thelovecollect
Established
i've been through several phases with my photographs the last 2 years..
right now i'm working on photographing portraits of strangers i encounter..this has been so far, the most satisfying photo experience...
as for the portraits themselves, i'm talking about full body shots or waist high 4-10 feet away..
my technique so far has been introducing myself to the subject and telling them that i'm a student and why i'm doing this...and in return, they get a polaroid of themselves...but i hate doing this...it gets expensive and for the most part, the poses look contrived..
i think it's extrememly difficult, for a guy, to do this without giving something away (polaroids). maybe if i had press credentials it would be easier..?
any thoughts on this? anyone have tips on how to photograph a stranger?
right now i'm working on photographing portraits of strangers i encounter..this has been so far, the most satisfying photo experience...
as for the portraits themselves, i'm talking about full body shots or waist high 4-10 feet away..
my technique so far has been introducing myself to the subject and telling them that i'm a student and why i'm doing this...and in return, they get a polaroid of themselves...but i hate doing this...it gets expensive and for the most part, the poses look contrived..
i think it's extrememly difficult, for a guy, to do this without giving something away (polaroids). maybe if i had press credentials it would be easier..?
any thoughts on this? anyone have tips on how to photograph a stranger?
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Rich Silfver
Guest
Honestly, I think your photos are really good - AND I am one of the few people (I think) that often find that 'posed candids' (meaning: taking photos of strangers when they know you are taking the photo) are more interesting to me than the pure stealth shot. There is something about eye contact in photos that I really like.
When it comes to your direct question I often found that just a smile or quick eye contact is enough to establish if there is an 'ok' to take someone's photo or not.
Cheaper than giving people a polariod is this approach;
* Print 10-12 4x6, 5x7 or 8x10 photos and put them in a simple portfolio
* Bring that portfolio with you any time you go out to shoot
* When you see someone interesting and you don't mind them knowing you are taking their photo - show them the portfolio to show what type of photography you are doing and ask them if they mind having their photo taken
* If you regularly scan your negatives you can always offer to email them a copy
When it comes to your direct question I often found that just a smile or quick eye contact is enough to establish if there is an 'ok' to take someone's photo or not.
Cheaper than giving people a polariod is this approach;
* Print 10-12 4x6, 5x7 or 8x10 photos and put them in a simple portfolio
* Bring that portfolio with you any time you go out to shoot
* When you see someone interesting and you don't mind them knowing you are taking their photo - show them the portfolio to show what type of photography you are doing and ask them if they mind having their photo taken
* If you regularly scan your negatives you can always offer to email them a copy
chris91387
Well-known
rich, do you try and get model releases?
- chris
- chris
thelovecollect
Established
thanks. i completely agree with you that there has to be a connection between the photographer and the subject though eye contact.
i see in most of my pictures a facade people put up because they don't know me..
i have a hard time trying to communicate to them that this is a serious portrait and not a vacation photo...i can't tell them to NOT smile, but i also don't want to over direct them...
i'm not sure if you've seen the portraits by rineke dikjstra but i'm looking to shoot like her...it's impossible to get that if you only have a minute of the persons time..
i might start carryign a mini portfolio with me but people LOVE polaroids. the instant satification is a great ice breaker. people really open up once they see their picture..
i see in most of my pictures a facade people put up because they don't know me..
i have a hard time trying to communicate to them that this is a serious portrait and not a vacation photo...i can't tell them to NOT smile, but i also don't want to over direct them...
i'm not sure if you've seen the portraits by rineke dikjstra but i'm looking to shoot like her...it's impossible to get that if you only have a minute of the persons time..
i might start carryign a mini portfolio with me but people LOVE polaroids. the instant satification is a great ice breaker. people really open up once they see their picture..
steve garza
Well-known
Why not ask for the e-addy and send a jpeg? I've done that a few times. It might not work with an older person.
sf
Veteran
shooting strangers is the most difficult of all photographic endeavors - particularly when you're trying for intimate shots such as these.
