A Very Important Street Photography Tip!

[@Mike-qo8nm]

I look them dead in their eyes after the photo, walk straight up to them within a foot or so, make it real awkward and ask them. WHAT? Works like a charm and I no longer have to go to the dentist

[@TrapLoveMelodies]

😂😂😂😂😂

[@fdra1763]

😂 Every isn’t 6’ 5” full of muscles.

[@averagememer7068]

Thanks for the tip

[@Zoomfreaky]

Seriously? Maybe that is one of the reasons people don't like street photographers? You are hunting them. That is not a nice feeling. Or very respectful. I used to do that too, until I became the subject and felt what it was like. Now I walk up to people before or after the photo and talk to them. Sometimes I will miss a shot, because they say no. But that is their dicision, not yours.

[@SepentiOne]

I'm dying 😂

[@duvalpenny100]

Absolutely! I do the exact same thing. If you want to carry the charade on a little longer you can even take another shot (or pretend to frame a shot) of the same scene once you're almost perpendicular to them. This way they just thought they were in the way of your first shot.

[@fredpaulussen]

Yes, I very often do this, too. It's a great one.

[@louisrafaelcom]

Another tip: shoot again with your camera tilted at an exaggerated angle away from the subject. If the person is walking, take a few shots of the background they've just left.

[@leovodica9975]

Yeah I do that too :)

[@cellokid5104]

Not an option with film

[@louisrafaelcom]

@@cellokid5104 It's an option, just an expensive one. I used to shoot street on my Rolleiflex 2.8f throughout Europe.

[@karim8030]

I'm not gonna say never do this, but I don't think deception should be the standard protocol. In many situations you might be better off with a friendly acknowledgement

[@nickdatriple4081]

Yep. Different approaches will often lead to different results in street photography

[@qwertyqwerty950]

Yeah, what are the ethics of deception? Being low key seems ok though.

[@Arlando4.0]

klo.7 Just take pics of flowers and animals huh? lol

[@ReadIcculus93]

@@qwertyqwerty950 I used to think that taking photos of strangers without permission was somehow wrong, or I was somehow stealing their image. I have since realized that in 200 years, nobody will know who any of us are. Those photos will still exist. As long as I'm not hurting anyone, flashing a driver, jeapordizing someone's image, defaming someone, and am strickly photographing from a documentary point of view, those images will long outlive the subjects in them. If it means taking a candid photo vs taking one of someone looking straight at the camera, I'll stick with the method that gets the best candid shot.

[@Walrus101]

Depends on the situation, and create a balance. It definitely feels wrong to do something deceptive, but if you only do photos where you basically preplan it, let them know you're going to do it, it's no longer candid. And probably will usually not look candid. Also, consider this; would you refuse to take a picture of someone in any circumstance without them knowing? Like someone in the distance who is walking away? If you would refuse, that's your choice to stand by. You don't take any photos of people who are unaware. But if you are fine with that, but not of "deceiving" like with this message; what is the actual difference? Think about that. The result is the same--their photo is being taken without their knowledge--and both even require a form of deception; misdirection vs stealth. Is there really much difference? Heck, this method gives the subject the opportunity to notice while the other doesn't even allow that.

[@goldbecoming]

I was already doing the "don't look at what you just took a picture of" thing, but walking toward them and looking past them is an absolute genius move.

[@gameon2000]

CIA be like: yeah das ma boii! 😂

[@abysal311]

True, when they're not busy pimping kids in their brownstone ops.

[@AmruthKrishna-oy9zo]

😂😂

[@VernanJagunap]

I look at person, smile at him/her, then show the picture. A smile is always a good anti-anger weapon, at least in my country.

[@angelsjoker8190]

Won't work in Germany where it's even unlawful to take pictures of people without their consent (if they are the main subject of the picture) and a majority of the people really don't like being photographed by strangers.

[@fuzer4047]

​@@angelsjoker8190that is actually lot of european countries

[@DaddyM7MD]

​@@fuzer4047 it's actually most countries in the world even.

