Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Mike,
This would fit right in the thread W/NW The Look! 🙂
This would fit right in the thread W/NW The Look! 🙂
Street photographer or voyeur?
- Thread starter Jamie Pillers
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Tompas
Wannabe Künstler
When I'm 'caught' I just smile. Sometimes I say something incredibly witty like 'damn, you caught me' and grin sheepishly and move on. So far, nobody ever tried to stop me or wanted to see the photo or whatever.
But sometimes someone I want to photograph notices me too early. Then I usually do not make the picture; it's gone anyway.
I do not feel like I'm intruding: they're in public, usually don't notice me, and when they do I try to make it a nice little encounter -- not an intrusion.
But sometimes someone I want to photograph notices me too early. Then I usually do not make the picture; it's gone anyway.
I do not feel like I'm intruding: they're in public, usually don't notice me, and when they do I try to make it a nice little encounter -- not an intrusion.
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furcafe
Veteran
In that situation, I might stop taking photos after someone objected, but barring imminent serious bodily harm, I would never delete a digital shot & would certainly never hand over film.
Chris101
summicronia
Better yet just hand them your entire camera, give up photography. Write poetry as a creative outlet. Nice poems - about birds and love and stuff. Never make anyone feel uncomfortable again.
Arjay
Time Traveller
I will make a mental note that I will not publish the corresponding photograph. Why give up the film with up to 35 perfectly legitimate pictures? The only people who can make me hand out a film are policemen.
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Latecomer
Making up for lost time
Mike I agree with you. If I am 'busted' I smile and say hello. Nine times out of ten that results in a happy encounter.
furcafe
Veteran
Depends on whether the photo is worth taking.
I'm not sure why you feel that photography = intrusion. Just because someone notices you taking a photo doesn't mean they object or feel threatened. Often, people start smiling or mugging for the camera (e.g., Japanese & other E. Asian tourists often throw the peace sign), which can also ruin or improve a photo, depending on the situation.
I'm not sure why you feel that photography = intrusion. Just because someone notices you taking a photo doesn't mean they object or feel threatened. Often, people start smiling or mugging for the camera (e.g., Japanese & other E. Asian tourists often throw the peace sign), which can also ruin or improve a photo, depending on the situation.
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Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
This is always the moment that I hope to avoid. But when it happens I try to pull out the "sense of humor" and, if it seems like they REALLY want a serious explanation, a brief description of my 'project' (often made-up on the fly). But in the end, I suppose I'm the type that gives in and deletes the image. If I'm using film, I offer to send them the negative. At this point I've never had anyone ask for the entire roll... yet. :-o
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Dear Jamie,
Street photographer or voyeur?
Your choice, really. At least as much as theirs.
Cheers,
R.
Street photographer or voyeur?
Your choice, really. At least as much as theirs.
Cheers,
R.
ampguy
Veteran
Trust me Jamie, the future is going to know what Oakland and Berlin in 2011 looked like, without you and Arjay harrassing a lot of innocent folks trying to just live their lives.
Roger Hicks
Veteran
Largely because other people have been 'harrassing a lot of innocent folks trying to just live their lives'.
Why the automatic assumption that street photography = harassment?
Cheers,
R.
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
28mm: street photographer
85-200mm zoom: voyeur 🙂
85-200mm zoom: voyeur 🙂
Jamie Pillers
Skeptic
Only if Arjay and I get out there and blast away! 🙂 We owe much of our knowledge of 20th century life to all those street photographers that have gone before us. 🙂
jky
Well-known
furcafe
Veteran
As the kids say: Word.
Is every person on the street now Princess Diana being chased by paparazzi? Puh-leeze.
Is every person on the street now Princess Diana being chased by paparazzi? Puh-leeze.
steve kessel
steve kessel
For me pictures where I've been spotted don't make it. I prefer candid, unnoticed, best of all something I hadn't noticed, a surprise!
As for voyeurism, I can't deny it, so I live with it. Some opportunities I choose to let go on the basis that this particular situation I shouldn't intrude on.
Just my two p's worth.
As for voyeurism, I can't deny it, so I live with it. Some opportunities I choose to let go on the basis that this particular situation I shouldn't intrude on.
Just my two p's worth.
jsrockit
Moderator
It depends on the situation. People making a spectacle of themselves on a city street looking for attention? I will photograph right up in their face. People just minding their business? I'll probably do it on the DL or not at all. However, generally I just don't like feeling uncomfortable. If I feel uncomfortable, I probably shouldn't be making the photo. That said, sometimes you have to get over this and just make the photo. It depends on the day, the moment, the person, the part of town, etc.
ampguy
Veteran
again I am referring to taking photos of people who do not wish to be photographed, and aware that they are, and give some indication.
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ndnik
Established
What Roger said above: your choice. If you feel like a voyeur, that is what you will project through expression and body language and that is then what you will be perceived as. Feel confident about what you do, and you will seem natural and confident to others.
+1 for
- N.
+1 for
As to
Yes sometimes that is how art is made. A lot of art is social commentary that is not flattering to many of its targets. Also think of political theater, cabaret, and comedy. Remember Spitting Image in the UK? The Daily Show in the US these days?
- N.
35photo
Well-known
Spot on! You really have to feel the situation out and just be as fluid as possible...its not easy that's for sure. I've had run ins with people from time to time never gave up anything, the roll of film or digital....I'll sometimes say I wasn't taking a photograph of you or make up something. I think its easiest in more crowded situations where you can blend in pretty easy. Its when there is not many people around can get tricky and you just have to go with your feel. I've photographed on the train not easy but you just have to work fast and be very decisive. Sometimes I lift to the camera to my eye make the picture put the camera down and not advance the film that can work.... Or just shoot from the hip always fun and unpredictable. Oh I've also had run ins with people when I wasn't even photographing people that's a whole other story.....
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