Tips and experiences when photographing the general public!

[Thomas brookes]

Hey all!

It's been on my mind for quite a while now and following a brief conversation with Hilary I think it would be a good discussion point!

When I go out on an opportunistic shoot I often come across people of interest that I would love to take photos of but am not really sure in our standoffish (brittish) society how to approach people to ask if I could take a photo of them.

Now with common sense on board And a bit of bottle, what in peoples experiences is the best appoach??
Does anyone have any amusing experiences?

I would also like to know any legal pitfalls someone could fall into? Do you need to get signed permission off people?

Tom

 

[Dan Cattermole]

My advice Tom..... Just take the picture!! if your questioned about it, show them, and ensure them that your deleting the picture taken of the person in question to not end up in a heated hugging session. I tend be happier with pictures taken when the general public are themselves, non posed, natural, etc. 9 times out of ten they probably wont even realise your taking pictures of them anyway and if they do, then they dont find the bottle to confront you. As far as legal terms stand with taking pictures of people.... it would be pretty silly to find that there is a legal pittfall considering this country has more public cctv than any country in the world!!!!
through my eyes in photography........ shoot the moment, or miss it..

 

[Darren Turner]

i have sooooo been trying to get into doing more street photography.......... My balls are not big enough to get close enough haha......!!

I went around the local market to get some shots.............it helped my confidence a little.

I believe there are no rules or regulations to prevent you from taking photos of people in a public place.

Here are some "People" shots i took today, i am far from happy with them and not what i went to try & get initially..........but i have to start somewhere lol

Daz

 

[Hamish Gill]

I love it too!
Worcester is too small... It feels odd in town ... It's easier in odd weather as people are distracted ... This is about my best effort at street photography!

 

[Thomas brookes]

Haha!! The only way I think I could do it is by inticing them into thinking they could be famous or get there mug in a magazine!! Haha I think maybe flattery would be my first attempt!! I just don't know!!

 

[Thomas brookes]

Great pic hamish and I agree you could pass it off as taking a photo of the snowy weather and there just in the shot!! But say for instance I wanted a shot of a person like a street portrait??

 

[Hamish Gill]

There is no law against taking photos of people in pubic places!
It's only against the law when it's invasion of privacy and that is basically down to common sense in it's interpretation

 

[Dan Cattermole]

Yeah!! Go for it!! Grab your Muchos maracas between your legs and go for it pal!!! explain to them that your photography keen, give them a business card or something in way for them eventually viewing their picture.... What's the least they gonna say..... No. Try again with someone else,
If you approach some1, id imagine it'd be more comfortable for them if there is someone with with them, even if the 'friend' doesn't get a chance of fame. Lol.

 

[Pete Askew]

The only time that 'public' pictures present an issue is if they are sold for advertising or similar. Here, you may need a model release if it is isolated subjects (crowds and public in general are not usually an issue). Although there is nothing illegal about it there may be liability issues and so, in some instances, having a model release would be prudent (and for a corporate buyer, essential). That's partly why advertising shots often use a model, even in public rather than just someone who happens to be in the right place. Other uses rarely cause an issue.

 

[Thomas brookes]

Ahhaah!! I had heard about this relese forms. dosent concern me as I'm not pro.......! My first subject will be that afro midget guy that sits on the new bridge often seen carrying a log twice his size. Aparrently he lives in the woods.....ahhhhh I love Worcester !!

 

[Pete Askew]

Sounds like something from a David Lynch film. Look forward to the image!

 

[Hamish Gill]

The only time that 'public' pictures present an issue is if they are sold for advertising or similar. Here, you may need a model release if it is isolated subjects (crowds and public in general are not usually an issue). Although there is nothing illegal about it there may be liability issues and so, in some instances, having a model release would be prudent (and for a corporate buyer, essential). That's partly why advertising shots often use a model, even in public rather than just someone who happens to be in the right place. Other uses rarely cause an issue.

The problem is there thy if you tell people they react differently ...

 

[Paul Lange]

The only issue I can see is that its probably common sense not to photograph children at parks or swimming pools etc unless you have the parents permission or that it's a general shot of an area. I don't think there is a law as such against it but in some circumstances you could get in to trouble.