Advice for the Shy Street Photographer (The story of an image)

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In this video I share some advice for street photographers who struggle with the idea of taking images of strangers in public and show you some examples of the style I have developed for myself as a 'shy' street photographer.
#streetphotography #shy #introvert

[@lecoqlico]

When I was starting , I had to try different type of photography, and for "street" photography I've been in a train station here in switzerland (luzern) with trains that only comes from one direction so all passengers had to walk the entire platform to switch for a different one or to reach the city: so all I had to do is to look at train arrival and then find a good spot on that platform with architecture light shapes, lines etc etc... I put my backpack on the floor, sit on it, setup my camera and wait for the train to come. I got all the characters of my image that were comming to me and not paying attention cause I was just looking like a random guy looking at the pics he just took, even better is the fact that all people are lost in they thoughts, in a hurry to switch for a different train or whatever. so they look very natural on the camera. I stayed in the train station for 5hours that day and tooks some great images, especially one of a young military men walking so fast that he was not even touching the ground in the picture, like a dancer. that video reminded me of that, loved it, thanks sean !

[@andrei4696]

Great story with a 'dancing' young military man

[@snapsbyfox]

1 minute in and im already missing London haha. Love that spot

[@shantalllllly]

As a Jamaican it is no longer about being shy but being completely fearful of the hostility of the people that has any suspicion of you photographing them.

[@SPTSuperSprinter156]

Yes. I think the shyness is born from an acute awareness that people are often unduly hostile towards photographers. Perhaps even moreso now despite the technology being ever more present.

[@DNphotographer]

Exactly.. In nigeria especially, being harassed either by thugs, people in general and even law enforcement officials... Currently it is killing my creativity... I have been warned twice by security not to take pictures.. and I can't change location because of thugs around....

[@charlesdavis2165]

As the couple on the ramp walked closer and closer to you, I felt my heart beat faster and faster. When they split to walk around you and your friend, I thought for sure the man was going to holler at you. I really am a shy street photographer, but didn't realize how much until seeing it in motion. I'm going to have to work on that. GREAT photo, love the anonymity.

[@FazMarkar]

I have shared this video immediately with a group of photography students interested in street photography. Fresh and important information with precious experience side notes, very well done as always Sean! Love from Sri Lanka! 🇱🇰

[@henkhenk4357]

It exists. A photography channel with good images of the host. Very rare on youtube. Nice job !

[@tobytheone8596]

This is really interesting and helpful, thank you. I am a fisher! Recently I was photographing an empty staircase at Tate Modern and a man appeared at the top, saw me and hesitated. I called up to him to carry on. I photographed him halfway down without him realising. As he passed me he said 'sorry, that was bad timing'. I replied 'actually, it was perfect timing'. He laughed as he realised I'd taken the shot with him in it. A nice little interaction with no problem for either of us.

[@sandnessmj]

I’m not sure what I appreciate more… The composition of your photographs or the composition and support of your argument. Regardless, i always learn so much from your videos. Thanks for the effort you put into this channel!

[@seantuck]

Thanks my friend.

[@changez77654]

That picture at the start has a classic timeless quality to it that I love. There is nothing in that photograph that 'dates' it to any particular time. If you told me this was a candid moment captured of Winston Churchill I would believe it because the Barbican Estate (where this picture was taken) was around when Churchill was alive!

[@TomBeardshaw]

This is a good approach for Spain, where the laws governing public photography are much more restrictive. Solid advice, Sean 👏🏼

[@joboee]

I'm about to go to Spain for the first time and I didn't know this, thanks for the heads up!

[@donquique1]

I just point the camera at buildings instead of directly at people. Or shoot from the hip with silent shutter, or prefocus and shoot using a timer hands off from the camera.

[@Buttercup697]

Oftentimes is easier as a woman… we’re seen as less threatening. And my background as a photojournalist gave be a good foundation. Considering those points, I’m not a huge fan of the in your face “hunter” style… this can/should be done with a little finesse.

[@dannyomo]

I love street photography and it is relieving and comforting to finally have a name for feelings I've had. I am a "fisher". Thank you 🙏

[@timskinnercanada]

I like your approach to street photography Sean. It’s thoughtful and it avoids the cringy parasitic quality sometime found in more solipsistic street photography.

