What is your comfort zone, and how often do you step out of it ?

[John Bragg]

Today I was determined to overcome the general ennui that has blighted my photography of late. I rarely shoot life on the street and I decided that it was time to do so. Photos of total strangers going about their business can be challenging. A general scene with a few inhabitants can be achieved easily and without upsetting people. However, sometimes you need to get in closer aand actually engage with your potential subjects so as not to piss them off and prompt a random arguement, or worse. That is the bit I find interesting. With camera preset, and prefocussed, I approached a total stranger today and confidently asked permission to include them in my photo. The guy was a site manager on building works and he actually agreed and was very relaxed. I worked very quickly and was done in about 5 seconds. I used a film SLR. My Nikon F100 and a 50mm f1.8 af D with my usual HP5+. I felt better having asked, although sometimes candid shots have a different vibe.

 

[helen.HH]

No comfort zone, just shoot and take chances ..


When shooting People ,a nod and wink help, sometimes talking
but always a Smile if one does not have the time to engage

 

[Pál_K]

Fortunately, what I enjoy most is photographing areas of a city or landscape as sort of a historian-archivist. Although I can appreciate and even admire others’ photos of street life and strangers, that type of photography is not what gives me satisfaction, so it does not pose the aspect of being uncomfortable.

I have photographed family, friends, and co-workers. Not a big deal.

 

[Ambro51]

...things are V E R Y different these days. Few feel safe, a camera is menacing, they feel you’re “stealing” identities or something. Good Luck.

 

[Evergreen States]

I have pretty bad social anxiety and photographing strangers whether by the sly or asking for permission is nerve racking. I was for a few years getting better at it but since the pandemic I have been afraid to approach people. I don't get out much and when I do things are either too far away or my hands are full running errands and I don't have time to take pictures. I have not taken many good photos during the pandemic.

 

[boojum]

I do not do as much street photography as I would like and have not done any in a while. I did notice that folks in the frame enjoyed it and sometimes made the photo more interesting. I had taken a few photos of this crowd of revelers outside the theater before they coalesced into this shot which I really like a lot. I believe I have already posted it somewhere on the board so charge me rent twice. ;o)

Here is a selected group of photos: https://www.flickr.com/photos/sandynoyes/albums/72157672498810291/with/28905532903/

SONY A7M II, Sony/Zeiss 55mm, f/1.8, f/2.0, 1/160. ISO 2000

​

 

[ranger9]

...things are V E R Y different these days. Few feel safe, a camera is menacing, they feel you’re “stealing” identities or something. Good Luck.

Yeah, show up anywhere with a camera and you're automatically a paparazzo AND a child pornographer AND were personally responsible for the death of Princess Diana. In the part of the USA where I live, people are much calmer if you're carrying a gun, other than possibly a police officer walking up and asking who makes that cool holster you're wearing. (Not that I've got anything against guns, I just have too many expensive hobbies already...)

But be patient. A few weeks ago at work I was shooting photos of one of our classes of six-year-old kids putting on a holiday program for their parents (who all sign photo permission forms, of course.) It was a very small classroom and the kids were only a few feet away, but none of them took any notice of me fiddling with my mirrorless camera and lenses.

Suddenly it occurred to me that these kids' parents have probably taken pictures of them every day of their lives -- but always with a phone. They had absolutely no idea what that lumpy black thing was or why I was holding it up to my face. To them a "camera" is as obscure as a rotary-dial phone or a telegram, and in a few years when they've grown up you'll be able to photograph them with complete impunity... and besides, they'll all be blundering around in augmented reality goggles and won't even see you.

 

[John Bragg]

Yeah, show up anywhere with a camera and you're automatically a paparazzo AND a child pornographer AND were personally responsible for the death of Princess Diana. In the part of the USA where I live, people are much calmer if you're carrying a gun, other than possibly a police officer walking up and asking who makes that cool holster you're wearing. (Not that I've got anything against guns, I just have too many expensive hobbies already...)

But be patient. A few weeks ago at work I was shooting photos of one of our classes of six-year-old kids putting on a holiday program for their parents (who all sign photo permission forms, of course.) It was a very small classroom and the kids were only a few feet away, but none of them took any notice of me fiddling with my mirrorless camera and lenses.

