Street Photographers Always Struggle With This | Expert Advice | POV

How to overcome street photography challenges?
From getting stopped by security for taking photos, to asking strangers for photos, we have so many potential obstacles to overcome.
So what's the best way to do it?
Follow me on Instagram:
/ jamesparsons__
Peace,
JP
------------------------
Enjoying the content? Buy me a coffee:
www.buymeacoff...
Follow me on Instagram:
/ jamesparsons__
A mix I've been enjoying:
/ douglas-street-w-dougl...
Portfolio review to help you improve:
www.backdroppr...
---------------------
See my portfolio:
www.jamesparso...

[@Habs8691]

I've never asked anyone to photograph them. It destroys the spontaneity of the moment. Most people don't even realise I've taken a photo. Even when confronted I've told them I haven't taken it yet. Fact is everyone is being photographed or recorded as soon as they leave their homes.

[@bazs2k567]

Love your videos mate! I'm pretty sure I've learnt more from you than I have from any other KZbin photographers. I look forward to your next video 👍

[@JamesParsons1]

Yoooo Thank you so much dude

[@careylymanjones]

Really liked your characterization of "hunting" vs. "fishing". Learning when to hunt and when to fish is an important lesson.

[@JamesParsons1]

Glad you liked that point! When do you decide when to fish or hunt?

[@careylymanjones]

@@JamesParsons1 Case by case basis. When I see a basically good composition that just needs the right person to walk into it, I'll spend some time fishing. Otherwise, I'll hunt, at least until I find a good "fishing hole".

[@TheHyperfocal]

Great video friend! We agree with pretty much everything you mentioned, but you aren't doing anything wrong taking pictures on private land that is publicly accessible. And we believe if the photographer has the confidence to do so, politely challenge security more. Granted, it will not recover the scene from being bruised. But it might just educate those who work in security what the law is around photography. Much love bro, keep them coming

[@JamesParsons1]

Thanks for your comment my dude

[@VickyAllum]

I have just started street photography , thanks for a very informative video really enjoyed watching

[@JamesParsons1]

Glad you enjoyed the video 🙌 let me know if you have any questions and I’ll be more than happy to answer them

[@sojourningstudios738]

Very useful, it’s quite intimidating to start doing, also I absolutely love Carnegie’s book

[@JamesParsons1]

100% man - but with everything, the more you do it the more natural and effortless it feels! If I could get everyone in the world to read one book- it would probably be this 😎

[@twodalec]

really enjoying these videos, you're the first street photographer I've found who defines it in ways that make it understandable.. especially the difference between hunting and fishing.. fishing images for compositions makes a lot of sense for anyone like myself who is interested in street photography, but doesn't yet have the confidence. Also jealous that you have access to your principle subject, the city of London.

[@JamesParsons1]

Thank you so much Dale - That really means a lot to me :) Glad that the content has resonated in a way that makes sense. I am HUGELY grateful to have LDN as my subject, as a place, it just keeps on giving new interesting subjects to photograph. Regarding confidence, what is it, in particular, you find challenging?

[@twodalec]

@@JamesParsons1 getting close enough to capture moments. I’m working on fishing by looking for places and Or compositions where something might happen. I live in a northern Canadian city so winter is a challenge. But we have lots of festivals all year round that give me opportunities to photograph people. And luckily our most recent deep freeze street festival had relatively mild weather. So I did try some fishing compositions.

[@JamesReader]

Great video James. I've not been brave enough to do much street photography but this video definitely helped encourage me. Thank you!

[@JamesParsons1]

Hey James - thanks for leaving a comment 🙌 you've just got to go out and give it a go, you'll fall in love and find that so many of the challenges are in your head! Drop me an IG message if you have any questions :)

[@MightyCraicDJ]

Great insights James, thank you! Been up and down Southbank a few times now. Looking forward to the next time when I'll put your tips to the test 🙂

[@JamesParsons1]

Thank you so much my dude! So glad you loved the video. I'd love to hear how you implement my thoughts from the video! Thanks for leaving a comment and supporting the channel

[@MichaGlaub]

great video! I was always waiting for something like this 🥳

[@JamesParsons1]

