I guess I would like to add a couple of comments about street shooting.
The first is that it is hard when you start. After you do it a bit you become
much more comfortable. But if you stop for awhile you have to go through that
discomfortable period again. It is just the nature of the beast.
The second is that you photograph people on the street because you think they
are interesting. Think about that for a moment. How do you react to people who
seem to think you are interesting? You do not usually get angry. Maybe a bit
embarrassed sometimes, but not angry. In a way you are saying nice things about
people when you photograph them. That is why sometimes people even ask you to
take their picture when they see the camera.
Sometimes someone really does not want you to photograph them. They usually
wave you off, or shake their head. I always respect that and clearly turn away.
Occasionally you run into someone who is truly paranoid, turning away will
almost always defuse them. Although once I had a guy follow me for a block
ranting and raving, that has only happened once in 50 years of photography.
Another thing that happens nowadays is sometimes people think you are documenting something they are doing for legal purposes. That usually has happened to me when photographing people working. Talking to them a bit about my photography has always defused that situation.
I remember one time there was this Ferrari parked outside a junk yard. The bright red
immaculately detailed car opposed to the junk in the background was irresistible. A guy
that looked like a movie mafioso came running out, demanding, "Why are you
photographing my car". I told him I was taking a photo course at the community
college and our current assignment was the color red, and that his beautiful car was the
reddest thing I had ever seen. He not only calmed down, but even offered to move the car
so I could get a better angle of it. Also got some nice shots of him in the car, and with
him standing in the open door leaning on the top talking to me across the car.
Well I guess this turned into a mini-essay, sorry.
graywolf
http://www.graywolfphoto.com
"Idiot Proof" <==> "Expert Proof"
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