Street/Life Photography : Missed photos

[Pherdinand]

If i would try to relate all the cases when i missed a potentially good "street" photo, i'd never finish my thesis. Reasons are all kind... from not having a camera, through chickening out, to almost-being-hit by a bus...

 

[raydm6]

 

[Dogman]

Never ask. The first thing those potential subjects will do is stop doing what was interesting and start posing. Take the damn picture! If they become hostile you can either run away or just delete it. Shooting blind from the hip and accepting the limitations thereof is a good alternative.

 

[The_Film_Fellow]

Arggg.. I went a wandering with my M6 this morning, and found a great shot... and old tumbledown character house, with a old TV on the porch and two equally interesting people sitting there reading the newspaper..

But I bottled it! (chickened out), and didn't ask them if I could take their photos. Now Im determined next time to not be so shy! Anyone care to share their wealth of xperience on how to approach our "subjects" to ask permission?

Daniel.

In essence you just have to go for it! What you’re really being held back by is asking a questions in public.
So practice asking folks questions in public. Hey Sir/M’am where is the post office?
Practice looking at people because this will help you get rid of being shy. It’s okay to hear no. Be a charming James Bond.
I’m sure by now you’ve mastered this so I’m responding for other folks who might be in need of some help.
Just remember that you aren’t doing anything wrong and you’ll be surprised how many people actually love having their photo taken. I’ve been doing street photography for about 5 years now and I’ve never had someone threaten me or become aggressive.
Get a friend or a family member to go out with you and practice on them asking questions. You already have a no, you might get a yes. Stay friendly and kill ‘em with a smile. When they say no you say thank you and wish them a happy day. Hearing no is all part of it is totally fine. We all hear no. Over time things will become easier until it’s 2nd nature and you don’t give things a 2nd thought and all your fears will become long, distant, hard to remember memories.