Yooo thank you Micha! Glad it’s come at the right time for you! Let me know if you have any questions

[@brandonhattiloney]

Love this mate - so useful

[@JamesParsons1]

Thank you dude - glad you liked it 🙌🙌

[@harrisueng]

Really well done video-as usual-and super concise with packed info on shooting in the streets. Been doing this since film days and your shares should help new photogs shave years off their learning. Your content contain good reminders even for us who are old hats at it. Thanks for the work you do of not just putting it out there, and thanks for your craft on the edit down-punchy and practical. Love it! ☕

[@JamesParsons1]

Thank you so much Harris

[@harrisueng]

@@JamesParsons1 🙌 Yeah, the dedication and craft shows-and that's coming from someone who did some editing commercially. This particular upload of yours made me sit up and notice in the best way possible. Keep up the awesome work! You've come a long ways since the uploads 1-2 years ago! 💪

[@JamesParsons1]

Damn man - That is such a wonderful comment. Thank you so much

[@legofanessex]

Interesting observations and some good advice. Although some of my favourite images I've taken this month are "bruising" the scene. That moment when you get direct eye contact with the camera can work really well.

[@JamesParsons1]

Yooo Thank you dude! Yeah I think there is a fine balance between bruising a scene and getting eyes locked in. I agree with you and think that getting a pair of eyes straight at the camera in a chaotic scene can look really cool! Perhaps I should have been slightly clearer with what I consider bruising the scene! Thanks for commenting and sharing your opinion dude

[@Gertol31]

great video. I was surprised to see that the video doesnt have more views. I'll defenitly take some off the advice with me onto the streets :)

[@JamesParsons1]

Thank you man! Glad you enjoyed the video so much. I'm sure the views will come :) just part of the process

[@julianheritage6436]

Great video as always James

[@JamesParsons1]

My man

[@_H_2023]

3:46 You need to carry a light fold up mono pole + cable, it's weighs virtually nothing and takes seconds to put together in fact sometimes I just leave the camera on it as it's great for stability. When you don't use it, it will clip to your jeans.

[@JamesParsons1]

Thanks for the idea man! I've got a monopod that I use for my motorsport client work, but would find it too annoying using it all day when shooting street. That having been said, if you've had experience with this and not found it got in the way too much, I might reconsider it!

[@titusnixon]

As a street photographer I try to be very respectful to other people space, and if they ask me not to photograph them I will not. Now when it come with security I general don't give them a chance to tell me I can't, by time they approach me I got what I were looking for

[@JamesParsons1]

Great points! I completely agree. There is no point in making others feel uncomfortable even if we are enjoying it. That isn't a good way to live our lives. Security need to be quicker don't they ;)

[@weisserth]

The one thing that every street photographer needs to be able to answer - for themselves: Do I want this photograph more badly than any potential negative consequence of taking it? It is that simple. Do you want the photograph or not? If you want it, if YOU think it's worth it, then take it.

[@JamesParsons1]

Yeah I agree - the shot in the video was definitely a Meh photo so I didn't put up much resistance ahaha

[@agapon2023]

I'll try to use what I've learnt from this video 👍

[@JamesParsons1]

YES YES YES. Would love to know how you get on with these tips my dude!

[@nirusinghr]

6:17 felt so true

[@JamesParsons1]

Ahahaha IG really making it hard to want to make content on it lol. I ain’t selling my soul and making trends

[@elmoqbobo]

1st of all. Respect the person you photograph.

[@JamesParsons1]

Completely agree with you! It's vital to have mutual respect for everyone we want to photograph and to pick up on queues as to whether they want to be photographed

[@SachinMamtora]

Hey, James, Did you Ever Visit India ? If not We can meet and shoot all over India, I love Street Photography, and Specially I like your Advice, You Rock MY Friend.

[@cormacosullivan2914]

this vid is the best thing since sliced bread

[@JamesParsons1]

I’d argue it’s as revolutionary as the wheel, please don’t down play it bro xoxo

[@retropixer]

I am getting better in asking people. What I am struggling with is the follow up question that quite frequently asked “Why? What are you going to do with the picture?”. Any ideas on how to best handle that?

