Shooting Strangers

[bobhate]

For the old experienced hands out there. What approach do you use in shooting photos of strangers out in public places?

I am always horribly self-conscious. "Look at me coming right at you. My giant belly and red bald head are quickly approaching and I'm holding my long silver-barrelled camera in front of me. And I'm sweating."

I get the worst looks.

I like shooting people, but only have done a few through weddings and parties. It's the strangers who are this great untapped resource for me.

With 30 days of a PAD done, I realize I cannot just shoot THINGS all year long. Help?

WT

[annayu]

Yikes you sound like a rhino fast approaching, no wonder you get the worst looks. Don't start shooting people out of the blue. Talk to them first. Be friendly, polite, chatty. ASK them if you can take their picture. Then try to get them to sign a model release. Make a simple one that doesn't take forever to read. And stop sweating, no one is going to bite off your red bald head.

[bobhate]

Yik ASK them if you can take their picture. Then try to get them to sign a model release. Make a simple one that doesn't take forever to read. And stop sweating, no one is going to bite off your red bald head.

Thanks. Would anyone like to share a "real world" release that they use? The ones I find online all read as if they've been written at the UN.

Thanks,
WT

[gpaai]

When I began shooting, (about the same time I started my PBase account) I was really freaked out over shooting people in public. Now I find it fun. I'm not sure what the laws are, and they my vary in different parts of the world, but I have never asked anyone to sign a release.

Gary

[annayu]

I'll send over my simplified version tomorrow when I'm not feeling too lazy to go downstairs to the other computer. My policy is that any release is better than no release, doesn't matter where. It doesn't hurt to have one.

One incentive, they get a free print sent to their address. No release, no free print. Devious.

[clickaway]

I've never used a release for any of mine, and only on occassion do I make myself known to the subject. A recent example of this was the destitute woman - they are usually situations of a sensitive nature.

There are many situations that would not be caught if you approached them with a model release form first so you really have to sum up the situation first. If you want to use this method they may automatically pose for you, so in that case I would hang around for a bit when they are off-guard.

My approach is to shoot people when they are distracted by some activity or other - that is why I am able to compile galleries showing those in love or on the phone. But others are actually watching street performers such as musicians etc.

If your town does not attract tourists and you are the only one with a camera, try and make out you are shooting something else anyway. Also, try a local event such as a carnival where your camera is more in keeping.

But don't be disheartened if you find it hard. Many people do and I would say the environment in which you shoot is so so important. I get few candids in my home town - I travel to another or perhaps to London as I feel less out of place. I'm aware that many don't live in an area where they have all this options, but its still possible.

Cheers,

Ray

[bish0p]

It all depends on what I want to use the photo for... If it is just for my pratice, I go by the soldier philosophy, of shoot first ask questions later. Many times after reviewing the image in the camera I have gone back and asked if I can get a formal portrait, And todate I have never been turned down.


If I want to enter the image in a contest, use it for stock, etc I get them to sign a release.

James

[camera0bug]

I typically will not point the gun directly at them but merely toss it from hand to hand in a "non-threatening" manner.

This gets their attention and they're usually happy to let me do anything I want!

Oh, I see, you're talking about shooting with a camera.....

I shoot people all the time and they never ask ME to sign a release, so why should I ask them?



Geez! ....and it's only Monday.

[jeremygood]

No releases for me either.

Best way is to lose yourself in the crowd, find an interesting subject, point your camera somewhere about 10 feet to your subject's right, then slowly pan over, click a few shots when you're focused on your subject, then keep panning. You can go back again if you want to get more shots. This keeps them guessing. They generally only look at you right when you put the camera up, if you're not pointing in their direction, no problem.

I've found I also draw A LOT LESS ATTENTION when I am with my wife and kids. No one seems to care what I'm taking pictures of if I'm standing behind a stroller.

Jeremy

[dazedgonebye]

It always sort of creeps me out...trying to take pictures of strangers. It feels rude to sneak them and I'm not a good enough people person to go asking.

I've often wanted to go out shooting with someone who is comfortable doing that and see what it felt like.

[annayu]

I also think it's rude to sneak, even though some might argue that it's not illegal and that you have to sneak to get a good shot. I prefer to be open about it and people who don't want to sign anything usually don't want you to take their picture either. I was also a bit freaked out at first, but after a while it's no big deal. But of course you have to use your discretion, some common sense goes a long way.

Here's someone I met last weekend:


and here's my simplified version of the release he's signing:

MODEL AGREEMENT AND RELEASE
I hereby grant Anna Yu permission to photograph me. I further give my irrevocable consent to Anna Yu and her direct or indirect licensees and assignees to publish, republish or otherwise transmit the images of myself in any medium for all purposes throughout the world. I understand that the images may be altered or modified in any manner. I hereby waive any right that I may have to inspect and approve a finished product or the copy that may be used in connection with an image that the Photographer has taken of me, or the use to which it may be applied. I further release the Photographer and her direct or indirect licensees and assignees, from any claims for remuneration associated with any form of damage, foreseen or unforeseen, associated with the use of the images. I certify that I am at least 18 years of age and have the full legal capacity to execute this authorization.

name and address, etc follows.

Good luck with yours! Don't forget to bring a pen!

-Anna

[jeremygood]

Hmmm, I wonder. I would not sign this release. Perhaps it's an American litigation happy society that's done it, but I suspect most people around here would read that and pass. The thing that sort of throws me for a loop is the verbiage that you may alter or modify the photo in any way and that I have no recourse against you. To me this means that if I ever get famous, you could take my head, put it on a nude body, publish it, and there's nothing I could do about it.

Maybe it's just me, but I doubt it. It would be an interesting experiment to see how many Californians would sign this just to get their picture taken. Whenever I talk to anyone about taking their picture, they get extremely suspicious and a lot of them refuse.

The only way I could see it working is if I freelanced for a local newspaper and got a hat that said L.A. Times and told the people I was taking pictures for the newspaper. Then they might sign.

Jeremy
If this offended anyone, too bad.

[annayu]

Yes that's a point. If the photographer is a mean old suspicious character then it will rub off on the subject and of course they will become the same. To each his own.
-Anna
Too bad if I offend.

[camera0bug]

I actually find that if I hypnotize my subjects first
they're much more relaxed for my camera.

If you look closely at the photos I take of people,
you might notice the glazed look in their eyes.

[clickaway]

Thanks for the sample model release, Anna. I think I'll keep a couple in my camera bag should the case arise. But for most I'll continue to just shoot.

But sometimes people are just there wanting to be photographed, and besides they're not best placed to sign on the dotted line....



Ray