How to Interact With Your Subjects when Shooting Street Photography

by Eric Kim on October 3, 2011

Alfred Eisenstaedt once said, “It is more important to click with people than to click the shutter“. Upon reading this quote, it made me start thinking differently how I approach my street photography. When I started off, I would avoid eye contact at all costs, often shooting from the hip or being a little more sneaky. However nowadays, I actually prefer making eye contact with my subjects the majority of the time and even interacting with them after taking the shot. Often times when things are a bit too hectic on the streets, I don’t talk much with people but whenever I have the opportunity I try. Keep reading to learn how to interact with your subjects more when shooting on the streets.

Introduction

Skid Row

Shot in Skid Row. Took the photo then chatted with him afterwards. Nice guy

To start off, it is not absolutely necessary that you interact with your subjects when shooting on the streets. However I have often found it very rewarding to interact with my subjects when shooting them. Also do not get confused with interacting with your subjects and asking for permission. With the exception of a few cases, I almost never ask for permission when shooting on the streets. Why not? Because it gives the person the opportunity to say no. I think it is better to shoot first then have people ask questions later. Not only that, but having people pose loses that candid factor which makes street photography so wonderful.

Can Street Photography Make You a Better Person?

Grip

Chatted with the guy a bit, crouched down and snapped a few photos. He didn't seem to mind.

I have found that my street photography has helped me become a more courageous and better person in general. Before I started getting serious with my street photography, I had a very difficult time interacting and talking with strangers. I felt comfortable with close friends and acquaintances, but total strangers were a no-no with me. However the more I started shooting street photography, I started getting more comfortable with those around me. Now that I am comfortable shooting people without their permission, I am even more comfortable striking up random conversations with people on the street. This has truly helped my interaction skills and my social life in general– I am sure it will happen the same with you as well.

The Video

The video featured above shows around 10 minutes of footage of myself shooting in the Downtown LA fashion district for the YOU ARE HERE event with the ThinkTank Gallery and Leica Camera. The idea is that 32 street photographers from LA shoot for 10 days in one square block and they will be featuring their work October 13th at the Downtown LA art walk. RSVP here via Facebook.

In the video, I walk around the area shooting with my GoPro HD camera on top of my Leica M9 and 35mm. All of the shots are without permission, with 3 different approaches:

1. Not asking for permission, not being noticed

Some of the shots I did during the video involved me sticking around and taking multiple shots of a scene. I am nice and close (closer than the video suggests due to the wide-angle video lens) and not disturbing the scene very much. Sometimes you can stick around and not even be noticed by the people you are shooting.

2. Shoot first, talk after

Sometimes I shoot people and then interact with them afterwards. This allows me to get a candid image of a person, and then get to know them a bit more on a personal level. Sometimes I stick around and talk with them several minutes, and other times it is very brief. Regardless, I feel that interacting with your subjects after shooting them changes their perspective of what you are doing. If you act sneaky and they notice you shooting them, they may get a weird feeling and feel uncomfortable for the rest of the day.

If you interact with the people and tell them why you are shooting them, they love the attention and feel special. I once shot a photo of a guy in Downtown LA and he was honored and said, “In the 30 years I have lived in LA–nobody has taken a photo of me!” Shoot openly and tell people why you are shooting them as well. This often removes people’s suspicion of you.

3. Shoot while talking

At times I also like to talk to people while shooting them. This allows me to make my subjects feel a lot more comfortable while still getting that candid look or approach. Sometimes people even put on a show for you because they get so excited. Regardless, it makes them relax a lot more and become aware of you taking photos of them.

What if People Give You Problems?

Light

Saw this guy smoking a cigarette in Chicago. Got close, waited for him to look at me and snapped a photo. I smiled and said thank you and he did the same.

