Asking to photograph random people in the street

K

kasabian

Suspended / Banned
Messages
21
Edit My Images
No
You know the scenario: You're in a public place with your camera around your neck and you randomly spot an interesting looking person you really want to take a photo of.

I'm still pretty new to photography and I always feel too shy and embarrassed to approach someone I don't know and ask to photograph them. What do you do? What's the protocol? Is there one? Do you offer them a couple of quid?

I would love to know what other members of this forum do and what kind of reaction they've had from the person they're asking to snap.

I've done it once. I gave the old man a quid afterwards.

4355164790_12895f478e.jpg
 
There's a bloke like that in Aberystwyth... Except that he carries a cat on his shoulder everywhere he goes!

I keep meaning to ask him for a photo but I never seem to get around to it. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled and get a few shots.

The one time I actually did it was a couple of years ago in Llandudno... I just walked up to her, told her it was nice to see such a happy, smiling face in the midst of all the bad weather and asked if I could take her photo. I gave her my email address in case she wanted a copy of the shot but she never got in touch. :)

Si

2168776217_49520b8f62.jpg
 
Never offer money - in some cultures it's insulting... Just be friendly and polite - the worst that can happen is they say 'no'...
 
I've photographed a homeless person and bought them a cup of tea and a Greggs. Someone from my college was commissioned by a scottish arts council to do a project on african culture in scotland, he had to stop a lot of strangers and ask to take their portrait and spent quite a lot of money buying them starbucks for their time.
 
Vic said:
I've photographed a homeless person and bought them a cup of tea and a Greggs. Someone from my college was commissioned by a scottish arts council to do a project on african culture in scotland, he had to stop a lot of strangers and ask to take their portrait and spent quite a lot of money buying them starbucks for their time.
Click to expand...

It's up to you, but AFAIC, no-one owns the light that's being reflected off them... that's all we're doing - recording reflected light...
 
Arkady said:
It's up to you, but AFAIC, no-one owns the light that's being reflected off them... that's all we're doing - recording reflected light...
Click to expand...

True for candid photography. But sometimes when your asking for their time to let you record them then sometimes a little personal interaction is needed. After all sometimes its nice to learn a little about the person you are photographing and make the photo more than a "stranger". :)
 
AFAIC?

friendly and polite is the way forward... just try to think how you would react if someone asked you politely. i certainly wouldn't have a problem with it... i would think most people would take it as a form of flattery if asked in the right manner. go for it.
 
AFAIC - as far as I'm concerned.
I have no issue paying for models, either part-timers or professionals, as they're working for me...
Some random on the street? Nope.
Maybe a coffee as suggested, but cash?
No way...
 
Arkady said:
AFAIC - as far as I'm concerned.
I have no issue paying for models, either part-timers or professionals, as they're working for me...
Some random on the street? Nope.
Maybe a coffee as suggested, but cash?
No way...
Click to expand...

Agreed on the cash subject. Realistically how far would a couple of quid go these days anyway? ;)
 
If you're freindly and perhaps give them your details so they can have a copy then I'm sure most people wouldn't mind you photographing them
 
simmosn said:
If you're freindly and perhaps give them your details so they can have a copy then I'm sure most people wouldn't mind you photographing them
Click to expand...

No - if they're interested, take their details and send them something by email...
Unless it's a potential client, I'm not about to give my personal details to passers-by on the street...
If you're a Pro or Semi-Pro and have business cards printed up for the purpose, fine, but as a hobbyist with no Pro-aspirations, you should perhaps be a little wary of who you give your details to...
 
Arkady said:
No - if they're interested, take their details and send them something by email...
Unless it's a potential client, I'm not about to give my personal details to passers-by on the street...
If you're a Pro or Semi-Pro and have business cards printed up for the purpose, fine, but as a hobbyist with no Pro-aspirations, you should perhaps be a little wary of who you give your details to...
Click to expand...

Fully agree. If they want the image, then they'll get in touch.
 
There is a famous photogrpaher (cannot recall his name) who approaches women to tog them naked. World famous photographer who even married one fo the girls. Lucky *******.
 
onikami said:
There is a famous photogrpaher (cannot recall his name) who approaches women to tog them naked. World famous photographer who even married one fo the girls. Lucky *******.
Click to expand...

There was a guy in the 80's that used to do that, but I think he videoed them as opposed to stills. His name was Ugly George, right character :)
 
onikami said:
There is a famous photogrpaher (cannot recall his name) who approaches women to tog them naked. World famous photographer who even married one fo the girls. Lucky *******.
Click to expand...

Buttman...?
 
onikami said:
There is a famous photogrpaher (cannot recall his name) who approaches women to tog them naked. World famous photographer who even married one fo the girls. Lucky *******.
Click to expand...
Nobuyoshi Araki?
 
simmosn said:
If you're freindly and perhaps give them your details so they can have a copy then I'm sure most people wouldn't mind you photographing them
Click to expand...
Get a Polaroid PoGo for £20 and knock out a print there an then.

I'd think about this when travelling for sure - would get the attention of the locals in some of the more far away places! Was in Pakistan @10 years ago - and when up in the mountains in Chitral a Polaroid (or rather a Fuji instant camera) was such a good thing to have. I guess most had never seen 'instant' pictures before! :D Got us some nice cups of tea and made friends with people we could not otherwise converse with!
 