Suddenly it occurred to me that these kids' parents have probably taken pictures of them every day of their lives -- but always with a phone. They had absolutely no idea what that lumpy black thing was or why I was holding it up to my face. To them a "camera" is as obscure as a rotary-dial phone or a telegram, and in a few years when they've grown up you'll be able to photograph them with complete impunity... and besides, they'll all be blundering around in augmented reality goggles and won't even see you.

That is a very interesting fact of modern life. No wonder it is fascinating to learn film photogrpahy as something Dad or Grandad used to do. My 5 year old has her own camera and knows how to use it. She has 2 film cameras as well. I will make sure she has the chance to learn all that side if she chooses. So far she loves it !

Smile Daddy by E.J. Bragg, on Flickr

 

[ranger9]

That is a very interesting fact of modern life. No wonder it is fascinating to learn film photogrpahy as something Dad or Grandad used to do. My 5 year old has her own camera and knows how to use it. She has 2 film cameras as well. I will make sure she has the chance to learn all that side if she chooses. So far she loves it !

A unicorn in more ways than just her costume! My dad died last October, and as I was trying to deal with that, one of my most comforting memories was the evening many long years ago -- I was about 10 and had been showing a lot of interest in taking pictures with my box camera -- when he sat down on the couch with me, unfolded his highly-prized Zeiss-Ikon Contina II, and explained to me what the settings meant and what the controls did. He let me use the Contina whenever I wanted (which must have been a bit nerve-wracking for him, but I didn't break it and in fact still have it!) Later he bought me a little guidebook about different types of camera and how film was developed and printed, and when I was a little older he paid for me to take a summer-school photography class were we got to try out our instructor's Pentax SLR and lenses and use the school's darkroom. He always encouraged my interest in photography and always enjoyed looking at my latest pictures right up until he died. Nobody's going to have that kind of shared experience taking pictures with a phone. I'm glad I didn't miss it, and I hope your daughter enjoys the ride...

 

[John Bragg]

A unicorn in more ways than just her costume! My dad died last October, and as I was trying to deal with that, one of my most comforting memories was the evening many long years ago -- I was about 10 and had been showing a lot of interest in taking pictures with my box camera -- when he sat down on the couch with me, unfolded his highly-prized Zeiss-Ikon Contina II, and explained to me what the settings meant and what the controls did. He let me use the Contina whenever I wanted (which must have been a bit nerve-wracking for him, but I didn't break it and in fact still have it!) Later he bought me a little guidebook about different types of camera and how film was developed and printed, and when I was a little older he paid for me to take a summer-school photography class were we got to try out our instructor's Pentax SLR and lenses and use the school's darkroom. He always encouraged my interest in photography and always enjoyed looking at my latest pictures right up until he died. Nobody's going to have that kind of shared experience taking pictures with a phone. I'm glad I didn't miss it, and I hope your daughter enjoys the ride...

Thanks so much for your kind words and sharing your experiences with your Dad. Emily has her small kiddy digital and has moved smoothly on to 80's point and shoots like the Canon Sureshots. As she gets bigger, I will kit her out with an F90 or similar set on Program mode. She has an incredible eye and compositionally is gifted. I also want it to come from the heart though, and not because I push her.

 

[Ko.Fe.]

If they are "doing their business" you could get close and snap. No empty talks are needed.
Sometimes I just talk to person and take photos as we speak. No empty talks about permission, either.

Don't fall into wrong assumption what you need permission to get close.
But if you are into head and shoulders of strangers (not my cup of tea) you have to.

 

[boojum]

Back to the hesitancy of street photos. I lived in Mexico for a few years and it is common courtesy to ask, "Con permiso?" which is "With (your) permission?" I was never refused. At sporting events or open air crowded events I just shot. Here I find a smiling face with raised eyebrows and a nod work well, maybe throw in an "OK?". I try to act like I am asking as a courtesy, which I am in a public place, but not arrogantly and not like a washcloth, either. Keep it down low. As usual, YMMV.

 

[Ambro51]

Very small camera