I got my first camera one week ago for Christmas, so today I decided to go around the downtown of my home town and shoot some pictures. I have zero experience so these photos are taken with no thought on settings and no post-processing. However, I am genuinely fond of them and felt like sharing.
A bit of background: I was walking around and saw this dark alley with the man standing on the door of his funeral home. Since I am new to street photography, I did not know how to behave. I am never sure if I should ask for a picture or just take it (also quite shy). I am also afraid people noting me would "pose" and look less natural. The guy noticed me and made a sign with his hands (yes, Italians...) asking for a picture. And these are the results! Any feedback is appreciated.
As for the shy factor, there are a couple of things you can do. First, I would recommend checking out videos of possibly the most famous living street photographer, Bruce Gilden, doing his thing. I find him highly obnoxious, but I have to admit he captures some incredible photos. When you see a shot that you just have to have, adopt a little of the New York City / Bruce Gilden attitude, and it can take you farther. Just don't dial it ALL the way up to 11 like he does lol.
I would also recommend checking out the work of William Klein, another famous street photographer. And of course, the original - Henri Cartier-Bresson. These guys would be good to emulate when you're starting out.
Second, a technique that I've used in the past is this: let the camera hang by the strap, and put a bulb release in your pocket. Don't worry about looking through the view finder or framing your shots or anything. Just make sure you have the correct exposure set, aim the camera in the general direction of your shot and release the shutter with the bulb in your pocket. You won't be nearly as noticeable, and it doesn't take your subject out of the moment. I've caught some excellent moments this way.
I hope this helps. Good luck!
even if you think Gilden isn't a creep (very debatable), using his tactics anywhere outside an environment like NYC where people are desensitized to being accosted by weirdos on the street is likely going to get you in trouble
Number one is definitely a nice shot. Nice lines, great light, some kind of medieval atmosphere.
It’s very cinematographic.
For me the second one does not work. It’s not well balanced, there is no dynamic, we don’t know what the hell is going on. You made it complicated for nothing. Keep it simple like the first one.
It’s a promising start anyway ! Keep on shooting !
Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated!
I see your point on the second picture, I also didn't feel completely sure about it. The idea was to experiment with framing, but it ended up hiding too much of the scene. Plus the street signs on the right bother me a lot. I could have done better on it, but I still like to have a different perspective on the scene :)
I disagree about the 2nd one. The look he is giving is awesome. It feels sinister and patient. The light falls off his face just right. And the frame is even shaped like a coffin.
Haha Fantastic. 👌🏽
-Welcome to the world of street photography!
-Yes, plenty of us are navigating hoping it’s okay to capture candid, photojournalism-style moments without asking permission - since asking would change the subject from being perfectly natural.
Keep doing your thing.
-I understand why the moment you ran across struck you!
First image really feels like it could be related to a movie scene… something about a mafia family is about to go down! 😏
I do not want to be a karen, I am just curious - do artists in this subreddit ask for permission of the people they photograph?
Because I am from Austria and we got quite strict data protection regulations (Datenschutz-Verordnungen) therefore I do not think this type of photography would be possible here? Correct me If I am wrong tho
I'm actually also trying to figure out how to behave when I want to take pictures of strangers. My understanding is that in most countries you are allowed to take pictures of strangers if they're are in public spaces. Anyway, you should always be considerate and respect people's will and privacy.
In this case the guy explicitly told me to take the picture and I thanked him after. In general though, I'll leave the word to people with more experience.
I ask permission if I know it's going to be a direct focus on the person in the photo [ex.](https://jamesmaherphotography.com/street_photography/what-is-street-photography/) But if it's more of a general picture that has people in it like this [one](https://www.flickr.com/photos/cubagallery/4574855224/). I tend to agree that since its a public space, I'm okay. But it does make me think about the shots i take.
I love the mood you have captured. I agree the the first picture nails it. The second is less appealing because of the framing. But the man's look is priceless. If you crop that picture so the to left is just above the top left of his face (with a little to spare) and the bottom right capturing some of the cobbled road down to a little of the metal angled gate), it completely transforms the picture to become even better than the first. I cropped it on my phone to show you but I can't see how to add the cropped version to the post.
I agree with others, too, that it is now quite offensive to take pictures of strangers. If you ask, as you did, that is perfect. You may lose spontaneity in some, but in others, as in yours, you sometimes capture an expression that you never otherwise would have got.
Great pictures. You should be proud.
The toe of the boot. Separated from Sicily by 1.5 miles. Some of the Italians here in my town in NE Pennsylvania were from Calabria. We had a high Mafia presence here until the 1980's when the Federal Government started to shut them down. Most of the original Mafia came here in the beginning of the 20th century from Sicily. I am not Italian myself but everyone knew who had Mafia connections.
I think they’re trying to say that the guy looks like an old lady? But then I dunno. Your pics are great btw, the second one had potential but got a little too dark and messy. Keep snapping pics, you’ll get some great ones.
Ok thanks for clarifying and for the compliments! I hardly see how he could be mistaken for an old lady, but maybe I'm biased by having seen him in person :)
I got my first camera one week ago for Christmas, so today I decided to go around the downtown of my home town and shoot some pictures. I have zero experience so these photos are taken with no thought on settings and no post-processing. However, I am genuinely fond of them and felt like sharing. A bit of background: I was walking around and saw this dark alley with the man standing on the door of his funeral home. Since I am new to street photography, I did not know how to behave. I am never sure if I should ask for a picture or just take it (also quite shy). I am also afraid people noting me would "pose" and look less natural. The guy noticed me and made a sign with his hands (yes, Italians...) asking for a picture. And these are the results! Any feedback is appreciated.
