Street Photographers, concealment of the camera. - Page 3

jgredline · 09-30-2009, 08:20 PM

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

Some nice work there, btw, Javier. I approve of the care packages. Not the kind of stuff I can hump around, but I was thinking when I was out earlier that it'd be good to have one of those microfleece blankets on me. This town's actually got pretty good services to all appearance and report, but I'm starting to get to know a few of the street people: there's a few who are apparently in and out of hospital, maybe run out of Atlanta by one scene or other, that I meet fairly often. It seems like a few minor comforts would be good.

Thank you

On a side note. I never hide what I am doing. In fact, I am very obvious. My wife tells me I get away with it because of my green eyes, chubby cheeks and smile...While I attribute it to pure luck

and of course, I am always ready to run..

*Ratmagiclady* · 09-30-2009, 08:23 PM

Originally Posted by mysticcowboy

What I'm doing now is what my friend recommended, just taking a lot of shots. So far they're pretty awful but I'm getting less nervous just shooting at people around me. I'm even starting to ask people if I can take their pictures. If done with respect that doesn't seem to put most people off.

I think your firend knows whereof he speaks. The best way to learn is just *do it.* Be polite. Apologetic, if necessary. Part of whatever fun's going on if possible. You'll probably mess up and annoy someone, here and there. It happens. But the social interactions aren't something you can just classify before you really do it.

As far as your subtitle goes, the only thing about equipment is a) You should know your stuff so it's not holding up the works, and b) You want the technicalities to suit the social part.

*Ratmagiclady* · 09-30-2009, 08:56 PM

Originally Posted by jgredline

Thank you
On a side note. I never hide what I am doing. In fact, I am very obvious. My wife tells me I get away with it because of my green eyes, chubby cheeks and smile...While I attribute it to pure luck and of course, I am always ready to run..

Hee. Well, For me, it helps a little to have been there. (Though maybe not as much as you think, you sure don't think that way when you're in it.) But inasmuch as street people are just people to you, youknow. In it, mostly the people that aren't avoiding you are after you with one kind of come-on or another, usually of a religious stripe. Just someone acting half-natural and talking like you're a human being is big.

The types that'll see nice clothes (On the occasions I'm dressed nice for something) and come up and run a line on you, that actually makes me feel uncomfortable, like I'm some kind of fraud walking around in straight world clothes going to a movie or something. Then I'm like wanting to be like, "WhaddoI *look* like I got anything for you, man?" Guess I do. Just have this rule about never ever responding to passive aggression. Then I'll get pissed like they're gonna screw it up for everyone, and remember that's not me. Real funny. Gods, though. There's worse problems to have, I guess.

Never was anywhere like LA, though. Everyone wants to be a star over there, anyway, right?

I guess, if I were you, I wouldn't examine it too hard. It sounds like you're not walking around out there with a whole lot of pretense. Generally folks can smell that like a fart in an elevator.

jgredline · 09-30-2009, 09:35 PM

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

Hee. Well, For me, it helps a little to have been there. (Though maybe not as much as you think, you sure don't think that way when you're in it.) But inasmuch as street people are just people to you, youknow. In it, mostly the people that aren't avoiding you are after you with one kind of come-on or another, usually of a religious stripe. Just someone acting half-natural and talking like you're a human being is big.

The types that'll see nice clothes (On the occasions I'm dressed nice for something) and come up and run a line on you, that actually makes me feel uncomfortable, like I'm some kind of fraud walking around in straight world clothes going to a movie or something. Then I'm like wanting to be like, "WhaddoI *look* like I got anything for you, man?" Guess I do. Just have this rule about never ever responding to passive aggression. Then I'll get pissed like they're gonna screw it up for everyone, and remember that's not me. Real funny. Gods, though. There's worse problems to have, I guess.

Never was anywhere like LA, though. Everyone wants to be a star over there, anyway, right?

