Thoughts of a street photographer

[Howard]

Interesting article. I still wrestle with the intrusive elements of street photography and often miss an opportunity because I don't feel comfortable or confident about the situation. I certainly wouldn't push my camera in someones face as this person says he does.

www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/feb/28/street-photography-might-seem-a-weird-hobby-but-its-taught-me-patience-and-persistence?CMP=Share_AndroidApp_Other

[pontiac1940]

Feb 28, 2024 5:14:23 GMT Howard said:

I still wrestle with the intrusive elements of street photography and often miss an opportunity because I don't feel comfortable or confident about the situation.

That is how I feel. There are ways getting around being obvious. Sometimes I'd just like to stand on a street and take photos. But don't for the reasons you say.   
Thanks for the item. He has chutzpah.  

EDIT: I often see kids playing in the park and would love to take their photos of them playing but that ain't going to happen. Last week, some kids were sledding down a small slope in the park. Would have been a great photo op. But no. Just keep moving along. I ask dog walkers if I can to take photos of their dogs. And I've taken photos of the three neighbour kids as their parents know me and are cool with it. And those three dynamos love getting their photos taken. "Show me! Show me."   

[hmca]

I feel much the same as the both of you. It took me a few years before I attempted, actually before I even recognized the significance of street photography. I remember being out with a friend and while she took a variety of "street scenes" I was looking for "pretty" things. My thought was "Why would she take a picture of that scroungy cat on the steps of that run-down house?" While I still don't take many pictures that qualify as street photography I have come to enjoy the hunt when I do. I much prefer to take people from a distance and unbeknownst to them. I have on a few occasions asked permission. All that being said, I have developed a real appreciation for street photography.

[cats4jan]

I take photos of strange things when a scrapbook title pops into my head when I see something. I like to say “I think in scrapbook”

[Howard]

Nice to know I'm not alone.

Interesting that the one artform can have so many different facets.

I find it much easier to do when I'm overseas, particularly in countries where I stand out as an obvious tourist.

[pontiac1940]

Feb 29, 2024 10:16:22 GMT Howard said:

I find it much easier to do when I'm overseas, particularly in countries where I stand out as an obvious tourist.

Good point. Same. The candid street photos I have taken have always (?) been in other countries: Mongolia, China, Chile, Bahamas, Belize. I can recall several "good" ones. Somewhere, one a man looked at me and crossed his forearms in an X with a scowl on his face; however, most seem to like the attention. Interesting, as we do not I feel comfortable at home. 

Would be a good post Howard. Wanna start? 
PSEM Street Photography From Around the World

[hmca]

After reading the original post I decided to hunt down my first attempt at street photography. It was taken in NYC in 2013 during what I assumed was this guy's lunch break.

[Howard]

Feb 29, 2024 16:34:44 GMT pontiac1940 said:

[quote source="/post/120890/thread" timestamp="1709201782"Would be a good post Howard. Wanna start? 
PSEM Street Photography From Around the World

Good idea. I'll try to dig out some of my attempts. We have in laws visiting from UK at the moment 🥴 and some house renovations going on 😲 so my time is limited for a while.

On the upside we're going to Vietnam in May/June and I'm having a 2 day workshop in Hanoi with Eric DeVries, who I see as something of a mentor (he taught me so much when we met in Siem Riep), so fingers crossed I'll come back with a few good 'uns.

[jackscrap]

Great article, almost makes me feel like taking up the challenge.

[hmca]

Along the topic of street photographers, I saw this post by David Turnley FB and then googled the photographer. Thought it might fit in this thread.

[Howard]

Lovely post, hmca.

We are indeed all humans.