I don’t feel comfortable taking photographs of people out in the world. Something about privacy and respect and a sense that I would want to connect with people before taking their photograph, to ask them if it is ok. At the same time I so enjoy and have been inspired by countless ‘street portraits’ and grateful to all the photographers who have taken them. I do want to feel more comfortable with this, and am working on it. So much easier to interact with and photograph buildings, trees, landscapes, the moon and setting sun!
Recently I spent the weekend with friends further south on the coast, in San Luis Obispo. The friend at whose house we were staying practices Tai Chi on Saturday mornings. I asked if I could take pictures and was told yes and that in fact the instructor has been wanting photographs of his class. Permission granted, what a relief, now I can do it!
And here is my entry for this week’sPhoto Challenge: A Face in the Crowd
I realize that this is not exactly a ‘crowd’ and there are things that I really like about this image. I love the movement, the stretched out arms pushing forward into space. The faces at slightly different angles and one, in this moment, looking straight towards the camera. I like the benches holding space for all the unseen folks that have stopped by in the past, and will come in the future to sit and be. They are the ones that make up the crowd 🙂
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Dancing to the Words 
What a lovely photo and concept Arati! But, most of all, I love the fact that you have included all those we cannot see. Indeed, a helluva crowd!
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Thank you for commenting. I’m glad the ‘unseen crowds’ are visible to you. Such a wonderful place to sit and let time pass by.
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Excellent capture. I have refrained from Street photography for the same reason. Lately, I tried my hands to get over this mental block. Looking at the comments from readers, I guess everyone feels that taking someone’s picture invades their privacy.
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Thank you for stopping by and for your comment. Street photography/portraits does seem to bring up hesitation and discomfort for some of us. I like your photos of the men reading newspapers in Jaipur. I like the composition with the open newspapers in the foreground and I think choosing black and white worked really well.
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Thanks, Arati. I feel monochrome bring life to the portraits and street photography. Without colours, emotions get highlighted.
Thanks for appreciating. Hope you will check more such posts in future. 🙂
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I feel the same way about taking picture of people I don’t know. Yet, I too am fascinated by the images of others who do street photography. What a delightful compromise you’ve come to here.
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Thank you. I appreciate you sharing your experience with street photography, the companionship I get from this
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I feel the same way. I just can’t get up the nerve for street photography. We got a call to take pictures for someone that is in University and needs a series of pictures of herself over the next year. Great practice for us but I am so nervous! Your picture is wonderful. I love everything about it!
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Thank you. I appreciate the sense of companionship with feeling uncomfortable with street photography. I can see how this new ‘portrait’ project you are embarking on could be exciting and unnerving at the same time.
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Thank you for a lovely post and photo. I so enjoy seeing what you will do next!
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Thank you for what I receive as encouragement.
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I understand your dichotomy exactly … I tend to feel that I am not comfortable taking pictures of people without their express permission and yet I am captivated by others’ street photography …. this image is quite lovely – those humans in tune with nature quietly practicing their Art. I am glad you got permission from them and I am sure they will be delighted with the result.
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Thank you Osyth.
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