When it comes to what is acceptable to photograph and what isn’t—it’s a deep and murky area. The fact is, we’re photographers, and we’ll always try to justify our little “mischief.” Personally, I believe that photographing people, especially publishing their photos, is an invasion of privacy. That’s why I feel uncomfortable when someone catches me doing it. This way, I’m just a “thief” on the side, but still a thief nonetheless :)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Davor! I'm going share some of my favourite photobooks of the 'great masters' of street photography at some point, maybe they'll change your mind🙌🏻!
Looking forward to your selection of books. There will be many wonderful photos. However, it is not the point of how good the photo is. That doesn’t prove the case. It is the point of privacy. Sharing others without their consent. Also, the fact that let’s say Bresson said that it’s permissible to take photo of strangers, doesn’t make it permissible. That’s just his opinion. As this is mine😉
You admit in several ways that rebelliousness is sometimes just going to be required when it still fits into the “feels right” matrix. I think there’s something huge to that. I enjoy the whole piece. It was fresh, exceedingly friendly, and dedicated to the trade.
2. check the rules and regulation when travel, each country is different
3. the definition of profesional camera is very ambigue
4. i'm a promoter of the idea: you don't want me to take a photo in your privately own building (art gallery, train station, shopping centre) put a sign at every entrance saying "no photography"
Thanks for the sidenotes🙌🏻! Definitely agree that it's important to check the rules before you head abroad - even just across the border in Germany, the rules are stricter than here in NL!
The only thing I'm still debating myself is whether it's *always* wrong to photograph children. I think it really depends on both context and intent. As someone commented on my previous post, it's weird to think that in some 50 years, we might not have any pictures of kids playing in the streets at all. Considering the goal of street photography is documenting life as is, it just seems odd to forcefully avoid something that is an inherent part of life.
that is a valid point but are you ready to argue that in a court? a judge might see that as a matter of privacy instead of a matter for the future. so, i'll stay away.
Love this food for thought. One of the reasons I’ve always shied away from anything but mostly silhouettes, or anything identifiable is because of something you said, “would I want to be photographed like this?” But in my case, I rarely want to be captured on film, so it’s hard to see the perspective. Before I start rambling, I just wanted to thank you for this very thoughtful piece. And your photos beautifully illustrate your ideas. 🩶
Really appreciate your thoughts on this, Liza! In fact, my previous post on capturing direct eye contact was inspired by one of your insightful comments! So it's safe to say that this newsletter is fueled by ramblings😂. Thanks for reading🤍!
Very interesting topic that gets even more muddied when it comes to travel. I'm in the United States and generally we have very permissive laws regarding photography in public and public access areas. When I travel I need to remember that not every country has the same laws or cultural norms when it comes to photography. I do find it interesting that "just because you can doesn't mean you should" becomes a very heated debate in street photography circles.
Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts! I'm surprised to hear that the US has more lenient rules when it comes to privacy in public - I was under the impression that it's the other way round! Especially in more touristy places around Europe, no one bats an eyelid when they see you with a camera. Perhaps it differs across states, too?
The US is generally easy legally; if you can see something from a location you are legally allowed to be, you can take a picture of it and own that image. Culturally, it does vary; in some places, you're more likely to get into a confrontation than in others. I know some countries will limit the ability to take photos of people in public, and some will give the rights of the image to the subject of the photo rather than the photographer. When I traveled to Spain, I was surprised to learn that they require the subject's consent before photographing a person. The research is essential; the more confident you are in your legal basis, the more confident you can take the picture.
Yeah I think as a street photographer this is a dilemma I often find myself mulling over and I think it is natural and normal to ask these questions but over-analysis does get in the way of the work. It generates hesitancy and that is never good if you are trying to capture a moment. The way I see it is that I just want to document the world around me. I have no other purpose and certainly no nefarious intent so this is how I justify it to myself. I have been taking shots this way for my entire adult life but if I was honest I do feel more self-conscious now than I used to when I was younger, which is kind of a shame as nothing has changed within me.
Definitely agree that, as Dan also noted, it's best to just kind of go with the flow. Especially when you know your intentions are pure & conscience clear🙌🏻!
If you're starting out in street photography, these are excellent tips we all learn with time, experience and humility. My favorite line: "If there’s one field where your approach matters more than your technical skills, it’s street photography. To me, a good street photographer is not the one with the newest camera or the most impressive portfolio; it’s someone with a compassionate mindset and pure intentions."
