The biter bit: someone takes a picture of you on the street

[sienarot]

I find it amusing that so many people who are (presumably) into street photography would object to being subjects of a photo. A little hypocritical, no? 🙂

As for me, I'm not much to look at, so my attitude is if you're willing to waste your film/memory, that's your loss! I personally hate, hate, HATE looking at photos of myself (HATE IT!), but if someone can pull out a good shot of me, kudos to you. I have a few photog friends that have managed great shots of me, so if I like it, I'd say it's a good achievement! If strangers are taking photos of me, there's a good chance I'll never see it so no harm, no foul. In public areas, if you're fair game, so am I.

The funny thing is, if I see someone taking a photo of me, I inadvertently tend to do exactly what I hate other people do when they see me taking photos of them: jump out of the way 🙂

 

[projectbluebird]

I don't like having my picture taken, that's why I'm a photographer!
I notice when others take my picture and even though I don't like it, I usually do nothing more than use body language to let the person know I've seen them and would rather they didn't. It's amazing how effective, and non-confrontational, it can be.

On the other hand, as Roger said, sometimes you do get a right arse.
That's when the off camera flash comes out!

 

[rxmd]

I don't like having my picture taken, that's why I'm a photographer! [...] On the other hand, as Roger said, sometimes you do get a right arse. That's when the off camera flash comes out!

You know, guys, just imagine for a second that the guy in that candid street shot you're taking might well just feel the same way about being photographed as you do. Suddenly the thought of using a rangefinder and delighting in silent camera operation specifically to be able to get away with it seems more than just a bit intrusive.

Being non-confrontational is nothing particularly creditable to a photographer; it should be an everyday paradigm when interacting with people on the street. Not everybody is, of course, but then again maybe we aren't either, all the time anyway.

Think for a second just why you are taking pictures of strangers on streets, what your motivation is, and whether you should really get annoyed or angry at others for having the same motivation.

Philipp

 

[Lol999]

I'd be flattered that someone found me interesting enough to photograph. On the rare occasion a photograph of me was published my mother said I looked like a bouncer(doorman). If I caught someone doing it I would approach them, only to discuss their work.

Cheers, Lol

 

[Prosaic]

As a sidenote: Who thought a 500mm Mirror lens at night would be usable for street photography a couple years ago? http://flickr.com/photos/maelswarm/2148593516/

 

[Pherdinand]

If someone unknown person takes a photo of me just liek that, it means i am interesting for some reason. I would feel flattered.
I wish everybody would relax and just think in the same way.
There are six billion persons on this globe. Honestly - how large is the chance that the one taking your photo is a "pervert", a "terrorist", etcetera???

 

[Socke]

How would you react?

I smile into the camera.

 

[nico]

Since I took photography as main hobby I changed my mind about being photographed. I have fun when I use my camera taking portraits so why forbid to someone else to enjoy the same experience?