Yes, you’re probably correct. I know I’m guilty of taking photos of Hasidic Jews. I have lots of them. It’s partly because the Hasidim look differently, but also because they have a tangible otherworldliness about them, at least to me.
I make YouTube videos where I film and show my street photography from here in Korea. I’m trying to show other photographers how you can shoot street without bothering anyone, as well as non-photographers that being photographed in public can be a positive thing. After 10 years of shooting street, I find engaging with everyone in a happy manner, greeting them and being willing to chat has offered me more opportunities to photograph than it’s ever ruined.
Thanks for your note. I wholeheartedly agree with you. There's no written rule for me, but if I feel like I'm invading someone's privacy, I wouldn't take the photo; and even if I accidentally took it, I would never post it anywhere. In my previous post (https://kustanovich.substack.com/p/my-love-affair-with-the-nyc-subway), there's a photo of a young man holding a bouquet of flowers. I took it last year on Valentine's Day. What no one saw, except me, was an overweight woman sleeping next to him in a not very favorable position. I decided that including her in the photo would invade her privacy, so I cropped her out. It was a no-brainer.
Yeah, sounds like you made a good decision. But also... I have an issue with photos that seem to exist only to put the subject on display for what they are or what they look like (as opposed to what they're doing or the situation they're in). For example, I see plenty of photos of Hasidic Jews in NY. But it's just some guy walking down the street. What makes the photo interesting? Just the fact that these people dress differently than others? Same thing with homeless people. And yes, this can be the case with overweight people.
The issue of ethics in street photography usually focuses on privacy, but I think we should not overlook other significant ethical issues.
I don't want to annoy someone by getting in their face, but more importantly, is the image respectful? A friend has a photo of a family sleeping, intertwined, in a train station. Did it invade their privacy? Maybe. But to me, the image shows love, so I don't feel the image is disrespectful.
I keep taking photos without asking for permission -- it's all part of the great street photography world. But that post by Anthony Morganti made me think (not that I hadn't thought about it before). So this is what I decided for yourself -- if people cannot see you taking their photo, do it. But once you're in their field of vision and they know what you're up to, ask for permission or walk away. I'm not saying everyone should be following these rules. I just plan to do it, at least for now.
happy with your thanx, no worries. i go by the name perfectlight and i want to keep it that way. it's like: do you know who gordon matthew thomas sumner is? you might know him as "sting". that market from my photos is full of visitors, it is a different experience so everybody is used with people taking photos in there, nobody reacts strangely. different story on the street tho. i had moments when i did ask but generally i don't ask, i might engage in conversation after
Yes, you’re probably correct. I know I’m guilty of taking photos of Hasidic Jews. I have lots of them. It’s partly because the Hasidim look differently, but also because they have a tangible otherworldliness about them, at least to me.
I make YouTube videos where I film and show my street photography from here in Korea. I’m trying to show other photographers how you can shoot street without bothering anyone, as well as non-photographers that being photographed in public can be a positive thing. After 10 years of shooting street, I find engaging with everyone in a happy manner, greeting them and being willing to chat has offered me more opportunities to photograph than it’s ever ruined.
Hi Chris,
I'll check out your YouTube videos. Thanks.
Hi Kevin,
Thanks for your note. I wholeheartedly agree with you. There's no written rule for me, but if I feel like I'm invading someone's privacy, I wouldn't take the photo; and even if I accidentally took it, I would never post it anywhere. In my previous post (https://kustanovich.substack.com/p/my-love-affair-with-the-nyc-subway), there's a photo of a young man holding a bouquet of flowers. I took it last year on Valentine's Day. What no one saw, except me, was an overweight woman sleeping next to him in a not very favorable position. I decided that including her in the photo would invade her privacy, so I cropped her out. It was a no-brainer.
Yeah, sounds like you made a good decision. But also... I have an issue with photos that seem to exist only to put the subject on display for what they are or what they look like (as opposed to what they're doing or the situation they're in). For example, I see plenty of photos of Hasidic Jews in NY. But it's just some guy walking down the street. What makes the photo interesting? Just the fact that these people dress differently than others? Same thing with homeless people. And yes, this can be the case with overweight people.
The issue of ethics in street photography usually focuses on privacy, but I think we should not overlook other significant ethical issues.
I don't want to annoy someone by getting in their face, but more importantly, is the image respectful? A friend has a photo of a family sleeping, intertwined, in a train station. Did it invade their privacy? Maybe. But to me, the image shows love, so I don't feel the image is disrespectful.
have a look at those photos and please tell me how can i ask permission of every person in the photos?
https://open.substack.com/pub/perfectlight/p/the-yashica-experiment?r=2b8uel&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
I hear you loud and clear. Thanks for commenting, first of all. I you offered your name on the about page, I would thank you personally :). It's great to hear from fellow photographers. And great photos on this page btw -- https://open.substack.com/pub/perfectlight/p/the-yashica-experiment?r=2b8uel&utm_medium=ios&utm_campaign=post
I keep taking photos without asking for permission -- it's all part of the great street photography world. But that post by Anthony Morganti made me think (not that I hadn't thought about it before). So this is what I decided for yourself -- if people cannot see you taking their photo, do it. But once you're in their field of vision and they know what you're up to, ask for permission or walk away. I'm not saying everyone should be following these rules. I just plan to do it, at least for now.
Best,
ak
happy with your thanx, no worries. i go by the name perfectlight and i want to keep it that way. it's like: do you know who gordon matthew thomas sumner is? you might know him as "sting". that market from my photos is full of visitors, it is a different experience so everybody is used with people taking photos in there, nobody reacts strangely. different story on the street tho. i had moments when i did ask but generally i don't ask, i might engage in conversation after
Missed your comment in October. Makes sense.
no worries! very kind of you to reply, thanx!