My rule is that I photograph what in my mind can lead to a meaningful photograph, narratively, aesthetically and ideally both. And I do it in any public place unless someone comes to me (e.g.. a security) and tells me that it is not allowed. Funny enough even on those circumstances when I explain what I am doing (making art) sometimes I get away with it. As long as you remain open and true to what you are doing it must be fine. My boundary is that avoid shooting people inside their houses/private spaces.
I’d love to lean in to street photography and you touched on the fears I have regarding permission and privacy. I currently photograph with a Canon R50 and would love any recommendations on a smaller less conspicuous camera that may alleviate these fears somewhat.
I'm glad to hear you're finding inspiration here, Nicole! The fears are valid, but from my experience, street photography is an incredibly rewarding practice.
Some of the most popular cameras for street are the Ricoh GRiii, or some of the smaller Fujis - XE4 or X100Vi.
I'm just finishing my next post on how to choose a camera you'll love :) - might help you out, too!
I better do a damn good job on that one😂🙏! If you have IG, you might want to check out your fellow Aussie @giantevertonian - he's a Fuji shooter & imho one of the best!
I’ve just started exploring this fascinating area - art galleries and museums are interesting but art fairs are where the really interesting people to look at - and photograph - can be found. This Saturday in London I pushed myself to take photos I wouldn’t have been comfortable taking before - I used both a Fujifilm X30 which is quite discrete - and an iPhone held at waist level. I reckoned that people wearing clothes in strong colours and loud designs probably wanted to be noticed - and then photographed. I ended up with about 30 useable photos - which needed a bit of tidying up post processing - but tell a terrific story. Although I noticed that given the direct stares in a few cases - and not always smiles - my photography was perhaps neither as discrete or as welcome as I had thought…. But a great experience at many levels - and great fun to edit and create a montage….
Thanks Suzy - very happy sharing the results - the highlights are on my Flickr site - or I can send over my efforts at creating a Canva montage which was also an interesting exercise in deciding what to place where. I’ll message 1:1 with a link - Matthew
I have my own rules, similar to perfectlight. I usually don't photograph children.. Unless I asked the parents before.
Other than that, I shoot where I want and feels right to me. I check when I travel BUT mainly I think there is a difference between capturing and releasing/publishing for most parts.
I had only 1 time someone asking to delete the picture (I did, but I use a double SD card :D).
It's true that I'm almost 2m tall and kinda an advantage on that part, but not to be discreete haha.
I would say, don't overthink too much, just go with the flow.
Thanks for taking the time to read & share your experience, Dan🙏! Indeed, you're hardly invisible :D and yet one of the best street photographers I know🙌🏻!
You make very good points. Whenever I’m out and about I practice street photography by feel. Of course I never want to capture someone at their worst and I’m always conscious of what people might think or say to me as they notice me taking photos. Still, I have photographed children and some homeless people. It really depends on the circumstances. - Your photos are great! I particularly like the one with the couple looking up at the statue.
Thanks for sharing your insights, Alicia! I agree with you 💯 that it's all about (good) intentions. Street photography is, to me, a beautiful way of documenting everyday life. I think as long as it's done with caution & respect, anything goes!
Hi there thanks for this article! Yes there’s always some grey area regarding the issue. And I agree with staying away from vulnerable people, e.g. the homeless people , because I don’t have the confidence or capability for now to use photography to explore the issue/ societal topics behind. Maybe one day that’ll change, but until I have a solid reason I won’t do it .
As for the issue on whether I want to be photographed like how I photograph others , I actually feel more comfortable with that after I practice street photography. I will need to accept that in order to let others have a reason to accept that, if that makes sense 😂
Also for taking photos of closeup portrait , same as the capability and confidence reason, and i find workaround to capture the scene, like focusing on silhouette or gesture.
Thanks for taking the time to read, Ayla🙌🏻! And I know exactly what you mean, I feel like I'm more open to being photographed as a result of being a photographer😃.
When it comes to what is acceptable to photograph and what isn’t—it’s a deep and murky area. The fact is, we’re photographers, and we’ll always try to justify our little “mischief.” Personally, I believe that photographing people, especially publishing their photos, is an invasion of privacy. That’s why I feel uncomfortable when someone catches me doing it. This way, I’m just a “thief” on the side, but still a thief nonetheless :)
Thanks for sharing your thoughts, Davor! I'm going share some of my favourite photobooks of the 'great masters' of street photography at some point, maybe they'll change your mind🙌🏻!
