One of the things that changed when I switched cameras, from a compact to an SLR, was that – weirdly – I got bolder. I started asking people if I could make their portrait.
A complete u-turn from what I was used to and to where I thought my confidence limits were.
And complete shock at my own flat out ‘ballsyness’.
I think the thrill of doing something I never thought I’d be able to do – because: confidence – drives me to do it again, and again, and… it’s like a drug. An addiction.
And while I’ve still not been seriously shooting street for that long, I’ve already concocted a few ways to ask permission for a portrait. Which one I dig into my hat and pull out is on case-by-case basis. But there’s one I’ve found I use more than any of the others.
Since the smoking ban, the front of pubs all up and down the nation get their fair share of smokers congregating outside. Backs to the cold wind, huddling together for warmth like a Siberian picket line.
For me, I imagine few places that beat the pub for potentially getting into trouble. Historically, pissheads seem to make a beeline for me to show how well’ard they are as they try to pull my head off.
I did my best to steer clear of them in my youth.
Except, now… if I’m strolling past a pub and there’s a possible photo opp, I’m all over it. Well… mostly, anyway.
What I don’t do is walk up, chuck a camera in their face, and snap away. If you’re me, you’re gonna get your arse kicked pretty quick. Worse, I imagine, if it’s Friday night. Although my photo-encounters have all been daytime, so far.
Here’s what I do… subtly, without getting too close at first, I hold my camera up a little so they glance down at it, and when they look back up I nod, smile and say “take your photo?”.
I’m aware there are better ways to ask (‘Can I take your photo please, because…’, for example – more on that another time). But it’s a start.
And a couple of smokers outside The Lamb in Ashby de-la Zouch town centre split the difference when one half said she was cool with a portrait while the fella vanished back inside.
Sometimes you get a yay, sometimes you don’t.
(“If you do, they’ll find me” is the best ‘no’ I’ve had yet)
So here’s a photo I think’s a good’un. I know it’s a good’un because every time I look at it I smile. If it makes me smile, it’s a keeper.
I like it when I get a result like this…
I also like it when I don’t get beaten up, murdered, or stabbed to within an inch of my life, from approaching people outside pubs and offering to shoot ’em. (“,)
Turns out, if you ask nicely, you usually get a nice reply. Whether a yay or nay.
See you on the streets.
Phil.
PS. I discovered this tip through a Street Photography film on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3urwFzd6y4