Getting strange looks for taking pictures.

[Sunray]

The more sophisticated your equipment does look like the more attention you'll get. But that does not mean that people always give a negative response. One time I was taking low light photographs in the historic city of Heidelberg together with a friend. We had aout DSLRs, two Tripods, camera bags and all that stuff with us. While we were shooting in the narrow streets we met some locals and explained what we were doing here and that we want to go up to the castle. They told us that the castle lightning would be shut down in about two hours. We would never made it in time to the castle without that information. If we stood there maybe with a point-and-shoot without that whole equipment they surely did not have notices us.
I sometimes get strange looks than taking low light photos in areas which do look unphotogenic under normal day lighting. But most people walking by do not ask or say anything. Maybe the feel awkward then.

bye
Robert

[Suzanne]

Thank you for making that point Robert. I know I can sometimes focus on whats aggrivating me and forget that sometimes it works out, and sometimes people ARE genuinly nice. We can't forget those times.

[Shadowman]

Sure can feel like an alien sometimes when taking photo's, i do find myself missing some possible good photo opportunities due to this but keep telling myself that onlookers should not make me feel awkward about practising my hobby. Myself, as well as all of you I suspect, like to see others taking photo's and only look on in interest and will sometimes have a quick chat with the photographer. We should also realise that now with digital cameras and camera-phones that almost everyone carries a camera now and as such perhaps we should not feel awkward about snapping away to our hearts content. After all is said and done it is far better a pastime than spending all your spare time living on bloody 'facebook', that so many people seem to be pleased with themselves for doing, apparently it's sociable!!

rant over

Jon

It's amazing that we should have this much difficulty taking photographs publicly when so many people act like they want to noticed, talking loudly, talking loudly on cellphones, basically behaving like they are the only people on this planet and thinking we are the rude ones when we take notice and comment or stare or take their photograph.

[wilgk]

I think Robert raises a very good point with 'weapon of choice' makes a big difference, so plan that if you get a chance in advance.
Jeroen also told us he uses a 50mm lens I think for his street shots..unobtrusive, ok he needs to get closer but, chances are if you're pointing a big tele' at someone, even though they are unaware, others will see you and then people turn and look, which ruins your 'candid' option.
My day out yesterday was perhaps a good example.
I knew the event was on, so I borrowed the 70-200 from school (gee what a surprise when they asked what equipment to get, I said Canon).
Then I went to the start and asked if they minded me taking pictures, and that I would happily give them some if they turned out ok.
Thus armed and looking the part - when the Policeman stopped the traffic for the Bikers, I was in the middle of the Intersection and nobody said 'move along'

[The Blue Boy]

Well, this thread gave me a chuckle.

The amount of "funny" looks I've had over the years! I'm currently doing a fun little project here in Manchester called "Dead Umbrellas". You should see some of the "wtf is he doing taking a picture of that?" sort of looks I've had from that alone!

But to give a simple answer to the OP, is simply to grow a thicker skin. You have to. Just ignore other peoples comments unless they are of a positive value. And please do what I try to do. Be polite with the police. Start a conversation. Be friendly.

And Educate them!

[Pohled]

Hello,

Nice thread. I'm new to photography too, and I don't feel very comfortable going out with my camera in places nearby my house. I agree that when it is in touristic place with a lot of people holding cameras it is much easier.
I'll try to find out the rules here in Brazil, so that I don't run into big problems in the future.

But, if you think is easier to get when you see someone, whom is nice to capture.
*Take the photo first, go show it to the picture, ask for permission and saying that you're sending it also for him/her via email later.
** Asking permission first and shooting later?

Another social issue is that when you are in group and go to a nice place, such as a urban park, and start taking photos of things it can be very impolite. It's hard, at least for me who is a begginer in photography, to thinking in composition and pay attention to the conversation at the same time

[MiniChris]

One of the other things I mention to photographers who share this "outside shooting" fear is to carry your camera with you, everywhere. Dorothea Lange was only able to capture the scenes of her migrant farm workers because after a while, she and her camera became a part of their natural landscape. Nowadays, most everyone downtown or on the docks expects me and my camera...they don't get nervous when I get up close and personal, nor, and I think this is the important part of this, do they pose. They do what they do, and I do what I do - and I make sure they get a nice print on occasion. Be polite, ask questions about what a worker is doing and shoot while you have this dialogue. It's amazing how much someone will share if you take a genuine interest in their work.

[Geoff F]

As you say, Chris, handing around a few decent quality photos of people going about their normal business, and definitely not candid snaps of them looking silly, will soon get you accepted.

I do the same thing on the local fish quay; although being an ex fisherman also helps.

[Shadowman]

Hello,

Nice thread. I'm new to photography too, and I don't feel very comfortable going out with my camera in places nearby my house. I agree that when it is in touristic place with a lot of people holding cameras it is much easier.
I'll try to find out the rules here in Brazil, so that I don't run into big problems in the future.

But, if you think is easier to get when you see someone, whom is nice to capture.
*Take the photo first, go show it to the picture, ask for permission and saying that you're sending it also for him/her via email later.
** Asking permission first and shooting later?

Another social issue is that when you are in group and go to a nice place, such as a urban park, and start taking photos of things it can be very impolite. It's hard, at least for me who is a begginer in photography, to thinking in composition and pay attention to the conversation at the same time

When I vacationed in Brazil years ago the easiest place to work, and where I got a few volunteers was on the boardwalk, in cafes, and restaurants catering to tourists.




Taken with a Pentax point and shoot April 2005.

