Photography in public

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dakta

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Kris
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I have done a bit of a search and didn't find anything particularly similar but I bet it has cropped up here before.

And that is, confidence when in public with a camera. Not being in front of a camera, but rather that annoying imposter-syndrome feeling of you shouldn't be here or doing this when out in public with a camera.

It could just be a me thing, it likely is as I'm a sufferer of generalised and social anxiety. But one of the thing I want to do a lot in terms of photography are urban timelapses, crowd shots, that sort of thing and on the few occasions I've plucked it up to go set up a tripod somewhere you always wonder what people are wondering, you end up taking the bare minimum of material you intended and cutting off your own nose to spite your face because you feel some kind of pressure that you shouldn't be doing what you're doing or that you're being judged, or someone will try and move you on - even though there's a lot of info out there about public photography.

I've considered trying to drag people (friends) along so at least you can have a brew in a foldout chair and chinwag as you crack on but bit hard when you're in such a unique interest.

Does anyone else get this pressure, did you defeat it or does it still have a marked impact or influence on how you approach or undertake your work?
 
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I guess if you are in a public space - and not all town centres wholly are - why not just tell people who are interested what you are doing if they ask? I went to a talk with Matt Hall a few weeks ago and he was able to articulate things that I hadn't properly considered - what sort of picture are you trying to achieve? I am finding (like Matt) that I really don't like putting a camera in someone's face and pushing the shutter - but cannot imagine that I'd ever really want to do that to a stranger anyway. If you are time lapse with a tripod and remote shutter I would assume people would hardly notice? Would a group of your mates there appear more confrontational or less?

Have a look on Youtube for Urban Photographers such as Mark Fearnley / Sean Tuck or Matt Hall.
 
Yes, I get it too........so much so that photographing in public isn't my thing anymore.

I stick to landscapes and wildlife, they are challenging and I love that. Even so, with wildlife, I sometimes get the 'pressure' you mention but that's partly because I'm often dealing with delicate/sensitive species and I don't want to reveal the locations. Carrying a big lens and camera can in the eyes of some, criminalise us immediately. I've been there, got threatened with the police, to which I replied, "carry on, phone them and I'll wait for them to turn up." They did turn up and supported my side completely, even giving the people who phoned them a ticking off.

I had a nasty encounter last week too but of a more sinister kind, I felt very threatened. All turned out good though.

That said, it won't stop me doing what I enjoy, so I'm not completely negative about it. Life is like that and to be fair, my bad encounters have been rare.

I never feel that pressure with landscapes though, as that's usually in the middle of nowhere, with plenty of space. The only other people that are about tend to be photographers too.

I do think it takes a special type of person to do street type photography, it's not the most comfortable genre for most of us to be fair.
 
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The odd thing is that these days, while a photographer with an actual camera is looked upon with suspicion, one can wander around with a phone taking pictures largely unmolested.

I took a camera into Plymouth on two occasions recently and while there was sometimes a casual glance at what I was doing, I didn't feel unduly concerned; although I was careful to steer clear of the many homeless with their cans of industrial strength cider though as they can be rather unpredictable.
 
I don't like taking photos in public of people / strangers. I'm a 6 foot 4, white bloke and often feel like people look at me weird. I'm married with two kids of my own but still it feels awkward.

I meet some fellow photographers monthly as part of a little group. A few months ago we were given a group task to go and photograph various images, and someone was pulled up in a local shopping centre for taking images with their
Dlsr camera.

The week after, I did a little social experiment and walked around the same centre, and all the department stores within the said centre taking photographs on my phone...not one security guard said a thing.

I made a little collage of them and it sparked a little debate in my club.

Street photography isn't for me, that's what I've ascertained.
 
This has been discussed many times both here and elsewhere.

My own approach to recording humans in the wild is to emulate those who photograph animals: stand off, use a long lens if possible and wear appropriate camouflage. In cities, I find that a yellow jacket works well. For some reason, people see a yellow jacket and the person wearing it becomes invisible.

Of course, if you use a wide angle and poke it in peoples' faces, you should be prepared for any abuse, verbal or physical, that you receive.

Young couple at Swindon Mela CAN_4195.jpg
 
AndrewFlannigan said:
I find that a yellow jacket works well. For some reason, people see a yellow jacket and the person wearing it becomes invisible.
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That's true. When I worked for TNT as a delivery driver, I found I could go anywhere so long as I carried a small box, a clipboard or data entry gizmo and wore a hi viz jacket. I could wander at will around offices and factories, no one ever stopped me.
 
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I have had the odd squirrel complain when i try to take a pic of them on a tree.
 