I guess, if I were you, I wouldn't examine it too hard. It sounds like you're not walking around out there with a whole lot of pretense. Generally folks can smell that like a fart in an elevator.

There are a few different types of street shooting that I do.
I rarely shoot homeless people. Of late I have done it on occasion like what is on my blog, but to bring awareness. Infact I am not very comfortable talking about it, but frankly more people that are able need to step up and help. I have been doing this since October of 2000, so it will be 9 years soon...I cherish my time with those folks and and am more blessed by them, than me to them. You would be amazed at how sharp most of their minds are. Most remember my name and I have many regulars..Some I see once a week while others I may see only once in a life time...While I am out I run into many other folks who are also giving a helping hand. Great to see....

Then there is gritty street shooting that is perhaps the most dangerous..Perhaps because I grew up street wise, I manage well in the streets, but these kinds of pictures can get you in a sling....

Then you have the easiest in the world to shoot, but you still need to catch the moment...Public street performers.

Then there are the true candids..Very easy..

Then there are the ooops, sorry I got in your shot moments..I actually plan these. What I do is walk to them and make sure that they see me and right when they do, I take the shot and I am done...I love these..Most people respond well to these, but sometimes, not so nice.

Then there are good street shots with no humans.Obviously easy to get...

Then there are times when you simply need to stick a camera in the middle of the action..

*Ratmagiclady* · 09-30-2009, 10:22 PM

Originally Posted by jgredline

There are a few different types of street shooting that I do.
I rarely shoot homeless people. Of late I have done it on occasion like what is on my blog, but to bring awareness. Infact I am not very comfortable talking about it, but frankly more people that are able need to step up and help. I have been doing this since October of 2000, so it will be 9 years soon...I cherish my time with those folks and and am more blessed by them, than me to them. You would be amazed at how sharp most of their minds are.

Would I?

But, ah, I see. I've only gone a few screens back as yet on your blog.

Most remember my name and I have many regulars..Some I see once a week while others I may see only once in a life time...While I am out I run into many other folks who are also giving a helping hand. Great to see....

Hee, this fellow looks very personable.

Then there is gritty street shooting that is perhaps the most dangerous..Perhaps because I grew up street wise, I manage well in the streets, but these kinds of pictures can get you in a sling....

(Quoted the wrong shot. Referring to the hard guys leaning on the wall.

)

Not sure how I'd approach this situation. When it comes to tough guys, I'm mostly used to either a solemn 'No pitchas,' or 'Hey baby, take my pitcha.'

Tend to avoid the in-between.

Very LA, though.

*FHPhotographer* · 09-30-2009, 10:35 PM

Originally Posted by jgredline

Brian, What would you do if you caught a street shooter shooting you?

Interesting question. Ironically, in a previous life & career I was at the lens end of more cameras, still and video, than you can imagine. I was quite adept in not being photographed.

Carrying that forward, I would take grave exception to being photographed without my permission; and would nicely, but emphatically, request that the digital image(s) be erased. I would expect that request to be honored. Film would present a more difficult logistical problem, but I'm sure those situations would lead to the same result,
Brian

jgredline · 09-30-2009, 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by FHPhotographer

Interesting question. Ironically, in a previous life & career I was at the lens end of more cameras, still and video, than you can imagine. I was quite adept in not being photographed.

Carrying that forward, I would take grave exception to being photographed without my permission; and would nicely, but emphatically, request that the digital image(s) be erased. I would expect that request to be honored. Film would present a more difficult logistical problem, but I'm sure those situations would lead to the same result,
Brian

I for one would erase the image, but there are many that I know that would not. What then would you do?

*Ratmagiclady* · 09-30-2009, 11:35 PM

Fact is, we're living in the most photographed time in history. If you don't want to be photographed, and think you can demand images be erased, you're going to be pretty busy every time the back of a cell phone points your way.

*FHPhotographer* · 10-01-2009, 01:09 AM

Originally Posted by jgredline

I for one would erase the image, but there are many that I know that would not. What then would you do?