In my experience 95% of people never give you a problem when shooting street photography. However below is the way that the other 5% seem to react:

1. Confusion and ask your motives

Sometimes when you shoot on the streets people will give you a confused look and ask you what you are doing. Instead of pretending that you don’t hear them and move on, I like to take a step closer to the person and explain that you are a street photographer and you found something beautiful/special about them. You can reassure them that you won’t do anything sinister with their image and even offer to email them the photo if they would like. Most of the time people will then say, “Oh okay” and keep walking. This or they will ask you to do the below:

2. Ask you to delete the photo

If people are not comfortable with you deleting their photo, they will ask you to delete the photo. If you are in the US and in a public space (or even most countries in the world) you have no legal reason to do so. However I typically try to avoid confrontation and delete the images if people ask me kindly to. Whether you decide to do so or not is your own personal decision. If you delete the photo people will typically move on. If you refuse, you should stand your ground and assert that you have the legal right to take their photo because they are in a public space. Most people don’t know the law and say it is illegal. I then suggest you to ask them to call the police and wait. Most people won’t go through the hassle and may say a few words to you and keep going on. If not, the police can show up and will tell the other person you have the right to do so.

Either way, it is your decision how you decide to react.

3. Get aggressive

I shot in the area in the video for around 2-3 days and never had an issue until the other day. I shot one gentlemen with a fancy diamond cross on his neck, as well as a fancy watch. I crouched down with my flash, and snapped two photos. He then slowly lunged at me and yelled at me asking what I was doing. I candidly told him I was just taking his photo because I liked what he was wearing. He then grabbed me by my camera strap, and I quickly took a step back and hid my camera from his harm. He started yelling at me that I didn’t have the legal right. I then apologized and told him that I didn’t mean to offend him. He then let go of my camera strap and then continued yelling.

I then stood around for a few more minutes (while other people looking at us) and continued to apologize and explain myself. After a few minutes he calmed down a bit and asked me to leave. I then apologized one last time and moved on.

Don’t let this story scare you. This type of aggressive behavior from people happens probably .05% of the time you are shooting on the streets. Even when shooting with my flash people have acted aggressively toward me around 2 times over the period of a few months. However if this situation happens to you, be prepared. I think it is of upmost importance to stand your ground, calmly explain yourself, and not act sneaky. If people are really upset, even offer to delete the photo (interestingly enough the fellow I shot didn’t ask me to delete his photo). Also my last bit of advice is be careful who you shoot. If you see people walking on the streets with mean or aggressive expressions in their face or the way they walk, try avoid shooting them. Shoot how you are comfortable.

Conclusion

Tears

Gangster-type, had 3 teardrop tattoos in his left eye. Asked him for permission before shooting this

Shooting on the streets doesn’t require you to interact with your subjects, but in my personal experience I have found it very rewarding. I am less interested in my final image and more interested in the people I meet along the way and the interactions I have with them. Try shooting openly and freely, and bring your viewfinder to your eye when shooting. Shooting from the hip is a wonderful way to get your feet wet in street photography, but I suggest using your viewfinder more (if you have one) as it allows you to be more open when you shoot while also getting better compositions. After all, your eye can compose better than your hand!

The last bit is to constantly experiment. Try to find the shooting style you are comfortable with. Experiment talking with your subjects before, after, or even during the time you are shooting them. Although the heart of street photography is to be shot without permission– try asking for permission if you wish. Although everyone has a different definition of street photography, there are no hard rules. Just capture the beauty of everyday life and the people living inside it.

Any thoughts, suggestions, or comments regarding shooting on the streets or the video above? Let us know your ideas by leaving a comment below! 

Tagged as: 35mm summilux, leica, leica m9, pov, street photographyv, think tank, video, you are here

  • http://twitter.com/polarapfel Tobias Weisserth

    “I think it is better to shoot first then have people ask questions later.”

    Very US-American! ;)

    The video shows one thing too: that people are much more relaxed about being photographed in LA than they are in Germany in general. I couldn’t pull this off in Germany.

    Thanks for posting Eric.

    • http://twitter.com/nimsaw Nimish

      Agree with the part that subjects come across as very relaxed. For instance in the video i noticed that dude with tattooed hands who suddenly halts. I was expecting him to act confrontational, but he was game and showcased his tattoo for a shot. Even the woman in orange selling the wares, talks with a smile on her face.
      The thing i have experienced in markets here in Mumbai is that salesmen are too busy making a sale to interact with you. Most of the time i have been asked by those salesmen not to take pictures. And people on the road are certainly not as relaxed:(

    • Marvin Albert

      I agree with Tobias,
      shooting in german streets is way different. People feel bad about getting captured in public and if you choose to ask they will very often tell you not to (maybe more than half of them). Not as in the States in Germany your photo is legal if not one but at least five people can be recognized in the foreground.