That went down hill fast. Thread tidied,
lets get it back on track
 
Thanks for the feedback, not just me then :)

Obviously there's some etiquette elements here (i.e don't try to look suspicious or be antisocial and throw cameras into people) but say you just want to capture hustle and bustle so to speak, theoretically you can but it does feel awkward. I've not had any problems with it apart from a couple of louts shout names but I'm more worried that the ultimate outcome is I'm stopping myself from doing something I'd otherwise like to do because of it.

I did actually wonder about the high vis concept - something about a lanyard and a high vis vest that sort of makes people feel like you're 'on business' or part of a production company or something.

Not sure what went wrong with the thread? it was genuine in nature.
 
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ShinySideUp said:
Update: This post has been edited to remove so-called racist comments as apparently there are people out there who wish to stifle reference to terrorists in case they get upset.
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I asked to get it back on track, as per your edits and deletes you seem unable to do so. Let me help you with that ...
Yes staff can read deleted posts and history edits ...


dakta said:
Not sure what went wrong with the thread? it was genuine in nature.
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Not your fault in the slightest, late night posters sometimes just post random stuff,
be that through tiredness or other reasons
 
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The more anxious that you are the more likely you will come across as furtive.
You are following your hobby, the same as the cyclist, sketch artist or painter that you see, just treat it as such and if you are noticed - smile!
What helped me a lot was doing a '100 Strangers' project, where I stopped 100 people and asked if I could take their photograph for my project - 98% were happy!
Why not try it?


Monica by Bristol Streets, on Flickr


Lukas by Bristol Streets, on Flickr


Oz by Bristol Streets, on Flickr


Lee by Bristol Streets, on Flickr
 
Find a local photography group or photowalk, and join them if you get a chance. These things are always easier in numbers.

I walk around town quite often now with a medium format film camera hanging off my shoulder - people notice me and we stop and have a conversation - always a positive experience.

dakta said:
you always wonder what people are wondering, you end up taking the bare minimum of material you intended and cutting off your own nose to spite your face because you feel some kind of pressure that you shouldn't be doing what you're doing or that you're being judged, or someone will try and move you on - even though there's a lot of info out there about public photography.
Click to expand...

All this is happening in your head... tell yourself a different story when you go out :)
 
dakta said:
Thanks for the feedback, not just me then :)

Obviously there's some etiquette elements here (i.e don't try to look suspicious or be antisocial and throw cameras into people) but say you just want to capture hustle and bustle so to speak, theoretically you can but it does feel awkward. I've not had any problems with it apart from a couple of louts shout names but I'm more worried that the ultimate outcome is I'm stopping myself from doing something I'd otherwise like to do because of it.

I did actually wonder about the high vis concept - something about a lanyard and a high vis vest that sort of makes people feel like you're 'on business' or part of a production company or something.

Not sure what went wrong with the thread? it was genuine in nature.
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You can buy highvis with photographer, or anything you like printed on them cheap enough, I've carried one in my bag for years, mine just says photo on the back and front but we've used them at a number of events over the years, think I paid about a fiver each for them.
 
benc98 said:
I walk around town quite often now with a medium format film camera hanging off my shoulder - people notice me and we stop and have a conversation - always a positive experience.
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That happened to me once, about fifteen years ago.

I was recording some back street architecture with a Hasselblad and a Rolleiflex. A large car came along, the driver's window opened and a bloke poked his head out. "It's good to see someone using decent cameras instead of that digital rubbish!" One thumbs up later, the car was on its way.
Sometimes, surreality comes calling! :tumbleweed:
 
Hawaiian shirt, sunglasses, shorts and a hat .....they will think your a holidaymaker :~) nobody questions them taking pics

I did post a long time ago on another thread about wearing a high viz.....

Failing that.. take a mate wiht you and pretend your taking a pic of them :)
 
benc98 said:
Find a local photography group or photowalk, and join them if you get a chance. These things are always easier in numbers.

I walk around town quite often now with a medium format film camera hanging off my shoulder - people notice me and we stop and have a conversation - always a positive experience.



All this is happening in your head... tell yourself a different story when you go out :)
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I was once out with a local RPS walk in a dodgy area and 3 large youths came up to a couple of us and demanded to know what we were doing. In that time the other ten in the RPS Group stepped forward so the youths paused then asked if we would like to photograph them. Going round in a Group can result in you all capturing the same images but if you split up a little but keep a look out for each other, you can get individual shots and still feel safe. I have also noticed on club group outings that security guards and police seem friendlier.
 
