DON’T DO THIS: How to Avoid Street Photography Confrontations

[STREET LENS RECOMMENDATIONS]

SONY APS-C (affiliate links)

SONY FULL FRAME (affiliate links)

FUJIFILM (affiliate links)

CANON RF APS-C (affiliate links)

CANON RF FULL FRAME (affiliate links)

CANON EF-M (affiliate links)

NIKON Z APS-C (affiliate links)

Nikon Z FULL FRAME (affiliate links)

L MOUNT (affiliate links)

MICRO 4/3 (affiliate links)

GEAR I USED TO MAKE THIS VIDEO

[VIDEO GEAR] (affiliate links)

[AUDIO GEAR] (affiliate links)

Learn how to avoid street photography confrontation with these 7 essential tips. Don't make these mistakes while capturing candid moments on the streets!

00:00 - It’s Not as Bad as You Fear
00:50 - Tip 1 (use the right lenses)
02:19 - Advantages of These Lenses
03:43 - Bonus Lens/Invisibility Cloak
04:12 - Tip 2
05:28 - Don't Worry About This
06:16 - Tip 3
07:05 - Tip 4
08:32 - Tip 5
09:35 - Tip 6
11:08 - Tip 7
13:15 - The Storey Behind the Thumbnail

[ElCid_]

I've been shooting street for years and have only had one confrontation and that person was clearly unstable and most likely on drugs... The looking past the subject tip works like a charm--often has them apologizing for being in your frame!

[kevinkelly]

I had a street photographer take a pic of me once. It was a cool experience. I was a cop for a long time, (retired now), and one time I was jumping on the freeway in my patrol car and cleared my blind spot left. When I did I saw the passenger in a car next to me with a camera. He looked at me and motioned like he was asking permission to take my picture. I nodded yes and gave him a thumbs up. He snapped a couple right before I jumped off the freeway. It was easy because it was summer and my arm was half out the window. Took a whole hot second. I wish I had that picture

[ryanbowiephotography]

It is truly crazy how no one bats an eye at an iPhone recording/taking photos, but an actual camera draws soooo much attention.

[dans.]

If someone asks "Did you take a photo of me?" and you did, don't reply "yes" or "no", instead pay them a compliment first and then mention the photo. Something like, "I saw you and immediately thought you have a great look, so I did take your photo" Then you might get "You should have asked first" to which you can reply, "When I've done that, people tend to pose and the photos are less natural looking. Would you like to see the pictures you're in, I can show you some of my other work too if you'd like? I'll delete the pictures of you if you don't like them." It's pretty hard for most people to remain angry and confrontational with someone who's complimenting them and telling them how awesome they are.

Whatever you do, don't respond to their confrontation with escalation, chances are that they were just caught off guard or startled in some way and responding to that. In the end tho, If they're insistent, just delete their pics and go on about your day.

[mistermistero]

About Tip 3: Some cameras (at least Fuji) have a mode that lets you use the touchscreen instead of the shutter button, so you tap on the screen and it takes a photo, that way, you dont even need to have any finger on the shutter release.

[nj-]

I can’t even tell you how many times I’d be shooting a scene, that included zero people, and been approached by someone wondering what I’m doing. Not even aiming the camera anywhere near them. This has been my experience literally, 75% of the time. It’s really given me a complex and created a certain amount of anger about it. Who the hell are these people that think they own the world? Btw, I’m a 69yr old grandma, so am unimposing in any way.

[dameanvil]

00:00 📷 Fear of confrontation is a major concern for street photographers, but it's often unfounded.
Tip 1 (Use longer focal lengths)
0:50 🎥 Longer focal lengths like 85mm (full-frame) or 56mm (APS-C) can create distance and reduce the need to get close to subjects.
Advantages of These Lenses
2:19 🌆 Longer lenses provide a narrower field of view, helping beginners capture cleaner frames with less distraction.
Bonus Lens/Invisibility Cloak
3:43 🕵‍♂ A compact 250mm lens offers stealth benefits, keeping subjects unaware and enabling intimate shots from a distance.
Tip 2 (Use the camera screen)
4:13 📱 Framing shots using the back screen instead of the viewfinder can reduce attention and make shooting less conspicuous.
Don't Worry About This
5:28 🕵‍♂ Shooting from waist level can make your approach less intrusive and yield more compelling street photography.
Tip 3 (Trigger with thumb)
6:17 📸 Using your thumb instead of your index finger to trigger the shutter can make your actions less conspicuous.
Tip 4 (Avoid eye contact)
7:05 👀 After taking a photo, avoid looking directly at your subject to reduce the chance of confrontation.
Tip 5 (Set up and wait)
8:32 🕒 Patience pays off: setting up in a good spot and waiting for the right subject can lead to captivating street photos.
Tip 6 (Lonely figure style)
9:36 🚶‍♂ Capturing solitary figures in urban landscapes can minimize confrontation while creating striking compositions.
Tip 7 (Handling confrontations)
11:09 🤝 If confronted about taking a photo, remain calm and explain your intentions; offering to delete the photo can defuse tension.
The Story Behind the Thumbnail
13:15 📸 People are often more curious and willing to pose than confrontational when approached for street photography.

