5 Secrets to Street Photography in Public When You're Shy

[@Pierretlambert]

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[@RobinHartJones]

I am too shy to just ask people in the street but I find that if you go to a street event, eg a parade or a festival, where people dress up then people are expecting to be looked at and will pose without being asked.

[@logantraxler7]

Great point. I did some street photography for the first time this past Friday in Charlotte and at least in Charlotte people don’t care that much and when they see you’re taking a picture of them, they start posing 😂 I think your looks okay a big part in it though.

[@jkb_cine]

Helping me be a better photographer AND get over my social anxiety, thanks!

[@ShutterEmotions123]

First time out today on the streets (beach area) and 8 out of 10 people said yes! Awesome experience interacting with people!

[@butchgo8930]

I’m one of those shy photogs. My secret is to take photos with medium to tele zoom lens from a cafe or coffee house with a good view of the street while having coffee.

[@Termidryna]

If you're afraid of asking people just don't ask.

[@cotswoldphotographers]

I don’t ask many people because I’m very introverted but whenever I do they say yes 👍 joyeux Noël 🎄

[@Pierretlambert]

Thanks Garry! ❤️

[@batschogvinjilia9356]

Don't try to ask people in Germany. When I do they always " Ich rufe die Polizei an " ))))

[@realthoprivate]

Good video. As photography is #1 hobby for the extremely introvert, this is very useful.

[@CrustyClad]

23 years as a bartender and it still took me awhile before I could confidently approach a stranger. After the first few, ya get in the groove and just go with the flow. The results improve dramatically after that. Long as your friendly, have open body language and not pushy...80% and higher is pretty common for me.

[@KaranShah731]

You have 6000 dollars and you lose 1 dollar, you won't throw the rest 5999. Same way, don't throw away 5999 times someone will say yes because of 1 rejection

[@jessbreheret]

That's a very interesting way to put it

[@duschbrauser]

Totally depends on the country. In Japan it really seems to be easier than in most European countries.

[@Pierretlambert]

I was going to say the contrary haha :)

[@KaranShah731]

@Pierretlambert depends on people honestly, someone who looks more caucasians gets away and not get told or confronted more often than someone who is south asian

[@azizzbulut]

Is there a problem with european people? I'm just asking because my curiosity. I'm not from europe

[@duschbrauser]

@@azizzbulut I have the feeling that many people don't like to be photographed, even when you ask. At least in Germany it can be difficult. Never had any issues in countries like Thailand, Laos or Cambodia or in some African countries.

[@azizzbulut]

@@duschbrauser Thanks for the reply. If i shoot them without telling them what would happen to me do you know? Do i have to get permission every time i took a picture of someone? And how i get permission from them? Speaking or written?

[@charmerci]

Years ago, I got up the nerve to ask a Parisian woman sitting drinking a tea at a table. She said no.

[@davidjohnson7852]

I think that people in Asian countries are more tolerant and less defensive when it comes to street photographers. But here in Houston Texas I've done some street photography and I do it very discreetly. I never really approached anyone and ask if I could take a picture of them. Mainly because I think the picture is going to be disappointing. I am still learning how to think quickly on my feet. I find that most people, especially younger females know how to take better pictures with their cell phones. Then most photographers do with their professional cameras. I lived in Chicago most of my life and I remember watching a video on KZbin of a photographer that just bought a camera from a local store there and he took pictures of some females walking near the store and they attacked him and I think through his camera on the ground after beating him up. I guess I need to get that image out of my head 🙂

[@scientiest12]

wait, isn't that assault

[@davidjohnson7852]

@@scientiest12 yeah if he called the police before they left. But in Chicago it's a misdemeanor. So they would have been out of jail the same day. And from the looks of them they wouldn't be able to afford to replace the camera. It would just take his scars longer to heal. But Pierre knows from being in Chicago that there's just certain places you can't go at certain people you don't photograph

