Street photography - is it worth it?

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IamMarcoPolo

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Hello folks,

Currently i live in Canterbury and of course i have been into photography for some time now (Portrait and street photography is what i am interested in most), but by god, Canterbury is an awful place for street photography. People are stuck up, arrogant, look at your camera like its a 'bomb' etc

So i decided for the last time to try out 'street photography' again in Canterbury, as the next 7 weeks i am living in Holland and i hope to get my 'street portfolio done over their' - it seems to me that Canterbury, is just not the place for street photography.

This morning i took a trip thinking this time it may be different, i asked 4 people in a row if i could have their shot (these 4 people had amazing character - but their personality was awful towards me asking them - SHOT IN THE HEART)

Next i walk into a 'public carpark' with a spiral staircase - excellent composition - i wanted to shoot it, a cleaner comes along and tells me i am not allowed to take photos in here - i am like 'under what law?

Next i walk into a shopping center - and take a picture of another escalator - good composition - the manager of the store approaches me and tells me i am not allowed to ''shoot his stock'' (very arrogant man - can tell he tried to be nice about it'' - but seriously?

It seems that anything i shoot or anywhere i go here, some 'law' prevents me from shooting

Thomas Leuthard (amazing street photographer - central europe) - i am wanting to follow his style, obviously his stuff is taken in central europe which i am going to be there for some time - so this mght be the best place to start

But the final question is - if i am to be as successful as this guy - should i just throw all morals out the window and shoot who/where i like?


Would like opinions on this, many thanks.
 
I just walk around the streets of South coast with no issues at all. I never ask people if I can take their photo as I am not after posed shots. I have overheard a few comments such as "that man just took our photo" but just carried on walking. If someone was to approach me and objected to it I would happily delete it (no point upsetting people even if if I am within my rights)

However, shots in a shopping centre are different all together and you may well not be allowed to photograph in them so just move on.
If a cleaner told me I couldn't photograph a staircase in a car park I would just point to a spot and say "you missed a bit"
 
ernesto said:
I just walk around the streets of South coast with no issues at all. I never ask people if I can take their photo as I am not after posed shots. I have overheard a few comments such as "that man just took our photo" but just carried on walking. If someone was to approach me and objected to it I would happily delete it (no point upsetting people even if if I am within my rights)

However, shots in a shopping centre are different all together and you may well not be allowed to photograph in them so just move on.
If a cleaner told me I couldn't photograph a staircase in a car park I would just point to a spot and say "you missed a bit"
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But if your to get 'close to them' it can get very awkward if you did not 'ask them before hand' - and your probably going to cause problems - that what i am saying 'is it worth it' and worth chucking al morals out the window
 
IamMarcoPolo said:
But if your to get 'close to them' it can get very awkward if you did not 'ask them before hand' - and your probably going to cause problems - that what i am saying 'is it worth it' and worth chucking al morals out the window
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What morals are you chucking out of the window?

I see myself as a fairly moral person but have no moral issue with taking a photograph of someone.

There are also techniques that may help (shooting from hip, zone focusing, very quick camera to eye/shot/back down again etc,.)
 
I don't ask or speak to anyone, but Im fairly covert in how I photograph on the street, I don't stand there deliberately framing people.
There's always one or two people who think that photography is illegal, just tell them you can photograph what you like and move on.
 
I walk around with a big smile on my face a just shoot away.

If someone doesnt want their photo taken,just move on their will alway be another shot.

I think you have alway had to have a bit of a hard shell,to do street photography.

Dont let it get you down,to much you have your good days and bad days :)
 
simonblue said:
I walk around with a big smile on my face a just shoot away.

If someone doesnt want their photo taken,just move on their will alway be another shot.

I think you have alway had to have a bit of a hard shell,to do street photography.

Dont let it get you down,to much you have your good days and bad days :)
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How do you get close and personal with someone though?
 