Can't really say; we'd talk it over and, since I seem to have prevailed in similar kinds of discussions in the past, I'm guessing I would again and the image(s) would be erased,
Brian

*FHPhotographer* · 10-01-2009, 01:12 AM

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

Fact is, we're living in the most photographed time in history. If you don't want to be photographed, and think you can demand images be erased, you're going to be pretty busy every time the back of a cell phone points your way.

Didn't say "demand," that's your word not mine; I said I would make a request. I'm going to assume a request based on reason will prevail and the merit of my argument would be enough to deal with most situations,
Brian

Erasmo · 10-01-2009, 01:45 AM

Originally Posted by Digitalis

the new K-7 has a shutter that is as quiet as a Leica M7 - that helps more than anything else IMO

To bad the mirror makes a lot of noise...

My favorite way of street photography is just blending in the enviroment, hold your camera up for about 20 seconds and people seem to ignore you after that. This works best with SDM/MF lenses because the don't make strange noises.

*Ratmagiclady* · 10-01-2009, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by FHPhotographer

Didn't say "demand," that's your word not mine; I said I would make a request. I'm going to assume a request based on reason will prevail and the merit of my argument would be enough to deal with most situations,
Brian

Well, whatever your extra-special reason is, it doesn't seem much of a basis to ask photo people to call themselves 'unethical' and apparently not do street shooting just cause they a) might do it well and b) actually care.

Fact is, people who photograph for slimy purposes usually aren't worried about or getting paid for quality.

If you come up and say, like, 'Hey, I'm a protected witness,' sure, I'd probably be like, 'Ok, I gotcher covered." If you said, "I'm a celebrity," I'd probably say, "Really. Not to me."

It seems what you're bringing into this argument is an idea that street photography is a bad thing, cause you have a special reason. I don't particularly care to be photographed, myself, either. Doesn't mean street photogs are doing something 'unethical.'

*FHPhotographer* · 10-01-2009, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by Ratmagiclady

It seems what you're bringing into this argument is an idea that street photography is a bad thing, cause you have a special reason. I don't particularly care to be photographed, myself, either. Doesn't mean street photogs are doing something 'unethical.'

Are you asking if I have a "special reason," or are you just going to assume that there is one? Since I assume you don't know the difference, I'll respond as though you asked a question: I have no reason to raise the issue other than street photography without the subject's permission is unethical.

And by the way, I didn't use the term "bad thing" (whatever that means). Again, that's your language not mine,
Brian

jgredline · 10-01-2009, 03:37 PM

Originally Posted by FHPhotographer

Can't really say; we'd talk it over and, since I seem to have prevailed in similar kinds of discussions in the past, I'm guessing I would again and the image(s) would be erased,
Brian

Ok, for the sake of argument...They said no and whats more I putting them up on the web. What would you do?

*Ratmagiclady* · 10-01-2009, 09:12 PM

Originally Posted by FHPhotographer

Are you asking if I have a "special reason," or are you just going to assume that there is one? Since I assume you don't know the difference, I'll respond as though you asked a question: I have no reason to raise the issue other than street photography without the subject's permission is unethical.

And by the way, I didn't use the term "bad thing" (whatever that means). Again, that's your language not mine,
Brian

You're trying to say 'Street photography is unethical without asking permission.' Sounds like a claim that street photography is a 'bad thing' to me.

You say that you have some personal reason you use to convince people to delete images of you in order to back this claim.

But that's not how things work. You can ask someone to honor your wishes, (And if you asked me, I generally would) ...but you can't take those wishes and say it's 'unethical' to make photographs in public spaces in the first place.

Fact is, it's not easy in this town to go through an evening out without ending up in the background of *someone's* snapshot. What, I have a 'right' to call them 'unethical' to take their snaps cause I'm in their FOV? What, do I own the sidewalk? I can stand there and say 'You can't take that photo? Cause *I'm* here reflecting photons?' I don't think so.