Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

I have always appreciated street photography and am considering taking my camera down to bike week and strolling the crowd when it comes in a few weeks from now. But I kind of have an issue that I need some help with, I really don't want to be rude, just clicking shots of strangers, nor do I want to get my butt kicked for invading folks privacy.

So, how do you folks go about taking pics of total strangers and what is a good way to go about getting their buy in?

chasgroh Loc: Buena Park, CA

...well, you can ask, and most often get cooperation. But then the subject knows what's up and you are no longer getting "candid." I *do* ask, but when the need arises and I've not made contact, sometimes I'll focus on something at the same distance from the true subject, then move the camera quickly, don't take the time to refocus, and snap the shutter. This technique may take some practice, but you'd be surprised at the good results...

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Unless you're right in their face with your camera, shoot first, answer questions later. Pointing or (fake) shooting at a variety of targets, including many objects in addition to people, makes you seem innocuous, even though you're shooting directly at eye level if you're using a DSLR and have to point directly at them to shoot. Try to move quickly, don't spend a lot of time on any one "street" shot. If you want really candid street shots, a waist level viewfinder model is excellent these days. Most people don't know what it is or when you're shooting it. I like to look down into the viewfinder and pre-focus at a 90 degree angle, with my body and face not pointed at the subject, then turn the camera quickly 90 degrees toward my target, fine tune the focus, and shoot, if I really want a total candid shot. I know one street photographer who uses a right angle (waist level) reflector on his LCD display so that he's not looking directly at the subject.

If you're looking for a close up portrait, you need to be more in your face. I generally approach a person and ask, "Do you mind if I take your picture?" sometimes adding something like, "That's an amazing hat your wearing" or "I really love that t-shirt". At worst, they'll say no, but at best they'll be flattered and look directly into your camera at portrait range. I've approached a lot of pretty tough looking types over the years and more often than not, I've gotten permission and a smile. Sometimes they'll ask for a copy, which you should always provide. It pays to have some business cards (the ones that DON'T give your home address, of course!).

Andy

PS: It's cheap to get business cards printed up, and have a separate email and phone number on them for the rare times that you might encounter a stalker, or worse. If you can make them look artistic or feature your work, they might even result in real business or contacts. You can, of course, use a business or artist name "Images by Andy" or whatever, so you don't even have to disclose your last name if you don't want to. VOIP phone numbers and "burner" phones are also pretty cheap these days if you feel like you might be encountering risky individuals and hesitate to give out your real number.

Andy

fergmark Loc: norwalk connecticut

Going to the bike week or any event where there are crowds and cameras will put you at ease. Parades, Fairs etc. I have the same kind of issue. I have on only a few occasions asked, and it didn't hurt a bit, but not the approach I like, nor the kind of photo I want. I plan to go back into NYC as spring comes around. There is a distinct way about how people on the street there take little notice of someone holding a camera. I believe it is the very best answer for me. I really want to become much more involved with street photography, and have relatively few opportunities around home. Graham Smith made a comment that addressed to some degree, his mindset regarding street photography. Something to the effect that in his head, he became the street. I wish I could remember exactly how he put it. My translation for myself is that your self becomes transparent, and you become your camera. Have you looked at his posts? Well worth your while. Might even stumble across that discussion I mentioned.

Voss

Just point your camera and shoot. If the people are doing something, talking, or just preoccupied, they probably won't notice you. If they do react to you, they're more likely to smile than to frown. I've shot at several bike rallies (as in motorcycle), and no one has ever spoken to me. And I've never been physically threatened.

Working off one of Andy's suggestions, learn how to shoot from the hip, and one-handed if your camera is small. Once you practice a little it's not that difficult to shoot blind. This makes youi a little less conspicuous (I hope).

One thought to keep in mind, though. If your subject is just sitting or standing around, looking in your general direction, and not preoccupied, you've already been made, so you might as well shoot.

waegwan Loc: Mae Won Li

You got the best of the best here already for street shooting. Another option is if your camera has WiFi and many of them do these days you can control the camera with a smart phone. It is a handy technique for other than street as well. I used it to photograph the inside of a yree trunk once. You can point the camera in on direction and look in the other direction with your phone and use the phone to click the shutter on the DSLR.

deanfl Loc: Georgia

I found that you can use an iPhone, and possibly an android cell phone.....and trip the shutter by pressing the volume button while wearing the headphone ear buds. It looks like you are just listening to music, while discreetly taking photos.

dennis2146 Loc: Eastern Idaho

Though I am not a street photographer, per se, I have taken photos of other subjects with street people between me and the subject, such as Mt. Rushmore. Most people have absolutely no idea of the angle of view of cameras referring to ultra wide angle out to telephoto. Apparently they were correct that I was shooting something other than them, personally. But the fact remains I could have been shooting them instead of Mt. Rushmore. In a situation such as Bike Week I think there will be hundreds of people taking photographs. You will be just one more. The crowd has no idea if you are focusing on someone's eye or taking a photo of the hundreds of people around you. As another poster mentioned, as long as you are not absolutely right in their face, they probably won't notice you at all.

Have a great time and be sure to share your photos with us,

Dennis

John_F Loc: Minneapolis, MN

Probably a ‘shoot-down-able’ idea, but how about a sign strapped unto your hat that reads “on street scenes assignment.” Ho hum.

woodfrog Loc: Tennessee

John Free has some great videos on YouTube about stealthy street shooting. Bike Week in Daytona should be a easy first start to Street Photography.

SATS Loc: Belgium

Here are two very good starting points. It is also useful to remember that Street Portraiture and Street Photography are two related but distinct genres. Depending on the situation it might be a good idea to get the candid shots in first, if possible.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BWip3-T3ev4

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPxzlGPrM3A