Hi. How do people go about taking blips of strangers?
Do you ask them for their permission before or after the blip? If you ask them after taking their image the image would be better as the subject would be natural...but if you ask before...they would be more self conscious and the uniqueness of the image would be lost?
Also, how do you go about approaching strangers? I would love to capture peoples images, but am a bit nervous about asking them.
Any and all advice would be greatly appreciated!
Thanks :)
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I just ask normally in a nice freindly way . but you don't actually need permission to take pictures of anything in a public space or that can be veiwed from a public space here in the uk , and as long as your pictures are are not for commercial reasons you can do what you like with them .
You don't need permission to take pictures of people in public places in the UK (I don't know about elsewhere). On the other hand if you start taking pics of kids on the beach you risk being beaten up by an angry parent or arrested by the police who could probably think of a charge (I know where this has happened). Let common sense prevail here. It sounds like you're shy of approaching people - join the club. People who do this well have a lot of Chutzpah. The problem with asking is that it often ruins the candid nature of the shot as people become self-conscious and start posing. So then it's a portrait. Most people are fine and many in the big cities these days are used to being on other people's shots. I've never been challenged but then I don't get right in people's faces. Often if people twig they wave or break in to a big smile or silly pose. It's OK and most people accept that. If in doubt, just ask.
Thanks for your answers.
I think that because I hate having my picture taken (and would be horrified to find a stranger taking my photo) that I've been presuming everyone else would be the same.
Still not sure how I'll approach it!
Thanks again :)