Looking forward to your selection of books. There will be many wonderful photos. However, it is not the point of how good the photo is. That doesn’t prove the case. It is the point of privacy. Sharing others without their consent. Also, the fact that let’s say Bresson said that it’s permissible to take photo of strangers, doesn’t make it permissible. That’s just his opinion. As this is mine😉
Ha, fair point👊🏻!
You admit in several ways that rebelliousness is sometimes just going to be required when it still fits into the “feels right” matrix. I think there’s something huge to that. I enjoy the whole piece. It was fresh, exceedingly friendly, and dedicated to the trade.
You picked up on the part I probably enjoy the most about the trade :). Thank you for sharing your thoughts🙏!
She’s so like rageous
few other things:
1. golden rule for me: stay away from children
2. check the rules and regulation when travel, each country is different
3. the definition of profesional camera is very ambigue
4. i'm a promoter of the idea: you don't want me to take a photo in your privately own building (art gallery, train station, shopping centre) put a sign at every entrance saying "no photography"
Thanks for the sidenotes🙌🏻! Definitely agree that it's important to check the rules before you head abroad - even just across the border in Germany, the rules are stricter than here in NL!
The only thing I'm still debating myself is whether it's *always* wrong to photograph children. I think it really depends on both context and intent. As someone commented on my previous post, it's weird to think that in some 50 years, we might not have any pictures of kids playing in the streets at all. Considering the goal of street photography is documenting life as is, it just seems odd to forcefully avoid something that is an inherent part of life.
that is a valid point but are you ready to argue that in a court? a judge might see that as a matter of privacy instead of a matter for the future. so, i'll stay away.
Absolutely respect your opinion, and appreciate the contribution!
Love this food for thought. One of the reasons I’ve always shied away from anything but mostly silhouettes, or anything identifiable is because of something you said, “would I want to be photographed like this?” But in my case, I rarely want to be captured on film, so it’s hard to see the perspective. Before I start rambling, I just wanted to thank you for this very thoughtful piece. And your photos beautifully illustrate your ideas. 🩶
Really appreciate your thoughts on this, Liza! In fact, my previous post on capturing direct eye contact was inspired by one of your insightful comments! So it's safe to say that this newsletter is fueled by ramblings😂. Thanks for reading🤍!
Loved it too
Very interesting topic that gets even more muddied when it comes to travel. I'm in the United States and generally we have very permissive laws regarding photography in public and public access areas. When I travel I need to remember that not every country has the same laws or cultural norms when it comes to photography. I do find it interesting that "just because you can doesn't mean you should" becomes a very heated debate in street photography circles.
Thanks a lot for sharing your thoughts! I'm surprised to hear that the US has more lenient rules when it comes to privacy in public - I was under the impression that it's the other way round! Especially in more touristy places around Europe, no one bats an eyelid when they see you with a camera. Perhaps it differs across states, too?
The US is generally easy legally; if you can see something from a location you are legally allowed to be, you can take a picture of it and own that image. Culturally, it does vary; in some places, you're more likely to get into a confrontation than in others. I know some countries will limit the ability to take photos of people in public, and some will give the rights of the image to the subject of the photo rather than the photographer. When I traveled to Spain, I was surprised to learn that they require the subject's consent before photographing a person. The research is essential; the more confident you are in your legal basis, the more confident you can take the picture.
Yeah I think as a street photographer this is a dilemma I often find myself mulling over and I think it is natural and normal to ask these questions but over-analysis does get in the way of the work. It generates hesitancy and that is never good if you are trying to capture a moment. The way I see it is that I just want to document the world around me. I have no other purpose and certainly no nefarious intent so this is how I justify it to myself. I have been taking shots this way for my entire adult life but if I was honest I do feel more self-conscious now than I used to when I was younger, which is kind of a shame as nothing has changed within me.
Definitely agree that, as Dan also noted, it's best to just kind of go with the flow. Especially when you know your intentions are pure & conscience clear🙌🏻!
If you're starting out in street photography, these are excellent tips we all learn with time, experience and humility. My favorite line: "If there’s one field where your approach matters more than your technical skills, it’s street photography. To me, a good street photographer is not the one with the newest camera or the most impressive portfolio; it’s someone with a compassionate mindset and pure intentions."
Thank you so much, Juliette, for the kind words & the recommendation🤗🙏!
My rule is that I photograph what in my mind can lead to a meaningful photograph, narratively, aesthetically and ideally both. And I do it in any public place unless someone comes to me (e.g.. a security) and tells me that it is not allowed. Funny enough even on those circumstances when I explain what I am doing (making art) sometimes I get away with it. As long as you remain open and true to what you are doing it must be fine. My boundary is that avoid shooting people inside their houses/private spaces.