[@andrewfehrsen]

Love your videos bru! Please keep them coming

[@bnwchris]

Again a great inspiration. Thank you for sharing and your work 😊

[@sirboi]

Amazing content as always, thank you for keep inspiring us!

[@johnspencer1146]

Your videos never cease to amaze me Sean, always so informative and beautiful.

[@gilbertwalker6769]

Thanks for a great video, Sean! I appreciate the way that you are respectful of people's privacy and at the same time are clear about your own goals in photography. I like the metaphor of the Hunter and the Fisher and both usually end up with something good. Thanks again for your thought provoking content!

[@christopherbeckerdite4273]

I appreciate your time and effort making this for us.

[@samanthac9467]

Thank you soo much for your channel and in particular this one. My shy nature has made me reluctant and stunted my growth in photography. And even at times doubtful about ever growing in this skill and artform. This has given me hope!

[@susanfirth2279]

Love the style of street work you do Sean. I also like how that style changes from a confrontation to an apology scenario.

[@berniewhitebrown]

Fabulous video as always Sean. I loved the video clip showing you working. Would love to see more of you at work. I dont do street photography but after watching this video Id like to give it a go and learn something new.

[@killthomas8373]

One of the best KZbinrs around so thoughtful and talented

[@picturesandpagesbyJason]

Great video Sean. Looking forward to applying these suggestions and ideas.

[@danzak44]

Thank you for the pointers! And thanks for all of your videos!

[@jillgallagher8982]

Wow Sean! brilliant video, thankyou so so much!

[@marcusineson]

I always save your videos for when I want to really listen to something useful, Thanks for another thought & creativity-provoking video Shaun.

[@webmaster4ZLCB]

I’ve watched dozens and dozens of street photography videos. This is one of the best. Thank you sir! Brent, a fisher.

[@martinhendry]

Again, another very helpful video, thanks Sean

[@fuseboxOpera]

Absolutely love your content. It strikes a philosophical chord that resonates for weeks after viewing. Well done.

[@Elassyahmed]

Great video. I am neither shy nor worried about the legal aspect (I am in Australia). i am a 6'1" and 250 pounds arab in a western country :). i stand out no matter how I try and I am self conscious about intimidating people or making them uncomfortable and that's something I struggle with a lot

[@kevinbull6597]

A big thank you Sean. You have open up my street photography world from being a very shy Hunter, to a confident Fisher.

[@JLStreetDoc]

Great video Sean. You’re 100% right. There isn’t any rules to follow on the streets, do what makes you happy and capture life the way you see it. Gatekeepers, stand aside and worry about your own work.

[@barneysaunders6278]

Great insight and such gorgeous footage

[@daneayres9996]

This is Golden. Amazing nuggets. Thank you Sean. 🤝

[@danshaffer5916]

Thank You very much for this thoughtful discussion.

[@JohnChubbSr]

Thanks, Sean. This is excellent advice, and very helpful in learning Street Photography. Also, your Digital Bundle is fantastic as it's nice to have them on all the devices. Really inspiring!

[@andrewcroft2570]

What really great advice, thank you, Sean. Your take some stunning images.

[@Indrakusuma_a]

When I first tried out doing street photography, I was a 'hunter', only randomly capturing the people I found on the road aimlessly, since I got into street photography thanks to my hobby of taking candid shots of my friends at school. Then I switched to become a 'fisher'. Now first thing I try to look for is the scene first, and after that the wait for the human to come in the composition. This way, it helps me focus better and gives me a better aim on what I am supposed to look for on the road. Also I always have been the type who appreciate more the style of street photography where human is only an additional aspect of the image rather than the focus of the image itself. Light, shadow, shape, colors, and so on. Your videos not only help me better understand street photography, but also myself as a photographer.

[@michaelgizicki9625]

great inspiration! All you do is always very profound!

[@christopherbarber9351]

A particularly helpful episode. Great examples of your work and the work of others. Thanks for including the video clip of you working and making the image of the anonymous couple.

