Street Photography

[Patrick in Oregon]

Lately I've been reading about and looking at pictures of street photography. It's an interesting genre and it seems like it would be pretty tough to become "good" at.

I'm starting a new job in the city (Portland) on Monday and likely going to spend a lot of time taking public transit and/or walking. I'm hoping for a lot of photo opportunities in this very unique city.

Anybody else enjoy or dabble in street photography? Please share if you have any shots!

 

[DSLRuser]

there are 3 schools of thought for street phtography.

#1 - walk right up and take your shot, get in their face if you have to

#2 - same as #1, but ask permission first

#3 - use a long lense and take shots from a distance without their knowledge

I tend to do #3, just because i want to capture what ever it is i see in a non stadged way (candid). But if you are "caught" some people tend to think you are being a perve.

Don't have any shots since i am at work.

 

[Patrick in Oregon]

there are 3 schools of thought for street phtography.

#1 - walk right up and take your shot, get in their face if you have to

#2 - same as #1, but ask permission first

#3 - use a long lense and take shots from a distance without their knowledge

I tend to do #3, just because i want to capture what ever it is i see in a non stadged way (candid). But if you are "caught" some people tend to think you are being a perve.

Don't have any shots since i am at work.

I've found that this is probably one of the more discussed topics. I feel like I want* to be #1 but just thinking about it using a wide angle in someone's personal bubble is uncomfortable. Certain situations like farmers markets or busy streets don't bother me as much. I've taken urban shots while people walked through my frame while I was setting up and they seemed to ignore me. Only a few would check to see if they could walk through. I have a feeling the majority would have no idea I was taking a picture of them.

The problem with #2 is losing the candid element. But I recently took pictures of someone painting a mural and I simply asked them if I could take pictures of them while they worked (may or may not be considered street photography). As long as the person has something else to focus on, in this case the mural, they remain more or less candid.

 

[photo_chick]

I started out taking pictures from a distance and now I just shoot who and what I want. And if I'm in a public place I do not ask for permission.

Understand that if you do this seriously (by seriously I mean as simple as starting a blog with your images) you may get sued. I'm not saying people will win.. precedents already set suggest they won't. But we're a lawsuit happy country and eventually someone will at least threaten to file a suit against you if you post enough images on the web. So learn your rights as a photographer where you live. And always cooperate with law enforcement when they stop you and ask what you're doing... you will eventually get stopped if you do this enough. You'll get a lot further if you make friends with the police in the area you're shooting. Especially if you frequent that area.

I don't have anything current online.. this is from last year. The project was about color.

 

[DSLRuser]

These were from almost 7 years ago at the Studios. It was before I got serious about photography.

I was trying to capture just how disinterested some people can be.

 

[photo_chick]

Here's some other ones I forgot I had online. I shot them at Dealey Plaza in 2010.

The guy is looking up at the 6th floor window of the school book depository.

There is an X on the street here where Kennedy was shot.

The triple overpass.

 

[SrisonS]

I'd definitely suggest using a long zoom to capture those pics. One thing it'll help you do is keep yourself out of that scene. What I mean is that they won't react to you. Some people could get mad, some might play it up some, and others might just move out the way because they think you're trying to take a pic of something else.

But if you want to use a wider lens, shooting from behind someone's back may be a good way to go. They probably won't know you're there. And you could capture whatever their attention is focused on.

Here are some examples ...

http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottrsmith/sets/72157622989016165/