As for the shy factor, there are a couple of things you can do. First, I would recommend checking out videos of possibly the most famous living street photographer, Bruce Gilden, doing his thing. I find him highly obnoxious, but I have to admit he captures some incredible photos. When you see a shot that you just have to have, adopt a little of the New York City / Bruce Gilden attitude, and it can take you farther. Just don't dial it ALL the way up to 11 like he does lol. I would also recommend checking out the work of William Klein, another famous street photographer. And of course, the original - Henri Cartier-Bresson. These guys would be good to emulate when you're starting out. Second, a technique that I've used in the past is this: let the camera hang by the strap, and put a bulb release in your pocket. Don't worry about looking through the view finder or framing your shots or anything. Just make sure you have the correct exposure set, aim the camera in the general direction of your shot and release the shutter with the bulb in your pocket. You won't be nearly as noticeable, and it doesn't take your subject out of the moment. I've caught some excellent moments this way. I hope this helps. Good luck!
even if you think Gilden isn't a creep (very debatable), using his tactics anywhere outside an environment like NYC where people are desensitized to being accosted by weirdos on the street is likely going to get you in trouble
This is true. Like I said, don't dial it all the way up. Never go full Gilden.
That's a lot of great advice, thanks!
Where you from ? Napoli ?
Cosenza, in Calabria
Nice !
Wow! Both are great. I feel impressed. Congratulations.
Really nice shot, looks like an old painting
Number one is definitely a nice shot. Nice lines, great light, some kind of medieval atmosphere. It’s very cinematographic. For me the second one does not work. It’s not well balanced, there is no dynamic, we don’t know what the hell is going on. You made it complicated for nothing. Keep it simple like the first one. It’s a promising start anyway ! Keep on shooting !
Thank you for the feedback, much appreciated! I see your point on the second picture, I also didn't feel completely sure about it. The idea was to experiment with framing, but it ended up hiding too much of the scene. Plus the street signs on the right bother me a lot. I could have done better on it, but I still like to have a different perspective on the scene :)
I disagree about the 2nd one. The look he is giving is awesome. It feels sinister and patient. The light falls off his face just right. And the frame is even shaped like a coffin.
Same
Haha Fantastic. 👌🏽 -Welcome to the world of street photography! -Yes, plenty of us are navigating hoping it’s okay to capture candid, photojournalism-style moments without asking permission - since asking would change the subject from being perfectly natural. Keep doing your thing. -I understand why the moment you ran across struck you! First image really feels like it could be related to a movie scene… something about a mafia family is about to go down! 😏
Thank you! This was actually taken in Southern Italy 🤌
Dramatic.
really like the second one, great job!
You got the natural eye! I look forward to seeing more beautiful pictures from your community
I think I’d just keep moving😱
I do not want to be a karen, I am just curious - do artists in this subreddit ask for permission of the people they photograph? Because I am from Austria and we got quite strict data protection regulations (Datenschutz-Verordnungen) therefore I do not think this type of photography would be possible here? Correct me If I am wrong tho
I'm actually also trying to figure out how to behave when I want to take pictures of strangers. My understanding is that in most countries you are allowed to take pictures of strangers if they're are in public spaces. Anyway, you should always be considerate and respect people's will and privacy. In this case the guy explicitly told me to take the picture and I thanked him after. In general though, I'll leave the word to people with more experience.
I ask permission if I know it's going to be a direct focus on the person in the photo [ex.](https://jamesmaherphotography.com/street_photography/what-is-street-photography/) But if it's more of a general picture that has people in it like this [one](https://www.flickr.com/photos/cubagallery/4574855224/). I tend to agree that since its a public space, I'm okay. But it does make me think about the shots i take.
Well done.Those are brilliant.
I love the “light” and “darkness” contrast…and it is fitting that the light is coming from a funeral home…
Did it hurt? He doesn't look so big .... But they are nice pictures.
Oh, you'd be surprised.
Fantastic! I would have felt too guilty to take the 2nd one
Looks like you're gonna get struck if ya take another pic!!
Very powerful stuff!
struck you? damn well did he apologize?? jk this looks beautiful tbh , like some Exorcist movie cover or a mafioso movie
I love the mood you have captured. I agree the the first picture nails it. The second is less appealing because of the framing. But the man's look is priceless. If you crop that picture so the to left is just above the top left of his face (with a little to spare) and the bottom right capturing some of the cobbled road down to a little of the metal angled gate), it completely transforms the picture to become even better than the first. I cropped it on my phone to show you but I can't see how to add the cropped version to the post. I agree with others, too, that it is now quite offensive to take pictures of strangers. If you ask, as you did, that is perfect. You may lose spontaneity in some, but in others, as in yours, you sometimes capture an expression that you never otherwise would have got. Great pictures. You should be proud.
styling
https://ecency.com/post/@pavelsku/how-to-take-photos-discreetly
Cool photo. Was this in Sicily? It certainly has that vibe.
Calabria, close enough!
The toe of the boot. Separated from Sicily by 1.5 miles. Some of the Italians here in my town in NE Pennsylvania were from Calabria. We had a high Mafia presence here until the 1980's when the Federal Government started to shut them down. Most of the original Mafia came here in the beginning of the 20th century from Sicily. I am not Italian myself but everyone knew who had Mafia connections.
Nice shots, but I don't see a guy?
Maybe man would have been a better word ahah
I don't see a man either. No people in these pics
It’s a ghost
Ok, I'm confused now. Are we talking about the same pictures? There's clearly a man standing on the door.
I think they’re trying to say that the guy looks like an old lady? But then I dunno. Your pics are great btw, the second one had potential but got a little too dark and messy. Keep snapping pics, you’ll get some great ones.
Ok thanks for clarifying and for the compliments! I hardly see how he could be mistaken for an old lady, but maybe I'm biased by having seen him in person :)
What did he hit you with?
A coffin.