Photographing strangers

[bindows]

Everytime I'm out with my camera, I see some really interesting people in interesting situations. I want to capture that moment, but I generally do it from afar because I am paranoid that someone is going to be bothered that some stranger is taking their picture. What do you guys/gals do? Do you ask them? This is especially tricky when photographing kids. Thanks.

[Medley]

I use a process that I have come to call "becoming invisible". I set myself down at whatever distance, get my gear out of the bag, and just fiddle with it a bit. Turn the camera on, maybe browse a few shots already taken, look through the viewfinder, etc....

What I'm actually doing is allowing the people around me to become inured to the fact that the camera and I are there. Initially, the fact that there is a camera present grabs everyones attention. But after awhile, people become used to that fact, and they start to ignore you. They go about what they were doing, just exactly the way they were doing it before you showed up. That's when the magic shots happen.

How long that takes depends as much on the situation as it does the subject. Children in particular tend to ignore you pretty quickly if you're not interacting directly with them. Animals, especially wild animals, will generally always be aware of your presence.

Don't get me wrong, I've been approached several times, in particular while photographing children. They may ignore you quickly, but the parents don't. But I've found that if you simply explain that you're an amature photographer looking to improve your work, and offer to send them shots of their kids via e-mail, they generally accept the situation. In fact, it can be a great way to network.

I think it helps to be open and honest about what you're doing. Letting the crowd become used to you and the camera means you're both in plain view. When it's time to start taking images, I simply pick up the camera and go to work. Not trying to hide the camera or 'sneak' shots may or may not put people more at ease, but I think it makes it easier for someone with concerns to approach you comfortably.

I've only ever had one person who was confrontational when using this method, and offering to delete the image satisfied the situation.

- Joe U.

[Loupey]

I’m a frequent visitor to parks, zoos, museums, and gardens and so there are many opportunities to photograph strangers. I typically focus on the children or families for my shots.

So in these situations, I almost always ask first. It might be surprising that this exchange is often non-verbal. I always make eye contact with the parents/guardians and greet them with a smile and a gesture asking for a photograph. A quick return smile and a nod is often all that is needed. This happens very quickly. Still, if a scene unfolds unexpectedly and a shot must be taken first, I at least let the parents know (either I show them the shot or I thank them or I compliment them or their children) that I took the shot.

I’ve never had a shot declined or argued over doing it in this fashion. Granted I don't go trying to shoot controversial type images. But I think people are intelligent enough to realize when a scene is photogenic. In fact, I typically hear (after I shoot a few frames) another stranger coming up to me and saying “that’s a great shot” – meaning the moment in general and not my shot in particular. I always find it rewarding (and sometimes very informative) that a few comments and a few images can make for a warm (yet brief) encounter with a total stranger.

Sensitivity and professionalism are paramount. If you act and look professional (not necessarily as in a “professional photographer”), people will treat you as such. With children and families, I think it is better to ask and shoot with a normal/wide lens up close than to not ask and look suspicious from afar with a long telephoto – even if the subject doesn’t see you, others around you will.

I’m a parent too and that’s just common sense IMO.

[another view]

If you act like you know what you're doing and do it as though you're not trying to hide anything, then most people won't have a problem. See your shot, take a frame or three and move on. If they say anything, give you a look or some other idea that they don't want their picture taken, then don't do it. Watch how newspaper photographers work - they're confident (well, usually) and have no problem getting themselves to whatever position they want to be to take their shots. They take a few shots, possibly blocking someone's view but then move on in a few moments.

If it feels more appropriate, you could start to lift your camera to your eye and nod at the person so they get the idea that you want to take their picture and see how they react. Or just plain ask them if they mind. Some people say yes, others no (and if they say no I won't do it) but generally I wouldn't just shove a camera in someone's face - unless you're working on a personal project called "The Surprised Stranger".

Think about what is going thru the mind of the person being photographed. If someone was trying to take a picture of me and trying to make sure I didn't notice, or acting strange and suspicious then I'd be creeped out. If someone kept following me around, ditto. If I'm at the farmer's market (great chances for street shots here), I don't care because I understand that some photographer sees something that might be an interesting photograph. On the other hand, a lot of "normal" (non-photographer) people don't understand this at all. To them, the idea of taking the picture of a stranger for any reason would be nothing other than strange. I don't have kids and never photograph them in this context - this is one of the reasons why...

[jgredline]

Great topic

[readingr]

Everytime I'm out with my camera, I see some really interesting people in interesting situations. I want to capture that moment, but I generally do it from afar because I am paranoid that someone is going to be bothered that some stranger is taking their picture. What do you guys/gals do? Do you ask them? This is especially tricky when photographing kids. Thanks.

The only thing I have to add, is that if I think the photo is worth it I will offer to send them an electronic copy via e-mail if they request it for free.

How many people ask for the people to sign a release form?

Roger

[another view]

How many people ask for the people to sign a release form?

I don't, but then I'm not trying to sell my shots either. I wonder how someone would feel about a stranger coming up to them saying that they just took their picture (guard goes up) and think it's a really great shot - would you sign this form please? I think I would be at least a little hesitant... All in the way you present it to the unsuspecting subject, I'm sure and it might work, but I'd like to hear if anyone has real-world experience.

[open_shutters]

with out any of their consents, i take photos of their perfect angles! i take their photos from
afar. i like to take candid photos because i like to take smiles that comes out naturally!

[underaverage]

I think generalising is a bad thing! There is no one way to take photos of strangers. It's about analysing the situation on each seperate occasion and having some common sense about how to approach the subject, or in fact if you should.