I am a proud Joburg Photowalker nearly since inception just over 2 years ago. The guys and gals are great and a special mention goes to Mark Straw for organizing some amazing locations and so much more. In the old group many have helped out and helped to organise something some point in times. It’s been a group effort.
Unfortunately, success comes at a price and that price is as we have more walks we have greater numbers and greater numbers mean requires greater care.
Etiquette on street photography and photo walks as I see it is paramount, I find that it makes for better photos. I thought I’d share what I consider proper and please note this is not researched by far this is my thoughts.
- Be mindful of your surroundings and fellow photographers, do not put yourself in front of another’s lens.
- Be courteous, it cost nothing and brings out the best in people.
- Before you even pickup your camera to shot someone, ask, you will rarely be told no, I never have.
- Children are fascinating but this in my opinion is a sensitive subject, more so every day. Ask the parents for permission first, if you can.
- Do not invade private space, this only creates an uneasiness that will be felt in your photos and gives a bad reputation to all photographers.
- You can take anything and anyone in public space, it does not mean you should, think and look before you pull the trigger, you may just be embarrassing someone or invading their privacy.
- Do not hog a space, you are not the only photographer there.
Though I intend to expand on the subject in the future, those are my 7 rules, what are yours?
- By anonymous: “10 000 images does not make for a good photo walk – think before you press the button- it’s a question of quality not quantity.”
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Tags: Photo Walking
Salient points, each one of them Pascal.
I feel it may actually be a great idea to produce a small booklet about “Photowalking etiquette & Survival”, which can include a list like you have posted, as well some tips and tricks, especially for newbies.
There are quite a number of seasoned (not the spice kind) photowalkers in our group, who may have something of interest to contribute.
Thanks for the post Pascal. Being a newbie to photography, and never done a photo walk before, in general I try to mind the points you have posted above. I feel that getting in someone’s face and pushing yourself around the place makes you unwanted at any for of shoot.
I have however a question about points 3 which ties into 4 and the rest I guess. Again maybe this is a dumb question, but one I would like to maybe get an answer to.
If you come across a candid situation, person or group, do you go ahead and take the photo, then afterwards go speak to the people/person and mention you took the photo and do they mind you keeping it? Would that be a good way.
If so, then what happens with Street Photography? Again, I haven’t been on one either, but I would like to hit the streets at some point, and would like to know what the “best” approach to that would be, also avoiding a law suit or something.
This might be general knowledge to some, but I would like to get a “clearer” understanding, as a hopefully more involved and mindful photo walker this year .
Hi Gavin,
Firstly welcome to the photography fraternity and I can only hope that you enjoy it as much as I do. Photo walking at its core is 2 things to me, one a means of safely discovering my own city (and others if I can), two it allows me to meet a bunch of complete strangers with the same passion. The fact is I have met more people photo walking than the in the previous 10 years, so you are welcomed to join the fray, no matter the camera.
As for candid situations, I am no lawyer, but it is a judgment call. One thing is certain if someone asks in anyways to not take the shot, don’t. From my understanding, and I reiterate I am not in the legal profession and may be wrong, anybody and anything in a public areas has lost the rights to privacy(this does not include any demarcated areas such as buildings, some parks, military installations, border posts, …). That in no ways allows you to harass or invade anyone space.
As for shooting people, I either get offered the shot or I ask. I have never been turned down, ever. I have however pointed my camera at a scene where I was asked not to take the photo, this happen a couple of times in the Alexandra Heritage Walk, and I’d rather not have the photo and keep the respect. Again use your better judgment.
Finally, any shots you would like to use for anything else than personal or editorial work, as in making money, you will need a release form (authorisation) as far as I know.
Thanks Pascal,
You answered pretty much exactly what I was thinking as well.
I was hoping to meet a couple of walkers at Nan Hua, but with the amount of people there I guess it was rather difficult to figure out who was “tourist” and who was part of the walkers? I managed to spot Mark Straw though and introduced myself. As you said special mention goes out to him, as I see he, and many others do a great job indeed.
I agree with you that when you take a photo and the people / persons ask you not to keep / take it, rather don’t. After all you gain their respect and if you carry a business card with you, hand it to them and you might get a call from them in the future.
On the legal terms, I am also not sure, and I have read and heard chit chat about what is deemed right and what is not. I think familiarise yourself with that can only help you, but also not stepping over the line.
I also believe respect others and their property, in turn respect will be given to you tenfold.
It was more of a newbie question anyway, and also to not get choked out by a very big guy. haha.
I am looking forward to the next event that I can join. Thanks again.
A nice starter to this topic, Pascal!
Having arranged a couple of walks for the World Wide Photo Walk, and having participated in the Alexandra Walk a couple weeks back, I totally agree with your statements. Whilst it may be the photographer’s wish to photograph someone or something, or some place, it is not their right! You must ask permission – in fact if there is a recognisable person, and / or a recognisable location that you photograph, if it might be published later, you will be obliged to have a model release or a location release signed by the relevant person. No picture will be published by any reputable publisher without this.
This does not prevent you from taking pictures, however. If you have someone’s verbal permission, do go ahead! Just remember that when you press the shutter, that moment is recorded – and may possibly be shared across the world (and maybe stolen and printed somewhere, too…!!)
To me the golden rule is not to take an image that might degrade someone. Use your talent to show that person in the best way you possibly can… (Oh and the most important part – have fun!)
@Big Chief I agree with all that you say, particularly the have fun part, I just take it for granted that one goes on a photo walk to have fun. Everything else in this discussion just makes it even better and easier for all involved. Looking forward to see you on the next walk.
Hi Pascal – this is a great start. I like Alain’s comment as well ‘showing the person in the best way you possibly can’ – I think we have two other problems – those people 1. courtesy towards the organiser (people seem very demanding of the organiser and don’t seem to bear in mind that this person is not getting paid) and 2. courtesy towards the host/hosts – or we need to tell the hosts that we are more interested in taking pics than the heritage / history etc. I think guide on our hospital walk was horrified by us by not keeping in the group – sometimes we have to do this unfortunately.