      I also did street shooting in Buenos Aires and there people are more relaxed and optimal shooting is just as showd by Eric.

      I enjoyed very much watching your video, thank you very much for sharing in such a fresh manner!

  • Keith

    Eric, thanks so much for sharing this video, I’m going to try and engage from now on. Whenever I get a hard stare I tend to smile and end up apologizing. I think it makes me look sheepish and suspicious. Your enthusiasm and willingness to share your ideas and techniques are a credit to the street photography community.

  • REptar

    In México you can’t do that, as you can get fired/assaulted/punched/etc. almost instantly haha. But its nice to see that the people in LA is so open and relaxed about being photographed. Thats just awesome

    Thanks! you’re awesome! Y que buen español!

  • Tomas

    Hi Eric – great post!

    As you point out, most people, including yourself, have had difficult time approaching and interacting with strangers. Just wondering what caused you to move past this and change your approach from shooting discretely to interacting with your subjects? Did it happen slowly over time, or did you suddenly have a breakthrough moment and never look back?

    Thanks & keep up the great work!

    • http://erickimphotography.com/blog Eric Kim

      It definitely comes with time. Just spend more time out shooting and the more comfortable you will become. However one of the defining moments is when I started realizing that when I was shooting on the streets I wasn’t doing a bad and sneaky thing–but a GOOD thing…to capture people in their natural settings and the beauty of it all!

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  • http://calm7clear.tistory.com John Kim

    It is a fun to wath the video, Eric!
    My photo taking process is quite slower than you do. I guess that’s because I get used to take film photography now. I took photos with street photography in mind from March this year. So far a few of people told me “f” words while I am taking photos and one girl told me not to do. I couldn’t delete her image since I used films. But as I promised to her, I didn’t post her image at any photography related sites at all. I figured out that quite many people are open-minded even I shoot people in a small city I live. I like how you interacted with people and I guess I would like to improve this point.
    And I agree to your opinion that the street photography can make us a better person through my experience. One of my friends always said to me that the love or affection of the subjects I am interested in must come first before my techniques or tools I carry with.

  • Peter de Rooij

    As a total novice street photog, it is nice to see a reasoned and down to earth discussion (and good illustration in the video) on how to interact with your subjects.
    For portraits, I am definitely more in the ask first camp, or shoot while talking. I feel rude when snapping a close portrait of someone without asking first. Just doesn’t feel right. (Yet?) That attitude is probably influenced by the fact that I live in Vietnam – people love their picture taken, and if you keep interacting, soon forget about posing. Never candid, often natural.
    For “wider” street scenes, I’ll do any of the three approaches, depending on what feels right.

    Thanks Eric!

  • Kenneth N

    Hi Eric,
    Do you only shoot candids now or do you still shoot pictures including more scenery of the streets/surroundings? Recently it seems that you only are showing and concentrating more on the candids stuff. ..? Some wouldn’t call this street photography, but street candid photography – I do not really care what you call it :-)
    And i do like the shots shown here.

  • Dave

    Nice advice overall, plenty of help for novice shooters as well as the more experienced.
    One thing that may help people who get concerned about the occasional “angry” subject, and the fear of what may happen, is to protect yourself. Always take a cell phone with 911 programed in, and buy yourself a personal mace canister. The likelihood of ever needing it is about zero, but knowing you have it in your pocket will make you feel much more comfortable (unfortunately you just can’t be 100 percent sure about everyone these days).
    I should preface this by saying I tend to shoot in the skid row sections of town, and with a few exceptions, they are actually some of the nicest people… mostly.