[@CosmicOwlChild]

Depends on the situation. I personally like it when someone does notice so they can add a bit more of their personality in the shot. Catching someone off guard in their element is always nice. But he even shows it here with the guy flipping the bird. Makes it more fun sometimes. Just go try things out in the real world. But read the room always. ALWAYS

[@fredpaulussen]

Exactly, different approaches give different results.

[@Sgt_Snacks]

This might be the best street photography tip I’ve heard yet. I’m so scared to take pics of people but this method will help.

[@mclovinrisco]

in the beginning, to gain confidence, you would do what a thief would do. just take the ones you have the opportunity to do without being too much obvious. with time you will enhance your technique

[@fredpaulussen]

Looking at your subject before or after taking their photo is not necessarily a mistake. It's all about how you engage and interact. What you explain here can be a good technique; I actually use it myself, too. But I have talked to plenty of street photographers with amazing work who actually make it very clear to their subjects that they are photographing them. To me, there's no right or wrong with these approaches. I enjoy seeing these tips from other photographers like you, so thank you for sharing. But there's no single end-all technique or truth in this genre.

[@ahardmaysnightjt]

another tip: dont be afraid to interact with your subjects. if you’re taking photos of people without asking them then you should be open to confrontation and conversation. this method turns the subject into a tool or animal instead of a human being.

[@emesphoto]

I do that also and then feign frustration like the camera isn’t working right. Sometimes I pretend I’m framing the shot, take a few pics, impatiently look up and pretend the person was in the way of my perfect shot. 😂

[@Chillax11]

😂😂

[@MrBillkaz]

Yes !!!! I swear it’s like judo for the eyes. It’s like along the same line when your friend tells you hey someone staring us by staring at us behind us and what’s your an amateur would immediately look in the direction adventure though would be slick off to find a way to see who they’re talking about without making obvious that they’re talking about.

[@angelsjoker8190]

Yeah, sometimes doing one or two steps to the side to "get a picture without them photobombing your shot" 😅

[@sam_9228]

HAHA that’s perfect

[@bruhbruhnem]

Hell yeah. Make them feel like an inconvenience lmao

[@dakotaxu4792]

Some mirrorless cameras let you use your phone as a remote to trigger the shutter, while letting you simultaneously see the subject on the phone’s screen instead of on the cameras LCD. So this way you could position yourself in such a way as to not physically face the person while looking at them on your phone, for example face away from them with your side facing them but the camera pointing at them and use the phone to trigger the shutter release.

[@parchedpixels5804]

This is brilliant. And it will likely open up opportunities for images of subjects that could be too on guard to otherwise capture, candidly.

[@Ювелир-у6ъ]

I wish my 10+ years old camera could do this 😅

[@mclovinrisco]

its really great tip. i tried just one time to shot by my phone, I was doing a self portrait in my house. i found that it had too much delay for using in the street, maybe I can found an better config for doing that. my camera is a Sony zve10

[@bradovard8657]

This is great advice. I’ve used this technique at weddings many a time to great effect.

[@Johnspartan296]

I recently bought my first mirrorless camera because I want to get started with photography, but the idea of street photography is really daunting to me. The idea of any potential confrontation I might have, and also people judging me in general.

[@fredpaulussen]

I totally get that. I had it too. You can still go out and photograph other things first too. There's no rush into photographing people. In my opinion street photos don't always need a person in it anyway. And who knows, street photography isn't your thing, but you find another niche you enjoy. As long as you enjoy the time with your camera.

[@highbred]

It's fine dw. I recently started out too and all I do is street photography. The worst I've had happen is someone looked at me annoyed xD

[@HR-wd6cw]

This is a very good "trick" to do to sort of perhaps put your subject at ease, and make them not really pay attention to you as much (Zach Arias said the same thing, he takes a picture, looks at the LCD with a puzzled look, looks back up -- beyond the person, maybe something behind them, and reshoots, but he makes it look like he's shooting the thing behind the person.

