Close approach on people

Dr Gaspar

Dr Gaspar

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May 11, 2011
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Yesterday I went to my cousin's. He's a photographer who just came back from a three year trip to Asia.
We were discussing street photography, and how to approach and relate to people. I know this topic has come up many times, but yesterday I came back home with a different idea.

I asked him if he asked for permission, if he talked to them, or just took the picture. He said "neither". He said that if he asked for a picture that would instantly take them out of their routine, and that was most of the time what he wanted to capture. And if he didn't ask for it, and pointed the camera at them, that would also make them react in a different way.
He would meet people on the street, talk to them, hang out, maybe even for a few days if he had the time, and then take pictures. That way the would feel comfortable, they would follow their everyday routine around him, and would let him get close and almost ignore him while he was doing his job.

I know that this might be different in a big city. But do you relate that closely to someone you will use a subject?

Two pictures by him:

DSC_4793-600x398.jpg


DSC_4988-600x398.jpg


And excuse my poor grammar.
 
i follow the same method. i don't have much interest in photographing anyone i don't already know. not a condemnation of people who do, just not my thing.

i have spent up to a month with folks without firing a single frame. i recently did a story about young kids addicted to pharmaceutical opiates and the trust that was gained in that first month allowed me extremely intimate access.

that close relations is what makes the photograph for me. like i am a part of their lives... in their world.
 
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Spend all the time you need with folks: a long time is good and can be very enjoyable. But for me, I like the camera to be upfront from the beginning. Nothing ruins a relationship like introducing the camera after you have established the tone of a relationship. I suggest bringing the camera from day one whether you use it or not. You are there as a photographer not a "buddy." People will respect that if you are upfront. Does not mean you can't have sincere intimacy and sharing.
 
Definitely an interesting aspect to portraiture. I don't think there's a correct way to do it. Many of the portraits I take couldn't be much more than "excuse me, would you mind if I took your photograph?" and due to that they probably don't contain much of the intimacy that could be shown if I knew my subjects better.

I don't yet have the tenacity to ask most of them if I can hang around for a little while, but some upcoming projects will likely force me to be able to do this. Here's to hoping it becomes a little easier.
 
Two beautiful photos and advice I wish I could follow everywhere I travel, but due to time constraints, I rarely get the opportunity to do.
 
efirmage

I also don't think there's a correct way to do it. Some photographers search for that quick anonymous picture, and that works for them; some don't have the time, or are just looking for something different.

I think everyone should follow their own path, but I think this is the way I would like to take pictures to people, and I didn't know it before.
 
Dr Gaspar said:
.......................................He said that if he asked for a picture that would instantly take them out of their routine, and that was most of the time what he wanted to capture. And if he didn't ask for it, and pointed the camera at them, that would also make them react in a different way.
He would meet people on the street, talk to them, hang out, maybe even for a few days if he had the time, and then take pictures. That way the would feel comfortable, they would follow their everyday routine around him, and would let him get close and almost ignore him while he was doing his job.

I know that this might be different in a big city. But do you relate that closely to someone you will use a subject?............................
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It is the same approach for me in general. Sometimes it takes seconds, sometimes minutes, sometimes hours, sometimes days. But always the no surprises and what ever time is necessary for them to resume their normal routine. Very situation specific.

Others use different approaches. I just say what works for me and my style.
 
They say if you hang around a group of lions for a while, they start getting comfortable with you...of course, I don't have a first hand experience of the same. ;)

Nice photos btw.
 
Dr Gaspar said:
He would meet people on the street, talk to them, hang out, maybe even for a few days if he had the time, and then take pictures. That way the would feel comfortable, they would follow their everyday routine around him, and would let him get close and almost ignore him while he was doing his job.

I know that this might be different in a big city. But do you relate that closely to someone you will use a subject?
Click to expand...

I think that this approach is exactly what Robert Capa meant with his famous quote "if your photos are bad you are not close enough" ... One has to spent time with the people (the subject) to get close enough to be able to take a good photo.
 
I often just put the camera down when people want to pose or try to pose. I tell them to just keep talking. It is often about instantly making them bored with the fact the camera is there so they go back to chatting with people or you. If you can catch them trying to finish a thought you got an opportunity before they can make up their mind how to pose.

Often around people I know I find being confident - and maybe having seen me with a camera before - is the only thing I need for them to ignore me.

I have a hard time believing I will find the shot I want a long time later, like with the above mentioned idea. I rarely "just want to photograph" a person explicitly from the situation. It is nice but seems to prey on people of different cultures or something apart from our daily situation. That is ok but rarely my particular goal.
 
I don't want people to pose for me and prefer to snap them while they are going about their business. I do go up and say hello after the fact depending on the location and then I snap a few more and promise to send them copies which I do my best to fill.
 
Dr Gaspar said:
...
We were discussing street photography, and how to approach and relate to people.
...
I asked him if he asked for permission, if he talked to them, or just took the picture. He said "neither". He said that if he asked for a picture that would instantly take them out of their routine, and that was most of the time what he wanted to capture. And if he didn't ask for it, and pointed the camera at them, that would also make them react in a different way.
He would meet people on the street, talk to them, hang out, maybe even for a few days if he had the time, and then take pictures. That way the would feel comfortable, they would follow their everyday routine around him, and would let him get close and almost ignore him while he was doing his job.

I know that this might be different in a big city. But do you relate that closely to someone you will use a subject?
Click to expand...

I think this is two different way.
"Street photography" and spend a few days with people.
Street photography is a quick catch an interesting moment. Just a moment. Second way, what you describe is similar to journalism. Your point of view on subject. After few days you know much more about it and you can/you want to catch extremely other emotions.
 
There are a few photographers who follow that approach - especially documentary ones. I seldom have the luxury of that amount of time.
 
Every street and documentary photographer has to develop their own approach. If you have the time and interest this method is a great way to get clsoe to your subjects.
 
I think there is an ethical consideration as well. Once has gotten gotten the pictures, is the relationship maintained?
 
Chris101 said:
I think there is an ethical consideration as well. Once has gotten gotten the pictures, is the relationship maintained?
Click to expand...

Possibly the better question is "are you both happy when someone you you previously photographed recognizes you later?" It certainly is not possibly for me to maintain a continuing relationship with the many people I have established short term relationships while photographing. Those relationships were acknowledged up front to be short term.

It is always pleasant for both of us when someone approaches me and reminds me that I photographed them before. Frequently I do not remember the person. But I always have no concern about anyone reappearing in my life.

The frequent "Hey, photo man!" coming from someone with a smile tells me that I have the right attitude and approach.
 
Well, that is actually the same approach that I use. When I first started working on a photo essay of a small town in Georgia four months ago, my approach evolved as I got to know many of the people. Even attended a City Council meeting to let them know what I was doing in town.

Not only have I had great conversations, but have gotten to know quite a few people. The photo opportunities are easy now as I let them do what they do in a daily routine whilst I just fiddle with a camera.

Will the relationships last? Sure. Just checked in on one gentleman who uses the same cardiologist as my wife and made sure he was okay. Before I left, he and a couple of friends gave me the name of an attorney to use for pushing my wife's disability claim through with a reference!:)

Relationships are what you make them. Kind of like photos.
 
I think you hit the nail on the head when you said everyone needs to develop their own approach. With that said, that first picture is really quite nice. I think that your cousin's approach is working just fine :)
 
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