#6 Graslei & Shooting people
The question I hear the most is “aren’t people annoyed when you take their picture?”
Actually: no. In the 8 years I’m taking street photos, I had exactly 2 people asking me to delete their picture. And I have had countless positive interactions with the random folks who happen to walk in my frame. Here’s how I do it.
The basic rules I follow:
1. I never take pictures of beggars and I always delete pictures that might embarass people. A clear conscience is the best start.
2. I take my time to take a picture, so people walking by can always stop and ask me what I’m doing. With a little explaining comes understanding and generally a positive vibe. When people ask, I send them the picture afterwards.
3. I focus on a certain frame, then wait until someone walks by. Some people walk around when they see me, it’s like an autofilter!
4. I never ask. Everyone is allowed to take pictures in public spaces. As long as you don’t focus on a particular face/the person isn’t the main element in your picture. And with a second constraint: you can’t publish images with recognazible people on any media. The most probable thing that will happen when someone objects is that you get a “take down” notice, meaning if you delete the picture nothing more will happen. I’m not a lawyer, mind you. Comments welcome!
Some tips:
- looking like a tourist helps.
- looking like a weirdo and behaving like one sometimes helps. My favourite position is sitting with legs crossed on the pavement. It looks so weird (in Gent anyway) that passersby simply ignore you (and even run or drive you over).
- pretending you are taking a picture of something else sometimes works.
- the bigger your camera, the sooner people will think you’re a pro (“are you taking pictures for a newspaper?”) if you make pics with a mobile… make the V-sign while shooting, pretend you're taking selfies!
This one I made sitting on my ass on a wet pavement:
Here I was using a double tactic: pretending I’m a tourist and pretending I’m shooting something else entirely.
This is pretty safe as well, although the subject is highly recognizable.
With this couple I started talking, he’s a studio photographer (IG @kenny_de_waele).
Since you’ve read all the way down here, you get a bonus. Here’s an extra tip: taking pictures of people through the windows of trams, trains and buses is a great way to start. Just make sure your subject is leaving and not arriving and the doors are already closed. 100% guarantee there will be no complaining.
I love the tactic of pretending your a tourist and shooting something else entirely. I once stood right in front of a group of men who were talking on the sidewalk, behind them was a waterfront. I literally stood right in front of them getting several shots with them thinking I was taking pictures of the boats beyond them. By the way, love your images!
Good and important advice