how do you ask?

[JoeFriday]

I've seen a lot of photos on here that appear to be photos of random clerks in stores or similar situations involving strangers.. today I was being helped out in my local library by a teenage guy who was wearing a t-shirt with a catchy saying on it that made me laugh.. I had my camera on me and was very tempted to take a photo but I felt it would be impolite to ask, and certainly would be wrong to take a photo without permission.. so I let the opportunity pass

so how do you people handle situations like that?

 

[cp_ste.croix]

I tend to shoot one covert one, so as to avoid the posed stiffness some people come up with and then shoot a second after asking. That is for public stuff...where I am legally entitled to shoot anyone.

 

[cp_ste.croix]

oh, and I usually ask non-verbally, by holding up the camera rather than talk to the person right away...though I have a feeling I might have better stories to tell if i talked to more people.

 

[Doug]

Brett, strike up a conversation about whatever drew your attention... Such as "I like your t-shirt graphics, could I snap a quick pic of it?" ("...a quick pic of you in it?" gives him more reason to decline!). A genuine smile and a bit of banter helps ease any tension for both of you. I always get at least tacit permission, and never try to grab a covert one.

As an example... This young man was taking a break out behind the restaurant, and I remarked upon his cap, which bears the restaurant name. I said I didn't realize they'd had those caps made up, and he said oh yes you can even buy one at the cash register. I asked if I could snap a shot of it, and he agreed. I'll take a 5x7 print by the place for him.

 

[JoeFriday]

I thought about that, Doug.. and it seemed to make sense.. I guess I didn't because I got the impression it would embarrass him.. but that seems like the best way to handle it

 

[stet]

I've been trying to shoot more people lately too, and, when I'm on the ball, I try to snap one and then ask. Otherwise I go home with a great shot (of course, the best in the world) in my head but not on film, and I kick myself for asking and getting denied, or fumbling with the controls and losing the shot.

Besides that, the right attitude and disposition goes a long way. Someone here posted a website with a great page on shyness and street photography that really drove this home for me. I've taken it to heart the last few times out, and it's made a big difference:

http://pinkheadedbug.com/techniques/shynessone.html

 

[Heath]

Depends on the situation I guess. Last weekend I photographed a charity bike ride for the organisers (using DSLR). I just shot away at anyone that caught my eye. If I were there not as a part of the organisation, I waould ask first.

Heath

 

[jwcat]

I need to take that info to heart and get with it.

 

[phototone]

You gotta just be bold. It helps if you go out with a buddy that also shoots.

 

[back alley]

i can't remember the name of the thread but we had this discussion before and there were lots of good ideas in it.
might be worth a search.

joe

 

[cbass]

Good thread here....

My .02: I'm a beginner street shooter and I've found that for street candids it helps to use the fastest camera in your arsenal. Fumbling with focus or exposure settings will cause you to miss the shot and make your subjects more aware.

BTW, I have never asked for permission but I don't often use single individuals as my subjects. But if I were going to photograph children (like in a park setting, for example) I would probably seek out the parents first.

 

[bmattock]

I started facing this last year - I asked the same question and got some good advice, but I noticed that all the advice was different! That lead me to believe that everybody has their own way of doing it.

I started slowly, as courage permitted, but in the end, I discovered that just being true to my nature was all I needed.

That is - I just take the photo. I don't ask permission (in public). I am a nice guy. I keep a smile on my face. I don't look threatening or creepy when I'm out shooting - I look like a goofy tourist or something. If I bring my camera up to my eye and see someone 'bad staring' at me, or shaking their head 'no' or turning away from the camera - I let it go and don't take their photo. Sometimes, I 'ask with my eyes' if you know what I mean. I often get a nod that means 'yes' in return. Hey, I'm a guy wandering around with a camera - what do people think I'm going to do with it?

So I just take the photo. Now I'm pretty much immune to it - I'll stick the lens in anyone's face.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[Gabriel M.A.]

Politely. I know where I live it's an interesting concept, but I try.

 

[ray_g]

I love shooting people. Well, you get what I mean.

Most of the time, I shoot candidly, if they are part of a scene. But if the person is the main subject, I ask if it would be alright to take their picture. You'd be surprised, but most people don't mind.

Well, I said most... 😉

 

[jan normandale]

Hi Joe Friday

Serious question for a 'resident smart alec' ... joke. Here's my take on outdoor photography.