I got in a **** storm by telling someone to "grow a pair" before so i will explain with a little more subtlety.
Its not about machismo, or adrenaline its about, as someone mentioned earlier having a hard shell, you have to approach it as something that needs to get done, and so long as you keep your nose clean no one can stop you taking their photo. Unless your on private property. By the sounds of it your shooting in places that are controlled so unless you really need these places in your portfolio then move on to some place else.
As for portraits it depends on how much control you need, i shoot "grabbed" portraits with flash for my street work and there is no interacting between myself and my subject, only a smile a nod then im already gone. Here are some examples http://www.simondaviesphotography.co.uk/grabbed/album/index.html
 
He seems to be using an 85mm lens so he isn't that close as alot of people use 28 or 35.
What lens are you using?
 
I ignore anyone who is not a policeman (and was never challenged by a policeman). It's public space, I can do whatever i want and i know my rights as a togger. That's IMO the attitude to have.

One person once told me I should have asked before taking a picture of them and I said yep but it's a good one. wanna have a look? they then gave me an email address to send it to :P
 
Hats off to anyone who does this type of photography I know I couldn't I don't like confrontation but that's just me being a 6 ft big built wimp lol
 
just make sure you only take shots of people smaller than you :)
 
krisuk2008 said:
Hats off to anyone who does this type of photography I know I couldn't I don't like confrontation but that's just me being a 6 ft big built wimp lol
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There really is not as much confrontation as you might think, unless you engage with your subject post shot, having the steel to get in with a 50mm in one hand and a flash in the other is however a confrontation with yourself and you do ask yourself "what must these people think of me" lol. Being courteous about it all does help as does blending in. But i find being there and in your face is far more honest than sneaking in shots with a long lens, with the latter looking a touch perverse
 
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ernesto said:
He seems to be using an 85mm lens so he isn't that close as alot of people use 28 or 35.
What lens are you using?
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Nope. He's using a 20mm pancake on an OM-D.

On a slightly more sceptical note.. you can't get decent street shots in Canterbury?

Firstly it's crowded with tourists and cameras - people are used to it.

if you work the lanes around the Cathedral, you're hard pushed not to bump into someone, let alone have room for the shot.

It's like saying you can't do street in the West End of London!

Seriously - you need to try harder!
 
Personally, I usually take the photo, then have a chat and a laugh, or if they;re grumpy, just move on
Some folk laugh, albeit a bit bemused, some scowl or mutter, but never had anyone totally lose it or demand it be deleted (which I may well do, unless they're just being arsy).
 
to turn it around, and something I haven't though about before, does anyone here mind having their photo taken by some photographer weirdo when there are going about their business?
 
ernesto said:
to turn it around, and something I haven't though about before, does anyone here mind having their photo taken by some photographer weirdo when there are going about their business?
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Weirdo? bit extreme
But not at all, if they want my ugly mug spoiling a perfectly good shot, good luck to them
I'd have a chat to see what they were doing ( trying new lens, just bored and wanting practice, local blog or whatever)
Why do so many people, especially photographers act like we're stealing someones soul or massive invasion of privacy?
 
DemiLion said:
Nope. He's using a 20mm pancake on an OM-D.

On a slightly more sceptical note.. you can't get decent street shots in Canterbury?

Firstly it's crowded with tourists and cameras - people are used to it.

if you work the lanes around the Cathedral, you're hard pushed not to bump into someone, let alone have room for the shot.

It's like saying you can't do street in the West End of London!

Seriously - you need to try harder!
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The point i make about Canterbury is that everyone seems to be so stuck up - i approached 4 people this morning and got the big fat NO! in my face. Central european folks are probably alot more laid back, hence why Thomas leuthard probably does 99% of his work in central europe
 
If requesting permission from someone I usually find it helps to approach them and strike up conversation for a minute or two first. In my experience if you build up some rapport, they will find it hard to say no when you do broach the subject.
 
ernesto said:
I just walk around the streets of South coast with no issues at all. I never ask people if I can take their photo as I am not after posed shots. I have overheard a few comments such as "that man just took our photo" but just carried on walking. If someone was to approach me and objected to it I would happily delete it (no point upsetting people even if if I am within my rights)

However, shots in a shopping centre are different all together and you may well not be allowed to photograph in them so just move on.
If a cleaner told me I couldn't photograph a staircase in a car park I would just point to a spot and say "you missed a bit"
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.......depends if its public or not doesn't it?
JohnyT
 
Just take the pictures, by the time they've realised what has happened you're gone. I like the Leica system as it is quiet, small and unassuming compared to the DSLR. You could maybe practice at touristy hotspots where everyone has a camera anyway so you don't stand out as much. Most of the problem with this type of photography seems to stem from the anxiety of the approach and worrying what people think.
 