Spiritflier said:
There's a bloke like that in Aberystwyth... Except that he carries a cat on his shoulder everywhere he goes!

I keep meaning to ask him for a photo but I never seem to get around to it. I'll have to keep my eyes peeled and get a few shots.

The one time I actually did it was a couple of years ago in Llandudno... I just walked up to her, told her it was nice to see such a happy, smiling face in the midst of all the bad weather and asked if I could take her photo. I gave her my email address in case she wanted a copy of the shot but she never got in touch. :)

Si

2168776217_49520b8f62.jpg
Click to expand...



Did you beat her or something? :lol::lol::lol:
she looks like she has just stepped out of a fire!!

I would never pay.. Even when i am in third world countries. But i always go out of my way to show them the pics etc .It helps them understand . And a great way to make friends.
 
Vic said:
I think thats who he is meaning, hilarious guy in interviews and he took some beautiful pictures of his wife too.
Click to expand...

it's not him. When I remember the guys name, I will update this thread.
 
You should see this bloke, I'm surprised no one thumps him especially in new york.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRBARi09je8&feature=related

I never ask permission unless I want to show something the person is doing and need their cooperation. For candid asking ruins the moment.

About 99% of the time I have no problems the 1% when someone complains I usually apologies and move on but never delete the photo, even if asked to. Occasionally someone will start to pose for me and I'll take a few snaps but usually they are not very interesting photos. I'll email people if they give me an address. I have never paid or bought even a coffee for anyone.

I have spent time getting to know some people first chatting regularly with them on a couple of occasions then turning up with a camera another day.
 
Tom Harper said:
You should see this bloke, I'm surprised no one thumps him especially in new york.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRBARi09je8&feature=related

I never ask permission unless I want to show something the person is doing and need their cooperation. For candid asking ruins the moment.

About 99% of the time I have no problems the 1% when someone complains I usually apologies and move on but never delete the photo, even if asked to. Occasionally someone will start to pose for me and I'll take a few snaps but usually they are not very interesting photos. I'll email people if they give me an address. I have never paid or bought even a coffee for anyone.

I have spent time getting to know some people first chatting regularly with them on a couple of occasions then turning up with a camera another day.
Click to expand...

He is mad...
 
My first and only time of trying street photography I had a woman run down the street after me, shouting and threatening to call the police unless I deleted the images - I did.
 
OK. I've found the photographer is question: Petter Hegre

Google him if you can.
 
onikami said:
There is a famous photogrpaher (cannot recall his name) who approaches women to tog them naked. World famous photographer who even married one fo the girls. Lucky *******.

Arkady said:
Buttman...?
Click to expand...
Click to expand...

Ben Dover maybe?
 
Tom Harper said:
You should see this bloke, I'm surprised no one thumps him especially in new york.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IRBARi09je8&feature=related

I never ask permission unless I want to show something the person is doing and need their cooperation. For candid asking ruins the moment.

About 99% of the time I have no problems the 1% when someone complains I usually apologies and move on but never delete the photo, even if asked to. Occasionally someone will start to pose for me and I'll take a few snaps but usually they are not very interesting photos. I'll email people if they give me an address. I have never paid or bought even a coffee for anyone.

I have spent time getting to know some people first chatting regularly with them on a couple of occasions then turning up with a camera another day.
Click to expand...

What a ****** he is. People can't even ask him what he's doing. His ego's so much up his ass.
 
KayJay said:
If you wanna be a Magnum photographer then you can't **** around. I'd love to have confidence like that.
Click to expand...

Agreed. Bruce Gilden has created some stunning photographs with a technique that is in magazines and newspapers everyday. He isnt arrogant, he is confident. I'm sure the people of Manhattan have had more traumatic experiences than a two second photo.
 
I smile at them, it puts them at ease then I fire away.........................
 
oops sent a bit prematurely ...anyway to continue ...one guy outside a second shop jump up shouting at me. I didn't take the shot and waved at him in an ok sorry kinda way. I should have taken the shot of him jumping out the chair shouting.

What's the legal stance thou?
 
The legal stance is if you take a photo of someone in a public place, that's fine, totally legal, unless you're seen as harassing them (so if you followed them around for a while and took loads of pics like papparazzi style, it could be seen as harassment and intimidation) but let's be frank, it's unlikely you're gonna go around harassing people!
 
Stop, shoot, keep walking. Never noticed if anyone's complained. You can't go 10m in London without walking into someone's shot anyway, most people are used to it. Obviously if it's a busker/street artist I chuck em some change.
 
kasabian said:
You know the scenario: You're in a public place with your camera around your neck and you randomly spot an interesting looking person you really want to take a photo of.

I'm still pretty new to photography and I always feel too shy and embarrassed to approach someone I don't know and ask to photograph them. What do you do? What's the protocol? Is there one? Do you offer them a couple of quid?

I would love to know what other members of this forum do and what kind of reaction they've had from the person they're asking to snap.

I've done it once. I gave the old man a quid afterwards.

4355164790_12895f478e.jpg
Click to expand...

Good point & question.. I'm gonna give it a go wish me luck. :D
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top