I recently tried to get a shot of a bus stop from across the street (it was against an old building that said "urban rest stop" on it). I was chased for two blocks (no kidding) by two rough looking street people with severe paranoia about terrorists. Chased. At least I wasn't wearing my good shoes.
I find that it works well to approach someone and hand them a business card (my logo and website contact info) and ask if I can take their picture for a phtoography project. I have only been turned down once when using that method of engagement.
I recently tried to get a shot of a bus stop from across the street (it was against an old building that said "urban rest stop" on it). I was chased for two blocks (no kidding) by two rough looking street people with severe paranoia about terrorists. Chased. At least I wasn't wearing my good shoes.
I find that it works well to approach someone and hand them a business card (my logo and website contact info) and ask if I can take their picture for a phtoography project. I have only been turned down once when using that method of engagement.
thelovecollect
Established
shutterflower said:
oh my...
steve garza said:
yeah i started off doing that but i was encountering 40 to 60 people a day. it was a pain in the ass writing address down and matching the addresses to the images.
i think it's easier for a woman to do this...they are less threatening..
i'm 6'3" and 240lbs going around asking parents if i can take a picture of their kids 5 feet away and promising it's not to exploit them...it's hard..:bang:
MattiasL
Newbie
My experience is that people are generally friendly, and surprisingly often glad to have their picture taken. I tend to ask before I take the picture, maybe because I'm neither a very fast runner nor particularly strong 
My best friend when taking street portraits is my Rolleicord (even though it's not a rangefinder...). People are very curious about it, and think of me as a somewhat excentric amateur rather than a professional photographer, which is good...
My best friend when taking street portraits is my Rolleicord (even though it's not a rangefinder...). People are very curious about it, and think of me as a somewhat excentric amateur rather than a professional photographer, which is good...
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Rich Silfver
Guest
chris91387 said:
I used to back in the days (read: 5-6 years ago) when I had more hopes/intent to sell/publish some of my photos for commercial purposes.
Nowadays when I take photos almost exclusively for my own entertainment I don't. I'm sure I sometimes should - but hey, I'm lazy.
There are a number of good model release forms available for download on the internet and the only time I'd use one now would be if I had more of a staged photoshoot over several hours. For street-snaps not so much.
akptc
Shoot first, think later
I think I suggested this idea a while ago - why not create an online RFF photo magazine and provide photo-journalistic "credentials" to RFF members? Such "press-like" credentials could be used to encourage more trusting attitude of folks on the street. Of course, RFF members requesting such credentials would have to be somehow qualified by somebody..
RayPA
Ignore It (It'll go away)
MattiasL said:My experience is that people are generally friendly, and surprisingly often glad to have their picture taken. I tend to ask before I take the picture, maybe because I'm neither a very fast runner nor particularly strong
My best friend when taking street portraits is my Rolleicord (even though it's not a rangefinder...). People are very curious about it, and think of me as a somewhat excentric amateur rather than a professional photographer, which is good...
This was the suggestion I was going to make, too. A TLR is much less intimdating. The posture of the photographer is less agressive (almost a bow, really). If I was going to shoot street portraits of strangers, like what you've posted here, I think I'd use a TLR.
But on topic, I think the best approach is a card with a website, e-mail address, p.o. box listed--a place to direct the subject and add some validity to what you're doing. The polaroid is a good idea, but maybe you want to use it for those who resist, or balk at. the invite to have you photograph them.
.
BrianShaw
Well-known
Good choice!MattiasL said:
BrianShaw
Well-known
I usually just ask. If they say okay, I shoot fast before they change their mind or get self-concious. If they all of the sudden start grooming themselves I often say "thanks anyway" and move on. I'd generally rather have the "eye contact staged pose" than an unposed shot of someone's back or side... they are generally better photographs IMHO.
