People photography: Afraid to shoot strangers!
Posted by Diana Eftaiha on Apr 18, 2010 in Photography Techniques | 5 comments
Introduction
An area that aspiring photographers may have difficulty with is shooting close portraits of strangers. After all, human beings are protective and defensive by nature, and if someone feels their own personal space is being violated they most probably are going to react. Here are a few pointers for approaching people for a story-telling photo:
- Approaching a stranger on the street can be intimidating at first. However, a bit of confidence along with a compelling and honest explanation of why you want to photograph that person can go a long way; You’re shooting a series of portraits on the craftsmen in the flea market, or you’re shooting fishermen in a small village.
Most potential photographic subjects will comply with your request if it sounds legitimate. The first few times are the toughest, and it does get easier.
- Show an interest in what that person is doing. That’s what appealed to you photographically in the first place, right?
If you are sincere in you interest, more often than not you are allowed to photograph that individual. Here’s where asking some questions about what the person is doing can be of some value as it allows the would-be subject to be the expert and take part in the whole event. Genuine interest is often a ticket to making a good photograph. When you take the time to be interested, you’re an interesting person to the subject.
- Photographing that person doing what attracted you in the first place is essential.
This takes time as the first few minutes they probably will be staring at your camera
waiting for you to take your shot. Explain that you would like them to do what they were doing when you approached, and then give it time. Spend some time watching and waiting for that million-dollar moment. - Photography takes time. This makes budgeting your time important, especially if you’re not at home.
- And last, use that benefit of the digital technology (the LCD screen on the back of your camera) to show your subject the images you’ve captured of them.
This can be a tremendous ice-breaker, drawing the person’s interest further into this process of making their image as powerful as you can.
Carlo Nicora 
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| __ankor |
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| Carlo Nicora |
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| Carlo Nicora |
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| Carlo Nicora |
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| Carlo Nicora |
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5 Comments
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I agree
Hi, nice post. I have been wondering about this issue,so thanks for writing. I will certainly be subscribing to your posts.
well thank you Reginald im glad you like =)
Good common sense tips. I was wondering if you could address the question I have, and many others may have, which is whether or not you should ask the subject of your on-the-street portrait to sign a release… Thanks for sharing these insights.
hi jim. generally if a photo contains more than 3 people it is considered public and you dont need a release model. if however theres less than that you need permission (in most cases verbal permission is sufficient and it shouldnt get you in trouble later) plus its less intimidating for the people to ask them for their signature in some paper. of course this might vary from one culture to another so you need to do a little research on whats considered best with people of a specific culture.
if you dont wanna ruin the candid moment by asking someone to shoot them you could take you shot and then tell them that you did. if they dont like that you can simply erase it or talk them into it (maybe offer to email them a copy of the picture)