Where and what to shoot including all the problems that go with it

[thebarnman]

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I'm used to the studio. So going outside to shoot and finding subjects to photograph on a regular basis at the vary least, difficult for me. I'd have to plan mini trips around the state just so I might go through eight rolls of 36 exposure film for one day. And if I do that more than once a year, I'm doing really good!

 

I think it would be fun to be able to walk around photographing around the city and the parks and whatnot, however in some areas I'd be concerned for my safety. And I'm tired of people coming up to me asking if I have permission to shoot or why or what business I have photographing what ever it is I'm shooting, and I've been asked for some type of contact information. Though a business card would not even reflect the fact that I'm simply out shooting for fun in the hopes I get some really nice shots.

 

In the studio, I don't have to deal with any of that.

 

So for everyone that's shooting outdoors, where do you go and what do you photograph?

[bill]

So, in no particular order, here are some things to think about.

 

Firstly, if you go out specifically to shoot, and particularly if you go out to shoot 8 rolls at a time, you are putting pressure on yourself. When I go out I carry a camera. Sometimes I shoot a couple of rolls, sometimes 4 or 5, sometimes half a roll, sometimes nothing. I don't fret about it. One good shot is worth 288 bad ones.

 

Secondly, I think you sound as if you are too self-conscious. People smell a nervous photographer like animals smell fear. You are more likely to be challenged if you look diffident and unsure of yourself - in short you will look shifty, and you are bound to attract attention if you do. Google "assumed authority" and work on it; if you look like you belong, and as if you should be doing what you are doing, people will more readily accept you.

 

If you are challenged, always, always be courteous. Make eye contact and give your pre-prepared explanation. I say pre-prepared because again, if you sound like you are making something up on the spot, you will raise people's hackles. Try "I'm enjoying my hobby", or "It's a pastime", or "I'm testing a new camera/film/lens" - whatever; it doesn't matter as long as you sound convincing. Be assertive not aggressive, and if met with aggression remove yourself from the situation with a minimum of fuss. Remember a lot of people today have the wrong idea about "personal privacy" - although laws differ around the world, in general there is no principle of privacy in a public space.

 

Three - if you are still nervous, go where there are lots of people and cameras. Go to events, fairs, shows, etc where people expect to see others carrying cameras and using them.

 

Four - the business card. I do carry some, made by Moo, with a variety of photos on the back and my name, the "Lightmancer" tag (which always finds my work on Google) and my mobile 'phone number. I give it out freely to those who are curious, but never to those who are demanding or aggressive.

 

Five - don't overthink it. Again, it is a personal pressure thing. You don't need to go straight out and stick a lens in a total stranger's face. Work within your comfort zones, then extend those zones.

 

Six - snipe, or set a trap. There are two basic approaches that I use; sometimes I walk around letting the world evolve around me. When I see something interesting, I take a shot. Sometimes I plant myself and watch the scene in front of me. If you take the latter approach it is amazing how quickly you become part of the scenery; no sudden moves and you do not appear threatening.

 

Seven - work a territory. I often take photos in the same town; it is not my nearest, but I know that it is in and of itself quite photogenic and it is large enough both to have a lot going on at any one time (street musicians are encouraged, for example) and for people to not bother about someone wielding a camera. Make the territory your own; learn it like the back of your hand. Make it the subject of a project, perhaps - try to show the seasons or something.

 

Eight - travel light. You don't want to be faffing with lots of lenses. They get in the way and weigh you down.

 

Nine - know your kit. You will miss the shot if you are fiddling with settings.

 

Ten - enjoy yourself. I shall say that again because it is so important; enjoy yourself. It should not be a chore. If it is, work out why and change it.

 

I hope this helps; ultimately these are only my opinions - you must form your own.

 

You might also find these of interest - they are a couple of articles from my blog and in my new book:

 

Rangefound: The Invisible Man in the Street

 

Rangefound: It's not a team sport, is it?

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[Xmas]

You need to relax more, ...

 

We tend to attend demonstrations, fetes, carnivals, celebrations, street markets, where the big problem is the subjects may get themselves arrested, rather then the photographers. I cannot go near railway stations, cause I get stopped for security problems, bombs..

 

At the CNY fewstivals you may need a 25mm..

 

If I'm by myself I carry a Canon P and a CV lens. I can stand the loss of a Canon P, but most tourists have DSLRs, some full frame pro jobs, so a Leica M2 is just not hat attractive..

 

Shooting instinctive point at six foot with a 35 or 28 mm lens, with camera in one hand instinctive point, like they used to do with S&W or Colt in Az...

 

About 5-10 cassettes per demo.

 

You ned to attend an event as a group for confidence, coffee, beer meal afterwards, for the confidence that the event is a large open air studio, Az is a little far.

 

Noel

[noah_addis]

Why are you concerned for your safety? I mean that as a serious question so we can understand what your worries are. Safety is a serious matter but for me photography has little affect on if I'm safe or not. The more time you spend out in the world, and I've spent much of my career working in cities ranging from Newark and Camden, NJ to Lagos, Baghdad, Rio, etc., you develop the ability to sense possible safety threats and it becomes easier to know if you're in a secure situation or not. We're never 100% safe in this world, but it's possible to manage risk and analyze situations to see if it's worth it to shoot or if it's time to go.

 

My equipment is insured. Insurance is a must in my opinion even if your gear never leaves the studio. It goes without saying that I'd hand my gear over in a second if I was being robbed.

 

If it's robbery that worries you, maybe you need to get a cheap beater camera to use outside of the studio. I don't go that far, but security was one of the factors that led me to shoot with relatively inexpensive MF film cameras instead of a $25k+ MFDB system.

 

In the US and in many other countries, you do have a legal right to take photographs in public places. Period. Cops on a power trip may ask you what you're doing, and you should be professional and polite, but you have a right to photograph. Of course civilians on the street also have a right to ask you what you're doing. While it can seem confrontational often they're just curious. I've made some great portraits after people approached me to see what I was doing, so in some cases it can be an opportunity.

 

In all of my years of shooting I've only been asked for my contact info a handful of times, and most of those were from contacts on a more in-depth story, not random strangers on the street. You have no obligation to give out any information. I often just say I ran out of cards if I don't want to provide it for some reason. Often I do run out of cards:confused:. If the person who asks is someone I actually photographed, I'll sometimes provide the info or ask for their info to send them a print.

 

As others have said, it's really about your attitude. If you act confident and deliberate people will think you belong there. Traveling light is good, but I don't get hassled any more often with my 4x5 camera than I do with my Leica. I think I may I get hassled less with the big view camera, since there's no appearance of sneaking around with a little camera, though with the view camera I do get more people who are curious about the camera itself.

 

If you don't find it enjoyable or productive, no one is forcing you to be a street photographer. Maybe you can find interest shooting landscapes, or architecture. At least to begin with, maybe you'll find it less threatening to shoot non-human subjects.

 

 

Take it slow, don't force yourself to shoot a certain number of rolls. Even on a shooting trip, I'll have productive days and days when I shoot few or no photos. It's just the way it goes.

[alun]

I think the secret is in being where things are going on -- as other posters have mentioned, fairs, demos, community events, street festivals, parades and so forth. The more there is going on and the more people there are taking photographs, the less attention you attract. And working the margins of these kinds of street events can produce some interesting pictures.

 

BUt if you're in a small town or a suburban high street -- somewhere where people simply don't usually take pictures, or where people are poor and have concerns about authority, welfare check-ups, illegal working and so on, then you can pretty well guarantee being challenged in no uncertain terms.

 

We all have our comfort zones and working within them is usually OK....but we do also need commonsense: shoot where you feel comfortable shooting.

[cheewai_m6]

i don't think the OP is particularly talking about street photography. he's talking about outdoor, like cityscapes, buildings and the like. not street in particular.

[thebarnman]

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Thanks for all the helpful tips.

 

About five years ago, I was on a school assignment to photograph movement. So I went to a park and setup a tripod to capture images moving with a slow shutter speed. There were some students playing basketball so I walked over, set up the tripod near the end of the court and started shooting. Of course it did not take long for someone to come up (a coach or someone from one of the teams) and ask me if I had permission to be photographing the students. I told him not in particular, however I told him no one would be recognizable because I was using slow shutter speeds (enough to blur the faces.) He asked me if I promised, I said yes. And then of course the questions about (is this going to be on the internet etc.) I just kept referring to the fact that it was a school assignment, nothing more. After a moment he left me alone...still, it took all the fun out of it.

 

Like everyone suggests, stick to events where there's lots of people...maybe where a photographer might be seen as being part of the crowd.

 

And it doesn't help that I'm shooting with a R9! And only have a 90mm and a 60mm! Not some tiny little M camera that's invisible. Though I could probably use it a little bit differently by keeping it low and ready to shoot. Bring it up, focus, shoot and move on. I'm not going to change the camera as I'm not worried about it being stolen or anything like that. Though like you mention, it might help if I have someone with me...though that's mostly hard to do.

 

About safety, I'm talking about personal safety...being in a part of town that's somewhere I normally would not go.

 

On personal assignment (a class assignment of my choosing,) I went out to capture drive-ins and drive-in graveyards. I saw this gentleman walking towards me with his groceries in hand coming up to me...talk about being nervous...I was. When he was right up to me, I started a conversation that turned very interesting. Turned out this guy used to work at the old drive-in I was photographing. He used to fix the speakers. I asked him if he had ever done anything else such as work in the concession stand or sell the tickets or even project the movies. He said "No, I just repaired the speakers." He continued on saying he worked there in the early 70s before going into the service. When he got out of the service, he went back to the drive-in where it was still standing, but closed. Of course today it's totally torn down. I saw him look over to the area and I could see he was reminiscing about the way the lot used to look. At that point I asked him if it would be ok to take a picture of him, he seemed a bit nervous about it, and then gave me permission.

 

Behind the trees was the lot where the Silver Dollar drive-in used to be.

 

 

 

Leica R9, 90mm APO-Summicron-R ASPH, Delta 100. Lens probably opened up all the way.

[thebarnman]

i don't think the OP is particularly talking about street photography. he's talking about outdoor, like cityscapes, buildings and the like. not street in particular.

 

Actually yes. I think people photography can be interesting if captured in a certain way, however I'm not used to that unless it's in the studio.

 

And photographing something that might interest me that can include certain buildings, a landmark or anything that might look unusual, colorful or not.

 

There's a lot of work in the studio and it's always photography on the mind. Recently I've been thinking of relieving some of that if I do it for fun and not have to worry about satisfying clients...only myself...or anyone else that might want to look!

 

I think it would be nice to get one of the newer R 28mm lens. Right now I'm keeping an eye out for it as I think it will help "complete" my system.

[andybarton]

A drive in graveyard? Presumably it's not self service...

 

Using longer lenses and tripods to shoot kids playing sports is always going to get people suspicious. If you want to do that, speak with the coach before you start.

[thebarnman]

Using longer lenses and tripods to shoot kids playing sports is always going to get people suspicious. If you want to do that, speak with the coach before you start.

 

I never thought to ask. I've been under the impression what ever is out in public is ok to photograph.

 

One time there was a auto accident right in front of my house. I grabbed the camera, went outside and started shooting. Got a couple interesting shots...till the police officer arrived. Things were still cool when one of the people involved with the accident finally noticed me photographing him. He asked me to stop and I told him I had the right to photograph. That's when the cop got involved. She questioned who I was with and why was I photographing. I told her I wasn't with any news organization, and it was out in public. She was adamant that I stop (with a very loud tone) and said the guy did not want me photographing him and even mentioned she did not want me photographing her!

 

I went back inside, grabbed a P&S digital camera, stood in my garage and grabbed a few more shots. Of course, non of them were nearly as interesting as the ones I shot with my Leica.

 

Needless to say, that took the fun out of it. I haven't done much personal shooting ever since.

 

A drive in graveyard? Presumably it's not self service....

 

Self service? possibly, if someone can drag out a video projector and show a movie on the screen. Unfortunately, this was all that was left of the screen!

 

 

Leica R9, 90mm APO-Summicron-R ASPH, Delta 100. Lens probably opened up all the way.

[andybarton]

Yes, but you have to use your common sense.

 

This has just come through via Twitter and might be of interest http://www.sfmoma.org/events/1768/?utm_source=twitter&utm_medium=social%2Bmedia&utm_campaign=public%2Bprograms

[thebarnman]

Yes, but you have to use your common sense.

 

This has just come through via Twitter and might be of interest SFMOMA | Exhibitions + Events | Calendar | Susan Meiselas on the Ethics of Seeing

 

Looks interesting. Though it's in CA.

 

Bill's info and the links he provides I think will make a good read (including all the other suggestions here!)

 

Unfortunately, I'm now reminded of another bad experience photographing in a store. In the early 80s I was on vacation with my family in CA. At one point my brother and I went into a gift shop. We were just having some fun and I was videotaping him (not an easy thing to do at that time!...I had one of those video cameras and a totally separate video recorder on my shoulder...it was pretty big!) I was excited about using this new video camera/video recorder combination. Anyway, the woman in the front went bezerk on us suggesting that video taping the items in the store was like steeling and wanted me to stop immediately. Her reasoning was if we were recording the items in the store, there would be no reason to buy her Palm Desert little trinkets since we'd be able to at a later time view the items without having to pay for them.

 

Needless to say, that took the fun out of it.

[Xmas]

I think the secret is in being where things are going on -- as other posters have mentioned, fairs, demos, community events, street festivals, parades and so forth. The more there is going on and the more people there are taking photographs, the less attention you attract. And working the margins of these kinds of street events can produce some interesting pictures.

 

BUt if you're in a small town or a suburban high street -- somewhere where people simply don't usually take pictures, or where people are poor and have concerns about authority, welfare check-ups, illegal working and so on, then you can pretty well guarantee being challenged in no uncertain terms.

 

We all have our comfort zones and working within them is usually OK....but we do also need commonsense: shoot where you feel comfortable shooting.

 

Yes I've been stopped at Speakers Corner and asked for my film, the answer was there was a constable 50m away and she could negotiable with him... and there was a video camera team filming over there, be sure and get their memory cards too.

 

Remove film stick in sock if you are worried, hand over an unexposed film, or TV shots of muppets......

 

I've been stopped while taking street shots in poor area, and said I was taking train shots, I got a complete brief on the driver training in progress, on the new overground, I did not get a word in edge wise. The advantage if a film camera is there is not an immediate record... but you need to know the local environment...

 

I've been stopped in a train station, a fav location for home grown bombers, when I was not taking photos...

 

You ned to not react, and answer their questions. If the question is dumb, even better. supply dumb answer.

 

Noel

[bill]

...hmm...

 

Having read your anecdotes, I think the common thread that appears to be lacking is - and please take this as it is meant - "common sense", or maybe more colloquially, "street smarts". In each of the circumstances you describe, I would have behaved differently, with, hopefully, a more equitable outcome.

 

I think perhaps you have to think it through up front - as indeed you are doing by posting here - and be more aware both of your surroundings and how you come across to others. If you are not "in context" you may be challenged - it is as simple as that. If, when challenged, you react defensively or negatively, you will raise people's hackles. Remember that they have spoken to you because they are suspicious or unhappy; if you fuel that concern, you will "justify" their having challenged you, and make them more likely to do it again, to you or somebody else.

 

Regards,

 

Bill

[thebarnman]

...hmm...

 

Having read your anecdotes, I think the common thread that appears to be lacking is - and please take this as it is meant - "common sense", or maybe more colloquially, "street smarts". In each of the circumstances you describe, I would have behaved differently, with, hopefully, a more equitable outcome.

 

Bill I appreciate your comments and don't have a problem at all listening to creative criticism...from anyone. I started this thread to see if anyone has gone though what I've been through, and to learn of the stories others had to share. And I've ended up with some great suggestions and some interesting stories.

 

Sure it's me, and trust me when I say, I'm the last person to have any street smarts! However it seems like since 9/11, everyone's really been on edge (per the examples of the other stories I've read so far.) However particularly with me...yep, even before 9/11.

