Taking pictures of strangers (Etiquette)

gleff · 28th November 2004, 9:52 AM

Hi all,

What's the Etiquitte of taking pictures of strangers? I'd really like to go out and get some practice doing shots of people, but I feel extremely nervous aiming a camera at someone I don't know.

I live alone, and a thousand K's away from family, so strangers are the way to go.. and besides, strangers are more interesting. I don't want to take shots at the beach or anything.. nothing perverted, just simple indoors, and outdoors type shots in public places.

Ideally, I'd like to get some practice to be able to do weddings and functions, but that's a bit off in the future, especially if I can't practice with strangers.

Any suggestions.. eg. what do other people do?

Note: I also don't want to be hiding the camera.. the flash will be a dead giveaway :)

Thanks
Geoff

nodabs · 28th November 2004, 12:16 PM

ask them... just say i am .... i am taking pictures for ... would you mind if i take some pictures of you if your going to actually use them make sure you have a model release

Frozen_Hell · 28th November 2004, 12:37 PM

If you're going to be using the flash, then some people will probably get annoyed.

I reckon if you're going to use the flash, you might wanna get a friend or two to practice on or something.

f@rmboy · 28th November 2004, 12:42 PM

Just ask is the best thing to do.

Or if they are not aware of you then take the pic then show them and ask if it is ok to keep it.

99% of the time if you are up front then people don't really mind.

gleff · 28th November 2004, 1:00 PM

Thanks for the advice..

I think i'll take the photo's first, and ask afterwards.. otherwise, I won't get people acting like they would in their natural habitat, if you know what I mean.

Regards
Geoff

Xerubus · 28th November 2004, 3:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gleff

Thanks for the advice..

I think i'll take the photo's first, and ask afterwards.. otherwise, I won't get people acting like they would in their natural habitat, if you know what I mean.

Regards
Geoff

agreed... if you want natural shots just take the shots and ask them if it's okay to keep them....

otherwsie... if you want standard portrait shots, just ask them before hand...

al'Thor · 28th November 2004, 3:59 PM

legally isn't it anyone in a public place is 'fair game' as long as you don't defame them -even on the beach (except with a phone camera) your not obliged to ask

Onyx · 28th November 2004, 5:31 PM

Smile, be friendly. If you're carrying a huge SLR system just look like you're on assignment - then click away. If you have a PHD camera, try the tourist angle. I've never had to ask permission before or after taking the shot - but then again, I'm conscious all the time of how I am perceived and move on when I feel the unwelcomed vibe (It's not your true intentions, it's how you're perceived that determines whether the public approves or disapproves of your presence and activities).

And Xerubus, you're here and posting...so I guess it's all sorted now.

Tangled Rose · 28th November 2004, 5:43 PM

The only advice I could give is be very wary of the protectiveness of parents where their children are concerned. It sux that the world has come to this, but I know I would feel very suspicious if some stranger had a lens pointed at my kids.

zeddyzapper · 28th November 2004, 5:47 PM

I did a shoot the other day of a live local event stuff, i had problem of people trying to GET in photos!, i think it comes back to how you act when taking these photos, and if your doing it in a perverted way, if you get arround with a mobile phone cam your looking for problems,
unless its closeup centered arround 1 person i would ask first, however it 1 or more people then no unless they are sending out a "unwelcome vibe" then i will introduce my self and say would it be ok, then ive found they never say no,

Xerubus · 28th November 2004, 5:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tangled Rose

The only advice I could give is be very wary of the protectiveness of parents where their children are concerned. It sux that the world has come to this, but I know I would feel very suspicious if some stranger had a lens pointed at my kids.

I agree with Tangled Rose here completely.... unfortunately you can't trust some people ... which is very sad considering when we were all growing up...

gleff · 28th November 2004, 6:43 PM

Thanks heaps for all your replies.. I'll probably be very nervous the first few times I start clicking away, but will probably get used to it.

I'll try and figure out a place (not the beach) where there are lots of people so it doesn't look like i'm up to no good.

Good advice about kids too.. I'll be sure to follow it. It's a shame the world has come to this.. as kids are usually good subjects.. very natural.

