Are Cell Phones Hurting Street Photography? Not because people are taking pictures with them, but because people are always messing with them instead of interacting with each other? I...

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Not because people are taking pictures with them, but because people are always messing with them instead of interacting with each other?

I asked Dave Chinn this question when we were shooting together in New Orleans and he agreed it has had a negative impact. It is much harder to catch people in spontaneous interaction with one another nowadays, as everyone is On Electronics so much of the time. Street performers, who are making money by what they do instead, are an exception.

How much more interesting would this young lady be if she were engaged in conversation or activity with someone? Do you take pictures of people fiddling with their phones? If so, feel free to share them and say why you find them interesting or not, or add any thoughts you have on the matter.

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RichardTaylor Loc: Sydney, Australia

I do think it is a shame they are not interacting, and it is not just on the street.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

I agree Minnie. Many I see could walk off into the Mississippi River because their face was buried in their phone. Took shot a last year's French Quarter Fest of what looks to be a mother and two daughters sitting side by side and all faces buried in their phones.

Don

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

PAR4DCR wrote:

I agree Minnie. Many I see could walk off into the Mississippi River because their face was buried in their phone. Took shot a last year's French Quarter Fest of what looks to be a mother and two daughters sitting side by side and all faces buried in their phones.

Don

It's an interesting phenomenon, and I do take pictures of the phenomenon. Sometimes it's almost funny. Would you add yours to this thread?

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

RichardTaylor wrote:

I do think it is a shame they are not interacting, and it is not just on the street.

You're right. In restaurants, on street corners, driving (eek!) - everyone is all plugged up. It seems to limit interaction a lot, and interaction is what we are hoping to photograph.

neilds37 Loc: Port Angeles, WA

It's quite obvious she is the shy, retiring type who is just trying to blend in and not be noticed... Probably checking in to make sure her mother is OK.

PAR4DCR Loc: A Sunny Place

minniev wrote:

It's an interesting phenomenon, and I do take pictures of the phenomenon. Sometimes it's almost funny. Would you add yours to this thread?

Here you go Minnie.

Don

Did you get my text?

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Linda From Maine Loc: Yakima, Washington

Neil's comment cracked me up :)

A great discussion, Minnie, something I hadn't considered from a photographer's point of view since street isn't my area of interest.

I have to say, though, your photo is fascinating in many ways! Guess there will be a whole new genre of photography: people texting, oblivious to the world.

Dave Chinn

minniev wrote:

Not because people are taking pictures with them, ... (show quote)

Yes, Minnie it is bad !!! I'm almost to the point that I will no longer take shots where a cell phone is displayed with the subject. I'm sure it will reduce the number of shots I take. It is very discouraging because it give the appearance of the same shot different person outlook.

Your image here is a good one. The exposure, color, sharpness and just overall image in itself ... except for that phone !!!
Dave

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

minniev wrote:

Not because people are taking pictures with them, but because people are always messing with them instead of interacting with each other?

The trick is to get them to interact with you minniev.

minniev wrote:

How much more interesting would this young lady be if she were engaged in conversation or activity with someone?

How much more interesting would depend on the activity....hmmm

minniev wrote:

Do you take pictures of people fiddling with their phones?

I think most will take a photo of someone fiddling with just about anything.

A well spotted shot minniev.

jenny Loc: in hiding:)

She's doing business obviously.

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

PAR4DCR wrote:

Here you go Minnie.

Don

Neat shot, Don. They're oblivious to each other!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Linda From Maine wrote:

Neil's comment cracked me up :)

A great discussion, Minnie, something I hadn't considered from a photographer's point of view since street isn't my area of interest.

I have to say, though, your photo is fascinating in many ways! Guess there will be a whole new genre of photography: people texting, oblivious to the world.

I thought she was pretty interesting. I just wanted to see her DO something!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

neilds37 wrote:

It's quite obvious she is the shy, retiring type who is just trying to blend in and not be noticed... Probably checking in to make sure her mother is OK.

You got her pegged! Shrinking violet!

minniev Loc: MIssissippi

Dave Chinn wrote:

Yes, Minnie it is bad !!! I'm almost to the point that I will no longer take shots where a cell phone is displayed with the subject. I'm sure it will reduce the number of shots I take. It is very discouraging because it give the appearance of the same shot different person outlook.

Your image here is a good one. The exposure, color, sharpness and just overall image in itself ... except for that phone !!!
Dave

I agree. They have to be pretty interesting, or there has to be something interesting about how they're using the phones (like Don's 3 ladies) for me to take a shot.