[Nomadr]

quite often i shoot street candids, i dont ask permission because that would ruin the candidness, if i am with my wife or a friend i will use them as a stooge, ie get them to stand in front of me and pretend i am taking their picture while in reality taking the candid,
i must admit in this present climate where the police instigate that only terrorists carry DSLR camera's i find i am not as brave as i used to be,
sometimes i see a perfect shot , by the time i have weighed up the consequences it has passed by, having a big camera helps rather than hinders,some folks think i am from the local rag,i carry business cards with my e.mail,website and tel number just in case someone wants a pic, i never offer unless asked,
i suppose its down to looking like your supposed to be there taking that shot,as mentioned earlier some folks come up and want their picture taking, i dont acknowledge anyone or give eye contact once i have taken their pic, dont look sheepish,
i tend to use 70-200mm so most people dont even know i have taken their pic, the 50mm would be great but you have to get up close and they start posing, heres a couple from a gay pride event, cheers martyn

[Colin Southern]

I think that - perhaps - it comes down to how assertive you are. I'm not an assertive sort, so I don't do much street photography - although having just said that, on the odd occasions when I do shoot a little, I prefer to use a long lens because it seems less threatening.

I've got a real admiration for news street 'togs - they know their rights, and aren't affraid to assert them. I've even seen one telling a policemen at the scene of an accident "I know my rights, and I'm not going anywhere" (I think that in this situation the police can move folks away from the immediate scene, but that's about it) (around here anyway).

Perhaps the solution for wimps like me is to employ a couple of big and burly body guards!

[Dave Humphries]

I may also be a wimp, but basically I wouldn't like to publish a picture of anyone that I wouldn't feel unduly offended if they had done same to me.

So I would not generally publish unguarded moments where they were doing something they might find embarrassing, thus there's no particular problem with any of the images in Martyn's post above - although the last one might be an issue given that you've stated the event and maybe she was just passing through the area and not connected in any way to it.

Of course, there's always the chance that if someone is obviously 'with' someone they shouldn't be with in public, there could be harm caused. Also, since I am basically law abiding, particularly if I saw and photographed some dangerously illegal activity, then where those images might end up is anyone's guess, assuming I didn't think that put me or my family at risk.

[benm]

You can get one of these; they were popular in the late 1970's:

http://www.camerafilters.com/pages/r...glelenses.aspx

I would not use one myself, however.

[Colin Southern]

So I would not generally publish unguarded moments where they were doing something they might find embarrassing

I guess that's the big difference between us and the press!

[nire]

Here in Australia, by law, no-one owns their image or personality, which means you could technically photograph anyone in public. You could even take a picture of someone in their own backyard providing you were standing on public ground. Of course respect is an issue and laws for publishing defamatory material are quite harsh. Things get tricky if you sell your images so a model release form could save future problems. Parents are obviously very protective of their children and I remember a recent newspaper article about a photographer being attacked and accused of pedophilia for taking photos at the beach. As a student photographer I too find it difficult even at parties to be shoving a camera in peoples faces - I hope as I gain more experience I will develop the right balance of professionalism and discretion that will encourage trust from my subjects.

[Nomadr]

Dave i guess i had to mention the event (if you look at the background people in that shot you will notice two blokes kissing),
i wouldnt be so bold as to mention where it was or when (but i prolly left the metadata attached),
i can totally agree about publishing things that are slightly risque or embarrassing, needless to say that doesnt stop the paparazzi,
Nire its the same in the UK , you are free to photograph people in public places, the beach is a different matter due to all camera owners being classed as pedos (only joking),but it does make you think, there are certain rules about posting children on the internet,
i quite like children but i couldnt eat a whole one, heres a pic from a demo, i got a brill pic with the girls face yet decided to post this on the net because you cant recognise her, i guess its because her parents didnt realise she had picked this particular banner up and started waving it around, i think they would be mortified if it appeared on a front page somewhere,
i suppose its all down to how far you want to push (your head above the parapet),cheers martyn

[Colin Southern]

Just a little "food for thought" ...

Here in New Zealand - and it's my understanding that this applies in some other parts of the world as well - it comes down to "expectation of privacy". Photographing somebody in public - from public property is OK (as far as I know), but (as an example) photographing someone in their bedroom whilst standing in a cherry picker parked on public land (but raised to look over their 10' tall concrete wall) probably wouldn't result in a good outcome for the photographer if tested in court.

We had a discussion about it a few months ago -- someone might be able to find the thread as it had some excellent links in it.

[mwrmt]

Here in the Vancouver area of BC, most people don't really notice anyone with a camera other than to most of the time, move out of your way, regardless if you've got a DSLR or P&S. We're just kinda polite about the photography thing...

My buddy who shoots for a couple of the local rags occasionally will however, ask a child's parents/coach/etc for permission to shoot the little ones.

[Pohled]

Shadowman, nice pictures. Buy, you see, it is hard to act as tourist in your hometown. I think that I could do some pictures like that in other city and mainly in other countries - the strangest the best. I think that when people notice you as a stranger, tourist, something like that, they accept it better. Otherwise, one would be thinking, why that local is taking picture right here in this very ordinary place without any monument, special event etc?

In Brazil, as far as I'm concerned, you're not allowed to take a picture of one or a small group of pictures without permission. You can photograph a crowd, or a place and then some people that are random there, but you can walk in Copacabana and clearly shot that nice girl model-like in bikini if she doesn't allowed. Okay, sure many people are photographed this way, and sure there are only a few lawsuits on that matter...but, it's better not to run too many risks.

[Donald]

We had a discussion about it a few months ago -- someone might be able to find the thread as it had some excellent links in it.

If you click on 'Advanced Search' near the top right of this page and, under 'Tag' insert 'street photography' you'll find the thread to which Colin is referring. It's the one entitled 'Photographers Rights'

Street photography is the tag applied to a range of discussions about photographing in public places, including photographing in and about private property.