Troubles with people :s

Hello Rdeleskie, I must confess that you describe what you think you know better than me.
What you said about your way of interpreting what may be the home of the homeless is very intelligent and makes me think many things.

These two situations are the only ones I had in my life, I've never been assaulted in locations that are dangerous, I've taken pictures of people who appear to be a band or suspects, even so I was lucky or whatever you say. The fact that never happened to me is what motivated me to share the experience. Like you, I always end up with an email, a talk or smile and wave to the people who I took photography. But there are also a reality, I seek expressions of society where I am.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
 
kuzano said:
I will say this, sticking your camera in the face of a felon released early to the street is a direct invitation to a "fist" party. Invading the personal space of a "street schizophrenic" will invite uncertain and shocking results.

"He was exercising his rights as a photographer and artist." Simply ridiculous.
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Yup but theres a difference between street photography and sticking your camera is someones face. Most photographers will never shoot succesful street because they are too worried about shooting successful street. Street photography is probably the dicipline that requires the least amount of photo skills and the most of social skills something that photographers are not known for.

You'd be suprised how many addicts/dealers/homeless/etc etc will be more than willing for someone to tell their story, to understand a little part of their lives. A cup of coffee, a can of dog food for their dog, and just 5 minutes of talking to them as a real person can open up unbelievable stories. Shove a camera in their face and your just another person walking past metaphorically pissing on them.

I have a relative large amount of photos of the homeless population of Dublin, not for sharing but, smile, take a photo then go over and talk to them for a second. Just a few seconds will make the difference from someone feeling exploited and used, and someone feeling like someone just gave a crap about their life, maybe for the first time in years.

I've shot dealers on street corners, and dealers in Porches, if you want to do this, go without a camera first, talk to them, assure them your not a cop 1st, then outline why you want to take photos of them. Let them decide if its a good enough reason, most times they will decide yes. Remember marginalised members of society are people too.

Its all about attitude and body language, don't photograph people who's lives are in tatters for the sake of it, give it context, a photo like that is just exploitation without context, tell a story with your photos, make a difference with them, donate them to a local homeless shelter for a low rate, does anyone get what I am trying to get at, I am not the best at getting my feeelings into words. Just trying to pass along some experience from someone who grew up in a disadvantaged area, who lived with drugs in all facets of my life for many years, someone who has known homelessness, thanksfully not any more, but it gives me a different insight I think.
 
JayGannon said:
Yup but theres a difference between street photography and sticking your camera is someones face. Most photographers will never shoot succesful street because they are too worried about shooting successful street. Street photography is probably the dicipline that requires the least amount of photo skills and the most of social skills something that photographers are not known for.

You'd be suprised how many addicts/dealers/homeless/etc etc will be more than willing for someone to tell their story, to understand a little part of their lives. A cup of coffee, a can of dog food for their dog, and just 5 minutes of talking to them as a real person can open up unbelievable stories. Shove a camera in their face and your just another person walking past metaphorically pissing on them.

I have a relative large amount of photos of the homeless population of Dublin, not for sharing but, smile, take a photo then go over and talk to them for a second. Just a few seconds will make the difference from someone feeling exploited and used, and someone feeling like someone just gave a crap about their life, maybe for the first time in years.

I've shot dealers on street corners, and dealers in Porches, if you want to do this, go without a camera first, talk to them, assure them your not a cop 1st, then outline why you want to take photos of them. Let them decide if its a good enough reason, most times they will decide yes. Remember marginalised members of society are people too.

Its all about attitude and body language, don't photograph people who's lives are in tatters for the sake of it, give it context, a photo like that is just exploitation without context, tell a story with your photos, make a difference with them, donate them to a local homeless shelter for a low rate, does anyone get what I am trying to get at, I am not the best at getting my feeelings into words. Just trying to pass along some experience from someone who grew up in a disadvantaged area, who lived with drugs in all facets of my life for many years, someone who has known homelessness, thanksfully not any more, but it gives me a different insight I think.
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I think this is the best advice I've seen given in this thread so far! :)
 
I use one of these when street shooting in tough neighborhoods:

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Sorry to hear you got urine poured on you. I guess getting a few nasty responses is part of street photography…I've never had anything more than someone yell at me (which I've ignored every time), but somehow, I'm constantly watching out for that one person who'll happen to be carrying a knife around.

I think part of street photography is getting these reactions, "falling down" (hopefully not literally), getting back up and burning more film. I try to keep a somewhat stubborn, "I'll do what I do and I'll thank you very much not to interfere with my life" attitude on the street. I have yet to meet another person with the same mindset as myself, but I haven't read the whole thread (been out most of the day…on the street…)

I think you need to get over this guilt and just carry on…I always though street was one of the harder parts of photography, just because of the silent interaction with someone you've probably never seen before.
 
That´s right xxloverxx and I am not guilty as well, I think in some way I provoke the situation. I saw expressions on the face of the lady and a composition with the man, and not think back on what might be the reality of them, that was my mistake and I got a defense response from them and I understand well. I am in any way a person like to others, even without knowing them, I have three emails minimum per day of street photography or good talking, my wife said how could I talk with everybody, but you have much reason to go out with the thought of not interfering in the lives of others.
 
I'm glad you have learned that 'an interesting image' to you may be perceived by the 'target' as an exploitive offense. Maybe it's exotic to some people. But, having lived in NYC for 20 years and traveled abroad, i just don't see the appeal/sense in these types of images. One is either mocking these individuals or presenting them for social documentary reasons, but 95% of these photographs do nothing in the way of constructive discussion or assistance. These people are treated like zoo animals.

Of course, there will be the typical outcry of "fair game — they're on public streets." Those people should exercise the same grace and restraint as they would appreciate if they found themselves in similarly unfortunate circumstances.

israel_alanis said:
You are right Coelacanth, I started this Thread because I wanted to share the situation. My intention was to show that my desire to capture many expressions brought me to meet with an unwanted situation for people I'm photographing or me. I did not know that these people had problems, but I think my intention was apparently misunderstood.
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Keith said:
It's inevitable that this will happen ... homeless people or otherwise. Wander into the business centre of any city and start photographing the well heeled sipping on their capucinos and discussing the money market or their latest aquisition and you're every bit as likely to be given the one finger salute or worse.

To make an omlette you have to break some eggs Israel ... keep doing what you do and maintain your belief that you are exercising your right as a photographer and artist.

:)
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Actually Keith, there are laws protecting people who we photograph on the street. I'd be careful in your final intentions. You can be sued for libel.

Cheers,

Keith
 
kbg32 said:
Actually Keith, there are laws protecting people who we photograph on the street. I'd be careful in your final intentions. You can be sued for libel.

Cheers,

Keith
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In theory.. grey area, in practise no.
Short of publishing them in a very inflammatory manner there is no real protection for public photography, and even in that case there is an "Art" defence that has been proven to be successful.
 
Some years ago there was a NY Times magazine cover of a black man photographed down near Wall Street. He sued the Times saying that the story did not illustrate his position. He won.
 
Some people are simply pussies and take photos of their pussies. Others get out there and take photos that a lot of us enjoy :)
Thank you guys!
 
I just would like to add, that the legal situations seem to differ from country to country. In Germany, the situation is quite clear. The right on ones own image is part of the personal rights (privacy, informational self-determination, ...). So, as far as I know, if one is taking a photograph of a person without consent and publishing it on the internet or somewhere else without consent, it is already a violation of the law. Even taking a picture without publishing, is in certain cirumstances a violation.
 
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