[anarchisttutor]

Learning magic tricks prepared me for street photography: misdirection, deception, and timing.

[lorenschwiderski]

The 50mm is the perfect focal length for new and seasoned photographers. The geometry is perfect and a 50mm is easy for composition without any distortion. You can then move on to wider and more narrow. Buy a camera with a tilt-only monitor. You can use diversion methods, but when you do make eye contact, and they do not look bothered at all, just smile or give them a thumbs up. The is the professional engagement. Also be honest as to what you do -- I have cards as well. You can also look like a tourist taking random shots -- take an extra shot of something else. If you say you are a street photographer, and they look confused, the them it is similar to documentary works. Small town might be more challenging in that respect. Thanks for all the good tips for street photographers, and most of all have fun! - Loren Schwiderski, street photography

[breadandcircuses]

In my home country Germany street photography is protected by law. The highest federal court put art above privacy. Nevertheless, if someone is obviously unhappy about being in my picture, I offer to delete it.

[ronyedin]

Great tips. One of the things that I do is that I pretend I am taking pictures of the surrounding areas before or after I take their photo and I never make eye contact with them. Basically pretending to be a tourist or there for a particular purpose. It puts them at ease.

[kelalamusic]

I enjoyed your video. I’ve been into photography for many years, and street photography has always interest me, but I never bother because of confrontation with people. Your video here has given me second thoughts that perhaps I might give it a go. Much thanks.

[sbm]

Hi Mark! I am new to your channel and I just wanted to tell you that your videos are a breath of fresh air! I love your concise, clear explanation of camera knowledge and that I can actually hear your voice instead of annoying, loud music played in the back round which can be totally distracting no matter how low the volume is. Thank you and keep up the fabulous work!! 😊

[chosenideahandle]

Great video as usual Mark! The only confrontations I've had over the last 30 something years have been with people clearly outside frame (in public places) asking if I have permission to take photos of people, and business owners that notice their restaurant or something is being photographed (again from a public location). Of course I'm not violating any laws, but rather someone is convinced it can't be allowed. A patio was in a recent photo I took from a public sidewalk and someone came out of the establishment to ensure I was only using the photos for personal reasons. Rather than start arguing the legality of it, I just said "yes" lol.

[sDuAvTaTjAe]

For street photography, I've found the ttartisan 27mm pancake lens to be the best lens by far

[jaybleu]

I've been confronted twice. One was in Rochester, NY in the "Neighborhood of the Arts". I had been taking pictures of the buildings around the area and was literally in an art gallery parking lot when the guy - who I was completely unaware of before this - approached me. There's a photography school maybe a block away. This was before cell phones were common, so seeing someone with a camera wasn't even that weird.

The second time was in Manhattan... also taking pictures of buildings, when I was confronted twice by the same guy for pointing a camera in his general direction. Approximately a million people were taking pictures in the same spot at the time, but cell phones were common by then, so I guess the camera was weird? I ignored him, and he went about his business. Later I did not find any pictures that contained him.

I've never been confronted in places where it's not super common for everyone to be taking pictures.

[japatxx]

This video was very helpful, especially using the thumb to click the camera! I've never stumbled upon that technique on any videos or reels, until now, and I'll definitely use that from now on. Thanks a lot, and you've got my subscription!

[intuitiveimprints]

I have filmed video for the past 1.5 years on the streets of Toronto. Only had one bad encounter on our subway system. Overall my method is to just keep moving with purpose and have a pleasant face. I also shoot a lot of slow motion so it actually helps in that I don’t have to stay in one spot too long. I can move fast and capture what I want and on playback it’s captured beautifully in slow motion. Just discovered your channel recently and love it. Great job. Cheers!

[liutauras]

I've always wanted to do street photography but I've been scared. You calmed me down so well! You even answered some of my worries before they even occured. Thank you so much ❤

[colingerard]

Hi Mark. You discuss sone interesting issues with this video. I feel the way people take pictures on the street is reflection of themselves, and subsequently, that can show in the images they take. Benign introverts compared to gregarious extroverts, a friendly demeanour against an unfriendly one, and people who can be inconspicuous verses those who cannot. I would say being yourself is the starting point and the technicals will find you through trial and error. Finally, you will be rewarded when you talk to people, unexpected conversations will take place that more often than not can lead onto amazing things. Enjoy the rest of your day and regards from London.