Is street photography creepy?

[danielsmith4213]

Why do I always feel like a creep when I go and do street photography? Today a stupid policeman told me that it's illegal to take photos of random strangers and that I should feel ashamed of myself... Which I'm pretty sure is wrong.

 

[Kerbouchard]

In the U.S., the police officer would be wrong, but it's still creepy.

 

[danielsmith4213]

Is it really that bad to take photos of strangers if you do it tastefully?

 

[Kerbouchard]

Is it really that bad to take photos of strangers if you do it tastefully?

If you feel creepy, you probably look creepy. Just the way you feel influences other people's perception and whether you are doing it openly and with confidence or like some creep with a camera.

My guess is, most 'street' photographers are young boys trying to take pictures of women and old men trying to take pictures of women. That probably accounts for about 70% of 'street' photographers. The remainder is mostly journalists covering protests, living conditions, etc or tourists.

IMO, going out to take pictures of people you don't know is a bit creepy. Sure, it can be done well...just most of the time it's not. Just my .02

 

[photo guy]

In the U.S. taking pictures of people on the streets would be like the police and businesses using camera recording people inside and outside. It basically is the same. Just about anywhere you go you are on camera.

 

[danielsmith4213]

Is it really that bad to take photos of strangers if you do it tastefully?

If you feel creepy, you probably look creepy. Just the way you feel influences other people's perception and whether you are doing it openly and with confidence or like some creep with a camera.

My guess is, most 'street' photographers are young boys trying to take pictures of women and old men trying to take pictures of women. That probably accounts for about 70% of 'street' photographers. The remainder is mostly journalists covering protests, living conditions, etc or tourists.

IMO, going out to take pictures of people you don't know is a bit creepy. Sure, it can be done well...just most of the time it's not. Just my .02

In Australia the government did an anti terrorism advertising campaign and in the advertisements they basically said if you see someone with an SLR camera taking pictures, call the police. The reason that I feel uncomfortable taking photographs on the street is that anyone with a camera who isn't taking photos of tourist attractions or their kids is automatically doing something wrong. There is an entire sub genre of photography that focuses on capturing moments on the street and I'm wondering if all street photographers feel the same way.

 

[mangtarn]

My guess is, most 'street' photographers are young boys trying to take pictures of women and old men trying to take pictures of women. That probably accounts for about 70% of 'street' photographers. The remainder is mostly journalists covering protests, living conditions, etc or tourists.

my pain exactly. i am an (male) university student and i am a journalist for my school newspaper. i hate the looks i get from people when i take my camera out to do cityscape or street.

 

[ann]

Young boys, or old men! Really Street work has been a long time venue for photography most with other goals then listed above.

As has been mentioned if your uncomfortable your subjects will be so, if your open and non-threatening it becomes a different story. Many times if people are aware they will let you know if they are going to be in cooperation with the process.

Perhaps you need to try a different type of photography, (not being rude here, just taking what your saying as a guide line). Your not alone to say your not happy about the looks, but then people who general feel this way do not do street work. One needs to be very comfortable about what they are doing.

Many years ago when I was your age I had thoughts of pj and a very famous news photography asked me the following question. If someone is jumping out of a window with the intent to die, can you keep shooting? My response was something along , I am not sure. His comment back was , re think your goal.
Certainly gave me a jolt and food for thought and I ended up taking a different path with my work.

Not a bad thing or a good thing, just a different path. I know, I know, how many times would that happen, maybe never; but that was not the point. Luckily I did get the point . Others mileage may vary on this, just my .02

 

[AlanKlein]

If you're uncomfortable doing something, don't do it. Photography should be fun.

On the other hand I've read of other street photographers who don't do it on the sly. They get to know the people, speak to them make them feel they're involved and then shoot without conflict. Of course, you may miss some spontaneity, but then again you won't feel "creepy".

 

[bentcountershaft]

I don't see street photography as creepy at all, assuming it isn't random upskirt shots or something of that nature.

 

[danielsmith4213]

If you're uncomfortable doing something, don't do it. Photography should be fun.

On the other hand I've read of other street photographers who don't do it on the sly. They get to know the people, speak to them make them feel they're involved and then shoot without conflict. Of course, you may miss some spontaneity, but then again you won't feel "creepy".

It makes me uncomfortable but the results are worth it! I have been trying to approach people and photograph them with their consult, but it's hard to get them to take off their masks so to speak.

 

[usayit]

It seems creepy because that's the message that has been ingrained into our brains. What Kerbouchard said about looks is probably a big influence as well.... people judge the book by its cover.. that's human nature.

On certain days, its just me and my young son to spend time together. When I take him to the park during a weekday, its a park full of stay at home mothers and I make sure to trade the camera in for a small point and shoot. I got strange looks the first time I showed up with a camera.. almost felt compelled to assure the mothers that I was there with my son.

I also like to shoot street at times..... You definitely get a different reaction depending on the subject's "walk of life".

 

[gsgary]

I hope you told him to piss off and mind his own buisiness because he was talking bull**** most of the best photographers shot on the streets CHB,Brant the list is endless
This should help

 

[Mike_E]

Are you trying to get photos of people on the sly? Or are you taking photos of the street including it's contents so to speak.

Think about that, it makes a difference.

 

[danielsmith4213]

Are you trying to get photos of people on the sly? Or are you taking photos of the street including it's contents so to speak.

Think about that, it makes a difference.

I'm just taking photos of the street including its' contents... That's the problem, I guess people don't understand that photography can be tasteful art as well. If only you could show them the works of Henri Cartier Bresson, then they'd understand