Shooting Strangers

[jude_53]

Because of Adal and Niall I do hipshots from time to time. It's fun and unfortunately I cannot stop smiling when I do it because I feel so damn slick. This in turn, gives me away and they know I'm up to something.
Jeremy, that photo is stunning. Maybe it's easier for woman? Because I would have just said "I do photography.. you have a great face and I wanted to capture it. Would you like to see my site? There's some nudity"

KIDDING about the last part.. I usually give my pbase business account to people I'll see again (like at the drive through) - it has nothing racy.

So what's wrong with telling the truth. I think most people like it. To say.. i take pics of anything I find interesting - you have a great face (eyes, expression, character). Usually when I add "And you're a hunka hunka burnin love" they're most agreeable.

Also like adal, now that I have a longer lens it makes it easier to take candids, although I usually get caught. But i have a thing for those long shots with them looking dead on at me when they get caught. Maybe women seem less menacing?

most of them?

[jude_53]

Um...

But i have a thing for those long shots with them looking dead on at me when they get caught.

when IIIIIIIIII get caught..

[jeremygood]

Jude, that shot I took was at the drive through at El Pollo Loco -- he was the guy at the first window who took my money. When he asked why I took his picture, I seriously considered saying "because you are a hunka hunka burning love."

Last night (perhaps it was in a dream, I'm not sure), I decided that from now on, I'm going to throw out all my inhibitions and just start taking pictures of people whenever I feel like it. If they ask about it, I will say, "I take pictures of interesting looking people." If they say "Why?" I will say, "I don't know, but there's nudity."

I plan to continue this until someone grabs my Rebel and smashes it to pieces on the street.

[robfu]

Don't sweat the shot,

This is the best bit of legal research I have found so far:

http://www.virtualcity.com.au/~spmmc/ne ... Daniel.pdf

He has covered most areas very well with legal references and cases.

Even though he his very confident it is OK, I think your judgement and a persons privacy should always be considered, otherwise, we will quickly lose this freedom we currently have.

[dwinge]

Amazing the results when you simply ask nicely.

[johnwaine]

I think what comes out of this discussion is it's worth asking.

BUT female photographers must have the best chance of a positive response. As father of two daughters, I can see that some old bloke (like me) with a camera asking to take a woman's picture looks rather strange.

[dazedgonebye]

Unless you are going to publish for a commercial purpose, I don't see any worries regarding the legality (in the USA). A person has no legal expectation of privacy when in a public place.
The legality of it never bothered me, I'm just a chicken...that, and I was raised in such a way to make me think I'm being rude to take a stranger's picture without their consent. Shots of a woman's backside being a bit piggy as well as rude.
Also, being a middle-aged male, I can see how folks would be uncomfortable with my sitting off and taking pictures of their kids. It's a scary world out there.
There is a public fountain near my work where kids play in the water as their mothers watch on. There are a thousand great shots to be had there, but I'm not likely to take them.
Jeremy,
I love the shot of the guy shooting the bird. The way the shadow shows up under his head is a great effect. I even like the one of the guy at El Pollo Loco. You aught to go back and sell it to him (trade it for bad chicken anyway).

[camera0bug]

This is an example of what I do:

I saw this child (with his mom) with an amazing leopard hairdo, sitting on the concrete wall at the beach. I walked up and politely asked if they'd mind if I took a photo of his head. No problem. I took two shots, one of the boy and one with his mom. I then showed them the image on my digicam AND gave them a card so they could view the image(s) online and (1) pull the (reduced size) jpg for their own use or (2) contact me to request a high resolution photo or (3) just send the link to their relatives and friends.


http://www.pbase.com/camera0bug/image/45485433


For this one, At the County Fair, I saw the girl from a distance with her mom and sized up a great photo opportunity. I approached them and asked the mom if I could take a photo. after a brief discussion about it's use, she consented verbally. They both liked the photo when I showed it to them on the back of the camera.
I'm sorry I didn't give her my card or get her e-mail address but sometimes I forget to.


http://www.pbase.com/camera0bug/image/45469652

Business cards are very cheap these days and it really pays to carry some to show you're legit and to enable the person you're photographing
a chance to contact you to see the finished product and perhaps send you some business.
http://www.vistaprint.com is a good source of inexpensive online business cards. You can design your own on your computer and get creative with wording and colors.
Amazing what a little card will do as far as opening doors.

[dazedgonebye]

You make a good point about the kids and approaching the moms. I could likely shoot around that fountain by approaching the mothers and maybe even make a buck or two.
I think most people would get over their fear if you make contact with them.
I've been meaning to get cards made up as well. There have been a few times when I wanted to easily show someone where they could view my images.

[annayu]

Not really candids but people shots the way I like them. My new project is a gallery of strangers I ask to sign a model release for. At least one new person a week. Kinda fun but you have to be in a people mood.

http://www.pbase.com/annayu2/gallery/met

-Anna

[camera0bug]

Just a note for the budding photographer out there:

When taking portraits of children, it's a good thing to
get down to their level with the camera.

Talk to them as you're lining up the shot. You'll both
be more comfortable.

- DC

[andresc]

i asked her not to pose. i just told her to go about her regular business.
i used a 17-40 4.0 , EF70-200MM f/2.8 lIS USM and a 480 speedlite bouncing of the celling
http://www.pbase.com/andresc/candids