best way to approach strangers on the street!

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Mirus Lux

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I am starting a new personal project involving photographing members of the public on the street ie taking their portraits.

I am sure by the end of the year long project I'll have it sussed but I wondered if anyone had don't anything similar and how you approached people as I don't want to sound like a chugger!
 
With a 500mm from the bushes? ;)

Joking aside, it's not something I would be great at as I'm fairly shy but I'd be fine if there was a purpose behind; it like you say it's a project.

Perhaps have some business cards printed with your name and website etc and approach people, explain you would like to take their photo for your project and offer them a card so they can visit your site and see your shots.

If you do a good job you may even get some business through it? :thumbs:
 
Cheers Phil, think business cards are cheaper than the 500mm ;)

It is going to be an up close and personal project and its not going to be "street" as such. One of the reasons I am doing it is to boost my confidence :)

I thought about biz cards or maybe even a letter explaining the project. I think I had better get a model release too....
 
First find your victim, sorry, I mean subject, point your camera above their head as though you are taking a pic of buildings etc keeping one eye on the subject, as soon as they look away, or look at what your pointing at, drop the lens down and take the shot! works for me!
Looks more natural and un-posed. Unless you dont want it that way of course.
3941326376_f1ed7fe7b9_b.jpg
 
Ha I wish it was that easy! Nope they are going to be posed 1 flash portraits :)
 
Right!! Well as long as you dont look like a bruiser and you are well dressed and polite etc, just go and ask, they can only say no. You may be supprised!
 
I would make sure you have some kind of contact that you can give them before you start, tell them where they can see the photo if you are going to put it on line, make sure the page is up and running. A lot of people are paranoid of cameras in this day and age!!
 
I'd avoid trying to use anything that resembles a bodged up model release- it's unnecessary and trying to get people to sign it will reduce your success rate by about 90%.

Work out your pitch in advance. Keep it below 15 seconds if possible. Don't have a clip board or notebook on show initially, but do have your camera in view.

Select your target from as far away as possible, based on which ever demographic you are trying to get. Don't make eye contact until they are close up and close enough to talk to or you'll make them veer off.

After the first ten or so, it should become second nature.

Don't just pick easy targets; ie extroverts, old people, street people and stall holders/shopkeepers etc. Challenge yourself properly and get some normal everyday people in the frame as well; otherwise you are just kidding yourself.

Lastly, make sure it's enjoyable for you, but more importantly for your subject.
 
Phil789 said:
I think like someone said above the first 10 or so will be the hardest.

After that it will be like second nature and you will find it much easier :)
Click to expand...

Will find out tomorrow ;)
 
Just ask and have a few business cards ready. Smile. I did something similar to you a few months back, everyone I asked said yes, managed to get around 40 portraits done over two hours.
 
wontolla said:
First find your victim, sorry, I mean subject, point your camera above their head as though you are taking a pic of buildings etc keeping one eye on the subject, as soon as they look away, or look at what your pointing at, drop the lens down and take the shot! works for me!
Looks more natural and un-posed. Unless you dont want it that way of course.
3941326376_f1ed7fe7b9_b.jpg
Click to expand...

I'd say ignore this advice unless you want useless photos of the backs of people heads.

What you have in that blog entry seems pretty decent.

I travelled to Estonia with a mate that was doing a street portraiture project, he had bit's of paper with his website or Flickr address on (he couldn't afford cards) and gave one to everyone he shot so they could go and look at the image and use it on FB or whatever.
 
Nice one mate, a good read.

Just wanted to point something out. Not sure if it is intentional or not, but on your site, once you click a navigation link on the left it turns black and blends in with the background so you can't see it anymore.

This could be pretty confusing to someone who doesn't realise what has happened, and it will stay like that if the user revisits your site, until/if they clear their cookies etc.
 
Thanks for the comments :) will sort out the link colours, cheers for pointing it out!
 
wontolla said:
First find your victim, sorry, I mean subject, point your camera above their head as though you are taking a pic of buildings etc keeping one eye on the subject, as soon as they look away, or look at what your pointing at, drop the lens down and take the shot! works for me!
Looks more natural and un-posed. Unless you dont want it that way of course.
3941326376_f1ed7fe7b9_b.jpg
Click to expand...

