There have been a lot of posts during the last couple days on street photography, so I decided to start a different thread about technique and shooting strangers. I’ve been doing it for about 15 years now, and I am completely comfortable with it, which is exactly the opposite of when I started.
If I see someone who looks interesting to me, for any reason…hair color, clothing, action, I never ever just start shooting. I do not want to grab a shot and run. I want to be able to “work the scene.“

I start a conversation with my camera over my shoulder, that conversation begins with something about the person. I engage the person so that he/she/they know that they are being heard. Only then do I express my interest in photographing them. Many times they will ask why I want to shoot them, and I answer with one of several stock replies: hobby (true), camera club (true), taking a photography course (sometimes true)…you get it.
None of the four images here is the first shot. Nor are any of them wall hangers. I just want to show that even in a city like New York, perfect strangers can we models.
Do I ever feel threatened? No, because I don’t wander around in areas that are threatening. Also, at nearly 87, I don’t think I look threatening either, nor did I when I was in my early 70s.
If any of you hogs would like to share your experiences on learning to be street photographers, and show some examples, feel free to put them in this thread.

Agreed. Sometimes just getting the person has to suffice.

Once while on a hunting safari in Zimbabwe I noticed a native woman sitting next to a campfire doing some kind of work. It was one of the most inviting photograph opportunities I think I have ever seen. I wanted that picture as is. While moving to her side to capture her in the fire light she saw me and started to move around. I tried in whatever language I could, sign, voice to have her remain as she was. The hunting guide was right there and he asked what I wanted her to do. After I explained and he explained to her in her native language, Ndebele, she happily sat back down and tried to appear as if she was working. I took a few shots but the magic was gone.

Dennis

There have been a lot of posts during the last couple days on street photography, so I decided to start a different thread about technique and shooting strangers. I’ve been doing it for about 15 years now, and I am completely comfortable with it, which is exactly the opposite of when I started.
If I see someone who looks interesting to me, for any reason…hair color, clothing, action, I never ever just start shooting. I do not want to grab a shot and run. I want to be able to “work the scene.“

I start a conversation with my camera over my shoulder, that conversation begins with something about the person. I engage the person so that he/she/they know that they are being heard. Only then do I express my interest in photographing them. Many times they will ask why I want to shoot them, and I answer with one of several stock replies: hobby (true), camera club (true), taking a photography course (sometimes true)…you get it.
None of the four images here is the first shot. Nor are any of them wall hangers. I just want to show that even in a city like New York, perfect strangers can we models.
Do I ever feel threatened? No, because I don’t wander around in areas that are threatening. Also, at nearly 87, I don’t think I look threatening either, nor did I when I was in my early 70s.
If any of you hogs would like to share your experiences on learning to be street photographers, and show some examples, feel free to put them in this thread.

I would love to do more "on the street" portraiture, but just get antsy about asking and/or taking the shot. But yesterday i feel i got lucky with it. I was out at an offshoot of Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge and found this older gent fishing. He had quite the setup, with a wagon full of what he needed to sit for while. Like you suggested, we talked for a while, and then i kept walking. On my way back, he was still in his spot, but quickly started packing up. I ended up helping him load his gear back into his old pickup truck, and finally asked if i could take his picture. He immediately stood more erect, and tilted his hat. So i grabbed this shot, adding my own effects. Would love to be able to do more of this, but i guess i just get too shy about it.

Marylea

There have been a lot of posts during the last couple days on street photography, so I decided to start a different thread about technique and shooting strangers. I’ve been doing it for about 15 years now, and I am completely comfortable with it, which is exactly the opposite of when I started.
If I see someone who looks interesting to me, for any reason…hair color, clothing, action, I never ever just start shooting. I do not want to grab a shot and run. I want to be able to “work the scene.“

I start a conversation with my camera over my shoulder, that conversation begins with something about the person. I engage the person so that he/she/they know that they are being heard. Only then do I express my interest in photographing them. Many times they will ask why I want to shoot them, and I answer with one of several stock replies: hobby (true), camera club (true), taking a photography course (sometimes true)…you get it.
None of the four images here is the first shot. Nor are any of them wall hangers. I just want to show that even in a city like New York, perfect strangers can we models.
Do I ever feel threatened? No, because I don’t wander around in areas that are threatening. Also, at nearly 87, I don’t think I look threatening either, nor did I when I was in my early 70s.
If any of you hogs would like to share your experiences on learning to be street photographers, and show some examples, feel free to put them in this thread.