Street photography- local or big towns?

Bodian said:
In which case, you might actually be better off asking people of your town if you can take a photo of them. That is - explain what you're doing and so on. They'll probably be more than happy.
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That’s a possibility, obviously it is then not “street “ but more a documentary approach, but worth considering!
 
BillN_33 said:
Your original question to quote your thread, was................... "Do you shoot “street” in you home town or do most people travel to the larger cities?"

are you now asking about a photo "documentary" of your home or a specific town?
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Maybe wrong wording, I was specifically asking about shooting “street” in my home town,
 
BlackDogPhoto said:
Maybe wrong wording, I was specifically asking about shooting “street” in my home town,
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Contact the local newspaper and ask them to publish a short article about your project, also contact the photographer on said paper and ask if he can put in a good word. Alternatively you could ask around facebook or something and see if there is a local history page or site and post there that you have a project in mind.

Its important that local history is recorded "because when we were little they were all fields" .

If no support is forthcoming then do it anyway, but my approach is to talk to people and gain their trust and cooperation. Rather than surveillance or sneaking about. Cooperation can still be candid, you watch for 20 minutes they will so get bored and carry on as normal irrespective of your presence.
 
I live in a medium sized town and we have lots of festivals which is a good time to take street photos though ticket touts do not like to be photographed. I have also taken street photos in Birmingham and London on several occasions. In these cities I was not alone and usually with at least one other person. I always wears badge with my Camera Club Logo and my name. This has the effect that I am not being secretive so the public are less concerned. I will often take a candid then speak to the person and show them my capture. I may then ask them to pose again but differently. We usually explain that we have a project which is what the local university students say when they photograph around the town.

Dave
 
Try both! I live in a smaller city, but have got some street shots I am happy with here, mainly because I spend more time here than bigger cities.
 
BillN_33 said:
Your original question to quote your thread, was................... "Do you shoot “street” in you home town or do most people travel to the larger cities?"

are you now asking about a photo "documentary" of your home or a specific town?
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Er - not my thread. I was responding to other posts. Thanks.
 
Dave Canon said:
I live in a medium sized town and we have lots of festivals which is a good time to take street photos though ticket touts do not like to be photographed. I have also taken street photos in Birmingham and London on several occasions. In these cities I was not alone and usually with at least one other person. I always wears badge with my Camera Club Logo and my name. This has the effect that I am not being secretive so the public are less concerned. I will often take a candid then speak to the person and show them my capture. I may then ask them to pose again but differently. We usually explain that we have a project which is what the local university students say when they photograph around the town.

Dave
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The village a few miles away has a small racecourse that attracts thousands. I often pop along to capture the atmosphere in the village square beforehand where the racegoers gather and pass through. I find if I wear my bright yellow cycling jacket - folk seemingly think I'm some sort of 'official' photographer. They're are generally more than happy to be photographed - some will pose if they see me, and some come up and ask if I can take and send them a photo.
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
I have a yellow and reflective silver work jacket.

It's strange how it makes you invisible in the street! ;)
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But not in reflections!

bike hut.jpg

Carrying a clipboard also works, no one ever asks questions if you carry a clipboard. I think you could walk straight through the front door of MI6.
 
Just to chip in on the original question, imo the key here is to work out what you're trying to achieve in photographing the smaller town, you kind of need to work out what street photography means to you, in that particular place, I'm not sure if that makes sense. The mistake a see a lot of others make, they try to photograph smaller towns/cities like how they see the 'popular' photographers shoot busy streets, e.,g. like oxford street or 5th avenue and it just doesn't work.
 
benc98 said:
The mistake a see a lot of others make, they try to photograph smaller towns/cities like how they see the 'popular' photographers shoot busy streets, e.,g. like oxford street or 5th avenue and it just doesn't work.
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I agree with you.

I spent a lot of time photographing in small towns, when I was freelancing. That's where I learned that standing quietly out of the way, with a longer lens, gave me pictures that were more interesting and more likely to get a sale. Of course, "grip 'n' grins" were the bread and butter but unposed pictures often got bigger spaces and (sometimes) more jam,

Splashing water in Crediton park.jpg
 
I find people don't mind too much if you're not too intrusive. If you go sticking a camera right in their faces because you have a very wide lens it can grate with them a bit.
 
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