And if you follow this advice, you'll get a bunch of random shots of the backs of people's heads.

OP:

Approaching people on the street is simple. The main thing you need to constantly keep on your head is that rejections don't matter. There will be people who don't mind being shot at all, people who mind, but can be persuaded, and people who do mind, can't be persuaded, and react to you like you're a leper.

Approach people with a smile (not too big), and be politely assertive. Try not to ask as much as tell them you're going to take their picture.

Just something like: "Hey, I'm doing a project (never say "personal", they'll just hear "creepy"), I wanna take your picture, just over here-->".

Make sure they're not actually standing in the place you want to shoot them, but catch them a few feet away and then point and say "You just have to stand right there". Flatter them if they look nonplussed and tell them they're perfect. Perhaps explain the project to them if it's a good one.

Telling them where to stand gives them their direction, engages their brain, and in most instances puts them under your control.

Take a couple of shots with natural light, show them the back of the camera, and then say "I'm just going to try one with the flash as well", then attach the flash, take the shot, and hand them a business card. (Don't be tempted to hand the business card over first, as you'll risk looking like you're pitching for business).

That's how I've always done it if I need people for a composite.

Just remember that a lot of people will refuse, and it's got nothing to do with your approach. Some people jus don't want to be photographed, and there's nothing you can do in the 5 second window they will unwillingly give you before they walk away with their excuses. Factoring in rejections, you'll average about 25 portraits per hour if you are in a busy area. If you're in a busy area with young people, you'll average about 20,000,000.
 
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This thread caught my eye. Oh hello again BTW have been skulking around many areas of t'net.
Ahem, so I was intrigued by this thread as I was thinking of doing something similar for the locals in my area in light of Olympic mania and as an art project.

I'm already searching out my Photographer's Rights card, as I recently spoke to my local council about handing out leaflets in public. They happily emailed me a form with questions to be granted a permission to distribute.
I've yet to get back to them, but has anyone had experience (good/bad) dealing with local authorities or been approached when you are taking photos and giving business cards to strangers?
 
Headshots thanks for the advice, I am learning as I go with this, and just work with a big smile and politeness and seems to work. I am deliberately working in quieter towns to start do I feel comfortable! Once I have my patter going there will be no stopping me!

Hi again Kate you're popping up everywhere! ;) I had never considered contacting the council but mine is mainly personal so I an keeping it seperate from my business. I tend to have a few a4 pages printed off with details of the project and contact details. I considered business cards but don't want people to think I am a business!

I think if you are staying in one place or selling stuff/promoting a business they might have an issue. I am waiting for a visit from the police when someone reports me but I dont carry my rights card and I make an effort not to approach people under 18 or those that look vulnerable etc!
 
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Sounds a great idea Mirus Lux, if i'm honest, I would rather start in a busy town / city centre as you have less chance of walking passed them again haha. I would love to do something like this, but a friend of mine that also likes photography is too self conscious lmao.

Personally don't see what the police could say about it anyway? Someone has complained of you taking photos in "this town", just explain you only take photos if they agree to it. Or more on to the next town ;) haha.

A little highjack, but may help you out. Flickr is a nice little photo sharing website, but, if you have business cards, and want a website on there. Is there anything a little more professional looking? Rather than just a photo sharing site like flickr?
 
Ant, I agree can't see that they could say anything! I use a blogger site for my main website but put images on flickr, 500px, Twitter, g+, fb and tumblr too!

I am working out which sites will be best for me (which will probably take a few months) then might cull a few but I direct street people to my blog.

If your friend is self conscious why does that stop you? Just get out there!
 
Mirus, I also use Tumblr. I am also going to try and get into using G+ but can't seem it being that professional to send them to. My only other option is wordpress, I have still yet to try it. May be worth you also trying it. ( I know you have a blogger, but if you ever want to venture that way i think there are converters for the database).

I cocked up my 500px account so thats out the question lmao.
 
some good avice here guys will take them all on boar, as i fin many *** i like to take there pic of in the street but didnt as idnt wanna look creepy!!!
 
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