[@michaelkemp6857]

I walk up to them, then ask them politely, if I can take their photo. Usually they say yes - ignoring the standard comment " dont break your lens!" . Never had a problem.

[@Mme.Swisstella]

If you're going to take somebody's photo then don't be all sneaky about it. Just do it.

[@davidlacziko1516]

Yup! Exactly! I just noticed I have been doing that intuitively and never thought about it 😂... Thank you all the useful advices!😉 These simplistic videos help me a lot as a beginner!

[@evanspear4467]

Learn to be confident that you're not doing anything wrong. If your intentions are good, and you're honest with them and with yourself about why you're doing it, theres no reason to hide. Once they've noticed you, the candid moment is gone anyhow. Take another shot then look them straight in they eye and give them a smile. Some of my best shots were at the exact moment that they noticed me.

[@cecazy]

Depends on the country in Germany they could literally sue you. You’re only allowed to take pictures where groups of people are ‘accidentally’ present in it.

[@Kwright304]

This is a huge tip. It’s the same with wedding candids. I always act like I was looking behind whoever my subject is. To their side and behind. I’ll even raise the camera again and pretend to take another one off center from them just to establish how little I notice them so they think I don’t notice them.

[@cantinabandstudios8360]

I try to use the trick of being “intrigued” with something behind someone but every once and awhile I’ll miss a really good shot because they turn to look at what I’m looking at lmao.

[@dead162]

That second tip is a great one

[@MattyAg13]

I do this to my kids all of the time.

[@o-SPECTRE-o]

Great advice. I sometimes also look beyond and slightly up, like I’m taking a photo of the building behind them.

[@jaspermuir6483]

Never realised other people did this, although it makes sense now that I think about it. I'm not strictly a street photographer but I do take a lot of photos in the street and I always do this. Someone else was saying that they walk up close to the subject and take a photo behind them to make it look like they were just in your way. I've done this ever since I was yelled at by an angry Chinese chef in shanghai.

[@dangilmore9724]

I'm fairly obvious while doing street photography. I don't make a secret of what I'm doing. Never had any problems.

[@fredpaulussen]

It's all about creating your own approach to it. And it will give different results for everyone. So, great that you never had any problems with it!

[@creeguyvernon]

Same here in Canada, no problem whatsoever, but I usually wait till no one's in the shot or they see what I'm doing and wait on the side out of frame

[@rakov1]

Take the photo of the person. Who cares if they know or not? People sometimes come up to me and ask if I took a pic of them and if I did I tell them so. I then also offer to let them have a look and offer to send them a copy if they give me their contact details. I even offer to take a posed pic. No one has ever complained and about 8/10 take me up on the posed pic offer. No one has ever been upset with me but if they ever are my advice to them will be to stay out of public areas.

[@angelsjoker8190]

In some countries, it's unlawful to take photos of people without their consent. Different countries, different cultures, different rules.

[@ABC-sc2ip]

@@angelsjoker8190 Can you name me some of those countries? I've heard this said before but I can never find actual laws that forbid photographing people in public. I know it's unlawful to use a person's likeness for commercial purposes such as on billboard ads or stock images without a model release, but for personal use and editorial use (photo zines, etc.) it's fine.

[@angelsjoker8190]

@@ABC-sc2ip AFAIK in the whole European Union, you have the rights to your own picture, and it's unlawful to publish pictures (photos OR even paintings) of a person without their consent, even for non-commercial purposes. In Germany, it's basically forbidden to take pictures of people without their consent, but it will only be prosecuted if they will make a complaint to the police (which is not unlikely, as German people really cherrish their privacy). And if you take compromising pictures of people or pictures of underaged persons, you really could get in even bigger trouble facing potential jail-time. That's according to the law StGB §201a

[@ABC-sc2ip]

@@angelsjoker8190 That's interesting. Thank you for giving some background information. I totally understand the compromising images and underage aspects. North America has similar laws.

[@angelsjoker8190]

@@ABC-sc2ip Germany, in particular former GDR/East Germany, has a bad history of citizens spying on each other and reporting to Staatssicherheit (National Security), so people are still quite sensitive about their privacy.

