Wednesday, August 3, 2011

The Controversy of Street Photography

After my first post on street photography, Takin’ It To The Streets, I received emails asking what I thought of the ethics of photographing someone without their permission. And not just taking candid street photos but publishing those photos in blogs without authorization. This is an excellent and controversial question.


First, an explanation of candid vs. portrait street photography:


Candid street photography means snapping a photo and not asking permission beforehand. Portrait street photography means asking before snapping the image. 


Candid street photography is an instant in time documenting a person and their surroundings. The person may or may not be aware of the camera. 

In the above black and white photo the couple didn't notice me walk by and click off a shot of them. 

Portrait street photography changes the dynamic of the photo. The person poses for the camera in his or her surroundings.


In the above colored image I approached the subjects and asked permission to take their photo.

Now we come to the ethics of candid street photography.


Ethics is in the eye of the beholder. If you take images which you feel are exploiting people you are unethical. You, as the photographer, are the final person in determining what is and what isn’t exploitive. 


There are many top street photographers who get right into peoples’ faces but don’t feel they are being exploitive. Joel Meyerowitz is one such photographer. Take a look at one of his videos. 





If your intent is to document people, candid street photography isn’t exploitive. Taken tastefully every photo is unique, it captures a moment in time. If taken right, you can see the emotions and mystery of the moment.

If I plan on using an image on my blog which shows a close-up of someone’s face, I generally approach the person and start a friendly conversation after I have taken the shot. I hand them one of my photography business cards. I offer to email a copy of the photo(s) to them at no cost.

Using my camera’s picture review mode I show them the photo I took of them while explaining I’m a photographer and blogger. I have found that people are very flattered that I think they are interesting enough to have taken their photo. I have never, in 20 years of street photography, had anyone get angry when I've approached them with this technique. 



Do I always do this? No. It's not always practical. Or I may be in a busy area where I don't want to miss a shot.




Check the legality of street photography in your area. The laws vary dramatically.


Street photography recommended reading: