New to taking pictures in public

[discoman5]

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I just got my Leica camera and I'm trying to get into taking pictures of public/random of people walking on the street/ or just public buildings etc.-I wanted to know what is the proper etiquette, while taking pictures, on one hand I want to ask for permission before taking the picture however on the other hand if I wait for to take the permission, I will miss the shot.

Also, I'm too lazy to ask for permission if I don't need to.

Thank you so much for any input/guidance.

[Luke_Miller]

I'm not a street photographer but do a lot of events.  Since I shoot in public places in the US no one has an expectation of privacy so I do not ask permission.  Other countries may have different laws.  I prefer candids, so I try to avoid my subjects being aware that I am taking their picture.  If they notice me and indicate they would rather not be photographed I respect their wishes.  If they ask for the shot to be deleted I do so.  I notice that it is easier to get candids with my M or Q cameras.  My SL bodies and lenses draw much more attention.

[Dazzajl]

Don’t be intrusive or disrespectful 

Stop if you’re asked by a person in your photo

Be honest with people if they engage you

Don’t take shots of people you wouldn’t want taken of you  

Don’t be creepy!

Know your rights

Practice will help improve your technique, confidence and willingness to approach people and ask if you can shoot them  

 

[prioritet]

You can take photos anywhere, anytime, but not everything can and should be shown.

[earleygallery]

I wrote a short article on my blog (forgotten about!) which covers my opinions on question ….

Street Photography Essentials 

 

As I’ve already posted here, the idea of street photography is really daunting for some people. They feel too self-conscious or even – if they’re honest – downright frightened at the prospect of going out with a camera outside of a ‘safe’ environment. 

I’ve given some tips on how to help overcome the initial fears, but what are the key techniques to becoming a better street photographer in the wild? I’ll address a few of the most common issues first.

What’s the best camera to use? The camera you own will do for starters! That might be a phone, a compact, a rangefinder, SLR, it really doesn’t matter too much.

 

 

 

Most think a small camera is best as it’s less obvious. Or a black camera instead of a chrome camera. That’s true in a way but then I’ve used medium format cameras for street photography and a very famous New York photographer uses Large format cameras like the old press cameras from the 1950s! The equipment you use is really a minor consideration.

Practice so that you use your camera without thought. So that you don’t need to fiddle with controls all the time. Use program mode or take a light reading and set it on manual. Auto focus will probably work best on a single point mode, or manually focus at a point where a subject is likely to be, and use f8 to give a relatively deep depth of field (the amount of the scene in front of you which will be in an acceptable range of focus).

As for lenses, I suggest using a medium wide lens (or standard zoom at the same setting). On a full frame or 35mm camera I’d suggest a 35mm lens as a great compromise. On a crop sensor SLR that would equate to a 24mm lens. Some prefer wider, some a more standard 50mm. Don’t however think it will be a good idea to use a telephoto lens because you could take photos from far away and not be noticed! You’ll look like a snooper!

I said the type of camera isn’t important. It’s not the camera that draws attention, it’s you! If you’re acting all shifty and nervous people will notice you. Not in a good way either. With the fear of terrorism these days it’s not uncommon for the public to assume that someone with a camera hanging about and sneakily taking photos is up to no good.

Don’t be a sneaky photographer. If you are forthright and confident about what you’re doing people will be less likely to be suspicious of you. 

 

 

 

How you dress and look is another factor. If you blend in with a crowd you’re going to find it easier to work as a photographer. If you went to a beach in a suit on a hot summer’s day you will draw attention just as you would wearing shorts and flip flops in the city in winter! Think carefully about where you are going with your camera and dress to blend in. 

I’ve heard of some photographers who will wear a high visibility jacket to become invisible. People tend just to accept if someone is in a high visibility jacket that they’re ‘official’ in some way and take no notice of what they’re doing! I’ve not tried this technique myself but I’m assured that it works.

Another technique to blend in is by standing still. Don’t pace about looking for something to photograph. Choose a place to stop and watch the world go by. Lean on a post or fence. Eventually a scene will happen in front of you and you’ll be ready to capture it. Think about ‘target rich environments’.

Although I’ve said choice of camera type is of little importance there is one type of camera which I really like using for street photography, the twin lens reflex or TLR. With this type of camera you mostly hold it at waist level and look down into the viewfinder. These cameras were very common at one time especially with wedding and press photographers. Use one now and people don’t recognise them, and certainly don’t think that you’re taking photos as you’re not holding the camera up at your face! It’s not sneaky photography as one is using the camera as intended, which I think has an impact on behavior and body language.

Most TLR cameras take 120 medium format film and give square negatives. Unfortunately there’s no digital camera equivalent of the TLR but a camera with a flip up LCD can be used in a similar way but at the risk of looking sneaky again! 

 

 

 

What about asking permission to take someone’s photo? You can do this and sometimes it’s necessary, but you lose the spontaneity and usually end up with a posed photo. This may be what you want so do what you think is best. 

It’s a nice idea to carry some business cards to give to people in return and offer to send them the photo. You can get cards printed over the internet very cheaply. Just something plain giving your name or a ‘business’ name and email address. 

Whatever you do, there will be someone who will one day object to you taking their photo. Whilst you may be legally entitled to photograph them, why upset them? As long as the person is polite I’ll just move on. I have made a stand where someone just happened to walk into a scene I was shooting and then irately told me not to photograph them. I blamed them for ruining my photos and they moved on.

