Tip #6: Photographing people
Be respectful of other people’s privacy. Although it IS allowed to photograph anyone in a public space, it is not (strictly following the rules) allowed to share that photographs in public that can be seen as a portrait or a photograph with just a few identifiable persons.
But also remember that consent can be given in many ways. If someone sees that you are photographing them making no objections, that can be seen as a consent. If you are in doubt, just ask. That doesn’t have to be walking up to people and asking them if you may take their picture. That can be done too, and depending on the situation, I might do that from time to time.
This little fellow was hiding and watching me and I spotted him out of the corner of my eye as I was taking a few pictures. Obviously I wasn’t fast enough to get a photograph of him, so as I turned to photograph him, he popped out in full view grinning all over his face. I laughed with him, and asked him to hide from me again. He did. I later went to the store that was behind the kid (a small tailor shop), gave a print of the boy to his father, and asked for his permission to use the image… and he did.
Often deploy a different tactic. I will attempt to make eye contact with the person I would like to photograph. Approach them with my camera raised in my right hand, pointing to the camera with my left hand, while looking at the person and smiling. Not saying a word, simply smiling and pointing at my camera. I will not wait for them to answer or react, simply bring the camera up to my eye and make the photograph. Off course I will not do so, if I get the sense, they are not willing to be photographed. Not a word needs to be exchanged. If they dismiss me, I simply move on! But often, they WILL let me make the photograph, and may even smile, strike a pose or try to include a friend.
Continue reading this article go to Tip #7: Did I fail or am I simply not there yet, or go back to the introduction.