When in public and you see a person of interest...do you snap away or ask?

[kezug]

I am curious, when in public, like a major city, and you see a person that would be interesting to shoot, do you ask before shooting? Do you offer to pay? Or do you snap away and move on?

Same question but of someones property? Like a barn on the side of a road?

Or someone's horse?

Or someone's car parked on the street?

[Jmark11207]

I know I probably should have dropped a few shiny ones into this guys Sax case but I just snapped and kept it moving


Little 5 Points Atlanta GA
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3113/3486803714_de55965cdc.jpg

[James P]

I always ask a stranger for permission as well dropping some money in a busker's hat. I've seen people explode when a stranger takes their picture and you never know what they're capable of. They could smash you and you're equipment and be gone in an instant. It's just not worth the risk.

[mosesport]

I hate asking because then they 'know' they are being photographed. It takes the candid and 'real' feel away from whatever emotion they have at that moment. Realistically, I probably SHOULD ask...but once they know they're having their picture taken, it always looks/feels staged. The smiles are fake...the poses are fake. I prefer real emotion. Just my $0.02.


EDIT: This was most of the reason I bought the 70-200 L....perfect for those candids when you can't be right next to someone or want to get a good shot without being noticed without having to sacrifice image quality.

[beano]

I never ask. I might say thanks afterwards, if we make eye contact and they don't look really anoyed lol!

[crashthenet44]

EDIT: This was most of the reason I bought the 70-200 L....perfect for those candids when you can't be right next to someone or want to get a good shot without being noticed without having to sacrifice image quality.

But you stick out like a sore thumb with that big white lens on. I found people pay far less attention to me when I'm shooting with the Sigma 30mm than the 70-200. People pay even less attention when I shoot with the Yashica or OM-2n.

There is a reason that most of the great street photographers shot with rangefinders.

[mosesport]

It's really not so bad when you're a good distance away. When a lens is pointed directly at someone, there really isn't a way to distinguish the size of the lens. They just see a circle :)

[txduggan]

It all depends on the situation......

I've done both.

Chinatown in NYC was amusing...... an elderly lady was insisting on $2 for each photo..... can't blame her ;)

[jacktompson]

ive seen some pretty intersteing shots but afraid to shoot em... LOL.

[kjj512]

Just by a longer lens. That way in case they do get pissed and come after you, you already have a head start...

When I do take pictures of people on the street I don't usually ask but then again I don't usually take pictures of people who look like they are going to get upset about it. You never know though. I also don't have a lens longer than 75mm so its hard to get that candid feel when they see you focusing. For me at least it ends up in them making a weird face at me and me not taking the picture. My girlfriend on the other hand does it all the time asking and not, and she gets away with it a lot more than I do. Probably has something to do with being cute and personable...

[skygod44]

I'm lucky to live in a country where almost every man, woman, child and dog has a mobile (cell) phone capable of shooting pretty good pictures...and boy(!) do the Japanese love to shoot pictures.
So no, I don't ask people if I can take their picture because 99% of the time, it's the spontaneous shot that truly captures the joy/laughter/sadness/whatever in someone's face.
Asking permission pretty much negates the point of taking the shot in the first place.
If I'm using a short FL, and the subject spots me, I often show them the shot and ALWAYS compliment them on their looks. So far, nobody has asked me to delete a shot outright. Some people are shocked at how much emotion I've captured, but after a chat, they see the value of recording said emotion.
And I truly believe we need to "teach" the public as often as possible not to fear having their picture taken by a street photographer, otherwise, what a dull time in history this will appear to have been to future generations...
Regards,
Simon

[mosesport]

^-----Well-said :)

[quaivatcua]

i think it has to do with different culture as well, as someone said, when you ask for permission, you wouldnt be ablt to capture the so-called moment. Ive never tried but i would show them the picture and respect their decision.

[skygod44]

^-----Well-said :)
Thank you!
:D

And at anyone who wonders if we should back off due to the risk of being called a pervert, or accused of peeping, or invading people's privacy...if we're not doing any of those things, we have nothing to fear but our own weakness causing us to change into non-photograph-taking photographers.

Now get out there and capture those unique moments in people's lives which, if you make the effort to show them the shot, can not only create a smile, but perhaps even make you some money - especially if you're packing some business cards!!!
;)

[Brian500au]

I have traveled a lot and have done quite a bit of street photog. Rather than ask directly ask, I normally pull out my camera and motion I would like to take a picture. Most times they smile and there are no problems - but if they wave a hand or sometimes ask me not to take a photo I respect their wishes. When I am phographing a street performer or a beggar I always drop money in the tray. At times I have been known to sit at a street cafe with my 70-200 and just grab a few candid shots.

[rpkwon]

Good question. I've wondered what others did in these situations. I usually just do a quick walk by shooting. If I see a hat on the ground or something I would definitely contribute a bit.

[MT Stringer]

I took a couple of pics of a famous golf legend this past weekend. I was a ways off shooting with a Sigma 120-300. He never saw me and I didn't want to impose. He was there to watch his son play in the Lacrosse State Championship game. The pic is for me only and I have no plans to do anything with it other than document that I saw him.