I do see a few threads along this theme and can't help but think that the up-front approach is the best.

If I were doing this type of photography I'd get a hi-viz jacket with "Street Photographer" written on it professionally, along with something like "Ask Me?". For those who bother to speak to you have a business card ready with a link to your Flickr/website. I think it'd make whatever first contact you get less chance of being confrontational.:shrug:
 
Wookee said:
I do see a few threads along this theme and can't help but think that the up-front approach is the best.

If I were doing this type of photography I'd get a hi-viz jacket with "Street Photographer" written on it professionally, along with something like "Ask Me?". For those who bother to speak to you have a business card ready with a link to your Flickr/website. I think it'd make whatever first contact you get less chance of being confrontational.:shrug:
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Please take this the right way, but the style that you've suggested has got absolutely B' all to do with street photography.

Frankly it sounds as though you're trying to impersonate Michael Cane in Alfie; only marginally less subtly.
 
DemiLion said:
Please take this the right way, but the style that you've suggested has got absolutely B' all to do with street photography.

Frankly it sounds as though you're trying to impersonate Michael Cane in Alfie; only marginally less subtly.
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Not taken the wrong way at all.... I understand that the idea is to get candid shots where the subject is unaware of your presence. However, if they've failed to notice the DSLR and lens in your hand prior to taking the shot then they are just as unlikely to spot the hi-viz jacket. These days there is so much of it about that most people pay little attention to fluorescent jackets.

My point is that a lot of people seem to be wary of confrontation so I am suggesting something that would help to break the ice ie show that you're not trying to be furtive and are being up front.
 
Wookee said:
Not taken the wrong way at all.... I understand that the idea is to get candid shots where the subject is unaware of your presence. However, if they've failed to notice the DSLR and lens in your hand prior to taking the shot then they are just as unlikely to spot the hi-viz jacket. These days there is so much of it about that most people pay little attention to fluorescent jackets.

My point is that a lot of people seem to be wary of confrontation so I am suggesting something that would help to break the ice ie show that you're not trying to be furtive and are being up front.
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If you go down the route of ice breaking then your going to loose some if not all of the spontaneity that comes with candid shooting. Assuming that candid is what your going for? Once people are aware of a camera they start to either pose or shy away, this won't work as candid.
 
Isn't the point of street photography to caputre 'the moment'? not create one by speaking to those you aim to take photos of?

I'm interested in street, and have given it a go with my small film SLR and a canon 50 1.8, it's quite a subtle set up (obviously not as subtle as a rangefinder) and I always make sure the focus beep is off, and then just make sure i've set up the shot before I take it.

For me, street photo's look best when something is happening. Even something as simple as someone doing up their shoelace looks more interesting that someones face staring into the cam.

Obviously each to their own style, I just think non-posed shots allow you to be a lot less subtle about taking shots, and create a more interesting image after.

With the style you're into, it sounds like you just need to keep trying in your home town, you have to be confident in yourself, and not get disheartened if you do ask someone and they say no.
 
My idea (and I've gotten a lot of this idea from other people) of 'street' is capturing the spirit, the energy, the character - and to do that doesn't rely on taking candid shots, capturing spontaneity or not having interaction (but I'm not saying it can't be any of those) but it requires an affinity, an understanding of the street culture - so a posed shot that communicates that culture will work better than a snatched candid that doesn't relate the subject to that culture. Some 'streets' (any place where people pass/gather) have a very strong and distinct culture, other 'streets' are more of a mish-mash and mean different things to different people. If you can feel that you 'belong' and are part of that culture, then the job becomes easier.

I'm c**p at street photography and I haven't got the nerve :D
 
IamMarcoPolo said:
So i decided for the last time to try out 'street photography' again in Canterbury, as the next 7 weeks i am living in Holland and i hope to get my 'street portfolio done over their' - it seems to me that Canterbury, is just not the place for street photography.
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I wouldn't pin all your hopes on the Dutch being any more friendly, The Netherlands is pretty close geographically to Yorkshire afterall! Plus they are a bit more forthright if they don't like what you're doing.
 