[@scientiest12]

@@davidjohnson7852 that's just..... sad

[@davidjohnson7852]

@@scientiest12 yep it is ridiculous. I wish I could find that video. He was standing in front of the store and just panning with the camera. It was around 4 young ladies and one of them got angry and the others just reacted off of her energy. One time I was in Grant Park in Chicago and asked two ladies on a bench if I could take pics of them. They told me that I could and a group of guys/gals around 40 feet behind them saw me. One big guy came over and asked me if I was taking his pic and the girls and I told him that I was taking pics of them. He joked and said that he just wanted to make sure he looked good in the pics. But I knew he was initially confrontational. But oh well that is life in the big city of Chicago and other areas.

[@davidjohnson7852]

Oh I forgot to mention that the pack leader was calling him a pervert and pedophile even though all of the girls were in their late teens or early 20s. SMH

[@thephotoroad]

Positive vibes are nice, but I work in many different countries and encounter many people who don’t want their photos taken and say no. This is often for cultural or even religious reasons. It is misleading or naive to believe all u have to do is be friendly and open and people will say yes. It depends on a lot of things that have little to do with the photographer.

[@tridinh1011]

Get a sigma 150-600 and an extender, you'll be able to do street photography from your own home

[@philadams9254]

When with a friend, you can set up the shot you want using them as the model, then just wait for the right person to enter the scene. When you ask them, it seems natural because you were gonna take the photo anyway

[@danidah]

I prefer candid photos. As soon as you ask it’s no longer genuine/natural behavior, reactions, and emotions

[@RolandKaufmann]

Before I started street photography I would never talk to strangers while walking around. Now I see it as a great way to spend time and meet great people. The more I do it the better I've got at approaching and having a positive experience. I'd say 80% of the people I ask say yes to a photo these days!

[@MitchGoyen]

I did portraits of random people for my major work in highschool. I find it makes it easy to give them a reason when you ask for a picture so instead of "can i take your picture" you would say "I'm working on this project at the moment where I go around taking portraits of random people, do you mind if I take your picture?" also helps if you can show them some previous photos.

[@LGcoolJ]

I live in germany. Things are different here. Very... different. Trying what u just did will get u sued :D

[@igorthai]

Most of the time, here in Portugal I feel like it is around 60% saying no but the other 40% are cool enough to support the 60% that "miss" . The 40% of people who say yes are mostly foreigners wich is awesome !

[@Fujifilm2021]

Fast is very important for street photography because u don't harass this people.

[@drewhoyle]

in an entire year, and with capturing well over 1000 people's photo (no that wasn't a typo), I've had 2 people say no thank you. I've always used the tactic of (be polite, never take a photo of someone anyway if they say no, and always be transparent on honest about why you want to take their photo if they ask).

[@benoitlombard]

Thanks Pierre ! Great to hear your advice on this ! Et bravo de parler toutes ces langues ;)

[@cologne-photography]

Hey Pierre, by me was so I was with one of my friend for Video shoot in Cologne Germany. And here in Cologne Germany is Rheinauhafen also in the history one port in Cologne. Here is standing a ferriswheel, and It was an evening also dark sky, I saw a puddle on the ground an take picture with my phone. Because in the puddle reflected a part of the ferris wheel, as I took the picture a couple ask me what I captured. And I show their, what I captured they find it's a great picture. Then I asked them if it's ok that I take pictures of them with the ferrisweheel in the behind. The couple sayed why not. As I finished with the small shooting, an other couple saw that I take a Pictures of the couple. Then cames to me an asked me if I can take pictures of they too. But is definetly not easy to ask persons for a shooting.

[@australianboy]

I’m located in Korea and most people will say “no” when asked. It’s certainly easier if you’re a foreigner and/or if you have a big follower base on instagram (they’re more likely to accept after seeing your account with other street photos)

[@sunneeds]

👍 좋아요!