    • http://www.facebook.com/people/Richard-Hankin/1037654521 Richard Hankin

      ah, dejua vu all over again..a few years back i was using my 80-400mm lens and I guy came over and asked why i was taking HIS photo.
      I TRIED to explain that I was using the 400mm part of my lens and I could NOT possibly take his photo since he was so close. I even offerde to SHOW him the difference. But he had his mind made up but walked on and muttered something about privacy thieves etc etc.
      MY MIStAKE was trying to explain the workings of a camera/lens and not taking into account that some folks just don’t
      want to be educated.

      • http://erickimphotography.com/blog Eric Kim

        There will always be people who misunderstand you. Best to do what you did–act calm and educated and walk on

  • Steve

    I took a photo of some architecture yesterday and received abuse from a woman because she thought I was taking her photo. My camera wasn’t even pointing in her direction. She wouldn’t listen when I told her I wasn’t taking her photo. I really wish people in the UK were as laid back about photography as they appear to be in some other countries.

  • http://www.facebook.com/glsmyth George L Smyth

    I almost exclusively shoot from the hip. This is not because I am afraid of confrontation, but because I am more interested in capturing what is happening, as opposed to street portraiture. It’s simply a different style and intent. Good information here.

  • Brian Day

    Very practical and informative piece here, Eric. Personally, I don’t try to hide at all when I shoot, but I prefer to not be noticed. People brag about how unobtrusive the Leica is as if it’s some sort of invisiblity cloak, but the truth is whether you wield an iPhone camera or a D3, the presence of ANY camera changes people’s behavior. My street photography preference is to capture some behavior that would have happened whether or not I was present. I think the bottom line is that discretion in street photography is an art in and of itself.

    I travel quite a bit, and have had the opportunity to shoot in several different cultures, and the fact is, the level of interaction depends on the culture and environmental factors. I’m not a small guy; walking around Europe with my x100 and shooting at close range without being sneaky, I got lots of cautious (and a few flat out fearful) looks, but was never once challenged (although in France the looks were most fierce). In Mexico and the Dominican Republic, the looks were not only cautious, but I was often watched and even followed for a while after I shot. People in NY and LA were largely indifferent. Canadians were cordial. All unique experiences.

    On the other hand, in my hometown Detroit, confrontations of varying degrees are fairly regular, particularly away from the core downtown area. That doesn’t stop me from shooting, it just means I have to be confident at all times, and never linger in one place as I might on the streets of Rome. To me, that is the most salient point in this article: photographic output aside, the level of confidence and discretion (not gear or gimmickery) you wield is your most important weapon.

    Great work, man.

  • http://twitter.com/nimsaw Nimish

    I interact with my subjects depending on the kind of vibes i am getting from them. 90 percent of the time i avoid making eye contact and pretend as if i am shooting something behind their back. But just the other day i encountered a unique problem. I shoot with a Canon S5IS and was shooting early morning. As i was walking around the market to shoot, i noticed people around me checking out my camera with a ‘whats he upto?’ look on their face. I could not make the camera invisible and at the same time didn’t have the inclination to shoot as people were already aware that i was lugging a camera. Where can i improve in such a situation?

    • http://www.boliston.co.uk Adrian Boliston

      I prefer not to hang about in a certain area for too long and prefer to keep moving while shooting if possible. I don’t try to “hide” the fact that I’m shooting (not easy with a D700 anyway!).

    • http://erickimphotography.com/blog Eric Kim

      Try to show other people that you are shooting and don’t try to hide your camera. Walk around with a smile and talk to people. Test it out and see what happens :)

  • http://www.doephotog.com A.Barlow

    This is good stuff. I have never had a problem talking to random people, but for some reason snapping their photo I feel like a creeper, lol. One day soon I hope to get over that. Thanks a ton!

    • http://erickimphotography.com/blog Eric Kim

      Anytime man! :)

  • http://twitter.com/rymndhng rymndhng

    Thanks for the video eric! How would you approach people in a foreign country if you cannot speak their language though? It’s hard to connect without that important ingredient.

    Btw love the music, I thought my iPod was playing hearing all these great Nujabes beats. Cheers!

  • Tom K.

    The master at work live in the field. Your technique proves why you were born to shoot street. You could hang with Gilden any where….any time.

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