BrianShaw
Well-known
You do mean "left" and "right", right? Even though I live in the Wild West (okay, urban Wild West) we can't carry much in the way of "protection". I usually ask my brother the cop to go with me when I go to dangerous areas. I figure that he's bigger, toughr, and can carry a weapon... so he can defend us while I run.memphis said:
sf
Veteran
This is one instance - where we encounter potential serious personal injury or death - where buying a wrist strap from Gordon Coale would make sense.
Gordy's wrist straps - when used with a good old fashioned metal bodied camera - will offer considerable stopping power.
My RF645 on the wrist strap is like a compact little mace. I could easily take someone down with it, and no one is going to expect to get decked by a camera. I carried my little tripod around in Europe - with its three little spikey feet - as a possible weapon should it come to that. They even let me carry it on the airplane (though my film had to be checked for bombs).
Gordy's wrist straps - when used with a good old fashioned metal bodied camera - will offer considerable stopping power.
My RF645 on the wrist strap is like a compact little mace. I could easily take someone down with it, and no one is going to expect to get decked by a camera. I carried my little tripod around in Europe - with its three little spikey feet - as a possible weapon should it come to that. They even let me carry it on the airplane (though my film had to be checked for bombs).
BrianShaw
Well-known
Ah... the monopod. I usually carry one of those (a Gitzo) but I never thought of using it for defense. I've been more oriented toward running. Great idea!memphis said:
thelovecollect
Established
memphis said:
nice.......
Dougg
Seasoned Member
thelovecollect, good question, and it's absolutely not Off-Topic for RFF! For several years I've had a project of environmental portraits; you'll find a bunch of them in my RFF gallery. They're not posed, but the subjects are aware of the camera, and I do get at least tacit approval (my raised eyebrows, their nod) for the shot. Sometimes they ask what it's for, and I explain it's no big deal, no commercial use, just for a personal project of snapping people doing whatever they're doing, mostly people doing their work.
I also cultivate a harmless inoffensive appearance and a friendly manner. But like Memphis I'm armed to the teeth all day every day. That does provide a bit more relaxed confidence on my part, knowing I can likely take control of the situation if it should turn really bad. Never has, and I'm not a confrontational person. Nobody should notice any armament, that's like underwear. My subjects seem to respond well to my gentle approach...
I think the more you go into preliminary explanations and seeking permissions, the more formal the results will be. That can be interesting, as your two samples show. I can see doing a whole series like that, posed street shots. This is more connected with business cards, polaroids, prints, and legal releases.
My project is a bit different, not necessarily better, but I tend to interrupt the subject very little, and indeed suggest they just go on doing what they were doing and I'll take a couple quick snaps and be gone, thanks!
Here's a couple of my samples too... I like the crossed lines of the wall and smoker and the symbolic graffiti above. The other is a small-town postmaster proud of having preserved some historic bits of the old demolished post office... he posed himself, and it is a bit more static as a result.
I also cultivate a harmless inoffensive appearance and a friendly manner. But like Memphis I'm armed to the teeth all day every day. That does provide a bit more relaxed confidence on my part, knowing I can likely take control of the situation if it should turn really bad. Never has, and I'm not a confrontational person. Nobody should notice any armament, that's like underwear. My subjects seem to respond well to my gentle approach...
I think the more you go into preliminary explanations and seeking permissions, the more formal the results will be. That can be interesting, as your two samples show. I can see doing a whole series like that, posed street shots. This is more connected with business cards, polaroids, prints, and legal releases.
My project is a bit different, not necessarily better, but I tend to interrupt the subject very little, and indeed suggest they just go on doing what they were doing and I'll take a couple quick snaps and be gone, thanks!
Here's a couple of my samples too... I like the crossed lines of the wall and smoker and the symbolic graffiti above. The other is a small-town postmaster proud of having preserved some historic bits of the old demolished post office... he posed himself, and it is a bit more static as a result.
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Crasis
Well-known
I'm going to give a thumbs up to using a TLR for posed candids. They know you're taking a photograph, but not when. They're more relaxed so you can try to catch that quintissential moment.