Thanks for sharing your experiences, Fernando! I agree on all points, especially respecting people's privacy inside their homes or private spaces.
I’d love to lean in to street photography and you touched on the fears I have regarding permission and privacy. I currently photograph with a Canon R50 and would love any recommendations on a smaller less conspicuous camera that may alleviate these fears somewhat.
I'm glad to hear you're finding inspiration here, Nicole! The fears are valid, but from my experience, street photography is an incredibly rewarding practice.
Some of the most popular cameras for street are the Ricoh GRiii, or some of the smaller Fujis - XE4 or X100Vi.
I'm just finishing my next post on how to choose a camera you'll love :) - might help you out, too!
Oh that’s fantastic! I can’t wait to read your article. Will hold off from purchasing until then.
I better do a damn good job on that one😂🙏! If you have IG, you might want to check out your fellow Aussie @giantevertonian - he's a Fuji shooter & imho one of the best!
I’ve just started exploring this fascinating area - art galleries and museums are interesting but art fairs are where the really interesting people to look at - and photograph - can be found. This Saturday in London I pushed myself to take photos I wouldn’t have been comfortable taking before - I used both a Fujifilm X30 which is quite discrete - and an iPhone held at waist level. I reckoned that people wearing clothes in strong colours and loud designs probably wanted to be noticed - and then photographed. I ended up with about 30 useable photos - which needed a bit of tidying up post processing - but tell a terrific story. Although I noticed that given the direct stares in a few cases - and not always smiles - my photography was perhaps neither as discrete or as welcome as I had thought…. But a great experience at many levels - and great fun to edit and create a montage….
That sounds like a fantastic way to try it out, Matthew! Would you feel comfortable sharing the results, or was it just a personal project?
Thanks Suzy - very happy sharing the results - the highlights are on my Flickr site - or I can send over my efforts at creating a Canva montage which was also an interesting exercise in deciding what to place where. I’ll message 1:1 with a link - Matthew
Please do🙌🏻!
In the meantime - you’ve inspired me to upload a few - thanks! https://substack.com/@matthewjggrant/note/c-89383878?r=19x22&utm_medium=ios&utm_source=notes-share-action
Great article my friend.
I have my own rules, similar to perfectlight. I usually don't photograph children.. Unless I asked the parents before.
Other than that, I shoot where I want and feels right to me. I check when I travel BUT mainly I think there is a difference between capturing and releasing/publishing for most parts.
I had only 1 time someone asking to delete the picture (I did, but I use a double SD card :D).
It's true that I'm almost 2m tall and kinda an advantage on that part, but not to be discreete haha.
I would say, don't overthink too much, just go with the flow.
Thanks for taking the time to read & share your experience, Dan🙏! Indeed, you're hardly invisible :D and yet one of the best street photographers I know🙌🏻!
Awww thank you for the kind words 🤍 I'm grateful
You make very good points. Whenever I’m out and about I practice street photography by feel. Of course I never want to capture someone at their worst and I’m always conscious of what people might think or say to me as they notice me taking photos. Still, I have photographed children and some homeless people. It really depends on the circumstances. - Your photos are great! I particularly like the one with the couple looking up at the statue.
Thanks for sharing your insights, Alicia! I agree with you 💯 that it's all about (good) intentions. Street photography is, to me, a beautiful way of documenting everyday life. I think as long as it's done with caution & respect, anything goes!
Loved reading this thank you 😊
Happy to hear that, Vince🙋🏼♀️🙏!
Hi there thanks for this article! Yes there’s always some grey area regarding the issue. And I agree with staying away from vulnerable people, e.g. the homeless people , because I don’t have the confidence or capability for now to use photography to explore the issue/ societal topics behind. Maybe one day that’ll change, but until I have a solid reason I won’t do it .
As for the issue on whether I want to be photographed like how I photograph others , I actually feel more comfortable with that after I practice street photography. I will need to accept that in order to let others have a reason to accept that, if that makes sense 😂
Also for taking photos of closeup portrait , same as the capability and confidence reason, and i find workaround to capture the scene, like focusing on silhouette or gesture.
Thanks for taking the time to read, Ayla🙌🏻! And I know exactly what you mean, I feel like I'm more open to being photographed as a result of being a photographer😃.
I was also warned once for taking photos at Eindhoven central station. So I went outside. Recently I shot in NYC. It was like a heaven :)))