[@sailingdoughnut3544]

I love the idea of printing it directly like in 7:52 - Makes it super unique. What pocket printer is that?

[@luqman.295]

Hei Pierre, can you get in touch with Joe Allam. He is at Japan too

[@scottmuir2385]

So I've been in Sales for 20+ years of my life, and so being in front of people is my business. But when I take an image of people, I get nervous (not sure why)… So I adopted a technique - I run my 5DMKIV with battery grip and either a 24-105L F4 or a 700-200F2.8 L VII lens, and I've discovered that being obvious has benefits - after all, let's face it, my set-up isn't subtle. Of course, I've had the odd person say that I should not photo them after the fact, but then I show them and delete them if they want.

[@01928374655]

i personally also find it much more comfortable to shoot with my big EOS DSLR and a big lens than with my compact Sony RX100. With the DSLR you are so much more conspicuous on the road that it can't be misunderstood as if you want to take hidden photos. it's so obvious and therefore much less creepy in my opinion.

[@LeeAllen337]

Great tips Pierre. I just love your videos. Photography is one of my favorite things to do these days. It's such a joy. Thanks.

[@Rishabh-Raja]

How do you learn the languages so quickly before going to a new place

[@DjimmyTrovy]

0:28 That's a pretty steezy kickflip right there.

[@moonlucifer]

Hello Pierre ！！You speak Japanese very well! ! Great！！！ please come to Japan again

[@phes4471]

Considering youself as a traveller will help a lot becuase you are just curious about everything and forget the shyness.🤣

[@robertfahey3252]

I asked to photograph someone working at a food stall, they said no because they were too shy. I kept smiling and talking about how good the food was. Before long they said go ahead, take my photo.

[@ivanrago4570]

Hi Pierre, nice video, beautiful photos and thanks for the great advice🖐🖐💯💯

[@izet.tahirbegovic]

Its always good to ask people to photograph. Thats how you engage with them.

[@TAPPChannel]

Hi Pierre... Wasn't here for a while but just saw your channel is booming like crazy in the last couple of the months... Is it any particular video that I've missed or whole channel in general?! Greeting from Schaumburg :)

[@Pierretlambert]

Heya!! :) not sure - I had a reel blow up that may be why … but normal videos tend to get less pushed lately :-/

[@armandoragusaucy96z.71]

@@Pierretlambert Started following you since you covered the Xperia PRO-I and 1 IV - Dove into the rest of your content later! Your content is legendary! Greetings from Canada!! -A fellow Beginner Photographer

[@Pierretlambert]

@@armandoragusaucy96z.71 Thanks Armando

[@TAPPChannel]

@@Pierretlambert Is your wife Japanese? How come are you able to communicate this people in Tokyo in their language?! :D

[@blueff8844]

japanese are too shy to say no 😂😂

[@dicekolev5360]

This craft is not for shy people 🤠

[@ft._dave6171]

5 secrets or 4 techniques?

[@EverlastingEclipses]

what Pierre says is true, but usually that works on countries in western region and maybe Japan, but in South Korea, its a whole different kind of issue. Koreans rarely like their photos taken even if asked by stranger.

[@sayparler]

There's sth I call the "foreigner's privilege" in Japan. If you're a foreigner (westener), and you approach people in Japan, you're most likely be well treated and they will be friendly with you. However, as a Japanese descendant foreigner, I can tell you they're no where near as friendly or tolerant to strangers.

[@mouta8036]

it's all about how sociable you are , if you are that kind of brave, talky & smily person you can always take portraits of whoever you meet in streets... I live in morocco and i used to do street portraits here and in europe , i found that in europe it is easier to convince people to shoot them

[@stopcam.iso_1]

Always love to see your informative videos

[@tectorama]

It's a good idea to offer to send them a copy of the photo. So carry some cards with your details on to hand out. Buskers are also a good subject, just put some money in their hat.