Also, if you're taking 40-60 people a day, maybe try lessening that a bit? Start conversations with people and see if they mind you taking their photo while you're talking. Don't always take their photo of course but tell them if you do after. This may net you more useable shots. Of course, you may NEED to take that many photos a day, which is crappy for you since to me, that'd be a bit frustrating.
I feel the need to take the time to actually get to know them. The longer you engage them in conversation, the more they get used to you being there with a camera. I just wait with the camera to my eye, sometimes bringing it down, always engaging in conversation. I only take a single shot of an individual, but that's because I'm not on any deadline to have a certain number of shots taken or anything like that.
Another thing you could try is carrying around some cards with your e-mail on them. If you're in a hurry, give them that. If you're not, write down their e-mail and the frame number.
Anyways, just my thoughts. I guess I should throw in a shot to emphasize some of my points. This was about 3 minutes into conversing with the man. Never got his name unfortunately.
Edit: Included a photo taken with a TLR. Nobody ever suspects the TLR
Also, if you're taking 40-60 people a day, maybe try lessening that a bit? Start conversations with people and see if they mind you taking their photo while you're talking. Don't always take their photo of course but tell them if you do after. This may net you more useable shots. Of course, you may NEED to take that many photos a day, which is crappy for you since to me, that'd be a bit frustrating.
I feel the need to take the time to actually get to know them. The longer you engage them in conversation, the more they get used to you being there with a camera. I just wait with the camera to my eye, sometimes bringing it down, always engaging in conversation. I only take a single shot of an individual, but that's because I'm not on any deadline to have a certain number of shots taken or anything like that.
Another thing you could try is carrying around some cards with your e-mail on them. If you're in a hurry, give them that. If you're not, write down their e-mail and the frame number.
Anyways, just my thoughts. I guess I should throw in a shot to emphasize some of my points. This was about 3 minutes into conversing with the man. Never got his name unfortunately.
Edit: Included a photo taken with a TLR. Nobody ever suspects the TLR
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Marc-A.
I Shoot Film
When it comes to photography, I'm a very shy person and I have some difficulty to shoot strangers in the street. It's not a matter of size and weight, as some seem to say: I'm 1m86, 80kg and I know how to fight. For me, it's a mater of respect: I don't like to make people uneasy or to break their intimacy. Beniliam wrote that photography requires "audacity with respect"; well I know respect but my audacity is very low for the moment. So I have no advice so far.
Maybe one in fact: make your camera quite visible so that people don't think you're a voyeur, don't take stealthy pictures for the same obvious reason. I don't have a Rolleicord, but I know also that old cameras make people comfortable; I've never had problem when shooting with my Leica III and its odd VIOOH; people turn out to be very friendly.
I guess the way people react to photographers is also a question of culture. In Paris, for instance, on one side it is easy to make street photography, but on the other people can be very agressive when they realize they are photographed. French people are very suspicious when one shows a camera or even a video camera for a TV report. Maybe other French RFF members can confirm (or invalidate) this.
I found also that it is easier to take strangers when you are in a foreign country, which means that maybe it's all about attitude and apprehension: when you're in a foreign country, you don't know the social code so you're less anxious about your behaviour (OR it might just confirm that French people are not easy subjects ).
Marc
Maybe one in fact: make your camera quite visible so that people don't think you're a voyeur, don't take stealthy pictures for the same obvious reason. I don't have a Rolleicord, but I know also that old cameras make people comfortable; I've never had problem when shooting with my Leica III and its odd VIOOH; people turn out to be very friendly.
I guess the way people react to photographers is also a question of culture. In Paris, for instance, on one side it is easy to make street photography, but on the other people can be very agressive when they realize they are photographed. French people are very suspicious when one shows a camera or even a video camera for a TV report. Maybe other French RFF members can confirm (or invalidate) this.
I found also that it is easier to take strangers when you are in a foreign country, which means that maybe it's all about attitude and apprehension: when you're in a foreign country, you don't know the social code so you're less anxious about your behaviour (OR it might just confirm that French people are not easy subjects
).Marc