Urban / 'street' photography

Howard

Howard

Howard

Soldato
Joined
12 Jul 2007
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South East
Apologies if this is a bit of a silly question. I know a lot of you, particularly if you live in London, do street photography, now I want to try this but I'm quite nervous of the fact someone might take a dis-liking to having a camera pointed in their direction.

Do you literally point and snap at people / groups, whatever? Is it that simple? Am I being paranoid?
 
Street has various interpretations really. For me its people going about their daily lives which you try and embedd into their surroundings.

I don't think shoving cameras into peoples' faces is the way to go. They will mind that.
 
I don't mean in their faces, I just mean where it's quite obvious I'm taking a photo of people, and not a building for example
 
personally its not my kind of style (prefer studio or a clear direction with a model) but I think part of the process is asking for permission.
because of this it might be handy to get some business cards to hand to people whilst your asking and then make it quick a painless - so know your settings, get the shot and let them on their way.

you could try it the sneaky way of setting up a tripod in the middle of a street and just snapping - people then tend to think your trying to shoot anything but them but its probably not as effective.

why do you want to do it? whats your goal here? I ask as to me street photography is more about the people your shooting and their lives then just taking a photo to artistic taste.
 
I think there are lots of ways of shooting 'street' out there though. There are those who have been very successful by setting up and pre-focusing and then basically just blasting somebody in the face as they walk past, through to people who stand off a little, to those who ask permission and then further to that, being very sneaky by using a long lens.

I think many people don't like the first way of doing things though, because no matter how good a photographer you might be, I could never get away from the fact that I would always feel like a bit of a **** by just shoving the camera in the face of somebody.

The trouble with asking permission is that it may force your photo to lose what makes it a natural street candid, as it becomes posed. Nothing wrong with that of course, it just might take on a different meaning.

I think the key thing is to take a photo as close as you can get in a quick manner. Of course its how you handle things after that, with a nod, thumbs up, or a thanks etc. If you look totally creepy, or a pervert then you can of course expect a negative reaction.

I think for many people though, the draw of street photography is the interaction with people and not knowing what you are going to get and how they will react. You could have anything from somebody suddenly clocking on and deciding to pose a little because they are flattered, right through to people who get mad that you have taken their photo.
 
Everything said so far sounds like portraits of strangers.

I like street photography a bit wide, context, capture the environment the subject is in, capture the STREET your subject is in.

My favourite kind of street photography are those that capture someone doing completely normal but due to the composition and framing, it tells a story, a joke or even an illusion.
 
Some of the best street pictures I've seen are ones that the subject clocks you and makes eye contact. It is a bit nervewracking at the beginning but you get used to it.

You just need to think, what's the worst that can happen? If it comes to it, they will express dissatisfaction and you can play it two ways. Be nice and tell them you will delete it. Or tell them to do one.
 
Raymond Lin said:
I like street photography a bit wide, context, capture the environment the subject is in, capture the STREET your subject is in.
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Click to expand...

That's pretty much what I'm referring to. Do people just point, shoot, and ******** to anyone who might notice a camera is pointing at them from across the road?
 
I totally agree that Street Photography is more than just portraits, but it is a key aspect of it.

This was a nice little video that Digital Rev did as Analog Rev with Street Photographer Eric Kim. You can see how he acts like a complete arse at times, but he is certainly getting some nice results. To contrast, you can see how Kai isn't quite so confident, so sticks to his usual elderly and people pushing carts photos.

 
I was doing some street stuff with a 20mm lens today, great fun - you're almost always within a meter of your subject with a lens like that! The key thing is to realise that no one is actually paying any attention to you, and if you do get noticed just smile and say thanks. Acting like a socially awkward creeper will only result in people being suspicious of you.
 
I'm no street whizz compared to some out there but I do love shooting it!

Personally I don't think it's all about subject and environment though, sometimes the subjects themselves are what catches your eye and their surrounding is as bland as the back of your own hand :)

Sometimes I ask the person or just let them know after and hand them my card either way. Other times you can't because they're unreachable (driveby/commutor/sleeping person etc!).

I think out of all the street shots I've done I've only ever asked people a few times.

Here are some examples of asked, told after or neither
:

1: Neither.
gDM0Z.jpg


2: Neither.
05CxN.jpg


3: Asked, then she looked up at the tube map, I saw the moment...
bPIFe.jpg


4: Neither, was walking past the shop.
HpJSc.jpg


5: Neither, this was a 30mph driveby :p
HPeLp.jpg


6: : Neither, shot while crossing the street!
kDWGW.jpg


7: Asked, street busker, gave him some cash.
V8fVc.jpg


8: While walking past the window one night. Told later & gave a free framed print.
ISsHW.jpg


9: Asked as I was within their personal space on the beach.
bCfZK.jpg


10: Neither.
TflYQ.jpg


11: Asked.
UVhMf.jpg


12: Neither.
q0pOf.jpg
 
I haven't really asked anyone for permission. I might have felt sorry for a busker or a tramp once and dropped him a penny. Howard, why not practice with us at the London meet?
 
If I lived in a city I'd be out street shooting all the time, especially at night, just because of the pure variety and dynamism of the environment. I wouldn't do portraits though, all those 100 strangers projects bore the **** out of me, 100 tight headshots of people staring at the camera. I'm sure it takes balls but I find the result just meh.

I've tried it with a dslr and I'd definitely feel more comfortable with a m43 or something, with a flippy screen. Think how at ease you feel when shooting something with your phone, cos you know no one cares. Oh and I like mrk's street stuff, shows more of the environment, little stories etc!
 
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42zx said:
If I lived in a city I'd be out street shooting all the time, especially at night, just because of the pure variety and dynamism of the environment. I wouldn't do portraits though, all those 100 strangers projects bore the **** out of me, 100 tight headshots of people staring at the camera. I'm sure it takes balls but I find the result just meh.

I've tried it with a dslr and I'd definitely feel more comfortable with a m43 or something, with a flippy screen. Think how at ease you feel when shooting something with your phone, cos you know no one cares. Oh and I like mrk's street stuff, shows more of the environment, little stories etc!
Click to expand...

No one cares when you're with a dslr either :p

Well, some folk get curious but on the whole nobody goes "OMG A creep, runnnnnn!".

I've had people ask if I was with the papers, if I was doing a college project, if I was using digital and other comments like "oh, that's a big camera!" :p
 
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