Tulipone said:
Shooting ‘through’ people also seems to be effective. That is continuing to compose the shot after they have walked past.
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gramps said:
The more anxious that you are the more likely you will come across as furtive.
You are following your hobby, the same as the cyclist, sketch artist or painter that you see, just treat it as such and if you are noticed - smile!
What helped me a lot was doing a '100 Strangers' project, where I stopped 100 people and asked if I could take their photograph for my project - 98% were happy!
Why not try it
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:agree:

the more you expose your self to something the easier it becomes. Try to force your self to do it but be consistent. Like everything new there’s fear of the “unknown”. I can relate since i developed a bit of social anxiety as i grew older.
 
StreetSnapper said:
There's plenty you can do to minimise your fear / unease / discomfort of shooting in public places. I made a YouTube video on this very subject - do have a look :)
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I went to one of Brian's street photography 'classes' in Manchester City Centre and learned a lot about how to be confident as well as how to think about what you want from your photography.

Brian is a lovely bloke and we had an engaging bunch of people in the group.

I would highly recommend getting on one of his classes if you can.
 
It's easier if you are with someone else also taking photos. I don't have much problem as most towns locally are full of tourists anyway so every other person is carrying a camera of some kind.
 
Thanks so much for the feedback, this is wonderful.

I did a bit of an assessment in what I want from my photography and for me it's to add visuals to my sounds (not so much music video, more abstract - people moving, transport, the corporate machine, etc) which does involve people but more from a 'as a crowd' standpoint. I 'risk' assessed my intents and found two main challenges:

- equipment, very much hobby budget. I have a go pro for video and a bridge for stills - this is enough to practice with as I guess I need to train myself to actually be able to get useful shots. If I can get to the stage where equipment becomes the limit I know at this point I can justify expenditure as opposed to a lack of talent :D (just trying to be a bit grounded for what can be an expensive pastime

- and this confidence matter. I have thrown myself out there and gone into the street, apart from one instance its largely been uneventful but the pressure is overwhelming and i've sort of gone in there with a 'get in and get done and get out' approach which means I've missed opportunities, wasted travel budget and not done what i really could have done had the pressure not been there. It is 'in my head' because if I walked past someone filming a street scene from a camera or even a smartphone I wouldn't think twice apart from 'I did do my hair today, right?'

High vis jacket is a cracking idea, I'll look into that. Ive even considered a cone or something with a sign just to say 'filming in progress' just to add some officialism to it. I'm not far from Manchester so attending one of these classes if they run in the vicinity of the north of England (doesnt have to be manchester) that'd be cool. I'll look into it, haven't had chance to view the video above yet but I will be doing.

Thanks all, I think aside from equipment this issue, as trivial as it may be for some is probably the biggest operational threat to me and getting what I want in terms of material and enjoyment.
 
Street photography is not my think as I really like wildlife, motorsports, airshows, and even landscapes. There are some great advice in this thread and the best on IMO is a High Viz !
As no one really takes any notice of a person in a High Viz as it appears someone who is at work, and allowed to be there !

Time lapse should be fine as you not moving around pointing the camera at one any or an over zealous mother starts mouthing off you are taking photos of her children that may have walked in to you frame ! ! !

If you do want to do street photography I agree with other members, treat it like wildlife, stand way back and snap with a telezoom !
 
I prefer to use an old film camera that has a waist level viewfinder - mostly medium format. If I want to use 35mm I use Nikon F3 with WLF. Nobody knows the camera is pointed at them with these. ;)

With regards to the HiVis idea, I found these:

Yellow Hi Vis vest OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER Vest Waistcoat Safety Vest : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools

Yellow Hi Vis vest OFFICIAL PHOTOGRAPHER Vest Waistcoat Safety Vest : Amazon.co.uk: DIY & Tools
www.amazon.co.uk


Have fun . . .
 
moggi1964 said:
I went to one of Brian's street photography 'classes' in Manchester City Centre and learned a lot about how to be confident as well as how to think about what you want from your photography.

Brian is a lovely bloke and we had an engaging bunch of people in the group.

I would highly recommend getting on one of his classes if you can.
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Thanks very much Morris!
 
dakta said:
Thanks so much for the feedback, this is wonderful.