[@seantuck]

Thanks Christopher

[@emerille]

Love your channel Sean. Keep up the great work!. I am definitely a fisher but I admire and love hunters and admire that style as well.

[@rowanwhile]

Thank you SO much for sharing this... Honestly your perspective has totally changed mine.. Liberating is an understatement.

[@tommyccole]

I love your videos… they are both very interesting and are really helping me. I particularly like your recommendations for equipment… lighting, backdrops etc… affordable yet make a big difference. Thanks.

[@edgarasphotography]

Exactly what I need to hear. Thanks Sean

[@rodneybrown5889]

Always nice to see a new video…. Hope all is well with u….

[@anton0000001]

Thank you Sean. Another great vid.

[@yesimwilliam]

Thank you Sean. I am new to the genre of street photography and was struggling with this very issue. It was last night I was shooting in my local town that I stumbled upon the “fisher technique.” After this video I now know what it was that I felt last night that put me at ease. I found out that I am a fisher. Thank you for giving me a name to the style that I found that works for me.

[@DJDelGrande]

Always a pleasure to see your work. I had no idea I was was 'fisherman'. I started my street photography journey when Covid-19 changed the world, spending seven days a week documenting my area. I found inspiration on social, IG primarily. Then, I cased my city at golden hour and sought out shadow play, waiting for my trout. What a journey it's been, from publishing a book to getting exhibition work from Tucson to Rome. Simply, thanks for the insight and motivation. Until next time-gone fishing.

[@seantuck]

Love it:)

[@DJDelGrande]

@@seantuck Your channel has helped my journey tremendously. Thanks so much. 😀

[@karlyostphotography]

Thanks for the content Sean! Appreciate your work.

[@seantuck]

Thanks so much for the support my friend:)

[@gunairy]

This is my favorite way to shoot, but I still got so much from this. Thank you! I am ‘the hunter’ occasionally but usually only in big crowds and at events and protests and things where people are pretty comfortable having a camera pointed at them. I am not a super confrontational person though, so outside of those moments, I’m usually hanging back and trying these sorts of compositions.

[@megamind3339]

Thank you so much for this video, especially for "the hunter" and "the fisher" techniques. Felt like this was what I needed to hear. Much appreciated.

[@GeoffGrant2010]

Thanks Sean. Very thoughtful, very reasonable, including the examples from the “masters”. I’ve subscribed so I see more of your work! Geoff

[@cmichaelhaugh8517]

Great discussion. I rewatched The Third Man last night and am excited by the idea of trying to shoot similar B&W’s in my own city.

[@1956wm]

thanks so much for this video... I want to do street photography but I struggled, but now I feel I can try this and not be so shy

[@bettymanousos6560]

love this approach. great video as usual. well done!

[@seantuck]

Thanks Betty

[@jan-hendrikswanepoel3744]

This is such simple, but wonderful advice. Isn't that just the best kind? Great video, as always 🙂 Happy photographing!

[@BM-di4cu]

This video showed up at a crucial time for me. I'm a naturally shy, reserved person, and was getting into the thinking that being the Hunter was the only way. I'm heading out this weekend with a head of fresh steam thanks to this video. Thanks Sean!

[@moxiehikes]

Thank you!! As a beginner street photographer this definitely provides me with a more comfortable approach.

[@thelazytoys]

Thanks for your advice and channel, always learn something new from your channel

[@tekmepikcha6830]

Why didn't you post this 10 years ago when I needed it 🤣🤣🤣. Excellent advice! 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽 Awesome video post.

[@aaronoloughlin7323]

Excellent video, this to me ranks as one of your best, a truly enlightening watch. Your explanation of this style is very refreshing, the light, the scene, are the shot, any interaction with people in this only add to its appeal in what it brings to the viewers mind ……… thank you for sharing

[@davidsidwell2251]

Thank You Sir! Fantastic and very well stated!

[@dokomoid]

thankyou for sharing sean.

[@ashleigh5016]

Thank you so much sean for this now time for me to take your advice to the streets

[@Snapit551]

Great video 👌 my problem is that I’m completely the opposite of being shy and I get told off from my fellow street photography friends for approaching people and taking a portrait!! But after I’ve got the great shot my friends say ‘how did they let you take that photo’ and I say if you don’t ask you don’t get🤪

[@davidcoleman2868]

I truly believe your work is up there with some of the greats.