There are also sensitive subjects to consider, children and homeless people for example. Some subjects are best avoided to save you and or the subjects grief. I could write several more pages expanding on this, but much also depends the customs and laws of different countries.

If you want to use a photo of someone commercially then you will need to ask them to sign a model release – a legal document that confirms their acceptance of the use of their photo. That’s another whole new article to cover but it’s something I should mention so that you’re at least aware of the requirement. 

I hope some of these pointers will help you and encourage you to try and develop your own style of street photography. 

Why not set yourself an assignment to start with, maybe document a typical day in your own area, or look out for a local event you can photograph to practice some of the tips in an environment where others will also most likely be using cameras. You could even imagine that you work as a press photographer and if you must return with some usable images! 

 

 

 

I hope you found this article helpful. Let me know if any of these methods work for you and have fun out there.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Almizilero]

The text by @earleygallery is quite comprehensive, I which I'd read it. when I got started. It's like an accumulation of a lot of overly long youtube videos and my own experience.

That said, I'd add it depends on where you are. I'm in Germany and I always feel people are in general more vary of cameras than anywhere else I've been. But I also started to adopt a touristy attitude even in my hometown, which helps with the being invisible.

I started by asking people for their portrait, just to be on the save side. It's tough. You need to find the courage to approach strangers and have to live with a lot of "No thank you"s. But most people are really friendly about it. And it's a good way to get used to the streets and build up courage. At some point, I just started snapping. I'm now at a point where I use zone focussing most of the time, as I'm not quick enough and to noticeable when I try to focus with the rangefinder. I hope that'll improve with time.

Enjoy your journey!

[GFW2-SCUSA]

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earleygallery has given very good advice. I would like to underline what he said about children. In today's climate, at least in the U.S., parents are hyper nervous about having their children photographed. I would never take pictures of children without speaking to the parents. I have never had a parent refuse my request but if it happened I would honor it, of course. A brief explanation of the purpose and an offer to send a copy always helps. Just be sure to follow through and send a copy is asked for. Otherwise just be respectful of all people, smile, be yourself, have a purpose for the picture, don't exlploit situations. Have fun, enjoy the people. 

[LocalHero1953]

I am not a regular street photographer, but I do find it useful for testing equipment or techniques. I often do it when trying different film types, or lenses, or cameras with a new AF system that I want to stress test. 

I have found a good approach is to find a few spots in the city where I know I will get a good background, or where the light falls of people's faces, where they might be doing interesting things or there are different activities happening that can be combined in compositionally interesting ways. Then I just sit there, or lean up against a lamp post and just wait till the right shot walks up.

[Ko.Fe.]

Street photog here, started in 2007.

First of all check the local regulations. Quirks are possible. Also check trails on local press via Google. 

I have no idea where about your whereabouts. 

My hoods are west, central Europe and Canada. Took them in Russia, Georgia and USA as well.

For example in Canada, photos of people without asking permissions are allowed if taken on public spaces.  Post it here or else for your own glory.

Commercial use of pictures with people taken where without their written, electronic permission are not allowed.

The rest is your sense. It will be developed with practice. Practice takes days, months and needs to be consistent. If not, it is starting all over again.

Start with public events. Carnivals, sports, open space events. Take candids or/and ask for photos. Streets are not really different from public events, but events are more relaxed on pictures to be taken.

I rarely ask, I'm into candids in environments with content, kind of . This is the street photogaphy. Asking for pictures on the street is environmental or just a portraits.  

For quick and dirty with Q on the street, hold to the_real_sir_robin on YT. To understand why street photogaphy and how to from your inside spend time with  JohnFreePhtography on YT. Only few videos left after he left, but they are fundamental if you don't want it just quick and dirty. And then big cities, NY style with dozens of all kind of street photogs are on Paulie B channel. A lot of good talk and walk where.

 

[bobtodrick]

5 hours ago, Dazzajl said:

Don’t be intrusive or disrespectful 

Stop if you’re asked by a person in your photo

Be honest with people if they engage you

Don’t take shots of people you wouldn’t want taken of you  

Don’t be creepy!

Know your rights

Practice will help improve your technique, confidence and willingness to approach people and ask if you can shoot them  

 

Bang on.

Especially ‘don’t take shots of people you wouldn’t want taken of you’.

[Zeitblom]

A few weeks ago, when I was photographing the mountains around Bad Reichenhall, Bavaria, illuminated by the alpenglow, an elderly gentleman protested in the harsh manner often common in Bavaria against the picture he thought had been taken.
At first I replied just as unfriendly that I would only have been interested in a portrait of him if he had been a pretty young lady.
Then I showed him on the display of the M10-P that I had really only photographed the mountain tops with the Apo-Summicron 2.0-90mm.
The conversation then became considerably friendlier and it turned out that he was a retired former owner of an art gallery who had now become somewhat shy of the public.
But photographing people in the streets is becoming increasingly difficult in Germany.
If on other places you strictly avoid photographing barracks and any military facilities, in Germany you should avoid doing so in playgrounds, in front of kindergartens and schools and even at beer festivals.

[RQ44]

Read the location you are taking photos in. The neighborhood, the demographic of people walking around. Street photography is not the same when Bruce Gilden started. People are more aware and conscious of their personal space and will lash out against you if you enter their space. Even if you get caught by a witness taking a sneaky shot of someone can be problematic. Take it slow and observe before taking the shot.

Edited January 14 by RQ44