Photographing people in the public, reactions

[BCampbell]

Hahaha, wow. I think we're done here!

edit: in case any mods see this, we did in fact hug it out; no harm done.

[Dangelica]

Originally Posted by BCampbell

Hahaha, wow. I think we're done here!

But we haven't got to the hug it out part yeeeettttttttt

[EKTipton]

A few weeks ago I was in my downtown area taking pictures of buildings when a man came out of a parking lot and made a veiled threat. He first wanted to know for whom I worked. Then he said I had better be careful. And when I asked why he said “some people may not like you taking their picture”.

[Ste_95]

It's all about the people you meet. I was taking practicing shots last month, and there were children, too. But, you know, I was with a borrowed Canon (70-300)x2... so just moving of a millimeter the camera was a really different shot... Anyway, after one hour, a police man wanted my name, address, number... because some mothers called him.

Yesterday I was in the centre of the city for some photos, again. I'm learning that you need to build the shot you'd want in your mind, then grab your camera... and click. A second. Or every person will be looking at you, everyone will be asking what are you doing... and so on... not very enjoyable.

That's my experience.

[PhotoPatzer]

Originally Posted by Dodge

There is another option for those of us who are unarmed and don't have any Origami belts.

Only shoot subjects you can outrun or who's ass you could whup if things turn nasty.
Although I underestimated the chap on the left and he caught me after 20 yards and gave me a nasty chinese burn. Luckily I was tooled up with mint humbugs which distracted him long enough for me to escape.

Dodge - That was frickn' awesome! Love the humor!

[PhotoPatzer]

Okay... I just got done watching the Photo Walk with Jay Maisel on Kelby Training.

The video was part instructional, part theoretical, part incredible!

Jay, being all of 60+, was relentless in his photographs. The great thing about it is that he did not try one bit to be sneaky. The takeaways that I got from this video were the following:

1. He always smiled! - This is key here folks. Every time he got done taking a picture of someone, he smiled and thanked them with a wave, a nod of his head or something. He was very humble.

2. He was a good judge of character - When he suspected that someone would be upset if he took a photo, he would politely ask them if he could take their photo. One example was when he wanted to take a picture of a woman in a small shelter (seemed like an info booth or something), he simply approached her and said the following. "Hi there... You are very beautiful. I'm taking some pictures of NY City. Would it be okay if I took your picture?" The thing was that he made it clear. If he felt bad vibes, he didn't take the picture, or he would ask.

3. He was very confident - He knew his rights. He knew he had a right to photograph anyone and anything he wanted. He also knew the streets. He's walked them for 30+ years. This tells me that experience and familiarity will help with street photography.


Smile. Be a good judge of character. Have confidence. Those should see you through just about any street session.

[brittaniphotography]

Thanks for this post guys!!

Looks like I need to get a smaller camera. =)

[tuxcomputers]

Originally Posted by Raoul Isidro

With crazy laws and restrictions brought about by looney pedophiles and border protection insanity, it's a very delicate matter. Here in Australia, you can't even take a photo of your own child swimming in a public pool or beach, due to laws on child protection from pedophiles. Just like a runaway Antibiotic, the laws not only kill the pervert germs but also exact collateral damage to artistic freedom.

I live in Queensland and I think you are wrong wrong wrong, if you have information otherwise please post a link to it.

The only possible thing the police could use would be their "move on" powers, if a member of the public complained (or the cops think that someone might complain) they can ask you to leave the area and not return for X period of time.

Photography in public (of kids or otherwise) is NOT restricted. There are councils that put conditions of entry on pools that may restrict photography but there is zip they can do about public places such as beaches.

Looking forward to you trying to prove me wrong.