, many of which have subjects faced away from the camera, you are shy, and your portrait even covers most of your face. It easy to say "Just do it!" Like you, I'm shy with a camera and balk a intruding into people's lives, and usually stay away from street photography. Living in a suburban town there aren't many folks walking around, and we ignore each others trespasses when we do meet. Going into the city with even more strangers makes it even more difficult for me. You can always offer to delete a pic if someone objects with the comment expressing the sentiment you did not intend to invade their privacy. If verbal interactions occur be yourself and polite; that could be the start of a dialogue that will get you some great shots. Being a member of the League of Extraordinary Grumpy Old Men I opt to skip that part and just don't do street photography, but I'm a little envious of your willingness to jump in where I turn my back. Good luck and proceed with little steps; nothing good happens overnight.

[tonmestrom]

Damon, to be clear, I never mentioned Gilden, you should read my post again. In fact I feel just like you, he´s an a%#hole. The link I posted was one of Joel Meyerowitz.

[Damon DAmato]

Oops, sorry about that, Ton. I guess I mis-read Jasmina's post, saw the "G" word, and assumed that was the video. Joel's having-a-good-time with a camera attitude is exactly what I was trying to suggest to Jasmina. I'm glad we're on the same page.

 

Damon

[tonmestrom]

no problem. Been there, done that.

[gsphotoguy]

It's funny that Meyerowitz showed the dog walkers. I was recently in our local town and found this woman walking her two. I talked to her a few minutes about dogs then asked if I could make a few photographs.<BR><BR>

<img src="http://d6d2h4gfvy8t8.cloudfront.net/7812621-lg.jpg">

[Damon DAmato]

Ton, by the way, you have beautiful work in your portfolio.

[akochanowski]

I am not sure that you would get consensus from people who actually do it that street photography is "pictures of people

doing what they do on the street." There is maybe 60 years, maybe more, of a particular line of photography that is

considered street photography, and happy snaps of people isn't it. Not that there is anything wrong with pictures of people,

or what some people will call street portraits, but if what you are asking about is street photography, Bruce Gilden or even

Joel Meyerowitz (in his early days) fall into the general definition, and street portraits don't. Try finding the book entitled

"Bystander" by Meyerowitz (the same one). While it's not exhaustve, it does provide a historical basis for understanding

how street photography has developed and what the photography culture-- collectors, curators, publishers-- think it is.

<p>I've found that unless I see something or someone interesting I don't have a need to shoot. Once I do, then I have no

real hesitation. Once you see something that needs to be photographed, as opposed to photographing something because

you think it would look good in black and white or is cute or is a wizened old lady or a young guy with a nosering, you won't

think about whether you are upsetting someone.

[Damon DAmato]

<i>Not that there is anything wrong with pictures of people, or what some people will call street portraits, but

if what you are asking about is street photography, Bruce Gilden or even Joel Meyerowitz (in his early days) fall

into the general definition, and street portraits don't. </i>

<br><br>

I don't think she's asking for a lesson in the history and aesthetics of street photography, but simply how to

approach someone head on and take their photo.

<br><br>

From the OP:<br>

<i>but I am shy to come in front of them...I do not know how would they respond</i>

<br><br>

A not so happy snap:<br><br>

<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/nohodamon/2913480461/" title="Sarah Palin Rally Protesters-36 by NoHoDamon,

on Flickr"><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3077/2913480461_342a86b312.jpg" width="500" height="400"

alt="Sarah Palin Rally Protesters-36" /></a>

[Damon DAmato]

Andy, how is what Bruce Gilden does <i>not</i> street portraits. He points a camera at people to catch a facial expression that may or may not reveal something deeper. The artificiality imposed by his "DON"T SMILE!" technique not too different from asking your subject to say, "cheeeeeeeeze."

[akochanowski]

Gilden's photographs are interesting in the same way and for the same reasons as William Klein's. If you prefer your snaps,

terrific.

[Spearhead]

The question wasn't whether or not Damon prefers his snaps. This sounds like an interview with Katie Couric.

[akochanowski]

I was clued by his words "Andy.. how does..." followed by his example of an unhappy face. Clear now?

[Spearhead]

That question reads as follows:<p><I>Andy, how is what Bruce Gilden does not street portraits. </I><p>That's the question that wasn't answered.

[spanky]

Lets not forget that the Gilden clip was just that ...a clip. He may have amped up his technique knowing he has a crew of several people following him as he goes about his business in the name of turning in a "performance". It's anybodies guess if this is really how he shoots when he's alone. Face it, photography in general is a solitary endeavour and in the street even more so. I occasionally have people ask me if they can go shooting with me and while it sounds like fun, I always end up declining since I know my mind will be more on socializing then on trying to find interesting shots.

 

As to overcoming shyness, the only real way to do this is to just get out there and keep doing it until your not shy anymore. I really don't see any shortcut.

[tonmestrom]

"Not that there is anything wrong with pictures of people, or what some people will call street portraits, but if what you are asking about is street photography, Bruce Gilden or even Joel Meyerowitz (in his early days) fall into the general definition, and street portraits don't"

 

That's the point. There is not one definition, not really. That's why people keep discussing this. As an example fashion photography was rather well defined until Jean-Loup Sieff came along and started photographing fashion in the streets with his 21 mm lens which at the time was called revolutionary. The same applies to street portraits, only in reverse. Since there is no well defined definition it's more a matter of context. I find it too easy to dismiss portraits as such as not being street photography. While that may comply with your definition for others it won't. For that matter what is a portrait?

What I think you imply is that it has to have some kind of meaning, social or otherwise, and not just a random shot of someone walking in the street. In this case I think body of work could be one workable form of context. There is more to street photography tan taking photo's in the street but it's not something that's defined by concensus alone.

 

BTW Thanks Damon

[jerry_schuler]

I would not try to "get over it." You need to be careful. A lot of people get really upset and even violent about getting photographed. Everyday and all the time people are commiting crimes. Some serious some minor. And if you stubble on somebody doing something the ought not to and take their photo, your life could be at risk. These guys stood behind me for about a half an hour after I took their picture. I was glad it middle of the day and lots of witnesses.<div></div>