Approaching Strangers: Street Photography

By Ibarionex Perello

photo copyright by Ibarionex Perello

One of the things that I encouraged my students to do at the recent BetterPhoto Summit photography conference in New York was to approach strangers about making their photograph. It's my belief that at a public cultural event like the New York City Marathon, people are more willing to be photographed than they might be if you just walked up to them on the street. There is a festive and open energy in the air which makes such street photography so much easier, especially for those inexperienced with doing this.

I know that there is a lot of fear and anxiety about approaching people, but it's been my experience that the worst thing is not that they say "no". The worst thing is actually the anxiety and tension we feel at the thought of approaching someone, not the actual rejection when it does happen. And since people say yes more often than they say no, it's a worthwhile thing to do.

There is no easy way to get past the fear. You just have to make the choice to do it, but the more you do, the easier it becomes. It still comes up for me. The anxiety never completely goes away, but for the images I get and the even the occasional "no" is far, far better than the regret I feel for not taking the risk.

The students who took on the challenge produced some wonderful images of people. These are images they might have likely never had made had they not be pushed to do so. The workshops are great as they can help push you to take on such challenges. When it comes down to it, as a photographer you really need to rely on yourself to push you into unfamiliar territory. Otherwise, you're condemning yourself to only make the same images over and over again.

What's the fun in that.

Note: BetterPhoto.com's school of photography offer many excellent online photography classes, including these two by Ibarionex Perello: Portrait Photography Using Available Light and The Pursuit of Light. In addition, Susan and Neil Silverman teach the online digital camera class: Street Photography.

Comments

[twitter.com/carlatsaunders]

Besides getting some good shots of people I came away with some wonderful stories. I asked one marathon runner if I could take his picture. He was delighted. Just before the race he had proposed to his girlfriend (he had carried the engagement ring in his sweaty sock} and proposed to her at The Tavern on the Green. We tried to find her at the finishing line by using my phone but the call was to New Zealand. We couldn't figure out the country code. I heard they found eachother soon after I left.

[Kerry Drager]

Hi Carla,
Great seeing you at the BetterPhoto Summit ... it was such a special weekend. Thanks for sharing this wonderful story!!
Kerry

[Dale Westford]

What about rlease for use of their image. What are the laws regarding this. Should one carry a release form for people to sign.

[Kerry Drager]

Hi Dale,
Thanks for your comment. In general, a release isn't needed for photographing people in public places - for editorial (non-advertising) use. (Note: Some publishers or stock agencies may still require releases even for editorial purposes.) But we aren't copyright/privacy/intellectual-property lawyers :-) ... the very best resource for photographers is the American Society of Media Photographers (ASMP). See below.

Kerry

Model and property releases (tutorials and forms): "Why You Need Releases" by ASMP
http://www.asmp.org/commerce/legal/releases/