(photography) How do I approach strangers on street? Help!?

Question

Please give me some tips for persuading people to pose for my project. I'm a shy photography student...

Answer 1

First, you have to overcome your shyness. The business of photography is aggressive. My BF has his own studio, and you have to fight for each contract. Take the shot and try for a release. If you can't get one, just delete the pic cause you can't use it. Or...just say I'm a photo student, can I use this pic in my portfolio. Most people will say yes.

Answer 2

Unless you are studying people's awkwardness when they pose for camera, you are better to take the picture right away. 99 percent of all your pictures will either have an unnatural pose or a confronting glare.

I still have trouble doing it, but what I have learned is that unless you have a specific purpose, like a portrait project from school, which will back you up on your quest for victims:D, you will succeed much better in conveying the real life or its precious moments by taking the picture before.

That said, I strongly suggest that you approach the person afterwards. Explain yourself. Tell them whatever you are taking the picture for. You do NOT need a model release to have the picture in your collection. What helps is to offer to send them the file or even a print. People appreciate it.

I have not mentionned commercial usage of prints because it depends on legislation. Here in Quebec, Canada, for example, the laws are ones of the worst in North America. A very interesting article about it can be read here

http://www.montrealmirror.com/2005/080405/news1.html

Answer 3

Okay, I am not shy, so I am trying to take that into account, but here's my suggestion of what I would do.

I would print off little cards explaining about your project, and that you are a photography student. I would simply approach people, and be very honest with them, and approach it from the point of view of, "would you be willing to help me with my project?" Most people are fairly camera shy, but I think many people are also goodhearted, and willing to help others. Simply tell them that you would like to have them pose for your project, and if they don't reject you right away, you can give them one of the little cards that explains why you are doing the project. I know you will meet people who don't even want to talk about it, which will be very hard for you, as you are shy, but I bet you will also meet people who are willing to participate just so they can do their good deed for the day. Make it clear from the outset that you don't want anything from them but permission to take their picture, and that you aren't going to come back later and offer pictures for money, or anything silly like that. Just be really honest and open, and I think you will probably get good results.

Good luck!

Answer 4

i would be basic, I no longer often ever do any highway photos. it extremely is not that i'm no longer attracted to it, some distance from it, it extremely is merely that Coventry city centre isn't the suited place to stroll around with a digital camera taking photos of people. An attempt to accomplish which will possibly bring about a beating and digital camera kit (and make contact with, wallet and running shoes) being stolen. as quickly as I pass to London (i pass often) I do shoot a splash greater, i in my view sense safer in London!. I by no skill use my DSLR in spite of the undeniable fact that, that's merely too enormous. It merely attracts interest and that's puzzling getting any organic poses. I prefer to apply a smaller 35mm digital camera. I in lots of cases use a Canon A1 with a 50mm lens or somewhat quite some the time an Olympus XA2 (great little digital camera!). you are able to honestly save those interior the palm of your hands and merely carry to the attention right now. Having a bulking great DSLR with neckstrap and extensive white lens on the front isn't the suited digital camera for highway artwork (for my section). .

Answer 5

Here's the part they don't teach in any class, the BS factor. Harsh but true with self confidence and a healthy dose of BS shoot away.

Same thing with people your approach, what your saying behind the camera can do as much to make a photo as the person in front of the camera. And there's only one way to work on it PRACTICE.

You'll start learning how to get emotions out of your subjects and THAT'S what makes a photo worth seeing!!

So jump out there BIG, HAPPY, and full of BS, and just see how people react. then practice getting your approach down.

Answer 6

I would just shoot them as the do their normal day life(catch the moment). I never went down to NYC to shoot all the scenes while I was their, because I'm more a studio guy that shoots fashion & glamour work. But I have some sweet concepts for models in a city!

If it's for your portfolio you don't need a release or for a news paper. But if your gonna sell them, a release would be handy. You can tell them while you have a release that your doing a project for a magazine and need to have it signed. It can work.

I would love to see your portfolio.

JW

Answer 7

Be courtious, behaving as you would want a stanger to act who wants to photograph you. No sneaking behind trees or agressive in you face snapshooting. Be especially polite in foreign countries where adding to the notion of Ugly Americans is not needed. The camera can be your tool to overcome shyness. There is a lot of good advice in most of the previous responses, just use your noodle and show respect. You'll get 99% of the shots you want. And, offer to send a copy via email, Web link, or hard print.

Answer 8

Be clean, be polite and have a selection of your photos in a portfolio with you so you can make you subject comfortable. Above all be professional! If you intend to sell or display the images in a public space you'll need a model release form for them to sign and for you not to get sued!

Answer 9

you like to photogragh life as it occurs on the street? if that's what your doing, thats great, but the best way to do that is to just plainly ask people if they mind. tell them what the purpose is, and they might be more than willing to say yes. other people may become paranoid....who is watching me....others may fear you are hired by an angry spouse, or who knows what. so if you are honest about, that would get you the best result. in places like disneyworld, etc., no one would notice if you snapped a shot of them, because so many people do bring cameras to those places. just remember not to approach any one who makes you feel creepy. once, someone in a white sedan slowed down on our residential street, a quiet neighborhood, and took 2 pictures of my kids as they were riding their scooters down the sidewalk. i saw this happen. i rushed over to my kids, ask them if they knew who it was, and they didn't, and they ask me why the man took their picture. i was very upset about this. all summer i worried about that white sedan and the person in the backseat who opened his window and leaned out to take their pictures. i consider this an invasion of our privacy, and possibly a threat. if that person was just wanting to take pictures for a photograghy course, or something of that nature, he could have asked me, and i would have said sure. also i wouldn't have worried so much that summer. what do you think?

Answer 10

Oh that must not b difficult for a beautiful girl like u. However, make sure that the place u are photographing in does not forbid taking pictures.