[@JaredDoyle76]

This is a problem common in many Western countries. Asian countries, as a rule, don't have these kinds of hang-ups with having their picture taken.

[@JamesParsons1]

I don't think anyone had any issue with their photos getting taken? Rather the security wasn't happy with the risk of me being up there

[@tezkyflex7304]

7 years ago, when i got into street photography, there were no hunting or fishing. It was only candid and staged

[@JamesParsons1]

You've missed the point here dude. Hunting and fishing is how we move on the street. Hunting is constantly moving around, fishing is finding a spot and waiting for the right moment in the scene. Nothing to do with staging a photo

[@tezkyflex7304]

@@JamesParsons1 when you wait around a scenery for a person to be in an exact spot (fishing) you are staging it, as you are waiting for a subject to be in your place. Candid is the hunting where you see a moment and you capture it. Im just amazed how the terms got replaced.

[@JamesParsons1]

At what point does it become staged? Do I have to be in constant motion? What if I sit down to have a coffee, after 5 minutes something happens in the coffee shop that's photo worthy, have I just staged the picture?

[@tezkyflex7304]

@@JamesParsons1 no, you werent fishing either. You wanted a cup and saw an opportunity and took it. Therefore candid/hunting. Im not hating as i said im just amazed how terms are evolving.

[@KK-no7be]

At 3:19 you're on a public street. These "security" people have no authority there whatsoever.

[@JamesParsons1]

In theory yes, but having negative interactions with people often impacts my mood for the rest of the day. It's often easier just to say 'yeah whatever' and move on. That being said if there was a photo I reaaaaally wanted, I'd have told her to wait ahahah

[@harraldschmitt9113]

The solution to this is a telephoto lense. Ive been saying this for years now, wide angle lense street is BS. Telephoto is where its at. SEL600 F4 for the win my guy

[@JamesParsons1]

I completely disagree haha. With a long lens you can isolate a subjects, but in 99/100 images it would look better as a well composed wider focal length. Would love for you to try and chance my mind as I am going to make a video on this, and i’d love a strong counter argument

[@harraldschmitt9113]

@@JamesParsons1 here is my argument: To avoid getting into confrontations with people, they must be unaware of you taking photos of them. Thusly, use a telephoto lense.

[@careylymanjones]

@@harraldschmitt9113 The problem with using a telephoto is that it's so tight, and compresses the image so much, that it strips all the context from the shot. Even if you get WAY back, the compression is going make the shot look MUCH different than a wider lens would.

[@q3813]

Wear one non-professional looking small camera only.

[@JamesParsons1]

Yeah, like the Fuji X100V I was using for the entire video lol

[@ProbablyAnAmateur]

thinking more of RX100 because thats a literal tiny point and shoot that no one would pay attention to. the X100V is a relatively big rangefinder looking camera. events like that id take a smaller 1in sensor system. you'd be less likely to have been confronted then. and im considering one to carry in my pocket

[@RoryChapman]

4:12 No, this is a chance for an interesting photo. As a street photographer i find this video very strange to watch.

[@JamesParsons1]

Really? I took a photo and it was people just standing in a long queue? Plenty of other opportunities to get a better example of a longer queue, a better composition etc. If it was a good photo there, I’d have kept shooting lol

[@jackhynes7268]

Oh I can’t stand security they always want to ruin a good photo 😒

[@JamesParsons1]

Ahhah security has a spider senses that tingle when they can feel a good photo is abooooout to get taken. That having been said, it's such a good feeling when a security guard who likes photography is interested in what you are up to and encourages the photo and they pretend not to see you ahaha

[@robertbosson5223]

"Can I take a photo..?' is asking for a refusal. In both your first two examples standing on the platform and the well dressed guy you need to be in and out in a split second. We don't all have the balls of Bruce Gilden but your approach is not the right one, sorry! Taking the risk is what its all about

[@peterphoto7732]

I'm not in London.

[@JamesParsons1]

You should come!

[@HeleneOl-os3uq]

People are way too polite it seems unreal hah

[@marcomarcon5802]

Use a flagship smartphone, nobody will pay any attention to you

[@JamesParsons1]

Ahaha I still think if I stood up there the angry lady would still be angry