'Consent' Candids

[johnwaine]

Moving on from the recent debate on the legality and bureacracy surrounding true candids, Ray Pettit's upload today prompts me to invite you to show your candids for which you asked consent.

To clarify, I am refering to pictures of people you had not met until you asked their consent BEFORE taking their picture. So no poses by family, friends and work-mates etc

And how about telling the story of how the picture came about?

Here's one to start off -



http://www.pbase.com/johnwaine/image/47045484

[clickaway]

Part of the joys of street photography is that you get to talk to all sorts of people.

I met this guy up in Trafalgar Square on the day that London learnt of its success for the 2012 Olympics.

He came from the area that is to be redeveloped for the games and we got talking, as my family come from those parts too.

When I asked to take his photo, he suddenly produced two priceless photos from his jacket pocket. One of him as a young soldier, and one of him when he met soap and 'Carry-On' actress Barbara Windsor.



http://www.pbase.com/clickaway/image/45948255

Ray

[gpaai]

I wonder if getting consent first really makes it a candid subject? Merriam-Webster defines candid as "relating to photography of subjects acting naturally or spontaneously without being posed".

If you ask for permission first, doesn't that place the subject on notice and aware that the camera is on them? This might definitely change the way they act. Now maybe if you shot the individual, then introduced yourself.

Just my opinion...

Gary

[clickaway]

I think you are right, Gary. I call my gallery Engaging Strangers, but it has complemented my candids gallery well.

Ray

[johnwaine]

Of course you are right, Gary. And I like Ray's term better.

Nevertheless, 'engaging strangers' requires a different set of skills from prepared portraits or true candids. So on that basis it would be interesting to see what other PBasers come up with.

[gpaai]

BTW John... I'm not sure I would have had the nerve to as that individual to take his picture, even though he is probably a great person. Great job!

[digitalfrog]

Tattoo convention Amsterdam 2005

Needless to say, did not want to get in trouble with that guy