Uncomfortable with taking photos of strangers but getting better. First street photography shot im somewhat proud of
Pretty awesome shot. I also think it's hard to get used to taking pictures of strangers.
I think you did a great job! I love the composition! 👍🏻
Street photography is usually taking photos without people's permission regardless of if you have a telephoto or wide lens. I'm not against that style of photography, but I don't agree with people saying it's any worse to be across the street.
Yeah I didn't say anything as I didn't want to seem unwelcome of constructive feedback, but I like the more candid side of street photography. If I'm getting in their face with a really wide angle lens I'm going to lose that candid aspect I think.
I like the perspective it gives, something like a window into the moment, while wide angles give a look that captures the feeling of being in the moment. Plenty of people won't like a camera right in their face either, lots of youtubers seem to think there's no problem and get mad when people are uncomfortable
The pastel colors are soothing. I try to use a 24mm lens so I don't have to point directly at anybody - can always crop, but still don't have a great comfort level in the street. Keep it up!
I appreciate the words. First photo I went a little more creative with the edit, I usually just tweak the lighting but this time I tried desaturating the background a bit to bring the focus to the subject a little more. Still finding my style but I think it turned out ok for a first attempt
Sometimes I think the risk is part of the charm. Last week, on Westminster Bridge, a guy got right up in my face and threatened to kill me if I didn’t delete his picture, but it sure as hell isn’t going to stop me taking pictures.
I assume it was of one of the people doing the games with tourists?
Excellent work! I know how you feel. I am still hot and cold with street photography but I love it so. Keep going!!!
Looks cool. I like it
I like the sharpness
Nice framing! Love it!
You really got get closer and engage to get better street photos. 99% of the stuff posted is people that aren’t engaging because the photographer isn’t engaged
I've said it a few times, but in addition to not being fully comfortable taking photos of strangers, I much prefer the candid style of street photography. I don't particularly want to engage with the subject, I want to capture the moment as I saw it
I don’t think candid works.
Respectfully, just about every description of street photography I've read defines it as a form of candid photography first and foremost. I appreciate your input but I think we simply have to agree to disagree here
great picture, continue ur good work :)
Great photo! Loved the composition.
Something that helped me with taking photos of strangers is to imagine that behind the camera I’m invisible, obviously without crossing any personal border with the person. Also, sometimes people pose for the photos, it’s fun when it happens. Looking forward to seeing more of your photos!
Thank you! I definitely prefer the candid style but I'm by no means opposed to some posed shots. I appreciate the advice and will definitely keep posting 👍
stalker style, not a fan
Is it better to stick the camera right in the subject face then?
More browny point if you use a flash?
I'm not talking about what's better. You can still shoot with a long lens and still avoid that effect. Look at Saul Leiter's images.
In my opinion, it's one of the challenges when shooting with a long lens: avoiding the creepy/stalker effect or the papparazzi style pic.
Saul Leither is a completely different style street photography who specializes in abstract photography. It's not the same as what OP posted which is more of a documentary style.
Going up to the person point blank and shooting this. Smiling and moving on is a way better approach than hiding across the street like a creep.
That’s not getting their consent. They havent had time to process what happened. It’s more manipulative.
Street photography is steet photography. He got his shot.
We can show people our pics but then we’re asking their approval
You just leave faces out so they're not personal, or get groups so you aren't singling people out. For pics you're posting/sharing/working with to sell etc. you should respect people's autonomy. I care about mine so I respect others.
When I get the confidence I will, and like I said I'm definitely gaining more and more each outing
IMO documenting candid momyent without the subject realizing it is better than shoving your camera in front of their face. While it's legal to do so, it's very unethical and exploitative.
Why do either.
Creepy.
Honestly yeah, even though you can’t see his face if ur taking a candid shot of someone and they are the main focus of their image ie not just a random in the background you should prolly tell them
I get that you're worried about photographing people without their express consent, but photographing people with a long lens is not the way to do it for a couple of main reasons.
You are severely limiting our ability to learn as a street photographer by shooting this way as it becomes a crutch. Using a telephoto lens might make it a bit easier to avoid being spotted by your subject, but again you are severly limiting the ability to tell a truly compelling story.
Shooting on a telephoto comes across as cowardly and also makes you look even more creepy due to the voyeur-esque perspective.
So do what? Get closer till they see and then what?
OP could have taken this photo on the same side of the street with a 35, 40 or 50mm lens to get a much better perspective and not be noticed for this composition. Just because I say to get closer doesn’t mean I’m necessarily suggesting you use a 21mm lens and get the persons face. But again, you’ll never learn, experiment and push yourself if you just stick to photographing people with a 70mm+ lens from a block away.
So too far back is creepy. Just far enough where they dont notice you but others do isnt. Im not being antagonistic. Im just saying, there’s no good way to go around taking people’s pics in public without their consent.
If all you care about is others people’s reactions then yes. But that’s not why we’re in r/streetphotography is it? The “good way” of photographing people without their consent is to take a good photo.
Not arguing with your lenses. I know crap compared to u. Im arguing with the creepy comment.
And I’m saying that OP’s desire to look less creepy by using a long lens actually makes him look more creepy
I wasn't using a longer lens to appear less creepy, I only have two lenses and my 56mm has the widest aperture by far. I also like to get more candid shots that you can't really get when people notice you
I just want to gently challenge you a bit on this.
Is the “liking to take more candid shots” defiantly a style choice or is it maybe a bit of a coping mechanism as you’ve already said you find taking strangers photos difficult? It seems a little bit convenient to me and I would encourage you to do what the best artists tend to do, get out of your comfort zone.
The reality is that, so long as you don’t linger, it’s perfectly possible to take close up candid shots of strangers. More possible than your anxieties tell you.
I hope the guy in picture loves it.. did you show it to him?
I did not, I rarely check my photos until I get home so I never really know what turned out decent or not until then. I did have a couple ask me to take some photos of them that they liked so that was nice! Shot was taken with an a6600 and sigma 56mm 1.4
What lens and camera did you use?.
What was this shot on?
A6600 and a Sigma 56mm 1.4. first time taking that lens out and I'm very happy with it, especially low light performance. I did run the RAW file through a denoiser but it honestly was pretty damn sharp without it
Need to get shorter focal length s
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For anyone curious this was Philadelphia Chinatown on Christmas night