Cheers
Geoff

28th November 2004, 9:52 AM	#1
gleff Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chatswood, Sydney Posts: 116	Taking pictures of strangers (Etiquette) Hi all, What's the Etiquitte of taking pictures of strangers? I'd really like to go out and get some practice doing shots of people, but I feel extremely nervous aiming a camera at someone I don't know. I live alone, and a thousand K's away from family, so strangers are the way to go.. and besides, strangers are more interesting. I don't want to take shots at the beach or anything.. nothing perverted, just simple indoors, and outdoors type shots in public places. Ideally, I'd like to get some practice to be able to do weddings and functions, but that's a bit off in the future, especially if I can't practice with strangers. Any suggestions.. eg. what do other people do? Note: I also don't want to be hiding the camera.. the flash will be a dead giveaway :) Thanks Geoff

28th November 2004, 12:37 PM	#3
Frozen_Hell Member Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: Melbourne Posts: 2,527	If you're going to be using the flash, then some people will probably get annoyed. I reckon if you're going to use the flash, you might wanna get a friend or two to practice on or something. __________________ Flickr

28th November 2004, 12:42 PM	#4
f@rmboy Terrorist Photographer Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Yo mommas bedroom Posts: 2,116	Just ask is the best thing to do. Or if they are not aware of you then take the pic then show them and ask if it is ok to keep it. 99% of the time if you are up front then people don't really mind. __________________ Flickr

28th November 2004, 5:31 PM	#8
Onyx Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: NSW Posts: 4,264	Smile, be friendly. If you're carrying a huge SLR system just look like you're on assignment - then click away. If you have a PHD camera, try the tourist angle. I've never had to ask permission before or after taking the shot - but then again, I'm conscious all the time of how I am perceived and move on when I feel the unwelcomed vibe (It's not your true intentions, it's how you're perceived that determines whether the public approves or disapproves of your presence and activities). And Xerubus, you're here and posting...so I guess it's all sorted now. __________________ Q9300@3.0Ghz, Asus P5Q-E, Kingston HyperX DDR2-1066 4GB, Gigabyte GTX560Ti, 2xWD 500GB RAID-0, WD1002FAEX 1TB Caviar Black, WD20EARS 2TB Caviar Green, Seasonic S12+ 550W PSU in CM 690-II Case. Dell E248WFP 24" monitor. MBP 13" C2D 2.4G/4GB/250GB.

28th November 2004, 5:43 PM	#9
Tangled Rose Member Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Brisbane Posts: 510	The only advice I could give is be very wary of the protectiveness of parents where their children are concerned. It sux that the world has come to this, but I know I would feel very suspicious if some stranger had a lens pointed at my kids. __________________ There are 2 types of pedestrians, the quick and the dead OCAU Night Owl #72

28th November 2004, 12:16 PM	#2
nodabs Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: melb Posts: 813	ask them... just say i am .... i am taking pictures for ... would you mind if i take some pictures of you if your going to actually use them make sure you have a model release

28th November 2004, 1:00 PM	#5
gleff Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chatswood, Sydney Posts: 116	Thanks for the advice.. I think i'll take the photo's first, and ask afterwards.. otherwise, I won't get people acting like they would in their natural habitat, if you know what I mean. Regards Geoff

28th November 2004, 3:59 PM	#7
al'Thor Member Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Brisbane Posts: 194	legally isn't it anyone in a public place is 'fair game' as long as you don't defame them -even on the beach (except with a phone camera) your not obliged to ask

28th November 2004, 5:47 PM	#10
zeddyzapper Member Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 307	I did a shoot the other day of a live local event stuff, i had problem of people trying to GET in photos!, i think it comes back to how you act when taking these photos, and if your doing it in a perverted way, if you get arround with a mobile phone cam your looking for problems, unless its closeup centered arround 1 person i would ask first, however it 1 or more people then no unless they are sending out a "unwelcome vibe" then i will introduce my self and say would it be ok, then ive found they never say no,

28th November 2004, 6:43 PM	#12
gleff Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Chatswood, Sydney Posts: 116	Thanks heaps for all your replies.. I'll probably be very nervous the first few times I start clicking away, but will probably get used to it. I'll try and figure out a place (not the beach) where there are lots of people so it doesn't look like i'm up to no good. Good advice about kids too.. I'll be sure to follow it. It's a shame the world has come to this.. as kids are usually good subjects.. very natural. Cheers Geoff