Street Shooting and Paranoia

[doug anderson]

We do not live in the times of Cartier-Bresson when street shooting did not have the exploitive overtones it has now, and I find it more difficult to randomly photograph people without an occasional bad reaction. I had a couple of these in California, one in which a young woman called the police because she thought I was taking pictures of her cleavage. She was not the subject of the shot and appeared as a blur at the edge of the frame, while the custom 1949 Ford took focus. I did not have a digital camera in those days, could not replay the image, and the cop gave me a bad time. He wasn't interested in the law, which allows me to shoot randomly as long as I'm not on private property, and told me to watch out. This whole thing left me feeling rather creepy.

It seems that people on the street all think they're going to be exploited or scandalized somehow. This is the tenor of the times. Maybe they're afraid they won't, I don't know.

I'm thinking of having some cards printed up that quote the particular law that allows photographers to street shoot, so that the next time this comes up -- hopefully not again -- I'll just hand them the card and invite them to do whatever they're going to do.

I'm interested in hearing feedback from street shooters who have had similar encounters, and some strategies with dealing with it.

By the way, I went to Vietnam in 2000 and never had a problem photographing Vietnamese. They would look right into the lens and grin, after which they would ask me where I was from, was I married, how many children did I have, and did I personally know any rock stars, etc., etc., a thoroughly delightful people who obviously are self-important narcissists assuming that their picture is going to be used without their permission.

Cheers,

D

 

[Kathy Rappaport]

Not a problem

Hi Doug!

I street shoot all the time...I'm in California and never had an issue. Now, I won't go to the park and shoot kids without parental permission, but, in Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice etc - not an issue. I took a Street Photography Class in San Francisco a few years ago and did not have a problem either - other than in China Town - all of the students went out and when they returned to our classroom, we did not have much cooperation as you state you have in Vietnam. Actually, my husband street shoots too and he never has either. Do you ask permission of the subjects? We do ask and usually approach with "We are photographers and we are practicing some new skills, would you mind helping". Only in Chinatown have we ever been turned down. Other times we candidly shoot. Maybe the lady was having a bad day and you were just a handy scapegoat!

 

[doug anderson]

Hi Doug!

Do you ask permission of the subjects? We do ask and usually approach with "We are photographers and we are practicing some new skills, would you mind helping".

Well, Kathy, I'm a guy, which makes me immediately suspect of all sorts of nefarious motives.


Also, asking someone's permission destroys the decisive moment, does it not? If you tell somebody you're going to take their picture, they start posing. You don't get the relaxed revelation of the self that makes great street photography.

 

[Kathy Rappaport]

Street Portrait vs Street Scenes

My husband, last timed I looked was male and he has no problem - but then again he is an old geezer with a soft touch and quiet demenor. Maybe our genre of street shooting is more street portrait vs street scenery which includes people.

During our street portrait class we went to the Love Fest Parade - mostly young people, elecronica music, very hip - actually some very exibitionist behavior going on. He was photographing a couple young girls, one who exclaimed to her friend that she had a new tatoo and did her friend want to see it. My quiet, normally subdued husband said he'd like to see it. I was with him, and she looked at me as if to ask my approval, lifted her shirt and bared her new tattoos much to my husband's shock and enjoyment with his lens.

 

[Asher Kelman]

I'm surreptitious. Someone objects? If they are courteous, I'll delete it. If they are rude I might just turn away.

Portraits, however, I'll ask permission after showing them a picture taken without them knowing. Most folk are nice and like the images. In any case, especially with women, if they don't like the picture I destroy it.

Photographing the homeless and destitute is a moral dilemma. I think one has to acknowledge them more than anyone else or one is just exploiting them. Whereas everyone else is walking through the street, for the destitute, this is, unfortunately their only home. I do it and feel guilt but where it's appropriate and there's no danger ask and give some money where it won't be considered a further insult. Maybe one day come back with a picture in an envelope.

There are special concerns for children Even with the best of intentions, parents and children who don't know you can get awfully frightened and that's unkind. So at all times one has to remember that and even give up on a "great shot".

Children I'd only take pictures from a distance and so as not to identify them. Sometimes a nod from a parent is sufficient for one to approach and take a picture and then give your info so that can if they wish email you. However some times in a closer environment, where people are safe, I'll approach and ask the parent first and then take careful portraits and give the mother the contact info.

On the beach it's a tough call since parents might get the wrong idea. Rather be part of a setting that's safe for everyone.

Asher

 

[Mike Guthman]

I agree with Asher and Kathy. I only shoot in urban settings (but not always in the street) and have only had a few people object. The place where I shoot less now, because of these objections, is in NYC Chinatown. There are more objections there... I don't know if its cultural or if it is the large number of illegals there.

There are many ways to approach shooting on the street. Your approach depends on your objective (project) and your personality. I'm not interested in posed shots so I seldom ask permission. I generally want to grab the moment that is unfolding. When I do ask permission I feel that I need to spend some time then talking with the person, get them to relax and be themself and then shoot while we are talking.

BTW, some of the best street shooting takes place inside NYC museums.

Mike