[@zerakhu]

Love your vids and personality, love from chicago 🙌🏽

[@theSergeantGonzalez]

Brilliant...! I am from Downtown Miami and I have never had problems, I always ask for permission in many cases, but in many cases no, of course you have to be easy to approach, but it will be because all my life I have worked in direct contact with people. Excellent video Pierre, Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.😎✌✌

[@prabuddhachowdhury6397]

It's an issue in India , I get majorly I can say 70% positive responses , while 30% of them was negative and few of them was even too disrespectful to me. But I think that's just a part of it and its a thing we can do nothing about.

[@AnnaDonofrio784]

When will you bring one of your longest street videos to the channel like you used to? With your videos I feel like I'm right there with you. I hope you will make more 🫶🏻

[@Kurdistan2002]

‏Hi, what do you think is the best camera for photography?

[@POSYPANO]

Is your friend in 4:50 Maciej Suwałowski from Poland?

[@ScrappyGami]

Just found your amazing KZbin channel, new subscriber!

[@paigecfrancis]

Your Japanese is good. Nice video. I used to be stationed in Okinawa. Great place to do street Photpgraphy

[@BamBttv]

yo Pierre ! Love your video, they are really great ! Can you or anyone else that knows it tell me from where does this accent come from ? because i feel like its french in the way you pronounce some "r" but im not sure :)

[@jaesbow]

I lived In Yokohama 50 years ago. People are still smoking.

[@karlbratby4349]

Great tips.. you are so confident though and to speak Japanese ….wow 🎉

[@repleksyonstudio]

Hi. What is portable printer you were using at 7:50 Thank you!

[@eduviero]

very good Pierre...love it :)

[@Bahlsted1]

I had some great talks with strengere, after I had taken pictures of them

[@smlofiguy]

Hi! I`m a street photographer in Russia. And in Russia many people don`t like a lot of attention to themself. And that`s why I hear more often "No" or questions "What for?". It`s realy sad me, because I want to give them some smile. Btw thank you for you video. I am goint to try to use your tips!! Lovely💙

[@alanalain4884]

(English next) C'est bien, mais moi aussi au Japon aucun problème pour demander a des gens de se laisser photographier. Les gens sont aimables, et surtout courtois, mais sur Paris (on va laisser le 93, hein?..), ce sera pas la meme à mon avis. Geneve, Amsterdam, ça irait aussi, mais Marseille, aussi détendu ? Non, c'est pas evident, et le temperament des gens du lieu joue pour beaucoup dans la confiance qu'on aura pour aborder le quidam lambda... In short, how comfortable we feel in asking stranger for a picture will also have a lot to do with the locals' temperament. I'd feel easy asking someone in Tokyo, Geneva, Amsterdam, where the locals are usually courteous or friendly, for a picture, whereas I would be less in asking random folks in Paris or Marseille. And in some countries, you wouldn't even want to pull out a camera to shoot people, unless you want to be shot too, but in a different style...

[@Markandmelissatravels]

Hi there could you tell us the phrase in japanese asking them to take their photo?

[@mahdialmousli3643]

Can I get a camera, I need it so much, I have to start working 💔💔💔

[@Momentsbyaaron]

Does anyone know what portable photo printer he was using?

[@alanhall5648]

Great video and very sound advice 🔥🔥🇬🇧

[@itstheboyz07]

How dare you say we are shy XD XD Although I am...

[@iCraftDay]

my trick is to just hold an object in front of you in the hand. If you want to take photos, the camera. If you advertise something with a gift (cookie for example), the gift. Then the people often know what to expect and it's much easier.

[@stopcam.iso_1]

Bro You Solved My Problems

[@danidah]

Do you always give them your card?

[@maxx-er3fj]

Just slap 55-200 on crop frame sensor

[@vincentvincent1575]

Je pense que ça dépend beaucoup de l endroit. Je reviens d inde tous les gens sont heureux d être pris en photo. Au Maroc je me suis fait insulter.