I did a bit of an assessment in what I want from my photography and for me it's to add visuals to my sounds (not so much music video, more abstract - people moving, transport, the corporate machine, etc) which does involve people but more from a 'as a crowd' standpoint. I 'risk' assessed my intents and found two main challenges:

- equipment, very much hobby budget. I have a go pro for video and a bridge for stills - this is enough to practice with as I guess I need to train myself to actually be able to get useful shots. If I can get to the stage where equipment becomes the limit I know at this point I can justify expenditure as opposed to a lack of talent :D (just trying to be a bit grounded for what can be an expensive pastime

- and this confidence matter. I have thrown myself out there and gone into the street, apart from one instance its largely been uneventful but the pressure is overwhelming and i've sort of gone in there with a 'get in and get done and get out' approach which means I've missed opportunities, wasted travel budget and not done what i really could have done had the pressure not been there. It is 'in my head' because if I walked past someone filming a street scene from a camera or even a smartphone I wouldn't think twice apart from 'I did do my hair today, right?'

High vis jacket is a cracking idea, I'll look into that. Ive even considered a cone or something with a sign just to say 'filming in progress' just to add some officialism to it. I'm not far from Manchester so attending one of these classes if they run in the vicinity of the north of England (doesnt have to be manchester) that'd be cool. I'll look into it, haven't had chance to view the video above yet but I will be doing.

Thanks all, I think aside from equipment this issue, as trivial as it may be for some is probably the biggest operational threat to me and getting what I want in terms of material and enjoyment.
Click to expand...

Would be good to have you aboard, Kris - please have a look at my website :)
 
dakta said:
I have done a bit of a search and didn't find anything particularly similar but I bet it has cropped up here before.

And that is, confidence when in public with a camera. Not being in front of a camera, but rather that annoying imposter-syndrome feeling of you shouldn't be here or doing this when out in public with a camera.

It could just be a me thing, it likely is as I'm a sufferer of generalised and social anxiety. But one of the thing I want to do a lot in terms of photography are urban timelapses, crowd shots, that sort of thing and on the few occasions I've plucked it up to go set up a tripod somewhere you always wonder what people are wondering, you end up taking the bare minimum of material you intended and cutting off your own nose to spite your face because you feel some kind of pressure that you shouldn't be doing what you're doing or that you're being judged, or someone will try and move you on - even though there's a lot of info out there about public photography.

I've considered trying to drag people (friends) along so at least you can have a brew in a foldout chair and chinwag as you crack on but bit hard when you're in such a unique interest.

Does anyone else get this pressure, did you defeat it or does it still have a marked impact or influence on how you approach or undertake your work?
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This is a massive subject and one I have very strong views on.
Basically there isn't anything anyone can do to stop people taking pictures in a public place. Nor is it at all likely that anyone would try to stop you in most non public places like museums, or NT properties, or even shops, or on a beach or at a holiday hotel swimming pool. I have never been stopped in any of those places, despite using a camera not a phone. Yet, despite the latter, I am sometimes stopped from filming my own child at school events, and, even worse for me, from videoing our lad competing in swimming galas. The latter particularly incenses me because I do much of his coaching and videos of his racing are very useful. Plus, when he wins, if I haven't got it on video I am mad as hell !
It is all paranoia writ large, and this Guardian article is well worth reading on this subject, particularly this bit :

The spread of photo bans is not really a response to child abusers stalking school sports days. Instead, it reflects the contamination of everyday adult-child relations – and the new assumption, as the children's author Philip Pullman put it, that "the default position of one human being to another is predatory rather than kindness". Any adult looking through the viewfinder at a child is viewed as potentially sinister and in need of regulation.

Chilling, but true.
 
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I hadn't looked at it specifically from a child protection perspective, the problem with this area in particular is a) we're far more cautios and aware than we used to be as a society but b) perhaps the main thing here, is you only need the mention, accusation or anything of possibly doing something inappropriate and you will be a pariah.

You can get permits to photograph at most railway stations, in fact network rail have a document about process to fellow that actively aims to promote photography but imagine if someones child got within frame during your work, a parent took umbrage and mentioned you were taking photos of kids to the service desk and they came over to ask you about it - even if totally innocent that would just kaybosh the day wouldn't it.

Glad these things aren't just confined to my anxiety but its also a real shame!
 
This thread has been a real interesting read for me. As I’ve often wondered myself how other people go about it.

When I’m about my local city of Oxford. Whether I’m walking about with just a standard zoom on my R5; or on the odd occasion that I walk back into the centre from going on a wildlife walkabout without sticking it in my backpack (the latter very rarely - as it’s a PITA and impractical in busy areas)

90% of the time I’ll get stared at by passers by.

My way of going about it has always been to just look back; and if I hold their eye long enough - just smile…

But I’ve always assumed that anyone who has such kit as ours that stands out so much; probably already accepts the looks they’d get anyway.

Goes to show how wrong you can be…
 
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