I get many messages after I post a blog, this week I’ve gotten 3 that in one way or another were asking the same question. It breaks down like this, do I feel as if I’m invading people's privacy and do I tell people after taking the photo, I felt these questions were important enough for a blog, I will answer them as best as I can.
So, do I feel as if I'm invading peoples privacy and the quick easy answer would be No, I don’t. For me if your in a public place then you’ve given up your privacy, but let’s ask this question differently, do I feel as if I’m invading a person's personal space, and I have to be honest and say that I don't really give it a second thought. If I'm faced with a moment that I feel will make a good street photo, then I capture the moment, I never wonder if the person I'm photographing would like it or not if you think like that you’ll miss the moment. Remember street photography is all about timing.
The one group of people that I won’t photograph are the homeless, I believe that they don’t have any privacy and I won’t take advantage of them. Saying that, I might stop and chat with a homeless person, offer to buy them a coffee and ask their story and how they became homeless, then I might ask to take a photo.
Street photography isn’t about taking advantage of people and I feel too many photographers have lost sight of this. Remember it’s a great honour to be able to capture a street photo and we mustn't take this for granted.
Starbucks is a bit different, it’s not a public place, it’s private property so the rules of street photography change. Most Starbucks don’t like me taking photos and on a few occasions, I’ve been asked to stop and once I was asked to leave. My local Starbucks is different, I know the manager and the staff really well and they don’t mind me taking photos, I’ve got access to areas that only staff would normally have access to and this is all down to the manager Elliott. I can’t tell you how lucky I am to have the opportunity to take photos in there, the place is a life saver for me, without Starbucks I wouldn’t be able to shoot as much as I do.
Do I tell people after taking their photo, no I don’t why would I. In the UK you don’t need to ask for permission to take or use the photo. When there’s children involved this changes for me, in Starbucks I’ll nearly always approach the parents and tell them that I have taken a photo of their child, I will show them the photo and tell them about my project. This has only been a problem once for me, I had a mother contact me asking for me to remove a photo of her son from my blog, which I did. I don’t want to cause a problem for anyone or upset someone over a photo. As long as I’m asked nicely I will always delete a photo.
You have to be comfortable on the streets and if you’re not people will notice and then you’ll just come across as creepy. Don’t hide what you’re doing, be honest with people, show them the photo, offer to send it to them and remember just be nice.
Street photography isn't for everyone and it isn't easy, even if it looks like it is.