[@KentBryanPalmes]

Very useful information. Thank you for the advice Sir.

[@intuitiveimprints]

I’m a videographer and do a lot of city shots and this man gives great advice. Basically, this is what I do too. 👍🏻

[@samwang5831]

Dont look down at the LCD, look sideways as your finger press the button. If your camera is small enough try holding it with your left hand at waist level and press the shutter with your left thumb.

[@independentfreepress-ifp236]

Excellent tips. Thank you sir

[@Global_Pivot]

A video that is just so spot on.

[@synthesaurus]

Often your “looking at a distance” still tells them your mind is still “looking at them” 😅

[@eddychan5296]

Absolutely great tips ! 👏

[@lisabyrd8723]

Do you have to have that person’s permission in order to print their picture! Or to put it in some kind of a public form?

[@markwiemels]

These laws vary around the world, but in most places no.

[@peter9962]

Haha, great tip!! I’ve been doing that myself for quite a while 😊

[@bigshooter461]

I've seen a few of your lens videos and appreciate your insights and the lenses you review that I might not have taken much notice of, some of the shots you shared here are really nice, You should share more of this work. As for this tecnique of looking past the subject This is a tactic I use a lot especially when I find a fantastic scene and wait for subjects to come into it, I remain in place composing the image after taking the shot so as they walk toward me they understand it wasn't necessarily them I am here shooting the scene.

[@M.Kabane]

No. I don't care if they notice me.. I always look at them, and if they look back at me, I compliment them .. I tell them I thought they look cool or that I like their style.. almost every time they smile and the awkwardness is gone.

[@joshh6395]

An actually great piece of advice !!!

[@cre8r61]

Great short mate and this advice is gold. You’ve articulated what I do subconsciously

[@mardiyanto01]

Nice tips 👍

[@leFoodeater]

Sometimes I look them straight in the eyes while I take the shot

[@powerlink2000]

Great advice!

[@Aleman.Gallery]

Good advice

[@dwightschrut3]

Smart move!

[@f.kieranfinney457]

Once you have the picture, who cares what they think? There’s no expectation of privacy in public. If they get upset or ask what I’m doing, I say, “making you famous!”

[@Justheretohelp]

This is actually great, don’t know why I didn’t think of this

[@theMadKatter71]

Great advice!~MK

[@OneWaveFilms]

Epic tip

[@notetec1]

Fully agree!

[@jmtholl9528]

What Fuji camera model are you using in this clip?

[@hueiditaflaj6356]

I do the same 🤙 but thx for the reminder 🍀

[@MrBillkaz]

Amazing work dude

[@omadlom]

Great advice

[@grainfrizz]

Me I just take the photo and when they confront me and ask to delete it, I just respond: "how do I delete a film?"

[@ninethirtyone4264]

Then they pull out the entire reel out of your camera

[@DaddyyCrab]

Street cameras take pictures of us all day long

[@fortheloveofsanity7024]

Do you ask before posting online? If im avoiding veing on the internet, id be pissed

[@diedannuss2132]

Very Valuable tipp thanks!

[@erick-gd7wo]

Thank you for the tip

[@Protectselfdefence]

I do exactly the same.

[@Mc007Queen]

😊 good advice

[@trevorwisecup]

I never knew this!

[@PTRK490]

I always ask them if I can get them in frame as an subject. Some consent, some don't. I usually take shots where a lot ot people are in frame but whenever i see someone that i find interesting to frame, i just ask.

[@Munnyteem]

😂😂😂 great advice

[@arismakaronas4469]

Haha as an introvert I was kinda doing that naturally

[@MyChevySonic]

I just use 500mm. With a teleconverter. On micro four thirds.

[@AlEbnereza]

Simplest trick, no matter with or without camera, is to keep staring juuuussst off the side of the person. Most humans will automatically assume that you’re definitely not staring at them and continue with their day.

[@susybling9012]

I always thought its illegal to take pictures of people? I sticked to animals and nature until now hahahahah

[@nightowl7261]

Not in public. But it is a douchy move from the photographers part.

