Asking people for permission to take photos of them

20droger wrote in post #16537930
See here: http://en.wikipedia.or​g/wiki/Camel_toe.

Thanks for the link. In hindsight, this is something I'd rather not have known about.

So the real problem is that some people are ready to believe the worst about anyone.

As I've said before, anyone who completely denounces candid photography, whether it occurs on the streets or up in the mountains, is effectively denouncing the photographic documentation of life itself. Maybe you want a nice anodyne and contrived record of life, people properly posed, and only of those people, of course, who have given utmost consent.

For me, and I only speak for myself here, photography would be nearly worthless if we censored all those in the past and present who have incorporated candid photography into their work. What a cultural sin it would be, and certainly, how intellectually, artistically, and historically anemic the photographic canon would be.

However, I sometimes forget that on POTN, we've got a goon squad crowd here, ready to pounce on anyone sticking a camera in their face because apparently, cameras are just for flowers, mountains, animals, and portraits.

And yet, despite all of the threats, most street photographers don't trigger violent retaliation, because most people don't give a crap, if they notice at all. I've shot in Bangkok, Tokyo, NYC, and Madison, among other places, and I've only spurred two or three negative reactions during the past eight years.

Everyone has their own style, and I actually impose a number of constraints on who I shoot or when I shoot, and yeah, a lot of discretion is involved. Plus I try to be markedly inconspicuous.

And yes, I get the whole point about not being rude, but on the other hand, I'm not going to trash Bruce Gilden for his aggressive style, as that would be a bit hypocritical given how much I admire many of his shots.

When walking the streets of a city, there are a lot more offensive things that one can encounter than some photographer pointing a lens at you; especially since there are already countless security lenses directed at you anyway.

Anyway, I'm out...if you don't like candids, don't look at 'em, don't pursue them; it's that simple.

OhLook wrote in post #16538676
So the real problem is that some people are ready to believe the worst about anyone.

bingo.

jetcode wrote in post #16536026
what fire? what bigotry? this is straight up truth.
stick a camera in my face and see what happens.
the true nature of this subject is experienced in some lives on a daily basis.

jetcode wrote in post #16539901
There are two very valuable tools in the photographers kit that are invisible yet have a significant impact on every session: integrity and purpose.

Who are you to preach about "integrity," when you would threaten physical violence on a stranger who has acted legally and done you no harm?

Maybe it's time to adopt burkas for those that do not want to their picture taken. It would make things so much easier. Either that or maybe they can just stay inside.

A stranger--the photographer--can be acting legally and yet very very unethically and rudely. Whilst I don't advocate physical violence, I can at least sympathize with the anger some will feel about being photographed by people behaving in this fashion.

nathancarter wrote in post #16540007
Who are you to preach about "integrity," when you would threaten physical violence on a stranger who has acted legally and done you no harm?

The same arguments are going round and round. and the same people are refusing to understand each other.

I believe this discussion has achieved all it can achieve and the mods should consider closing it.

nathancarter wrote in post #16540007
Who are you to preach about "integrity," when you would threaten physical violence on a stranger who has acted legally and done you no harm?

jetcode hasn't explicitly threatened anything.

jetcode, what would happen if I stuck a camera in your face? To provide some context, I'm female and 5'4".

Not sure about jetcode, but it would be situational for me. If I were having a terrible day or going through rough times, or had a huge bandage on my nose, or my girlfriend was with me and crying because she stubbed her toe--well, I'd be really annoyed to have a camera trained in our direction. In most other cases I'd feel honored.

OhLook wrote in post #16540030
jetcode hasn't explicitly threatened anything.

jetcode, what would happen if I stuck a camera in your face? To provide some context, I'm female and 5'4".

OhLook wrote in post #16540030
jetcode hasn't explicitly threatened anything.

True. Is suppose it's the same as "You wanna take this outside?" or "Come over here and say that to my face."

OhLook wrote in post #16540030
jetcode, what would happen if I stuck a camera in your face? To provide some context, I'm female and 5'4".

I'd be quite interested to know, too. From the tone of the post that I quoted, I wouldn't be surprised if it's an illegal physical assault.

jetcode wrote in post #16540107
Here are some assignments that will clarify the points I make. We will continue to use the motivational technique "stick a camera in my face". Now shoot these assignments.

The biker rally at Sturges.
Street gangs marking their turf.
Ghettos in any major city center.

You will soon discover that it isn't I who will engage you on a physical level. It will be your subject. And it has happened. I'm just the messenger.

---------------
Here's what I like to see in street that doesn't really require intimate interaction with a subject. This is an outstanding portfolio of street images.

http://www.flickr.com/​photos/rupertv/

Oh are those the "scary" places where the "scary" people go?

Are you at all aware of photographic history?

Go look at The Bikeriders by Danny Lyon or East 100th st / Subway by Bruce Davidson. Or take a look here for someone who goes places you and most probably wouldnt even step out of your car http://kensingtonblues​.com/

Why should everyone have to quietly walk the street and politely take pictures without disturbing anyone? Do you realize that approach wont fulfill everyones goals? Your absolutely right, respect is required, as well as common sense, but for some things, you also need BRAVERY!

Just because your paranoid and cant step outside the box, doesn't mean the rest of us cant or shouldn't.

Your right, some people go about things with no respect and horrible taste, but stop throwing everyone without the same mindset as you in that group.

jetcode wrote in post #16540107
It really doesn't matter what your physique or gender is I would ask kindly why I am important to your photographic adventure. . . . What if I am the odd person who is significantly different than anyone else and has suffered a long life of harassment as a direct result?

If you are that odd person, I won't bother you. I don't photograph people who "look funny."

Here's what I like to see in street that doesn't really require intimate interaction with a subject. This is an outstanding portfolio of street images.

http://www.flickr.com/​photos/rupertv/

That won't open for me because I don't have a Flickr account.

If anything gets this thread shut down, it'll be the belligerent replies. Most of us remain civil.