Camera Etiquette

[Shoot]

This may seem like a stupid question but i'll play devils advocate anyway... I am finding of late that I am wanting to take more and more picture's of people that i see around the place, the problem is that when i wasnt involved in Photography I remember how it felt to be Photographed in general (let alone without consent) ... That's to say that I absolutley hated it.

Ive also noticed that a lot of people get very 'jittery' when they see someone with a camera in public especially if there is a 70-300 hanging off the end!

My question is: With that knowlege of how it felt to be at the sharp end of the lens is there anything that I can do to feel comfortable shooting other people without thier consent? Ie Candid's / Shooting from a car etc as its not always viable to ask someones permission to take a photo.... That, and asking, sort of defeats the purpose of a candid....

Any ideas / comments welcome....

[macka]

Easier said than done, but I think you just have to do it.

You're not hurting anyone by taking their photo, and you're completely within your rights so long as they're in a public space.

Having said that, if I was taking someone's photo and they politely asked me not to because it made them uncomfortable, I would stop doing it out of courtesy.

Cheers

[devilla101]

Wear some really good shoes to get ready to do the bolt

Seriously I'm also planning to get some candids of people. But I would probably use the maximum zoom my lens can do and shoot from a safer distance (plus the extra head start if they come running after me )

[Shoot]

Macka: I didnt realise that. Now that you mention it, that makes sense. I guess that feeling will go away if i just start talking pics of people. lol.

Devil: I WAS that person that would have chased after you. Wouldnt bother me if someone stuck a camera in my face now tho, unless i was in compromising position.

[Onyx]

Look like a tourist. You may get away with more, and ppl would likely be more lenient towards your actions.

May I also suggest you do it quickly and discreetly. It will minimise the annoyance factor, and the ordeal for your victims would end sooner...

[BT*ist]

Use a wide-angle lens and aim well to the side of the person (worked in a bar once, where there was this crazy character standing there perpendicular to me> I just made the shot down the bar).

[sirhc55]

There is normally two reasons why people don’t want their photo taken: vanity or they have something to hide

[wendellt]

i find that if you mention your a student photographer people usually don't mind

but it all depends how you take the photo and how you approach them afterwards, you got to be good with people

one trick is to try and make people know you have a camera don't hide it or take pictures surreptitiously that looks more suss
being obvious may destroy some candid moments but it can work

if you say your a professional or from the paper that invites more questioning and they know your going to make money out of it they may object too

[Alpha_7]

Or you could just tell the truth if asked, most people aren't convincing liars, so you make yourself look more suss with a flimsy story. Some people will respect your honesty.

[Nikkofan]

We were up at the Eumundi Markets, near Noosa, recently and I noticed a guy who looked very much like Mick Jagger who was dangling a puppet on a string to Music and "it" was talking and singing. I walked up to him and asked "do you mind if I take your photo?" and he looked shocked and said "you are the 1st person to ask me if I minded. I've had a hundred shots taken of me today and you're the only one who had the courtesy to ask."

Now, I figure he was in the Public Domain, being in the markets like that, but the fact that he so much appreciated my asking his permission made a big impression on me and I really got to thinking as follows: Even if a person is in the public domain, if they see you taking their photo in their face, isn't it a bit rude not to ask permission before or after, if at all possible?

I usually do ask for permission before, or go up to people afterwards and explain that I took their photo because .... (they were photogenic, or had character in their face, or it was good composition, etc...) and they usually don't mind. I also offer to send them a copy of the photo if they would like me to, which a few people have taken me up on. I have had very few negative responses from this and a whole lot of appreciative ones, so it works for me.

And, BTW, "Mick Jagger" said yes and happily posed after that ... (and so did the puppet) ....

[Geoff]

Good story Lynn, now where's the photo?

[Nikkofan]

Patience, Grasshopper ... it's coming soon.

[Geoff]

Yay!!

[Nikkofan]

When I get through the HEAPS of photos we took up there, I'll post some. Just now I'm at the Sorting and "Why did I take so many??? " Stage. The curse of Digital, I guess!

[Geoff]

I'm gonna hold u to that Lynn - can't we just see the one you were talking about?? Eh??

[Alpha_7]

Yes, Lynn been a while since I've seen you.. and even longer I think since I've seen a photo from you, so I"m looking forward to it.. especially after the introductory story...
Hope you and the family are well!