Street photography involves capturing candid moments of people, objects, and places. However, it’s important to remember that we’re often taking pictures of strangers without their consent. Street photography laws differ greatly across countries. Some nations, like the USA, offer more freedom, while others, such as Switzerland and the UAE, impose strict regulations. Besides the risk of potential confrontations due to unsolicited photography of individuals, there are also other unsettling moments that I’ve encountered in my street photography journey.
Suspicion
Sometimes, during my photo walks, I notice some people looking at me suspiciously. From their perspective, a random guy is strolling around their neighbourhood and taking pictures of ordinary things. When I realize I’m being watched, I pretend to be a tourist and quietly leave the scene to prevent any potential tensions that could arise.
Confrontation
After suspicions, confrontation follows. Until now, I have not faced any major confrontations, only minor disputes, such as when a durian vendor in Singapore reacted after I took a picture of him. There is a theory among some street photographers that the more social risks you take in your street photography, the better you will become as a street photographer.
Overrun
As I sometimes completely immerse myself in capturing the perfect street photo, I lose awareness of my surroundings, which, on a few occasions, nearly resulted in accidents with motorbikes.
Outro - Smile More
I’m not a daring street photographer who explores shady city areas at night for unique shots. Nevertheless, I like being close to my street subjects; for this, I mainly use a 35mm lens, which enables me to work in smaller spaces while still capturing background details.
I’ve noticed that people in wealthier countries tend to be more hesitant about being photographed, whereas in less affluent countries, a smile often helps gain their consent. Maybe, I need to adopt this strategy for all my street photography endeavours: Talk less, Smile More!
Street Photography - Work Highlights
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