Leaving Your Comfort Zone

35mmdelux

35mmdelux

Veni, vidi, vici
Local time
10:06 PM
Joined
May 17, 2005
Messages
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Here is the scenario:

You see this beautifully gorgeous gal coming your way and your carrying a Leica (your choice) with a 50mm lens. Your walking next to the courthouse and only you and her on the sidewalk. Your dressed biz casual. Do you tell her she is very beautiful and ask her permission to take a foto or do you take the foto and act as if you don't know what happened?

I've asked gorgeous gals before and was promptly told to take a hike. On the other hand, I've also taken hip shots, but for me at least they're never quite as nice.

How do we break this trap?

What say ye?
 
Make the approach more formal. Introduce yourself first and explain your purpose in talking to the subject. If you have a photo business card (go to office depot and have some printed ~$25 and it helps with credibility) and hand it to the subject. Refrain from making personal comments especially ones about the subjects physical attributes. Answer any question in a polite manner. Above all be professional and don't come across as a stalker.

Good luck,

Bob
 
Last weekend I was walking with my user Chrome M4 with MR lightmeter when i was complimented by a young mum on my camera. 'nice camera..'

I had no problem with the 'physical attributes' remark.

So research shows...always wear your Leica.
 
Roel said:
Last weekend I was walking with my user Chrome M4 with MR lightmeter when i was complimented by a young mum on my camera. 'nice camera..'

I had no problem with the 'physical attributes' remark.

So research shows...always wear your Leica.
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OK...not sure what that has to do with the subject. Here in Seattle we had the Folk Life Festval over the long weekend. I was shooting alot during the three days with my recently acquried MP. I had a few people comment on "Nice camera" and one drugged-out festival goer who ran up to me and attempted to hug me (until I made it clear to stay away). How does that factor into your research?:D

Maybe it means a Leica loaded and at the ready?

Best regards,

Bob
 
shoot the pic and if she freaks...speak in a French accent and walk away ;)

Todd
 
rpsawin said:
OK...not sure what that has to do with the subject. Here in Seattle we had the Folk Life Festval over the long weekend. I was shooting alot during the three days with my recently acquried MP. I had a few people comment on "Nice camera" and one drugged-out festival goer who ran up to me and attempted to hug me (until I made it clear to stay away). How does that factor into your research?:D

Maybe it means a Leica loaded and at the ready?

Best regards,

Bob
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Cool, I was at the Folk Life Fest as well. We (my wife, 2 1/2 year old son and I) took the train up from Portland and, as part of our visit, hit the festival somewhere around 2-4 pm on Saturday. I too had my chrome MP. Small world, eh?
 
A few weeks ago my city had an arts festival. Tent type booths for each of the artists were set up along Main Street. The wares of the artist ranged from landscape paintings to rather large metal sculpture pieces to jewelry.

When Liz and I got to the first booth, I began to focus my camera on the artist in the booth. He said to me, "I would appreciate it if you didn't take any close-ups of my work." At that moment, my theme for the day was born. I replied, "Well, today I'm interested in photos of the artists, and not their work." He brightened up, and stepping back into the booth he said, "Here, let me get next to this one (a piece of his work) for you." I said, "Thank you sir." And had a nice internal chuckle.

I took many photos that Saturday. Some of the artists would grin, and some would scowl. One, a photographer, kept turning away -- never showing her face, and another, when he caught sight of me, flashed a peace sign.

Toward the end of our tour of the tents, we stopped at a booth of a painter. A woman was in the tent booth chatting up a couple of potential customers. I focused on her, and heard the voice of another woman next to me say, "You know, most artists don't want you to take photos of their art without permission." I bit back my thoughts before they reached my tongue. I instead said, "Well I don't care about the art. I just want to photograph the artists -- the people who made the art." She then said, "Oh, I'm the artist. (The other woman was her sister.) Would you like me to stand next to this painting?" I said, "Yes mam, that would be just fine."


Michael
 
I agree with leaving out the personal comments. Just say "Excuse me, miss/mrs/sir. I want to take your picture". Be prepared for the follow-up question ("Why?). It's answering that question that makes it difficult for me, unless I have set myself a project; one that I've thought about well. After all, why shoot someone's mug if you can't even honestly (or at least satisfyingly) answer that question for yourself?
 
Beats me. :D

But whatever you do, if you can manage to work up the courage to ask her then I'd suggest you be as polite as possible and courteous as possible, if nothing else but to reassure her that your interest is a photographic rather than sexual one.

Best of luck, I've been in lots of situations like this myself but have never been able to 'make the first move' so kudos to those who can! ;)
 
Bosk said:
Beats me. :D

But whatever you do, if you can manage to work up the courage to ask her then I'd suggest you be as polite as possible and courteous as possible, if nothing else but to reassure her that your interest is a photographic rather than sexual one.

Best of luck, I've been in lots of situations like this myself but have never been able to 'make the first move' so kudos to those who can! ;)
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Mary Ellen Mark does alot of this kind of street setup. So does William Eggleston. In Eggleston's case tho I think he knows them personally.

I like candids as much as anybody in this medium. But the setup ones look pretty cool too.

I think the best way to relate to a potential subject is in a way that, the photographer, feels comfortable communicating and of course be prepared for rejection. We're all different so what may work for one may/may not work for another. Polite and courteous is a given. Having a biz card and a porfolio might also help.
 
Just get some business cards made up. This is seriously the best way to not come out like a weirdo. There really are weirdos in this world that take pictures of girls for their own pleasure so you can't deny them the right to say no.

Just say - Excuse me miss, I'm a photographer documenting aspects of the city/town (hand your bussiness card) - social and human interaction and the like, would you care to have your picture taken?