[@nesdz7369]

Thank you for advice

[@Money1Films]

I also make it look like I'm fixing something

[@willsouthdakota5153]

This idea takes away from the story. Talk to them, get ro know them for that one moment in time. Be human!

[@stewartweir3425]

The best thing every street photographer should do is learn body language

[@coveybaby]

Big brain

[@aungnaingoo6910]

Yeah! Now they know 😅

[@cottagegymfun]

I'm visiting the Philippines. People love to have their photos taken. In fact people will join in on the photo shoot, a must! Lol

[@SepentiOne]

I did the same thing today, but it was intentional. I was just scared haha...

[@sbrazenor2]

Since I shoot with a camera with 2 SD slots, if I got caught, I can 'delete' the picture. (Having a second one anyways.)

[@fredpaulussen]

Sure you can still delete the copied filed too. It's also about respect to the subject tbh.

[@bjornoswald3469]

yeah well... totally weird idea here... maybe you should just be transparent about you taking a picture of people. Talk to them, tell them what you are doing (see homepage reference...) and ask them if they are okay with having their picture taken (and possibly shown) And if they don't like it... maybe you just delete it? Some countries don't care but in Germany for example you have a law against just taking pictures of random people (it's called "Recht am Bild" which might translate to something like right to one's own image). So yeah... maybe just something to think about... don't be that creep with the camera taking pictures of people who don't actually want it... but ask people for their permission. (I know you cannot ask BEFORE you take the picture as it would destroy the moment... but you can ASK afterwards... it would probably be the right thing!). Of course there are situations where you CANNOT ask afterwards... but in the examples I have seen that's never been the case.

[@Juventinos]

100% i do the beyond thing lol

[@OoJoshioO]

So wait, in your country, it's not illegal to take pictures of people on the street? In Germany, when I take street shots, I have to be careful that people don't see me, or I risk getting sued.

[@DreamCatcher101-6]

But what if the person stops you and asked to see the pictures? Should I start a fight 😅

[@fredpaulussen]

Just show them, give them your details and send them a copy. I'm sure they'd love a photo of themselves.

[@Triflingtroglodyte]

Or you can just look at them and smile 😊

[@jasongreen2745]

Train yourself to not look at the back of the camera. You're supposed to know what you're doing. What are you looking at it for.

[@baronseye]

I pretend to be fixing settings after

[@richardlynam2007]

Great Tips. Sneaky :)

[@MaiElizabeth]

Haha exactly what I always do. I will make people think I was looking something beyond them and no eye contact to them at all. Acting totally like 'I don't see you at all'

[@JewJam69]

Melbourne

[@ΕυτύχηςΜπαλωμενάκης]

The downside of street photography is when the population of you city is at 100.000 so it's easy to upload someone who somebody knows who somebody will sue you 😂

[@arashnasserian1013]

Mark for the m50 mark ii is a 18-135mm better or a 18-55mm for a beginner and for general photography with a zoomed lens

[@albionjetullahu4304]

Try it in Germany

[@ReadIcculus93]

The ole garry Winogrand trick. Act like you have no idea what you're doing.

[@yeet_cs3394]

or just use a really long lens

[@shanelee4666]

Hi this is what I do all the time look past them 😅

[@Koji-888]

Sneaky news.. you can use. 😎

[@rays1548]

Very sneaky. I know your tricks.

[@BP-xe7dw]

100%

[@katsuyasensei]

This is solid advice! I do the exact same thing of looking further and walking past the person I took a picture of. Unfair and maybe even nasty, but that’s street photography.

[@canada7043]

Yeah take a picture and walk away heheh

[@tonydanza6036]

What even is the purpose?

[@michaelguy00777]

Yeah! But do that to the wrong guy(s) and and now you have a problem. 😂😂 But ok I’ll try that now, with caution. 😂 However, if some guy goes, “You took a picture of me, asshole?”. Look em in the eyes and say you have diarrhea and you have to go. Idea perfected.