Try going into the shallow end of the pool before taking the plunge. I started going to outdoor sports events like soccer, baseball etc in my neighbourhood, also parades and street festivals. Everyone in these environments have seen cameras and are often taking shots too. When you lift your camera most people dont think about the shot some do but very few. Most of these are pretty good shots because people are relating to the event and their friends. I sometimes see a shot that I would like to ask permission and do. Interestingly many turn out okay but not stunners.

After you do the event, parade stuff you become relaxed and it's easier to move to the streets. You sort of become invisible to a certain extent. I get about 50 percent of what I want on streets. Patio restaurants are also good for shooting. Leave the camera on the table and pick it up and shoot from time to time. Also shoot people on the street looking at the patrons on the patio.

Good luck. Summers coming , prime time, you should have lots by summers end. Then go to the hockey arena, and ski hill.

cheers, Jan

 

[Pherdinand]

Most of the people ger surprised if you take a photo of them, but in the pleasant way. They feel a bit proud that they are interesting enough for a stranger to take a photo of them. Occasionally you will meet folks that don't want their photo taken, and rarely the ones who will get angry (i have never met these, only heard from the legends). I also had to get used to it; as said above, it's ok to "exercise" at events, crowds at concerts, etc usually have a few photographers between them so people expect to get photographed more often. Then, street performers perform for the public so they will even pose for you if you want. Then, using a funky or old-looking camera often helps - it makes the people interested in what you are doing and why, instead of making you suspicious or whatever. When i use the tlr on the street, i almost always get folks commenting or starting a friendly discussion on it. Especially the street performers, which are somewhat exhibitionistic and overly friendly, will stop playing and comment/discuss on the subject of cameras. Old guys will also start telling you their stories about the old days when they had something "similar".

Finally, i have found that when i have my girlfriend with me, people somehow think i'm an okay guy (even with my big beard that is so unusual here), and don't really care what i do.

 

[bmattock]

I just act like I have every legitimate reason in the world to be there taking photos. Works a treat. People even get out of my way to let me in to take a photo. Like "out of my way, I'm a doctor" only in this case it's "out of my way, I'm a photographer." In a nice way, of course.

LOL!

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks

 

[cp_ste.croix]

Occasionally, being met by an angry stare after having taken a photograph on the street, I take my camera from my eye, look mildly frustrated and wait for the angry person to move, as if they had just walked into my shot...i make sure to recompose so that they can see me not including them in the frame. trying to be sneaky just makes people suspicious.

What cameras really need, and i've been asking for this for years, is a dummy button with a recording of a shutter release. of course, i'm just getting used to my newly aquired quiet rangefinders, so this is less of an issue now. I have, however, faked the sound on my 1v to get some rather persistent children away from my camera without me burning my whole roll of film...

 

[Doug]

I just act like I have every legitimate reason in the world to be there taking photos. Works a treat. People even get out of my way to let me in to take a photo.

Yeah, they politely and modestly get out of my way while I'm trying to take a shot of THEM with a particular background! LOL... So there's a bit of a dance there as I manoeuver and they manoeuver while the composition is in flux.

 

[bmattock]

Doug, I see your point! How frustrating that must be!

Here's how I look at it...

Many years ago, I worked in law enforcement. And for awhile, I was a civilian dispatcher for a police department - not a 'sworn' officer, no gun, no badge. Sometimes for fun, I would sign up on my night off to go along on the 'ride along' program - citizens get to go where the cops go, see what they see, etc. Most police departments have them, you know. The cops try to keep you out of harm's way - you have to stay in the car while they do a vehicle stop, etc. But when they get called to something like a cold burglary or whatever, you go into the house with them. The cop generally doesn't ask if he can bring you in, you just come in with him. The citizens believe you are are somehow 'official' and so they don't object to your standing there. Some think you're a detective or something. But they grant you access and stay out of your way. The cop of course doesn't let you act like you're a cop - that wouldn't be right.

But it's the same thing when you have a camera in a public setting. Assuming you're not with your family obviously taking happy snaps, if you ACT like you belong in a situation, almost everyone assumes you do. That's pretty much it. The first few times took me grabbing myself firmly by the wedding tackle, but after that, it was dead easy. I just start taking photos, and people get out of the way, or pose for me, or just ignore me while I snap away. No real problems so far.

Best Regards,

Bill Mattocks