[@13MoonsOverMayhem]

Thanks for the tips! Can you tell me, the little photo printer you had at the end, what is that called? Does it use bluetooth or wifi to print from your camera? Or a cable?

[@bestill1018]

9 out of 10 agreed to be photographed and had fun!

[@cliffcreates]

I get maybe 85% yes but still struggle asking, this will be the year tho. Great video and tips!

[@danielhenzphotography]

When you shoot, do you use a special color profile, so you can show the people a decend "edited" photo on the screen?

[@machadodealex]

I always wonder this, what does he do?

[@aylenstudios]

So what do I do if I only have a 16mm 😂

[@casdirico9532]

What lens did you use in this video

[@dslmaxe]

I have taken photos of strangers across Asia, Europe and America. The YES were > 90% I would say. But I even can't really remember the last NO. Have been on a street photography shoot yesterday, and most of the times the people were asking ME if I could make a photo of them. :-)

[@geraldbellacaza]

@Pierre thanks for making this video. This the main reason i don't shoot enough. I did your 30 days workshop but i didn't manage to meet my local group. Pourtant je suis à Paris but i didn't have the luck to be invited. I'll try to make a proper event soon, maybe i'll find some guys interested . Anyway i'll do it solo, même si c'est plus compliqué . Merci pour les tips en tout cas

[@Newtredegarhistory]

I put like on your vids before I even view them,guess I already know I'm going to get loads of nice Photography tips,my instincts are always right 👍👍😁

[@MSSMusChaos]

I just need to sharpen my skills a bit more before doing this since I just finished my first travel with a camera, and I hope I can use this guide one day.

[@danielhenzphotography]

I was half expecting Joe Allem to walk by in the photography group section.

[@marilynbettridge2889]

Very relaxed approach and motivational too. Question..when photographing the woman and child at the vegetable stand, what was the small white square that was used to presumably hand over a photo to the woman and child? Marilyn

[@tahoetyler]

Nice one Pierre 🔥

[@ghilashamaili2733]

I'm both learning Japanese and into photography so this content is just 100% for me.

[@ANU_SMIT]

Loved it ❤️thanks for motivating me always 😊

[@matte_rasso]

I’m really shy to ask people to take them pictures also because in Italy some people consider strange doing photography or being a photographer

[@CxcxaHxxves]

I finally got out in my city to take pictures downtown. I got one I'm really proud of, but I was too shy to even show them the picture I got of them haha

[@mahdialmousli3643]

Can I?? Please

[@tazchars8857]

sometimes depends where you live and the culture to be honest.cuz where i am they aint friendly.

[@G95G95]

Very different doing this in Tokyo vs nearly any other place in the world

[@MulliganAl]

I’ve certainly had more people say it’s fine to take the photo, and a few ask why so I explain to them that I’m a street photographer and just enjoy taking photos of people in interesting situations. I also use my cellphone with Bluetooth to my Sony to take stealth photos, that way the people will continue doing what was interesting that caught my eye in the first place.

[@jordydamen_nl]

I can be really shy as well, but I've noticed, It's mostly because of what other might think of what I'm doing, so I don't try to get too much attention at first, shoot with an 85mm in the beginning, try to capture moments, be open about it when people ask what I'm doing, I don't like to shoot within bigger groups which get a lot attention, and it's also a state of mind, It's harder when I just came from work, and work is still on my mind, but if I start to focus more on my surroundings and get more in the moment it gets easier.

[@psychogravio]

I really love photography,wanna try street but everytime i go out there,i dunno what to shoot,so i end up trying toys photography

[@sauravsingh3313]

bro can you reviews sony zv e10 outshooting plss

[@lluucciikk]

As a shy photographer myself, a telly lens is my best friend :D

[@recheljoyjavier]

I hope 1 day i can be like you🙂thank you for your encouraging me.