Street photography without pissing people off?

[freax]

I think the best example is this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHtsZLsMlJI. Watch the guy with a M9 saying some joke and a thanks and everyone laughs.

[benjiboy]

I'm amazed how many people when I shoot street pretend they haven't seen me when I know they have.
, and I suggest with regard to "pissing people off" that you use the smallest camera you can get with the smoothest contours like an Olympus XA so if they take offence and stick it "where the Sun don't shine" it won't be as painful

[bobwysiwyg]

I'm amazed how many people when I shoot street pretend they haven't seen me when I know they have.
, and I suggest with regard to "pissing people off" that you use the smallest camera you can get with the smoothest contours like an Olympus XA so if they take offence and stick it "where the Sun don't shine" it won't be as painful

[Roger Cole]

I'm going to find a rangefinder, grip and cam for my Linhof so I can use it in street shooting. I tend to reverse the intention and do the shoving when someone tries something like that.

Seriously, what little of this I do I REALLY like my Yashica TLR. Some don't recognize it as a camera, those who do mostly think it's a very cool thing, and with the WLF I can often photograph people who have no clue I'm doing it. Those that do don't seem to care.

[benjiboy]

I'm going to find a rangefinder, grip and cam for my Linhof so I can use it in street shooting. I tend to reverse the intention and do the shoving when someone tries something like that.

Seriously, what little of this I do I REALLY like my Yashica TLR. Some don't recognize it as a camera, those who do mostly think it's a very cool thing, and with the WLF I can often photograph people who have no clue I'm doing it. Those that do don't seem to care.

I like TLRs too Roger because they're quiet and none threatening because you're looking down into the viewfinder and not directly at people you can also point the camera sideways in the opposite direction to the way you are faced and shoot, or even at arms length above your head.

[Joe VanCleave]

I think the best example is this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bHtsZLsMlJI. Watch the guy with a M9 saying some joke and a thanks and everyone laughs.

I'm thinking everyone is laughing in this video because he has a video camera stuck behind the RF viewfinder of the Leica, piggy-back style, as if the video camera is humping the Leica.

It is funny, though. Thanks for sharing.

~Joe

[Erik Petersson]

I am doing a project where I photograph people in the subway. I love to record their expressions and faces. The camera is a Nikon F3 from which I remove the prism, so that it becomes a waist viewfinder camera. People often do not notice me, even though I sit right across the aisle.

Lately, though, I have found those photos more interesting where I am noticed and people accept that I photograph them.

Have a look at my results, if you like

http://erikpetersson.livejournal.com/

[BradleyK]

While not my primary photographic interest - that would be either landscape, fine art or industrial work - I do shoot a small amount of "street photography." I have yet to find a non-compliant or aggressive subject. My modus operandi? 1). I dress to blend in: blue jeans or khaki chinos with neutral colors; 2). I keep the equipment simple: an M6 with either a 35mm or 50mm lens - never anything longer; 3). If my "subject" engages in conversation, I always explain WHY I photographed her/him/them (i.e. what I found visually interesting, etc). This I do AFTER I have made my photograph(s) - I do not like posed pictures; and 4). I ALWAYS thank the party or parties involved, either with a nod of the head, a smile or a simple "thank you."
The keys, in my view: 1) Comportment; and 2) My M6s (most see these as toys and do not find them "aggressive" in the same way as SLRs and DSLRs seem to be).

[Klainmeister]

I am doing a project where I photograph people in the subway. I love to record their expressions and faces. The camera is a Nikon F3 from which I remove the prism, so that it becomes a waist viewfinder camera. People often do not notice me, even though I sit right across the aisle.

Lately, though, I have found those photos more interesting where I am noticed and people accept that I photograph them.

Have a look at my results, if you like

http://erikpetersson.livejournal.com/

Dang, those are quite good! That's some good work, my friend. I didn't even realize you could do that to a Nikon. Great idea!

[Erik Petersson]

Thanks! The prism is just removed briefly, otherwise stuff would fall out of the camera. The image in the viewfinder is inverted, but you quickly get used to that.