Unable to drive after my foot surgery, I rode the bus for several weeks. One day I tossed a book into my purse and hurried out the door to catch the bus. When we made our first stop, we picked up this young man, who was very....very talkative. The bus driver made a comment to me about how much this kid liked to talk just before letting him on the bus. Well, I didn't mind. He asked me where I was going. He asked me what happened to my foot. He asked me what I was reading. At that point, I gave him my book. It was written by Henri Nouwen, and was a gift from my friend. I let him keep the book, and he seemed happy. Then I asked if I could take his photo. He was suspicious and asked me why. I said, "Because I like to take pictures". He smiled for the camera.
Comments
I don't know why this moment stuck with me. Maybe simply because I happened to have my camera ready.
I take it that you were done with it?
:-)
And his disability had nothing to do with my decision to give him the book. If I have anything to give away. ..it's books.
I suspect that you may feel guilty "privatizing" public spaces... but only if someone is watching you... or your subject might "see" you taking their picture.
...and I think that by offering the book, you gave the kid a reason to trust you enough to let you capture his image w/o his questioning why you wanted to take his picture... in other words, it gave you "both" a reason/excuse, where perhaps none was needed.
If the kid walked into a 7-11, he'd be on video until he left the property... permission (and/or tit-4-tat) not required.
If the "duck" had seen the kid, he'd snap away until the kid demanded the film. If you were a police officer, you'd probably have no problem installing surveillance camera's on every street corner.
But you don't seem to be able to take someone's picture without asking...
Why do you feel compelled to ask permission?
Is it because you are stealing their "souls"? Is it because you believe that one's "image" is their own "private" property, even if they're "in public"?
I think that eventually expectations of "privacy" in "public" spaces is going to become a rare quirky old cantankerous bird, indeed!
Because it's polite.
It's their private moment. If I take the shot without asking, I become part of that moment in an obtrusive way. It feels sketchy, as if I'm too ckicken-shit to deal with human interaction. I got the benefit of a cool photo but didn't pay for it, I took no real risk.
If I approach a person and ask for a photo, I take a risk. I put myself out there and face rejection. There's more integrity that way.
Have you seen or read anything about Humans of New York? I like it. I like that approach to street photography.
I prefer the candids, though. They are never quite as "posed"
I think that what I like about asking is actually the interaction, more than the photo.
It's invigorating to interact with people.
You've definitely made me think about my motives. :-)