Shooting People without being a creep

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yogestee wrote in post #9555981
I have a photojournalism background from Australia,, 17 years with a newspaper, 28 years in all as a pro-photographer.. My wife was project managing an education project in Laos for AusAid for nearly 5 years.. We were just tired of being separated although I would spend 2 or 3 months with her every year in Laos..

In 2006 and 2007 I went back to school ( I had time on my hands) and got my Diploma of TESOL which qualified me to teach English in developing countries.. We both came back to Laos in November '07 after a stint in China and were offered jobs..

Sounds like the good life!

yogestee wrote in post #9556277
She looks the type that doesn't mind being photographed..

People in the entertainment industry can be great subjects.

Some folks you don't need to say a word to if you smile and gesture with the camera as they're walking down the sidewalk!

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This is an area I've recently started to focus on, and IMO it's vital, for the reason that our photographs, if stored are an incredibly accurate portrayal of life now.
On to some comments:

Wilt wrote in post #9547351
When you see a glare, try lowering the camera....

I stop there, without pushing it further as I feel the moment I wanted has gone.

Todd Lambert wrote in post #9548940
I'd say try and pretend that you're a famous photo journalist...

The more gear I'm carrying, the less odd looks I get....which I guess is linked to the perception that perverts don't (I expect/hope) carry massive dSLRs.

nicksan wrote in post #9549321
Some examples...

Some good shots there Nicksan. I think the guy in the park is my favourite "classic" street shot, while the "rear shots" are exactly what we should avoid...

blackhawk wrote in post #9549659
....you need to stand out and interact with the people.....Establish your presence by standing out in a non-offensive way, talk with people and mingle in between shots. If your not in a social mood, don't street shoot!

All great advice, IMO.

I think this helps with the image of a "pro". We don't need to hide as we're doing nothing wrong, so our stance is part-and-parcel of transmitting an image that says, "don't about me and my camera."

And more here too.
I also love the 50mm on my cropper, and am trying to learn to use my 10-22 (@22mm = 35mm FF field of view) for more intimate shots.
And adding my own thoughts, I live in southern Japan where people, like Jurgen's subjects in Laos, have far fewer hang-ups than in the west. So if you want to practice, come here for a holiday and as long as you're polite to the locals enjoy some great street shooting.

yogestee wrote in post #9556277
She looks the type that doesn't mind being photographed..

Certainly not. I suspect she has worked as a model before, judging by how quickly she struck that pose.
-Bruce

skygod44 wrote in post #9557423
Some good shots there Nicksan. I think the guy in the park is my favourite "classic" street shot, while the "rear shots" are exactly what we should avoid...

Avoid it in what sense?

There's nothing perverted about it. Absolutely none. She was pacing back and forth as if she was waiting for her boyfriend/husband to show up. Then she turned as if she spotted the person she was waiting for. I thought it was an interesting scene as it unraveled. I had my 135L with me so I was at a good distance from the subject and it took a second or two to take this shot. Now if I was staring into the VF all this time with the camera pointed at her, that might have been a problem. Would it have worked better with her face in the photo? Perhaps. But this works for me either way and have gotten positive remarks on this photo. But to be fair, I didn't put the title of the photo when I posted it in this thread, so mayve it seemed like a typical "ass" shot.

Ballen Photo wrote in post #9556068
I haven't done street photography in a while. When I do, I'm usually pretty obvious. Most times I walk right up to them, and ask them to smile before I take the shot, which seems to work best for me. If they indicate they don't want their photo taken, I don't take the shot.
This one was taken at the Las Vegas Grand Prix a few years back. Same deal, I asked her to smile for the camera, and she struck this pose.
-Bruce

This to me is an event photo, not street photography. Not that I am saying I don't like it...

nicksan wrote in post #9557482
Avoid it in what sense?
There's nothing perverted about it.

Nothing perverted at all...
I agree 100%.
But right now, what with insanely over-zealous police/governments/sec​urity all over the place, it's the kind of shot which can only increase trouble for you if someone pushes to see your images.
[Yes, I know that takes a lot, but a path of least resistance for now is, I believe, more likely to keep us taking pictures freely]

skygod44 wrote in post #9557501
Nothing perverted at all...
I agree 100%.
But right now, what with insanely over-zealous police/governments/sec​urity all over the place, it's the kind of shot which can only increase trouble for you if someone pushes to see your images.
[Yes, I know that takes a lot, but a path of least resistance for now is, I believe, more likely to keep us taking pictures freely]

Point well taken.

I am not nearly bold enough in my street shooting to get myself into any trouble.

nicksan wrote in post #9557510
Point well taken. I am not nearly bold enough in my street shooting to get myself into any trouble.

In Japan, with countless thousands of stunningly beautiful women all around me (Oh the stress of it ), and as a foreign male, I've learned the "easy way" to be cautious shooting women from behind!
And for me, a face-shot is much more interesting 'cos my wife's arse beats 'em all!
[Yes, she's Japanese! ]

nicksan wrote in post #9557488
This to me is an event photo, not street photography. Not that I am saying I don't like it...

Well, Technically correct, but as I said, she was at the LV Grand Prix, and there were a lot of people there.
I'll post a shot of the goings on in the opposite direction now.
-Bruce

skygod44 wrote in post #9557536
In Japan, with countless thousands of stunningly beautiful women all around me (Oh the stress of it ), and as a foreign male, I've learned the "easy way" to be cautious shooting women from behind!
And for me, a face-shot is much more interesting 'cos my wife's arse beats 'em all!
[Yes, she's Japanese! ]

This was all I could muster at Shijuku...

skygod44 wrote in post #9557536
In Japan, with countless thousands of stunningly beautiful women all around me (Oh the stress of it ),

Finally, an explanation for the facial expression used for your avatar.
-Bruce

Ballen Photo wrote in post #9557603
Finally, an explanation for the facial expression used for your avatar.
-Bruce

Nice one Bruce! But incorrect.

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skygod44 wrote in post #9557633
Nice one Bruce! But incorrect.

Can't win em all I guess.
-Bruce

in NY