You’re post of course feels defensive. I understand. I don’t shoot subways/trains much anymore, not because of any ethical concern, but because it no longer interests me to do so. I have a plan to take a bus from Seattle to Miami one of these days via Greyhound busses and document my ride. To get a feel for why she or he or they are on this particular bus, where they think they’re going, where they’re coming from. I don’t know that I’ll ever fill this idea, but wanting to both imagine these lives, and get to understand them is what I’d like to do. You’ve no reason to feel defensive, given the ethical boundaries you’ve given yourself. Totally understand. When the time comes to do something else, so be it. But in the meantime, I have one question above all others. Is this really true? “Women in revealing clothing usually end up photographing me, so I don’t have to worry about that.” Sorry for my incredulity. And apologies in advance. ;>)
Thanks, Mark. I would love to do the same thing- get on the bus and document my journey and the people, and hopefully let them open up. I hope you get to do it.
As for women in tight clothing wanting to photograph me, it’s totally true. On the surface I look like a cross between woody Allen and Bob Balaban. But on the inside, I’m 100 percent Sean Connery, and scantily dressed gals see that, God bless their hearts.♥️
I love your rules. Especially #5, which is a fantastic litmus test, and one that had not occurred to me previously.
Folks, if the title is confusing, this is street photography, subway emphasis. And I've seen many articles written about the ethics of it; this article stands out for me.
I agree with everything you say, of course, except I think your point number 5 may be going a bit too far. the way it's stated. I say this because many people don't want to be photographed at all, without their consent and participation. People are conditioned that they must present their best selves for the photographic record. They'd see your photos and wouldn't feel uncomfortable in a fearful way, they'd feel uncomfortable in a "wait, I wasn't ready" or "that's not how I want to be seen" way.
Or maybe that's just me, and this is a line that you don't actually want to cross, which is great. I'm thinking of one of my photos that I love, where a couple on the street is very tired and yawning. Some people might be amused that I caught them like that, but others would not be. My contention is that yawning is what people do when they go about their lives. There is no shame in living a life in public.
And that brings up another point. #5 is not a litmus test that would work the same with any person. Which of course you know, which indicates how generalized this rule is, which brings us back to the point of actual embarrassing situations. :-)
It's definitely a point that needs to be made, and maybe I'm getting picky about the wording. I've seen other variations. Maybe, "would the subject be upset if they saw how they were portrayed?"
i agree with you. some people need to get a life or hide under a rock if they don't want to be photographed
Thanks for your support, perfectlight.
A very honest approach to street Photography.
Thank you, Marcel. :)
You’re post of course feels defensive. I understand. I don’t shoot subways/trains much anymore, not because of any ethical concern, but because it no longer interests me to do so. I have a plan to take a bus from Seattle to Miami one of these days via Greyhound busses and document my ride. To get a feel for why she or he or they are on this particular bus, where they think they’re going, where they’re coming from. I don’t know that I’ll ever fill this idea, but wanting to both imagine these lives, and get to understand them is what I’d like to do. You’ve no reason to feel defensive, given the ethical boundaries you’ve given yourself. Totally understand. When the time comes to do something else, so be it. But in the meantime, I have one question above all others. Is this really true? “Women in revealing clothing usually end up photographing me, so I don’t have to worry about that.” Sorry for my incredulity. And apologies in advance. ;>)
Thanks, Mark. I would love to do the same thing- get on the bus and document my journey and the people, and hopefully let them open up. I hope you get to do it.
As for women in tight clothing wanting to photograph me, it’s totally true. On the surface I look like a cross between woody Allen and Bob Balaban. But on the inside, I’m 100 percent Sean Connery, and scantily dressed gals see that, God bless their hearts.♥️
Well-meant, well-thought, well-said!!!
Thank you, sir.
I love your rules. Especially #5, which is a fantastic litmus test, and one that had not occurred to me previously.
Folks, if the title is confusing, this is street photography, subway emphasis. And I've seen many articles written about the ethics of it; this article stands out for me.
I agree with everything you say, of course, except I think your point number 5 may be going a bit too far. the way it's stated. I say this because many people don't want to be photographed at all, without their consent and participation. People are conditioned that they must present their best selves for the photographic record. They'd see your photos and wouldn't feel uncomfortable in a fearful way, they'd feel uncomfortable in a "wait, I wasn't ready" or "that's not how I want to be seen" way.
Or maybe that's just me, and this is a line that you don't actually want to cross, which is great. I'm thinking of one of my photos that I love, where a couple on the street is very tired and yawning. Some people might be amused that I caught them like that, but others would not be. My contention is that yawning is what people do when they go about their lives. There is no shame in living a life in public.
And that brings up another point. #5 is not a litmus test that would work the same with any person. Which of course you know, which indicates how generalized this rule is, which brings us back to the point of actual embarrassing situations. :-)
You are correct. Maybe #5 is overkill. I may need to rethink it.
It's definitely a point that needs to be made, and maybe I'm getting picky about the wording. I've seen other variations. Maybe, "would the subject be upset if they saw how they were portrayed?"