There is very little street that i can look at really, i'm a big fan, but only really of the technically good as well as, well composed stuff :)

These two blogs are a good place to start :)

http://35lux.tumblr.com/

http://severinkoller.tumblr.com/

Also go on Vimeo and check out 'Chris Week's Documenting the Human Condition', well worth a watch. Its fairly Lecia bias though
 
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When shooting candid shots of individuals I often keep my camera to my eye after I'v taken the shot, that way your subject is caught, but thinking they weren't the subject at all as they walk past you..
 
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IMO this is the best way to do it. This whole I can photograph what I want will end up in a smashed camera IMO. It only takes one person to lose it :nono:

I think the OP is perfectly right for asking for permission. Yes it will make your job harder but I think it's worth it. I wouldnt be happy if someone with a Dslr was snapping at me without asking. I feel it's impolite but if he or she asked I would be cool with it.

All IMO of course.

Wookee said:
I do see a few threads along this theme and can't help but think that the up-front approach is the best.

If I were doing this type of photography I'd get a hi-viz jacket with "Street Photographer" written on it professionally, along with something like "Ask Me?". For those who bother to speak to you have a business card ready with a link to your Flickr/website. I think it'd make whatever first contact you get less chance of being confrontational.:shrug:
Click to expand...
 
DemiLion said:
Nope. He's using a 20mm pancake on an OM-D.

On a slightly more sceptical note.. you can't get decent street shots in Canterbury?

Firstly it's crowded with tourists and cameras - people are used to it.

if you work the lanes around the Cathedral, you're hard pushed not to bump into someone, let alone have room for the shot.

It's like saying you can't do street in the West End of London!

Seriously - you need to try harder!
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Have to agree, was there last week and it is steaming with people and steaming with cameras.

Canterbury.jpg


If OP is trying photography in department stores etc then not surprising he's getting issues!
As for asking first (in a public area) ... why? Just gets a staged shot - much better to just go out and shoot. Stick to public areas (car parks may not be a public area even though the public have access) and if someone objects just show them the pic and offer to delete if they wish ... or just move on.
 
I want to start a bit of Street Photography, have a project where I photograph 100 people or something... I see it as a benefit if people talk to you / challenge you. Most people are only curious to find out whats going on.

I'm sure if it was explained your doing a project etc most people wouldnt mind, maybe hand a business card if you have some, that way people may take you more seriously and are unlikely to ask you to delete the photo

You just need to bear in mind... although car parks, shops etc are a public place... they are not a public place... you are there on invitation as someone else owns it. (cant remember the exact wording of it, but its if you have access by payment or otherwise - In this case, it is an open invitation, but someone would have the right to remove you... Just like a pub
 
Dblock said:
IMO this is the best way to do it. This whole I can photograph what I want will end up in a smashed camera IMO. It only takes one person to lose it :nono:

I think the OP is perfectly right for asking for permission. Yes it will make your job harder but I think it's worth it. I wouldnt be happy if someone with a Dslr was snapping at me without asking. I feel it's impolite but if he or she asked I would be cool with it.

All IMO of course.
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Totally missing a key aspect of street photography in capturing what is going on without being a part of it/detracting/changing etc,.

As soon as you ask someone all you are going to get is a portrait or a set scene of them trying to act something. Fine if that is what you are after but that is a different thing.

If someone notices you and takes objection then talk to them, tell them your interest is in documenting what goes on in typical street life, offer to delete photo if they don't want you to have it. Do not start bleating on about rights as that is never going to make it better.
 
I find it weird that you ask permission to take a photo of someone at all for "street photography" as the general style of street photography I consider to be to capture a moment as it is. If people are aware of your presence and have been told you are going to take a photo they typically will not act the same and/or pose for the photo. Depends what style you want I suppose. If some random person asked to take my photo on the street I'd almost always say no.
I find a lot of vids posted on here of guys that ruthlessly just walk up to people on the street and point a big camera in their faces and snap away. It just doesn't look right. It's so close to being like the paparazzi it becomes obtrusive sometimes. I can't believe the risk people take walking around with camera gear taking such photos as surely one day they will get a kicking from someone that takes offense.

On the other hand, some street photography is great, I just think people need to be respectful is all.
 
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