[@danielrobinofficial]

After watching this video, while having breakfast in Bamberg/Germany, my mindset and motivation is back on track. Thank you Sean

[@martinfunke4555]

Great Video. Thank you. Sometimes the very simple ideas are the best!

[@tremaincheerful4189]

Wonderful information, ideas and examples. Thank you!

[@andrei4696]

Great video and advice!

[@michaels226]

Great video my friend. I had never thought about the Hunter/Fisher idea. Very nicely done.

[@markjacksonphotos]

You always give great inspiring content on your channel. Well worth anyone's time that's interested in what you photograph.👍🙂

[@christopherherrick703]

Wow! I totally remember that video. I still use the thought process you presented in it. Thanks for the understanding of the terminology.

[@anantketkar3169]

Very practical tips 👍🏻👍🏻 🙏🏻 and awesome work 👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻

[@franzst.664]

Great advice. Thank you very much 🙏🏼

[@rudielvaston9399]

Great Video mate!

[@ambientwave1659]

This video came just at the right time for me. I'm pretty new to street photography and been trying different styles and the fishing method is what I find most suited to myself. Although theres always been that nag at the back of my mind of can I portray real emotion or story without clearly showing a person in the photo and this video has helped me process that in fact yes you can, it might be more difficult to do than traditional street. But with studying similar photographers with that style and video's like yours to summarise it nicely into a package really helps so thank you 👍

[@rampchamp9283]

I love fishing. Sometimes I hunt in some areas in the city but fishing looking for the right location is important to me.

[@swissheartydogs]

Street photography on my way to work, everyday. So motivating. Love to chose which is my lens of the day. And manual WB as soon as outside, manual settings to only focus on any instant décisif.

[@jamestheredd]

Brilliant video as always, Sean. What a scene at 1:37! Very nice. I also love the fisher/hunter distinction at 4:00.

[@kingronald1]

OMG! This was so inspiring! For the two years I’ve been on my street photo journey, I’ve constantly tried to be the hunter, like fitting a square peg into a round hole. I’m definitely going to go out there this week as a Fisher! (Just not in any dangerous isolated areas). Thanks Sean

[@dpulte]

as always, awesome video. thanks.

[@paulhickey6896]

Great video, thanks!

[@rosavieira4466]

for me I think this is the best way to take street photos because I have time for the composition and then I just have to wait, being a kind of hunter...almost a spy...and it's interesting because you end up trusting a lot in your intuition that something is going to happen. very good video, thanks🥰

[@lukedecena6176]

Very interesting! Good advice for streetphotography.

[@brianmckeever5280]

The PDF is such a good idea, thanks! I love your work, but really don't need any more things to dust or move!

[@ciaronl]

Great insight about being the first person "at the scene". I'd never really thought about that before, but makes perfect sense to think of it that way.

[@tomhofmann5277]

AMAZINGLY insightful. A revelation. Thank you. I realize I have been a closet fisherman for a long time but now I don’t need to feel apologetic about it. Also, I love your style of photography. Again, thank you for sharing. Tom

[@thomasherbst6773]

Great video and message!

[@frankc3834]

Excellent! Well said.

[@Bossti]

Very good advice! :) Missed your videos, I think I have some catching up to do

[@MaiElizabeth]

"Be there first before the subject" That's the best advice ever I heard, which I ve been doing but never thought that as a tip. I'm subscribing

[@MiAStudioPL]

You are the well of wisdom for me. Thank you!

[@mndoci]

My street photography is very cautious (I've only started doing street photography recently). Your approach is what really gave me the inspiration to start.

[@jamesford_jp]

Great video Sean.

[@NumericCitizen]

Thanks for helping me learn something new today. Subscribed to your channel.

[@paulhazel2145]

Fabulous content. What a brilliant teacher 😊

[@rosemint3809]

What a revelation!- I am definitely a "fisher" currently- You have helped take the pressure off!

[@Sean-Smith-Photos]

Excellent video, thank you

[@andy_an_outdoors_guy]

so so true about hunting vs fishing and how people react.