If they say no just politely thank them for their time, but I bet that most would give a yes. Once you put a spin on it like that, it makes it very legitimate. It's not lying either - photography is documenting.



I really dont like hearing storied of people "pretending" to be foreign and quickly snapping their shot, and then walking away mumbling jibberish when they question it - it doesn't show photographers in a good light.
 
I'm not sure there really is a way not to come across as creepy in this situation. The truth of the matter is that you aren't honestly interested in a photographic opportunity in the scenario you present -- in this case, you want to take a picture of the woman for essentially voyeuristic reasons (because you think she's attractive), not because it's a "decisive moment." Therefore, this scenario is inherently creepy and most women would probably read it as such. Even if you add a business card into the mix, if it were me, I would say no.

There's only one time I said yes to a request like this, and it was because I was at a photo show and both I and the guy who asked me had Leicas hanging off of our shoulders. Also, the guy wanted to take a photo that I thought was interesting -- I had a crocheted black top on, and he wanted to take a photo that included the back of my shoulder against a white wall and some of my profile. That sounded legit, so I said yes.

People have a legitimate reason to be wary of random strangers wanting to take their photos. I liked RML's response the best. If you don't have a real reason for taking a photo other than "she's hot" it'll be very difficult to justify the shot when you ask.
 
Usually I don't ask but if I want to be allowed I do not ask permission but i just let the subject notice me giving him/her the time to say no or move on. I always smile both they leave me take the photo or not ( I learned not to take street photos when I'm nervous ... I may lack of courtesy and don't look friendly and relaxed enough).
Anyway, sometimes it may happen that I ask but i never make any personal comment I just kindly ask to take a portrait of the person I would like to photograph.
 
I'm always sorry for NOT taking photo. If they're in public, they're fair game. I do it all the time and will not stop no matter what anyone says!!!! I want my G%@&*n picture!!!!

This refers to candids of all people, places and things, not just women.
 
MelanieC said:
I'm not sure there really is a way not to come across as creepy in this situation. The truth of the matter is that you aren't honestly interested in a photographic opportunity in the scenario you present -- in this case, you want to take a picture of the woman for essentially voyeuristic reasons (because you think she's attractive), not because it's a "decisive moment." Therefore, this scenario is inherently creepy and most women would probably read it as such. Even if you add a business card into the mix, if it were me, I would say no.

People have a legitimate reason to be wary of random strangers wanting to take their photos. I liked RML's response the best. If you don't have a real reason for taking a photo other than "she's hot" it'll be very difficult to justify the shot when you ask.
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Hi Melanie,

While I agree with most of your response I don't agree with certain portions of it.

For one, not everything is the decisive moment, not for HCB nor any other photographer. There are many styles of photog, while some may include the decisive moment other styles involve stylized portraiture, collaboration, or the street portriature of Mary Ellen Mark, etc, etc.

About business cards. I don't hand out biz cards unless its a real deal. If I can't persuade them, I let it go. In each and every case I deal with grown up women - generally very beautiful women - and if they say no then thats it. In a decisive moment scenario I'll take the foto without asking.

Voyeristic? Not really. I could take a portrait of Arnold Swartzenegger or the President, which I've done, or I could take a portrait of a bum. I could take a portrait of a beautiful women in a Bentley or I could take a portrait of a bag lady.

"People have a legitimate reason to be wary of random strangers wanting to take their photos." I absolutley agree with you.

The guy who asked you for your foto because he liked your top isn't any different than what I am talking about. The only difference is that you were at a foto show, where I am on the street.

I truly appreciate your opinion.

Thank you. Paul
 
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MelanieC said:
I'm not sure there really is a way not to come across as creepy in this situation. The truth of the matter is that you aren't honestly interested in a photographic opportunity in the scenario you present -- in this case, you want to take a picture of the woman for essentially voyeuristic reasons (because you think she's attractive), not because it's a "decisive moment." Therefore, this scenario is inherently creepy and most women would probably read it as such. Even if you add a business card into the mix, if it were me, I would say no.

There's only one time I said yes to a request like this, and it was because I was at a photo show and both I and the guy who asked me had Leicas hanging off of our shoulders. Also, the guy wanted to take a photo that I thought was interesting -- I had a crocheted black top on, and he wanted to take a photo that included the back of my shoulder against a white wall and some of my profile. That sounded legit, so I said yes.

People have a legitimate reason to be wary of random strangers wanting to take their photos. I liked RML's response the best. If you don't have a real reason for taking a photo other than "she's hot" it'll be very difficult to justify the shot when you ask.
Click to expand...

Thank you for your response. Obviously women have far more to be concerned about then men. I understand how any uninvited attention is suspect and usually creepy. You have no way of knowing how that image will ultimately be displayed or used.

For similar reasons I now make sure to exclude and children in a shot. I understand how parents are very wary about their children being photographed.

Thanks again for your input. Maybe you can teach some the HCB wanna bees some ethics.

Bob
 
Thank you for your response. Obviously women have far more to be concerned about then men. I understand how any uninvited attention is suspect and usually creepy. You have no way of knowing how that image will ultimately be displayed or used.
For similar reasons I now make sure to exclude and children in a shot. I understand how parents are very wary about their children being photographed.
Thanks again for your input. Maybe you can teach some the HCB wanna bees some ethics.

How sad. What would HCB have said ?
 
rpsawin said:
Maybe you can teach some the HCB wanna bees some ethics.

Bob
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Bob,

You may want to read where HCB said that on various occasions he took unwanted shots AND ran, and at other times he was in a car and speeded off.

Integrity and ethics are valuable principles. That is why we're having this discussion, so that we can all learn.

Why the derision?
 
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