 

Like the time in the very late 80s when my brother came over to visit me here in AZ and we went out photographing. I wanted to show my brother something really cool...something he would never see back home. So we went to the downtown Hyatt Regency.

 

I wanted to show my brother this really cool round restaurant on the very top of this high rise. Since we did not have any reservations (to get to the top floor restaurant) we went up another elevator to get near the top so we could photograph looking down at the city with all it's lights. With cameras in hand, we get near the top floor and make our way to the edge of the building were I see lots of cool city lights and stuff, and just before I can make it to the large window, we get approached by a security officer. I knew right then and there, things weren't going to be pretty. He immediately asked us if we were guests of the hotel. We told him no and told us we had to leave. At that point I started to ask him if it would be ok to if we could take a couple pictures from the window, when my brother stopped me and said "lets just go man." It was a huge let down and I was bummed.

 

Needless to say, that took the fun out of it.

[stunsworth]

If you are on private property your rights are severally limited. In your case I'd have explained about how far your brother had travelled, and could you take a couple of shots before leaving. Most people will respond positively if you say please and the request is reasonable. As it was, it sounds as if your brother scuppered your chances.

[andym911]

sounds like you should find another hobby to be honest.....

 

'Needless to say, that took the fun out of it'

 

I think you are winding me and everyone else up...

 

best

andy

[thebarnman]

sounds like you should find another hobby to be honest.....

 

'Needless to say, that took the fun out of it'

 

I think you are winding me and everyone else up...

 

best

andy

 

Sorry, I don't mean to be winding you or anyone else up. I'm sure there are some who have had bad experiences as I can't be the only one. One great way this thread has helped me is being able to laugh about these bad experiences. Actually, this is helping. If anything, it might help others as a series of things NOT to do. Luckally for me, some of the events I talk about are mostly from years ago. However, there are a few that took place not too long ago.

 

Like the time my Asian girlfriend wanted to go to the local Asian Festival. I thought "Great!"...I'll bring my camera! So with the R9 in hand, I set off to photograph anything and everybody I could. And luckily for me, that also included the Asian beauty pageant.

 

There were some real beauties walking around and posing on stage as I clicked away. And there was even more opportunity to photograph these beauties once the show was over and they were at ground level with the rest of us. Even at that point, the contestants continued to hang around with each other as I continued to click away. My photographic flurry with these beauties got all built up when my 36 exposer length of film ran out. I hit the auto rewind and as fast as I could, quickly popped in another 36 exposer roll and continued shooting. Unknown to me, my girlfriend had a keen eye on what I was doing. Unfortunately for me, our relation didn't last too long after that.

 

Needless to say, that took the fun out of it.

[stunsworth]

Maybe the real reason she left was that she wished you had something longer than 90mm, or at least knew how to use what you had properly.

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[Guest Holy Moly]

When I started shooting street in 1970, I was in the age of 23 and very shy. In the crowded hippie places in Amsterdam I had only 1 angry question of two chaps who thought I'm from the police...... three cigarettes helped a lot....

 

Mr. Tambourineman | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Very close portraits from people made with the 28mm had been my special view with enough surrounding, but never had to be discussed while shooting

 

Cigarettje | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

Cut.

 

In 2006 at my restart I had to build up this way of shooting and after a very frustrating period I recovered at least 70%. Ok, times have changed and the hype about photography and personal rights etc. plus internet makes things more complicate.

 

Together with my 'streetmachine' Pen E-P2 I visited for some days Palermo and later Cracow and it was so much fun to dance with the tiny camera in the streets. It must be something special in my way of acting/reacting which helps me a lot and let people react very friendly....... OK - it's here the olde Europe and I'm happy for it!

 

Here the moment when the signore got me:

 

discussion | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

In Cracow in the jewish quarter Kazimierz more than 50 young people from Israel hit a market. With some of them I had a nice conversation and now with nearly 63 I'm not on the same level of coolness but I picked the best looking guy (in terms of colour) and made two exposures from him and his RayBan:

 

ban the ray | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

 

My point is that I forget my cam completely and react on scenes and become more or less invisible up to the moment of the 'click'......

 

But it's hard to train - you have it or not........

 

Bernd