Hey hello you should definitely sign up to my emails! I will send you cool stuff for inspo, share cool photography, and you actually can email me back and ask questions! I am an open book. → email.huntercreatesthings.com/ 📷
Two additional things I embraced: public festivals, car shows, and other market style events. These places and events have a much more permissive atmosphere. People expect to see photographers and are likely to be less confrontational about it. Use these events to train a state of mind that disregards potential conflict. Take that state of mind into the real world and you will do fine. Telephoto lenses. Self explanatory. My favourite is a 70-200 2x teleconverted lol.
Going out and shooting street style photographs has 100 percent boosted my self-confidence. I realized that people/strangers aren't that scary to talk to, and general conversations with people can be quite interesting. Yes, confrontations are super awkward but they rarely happen.
@@ArfurrCrownits much harder to worry than doing the actual thing! try to not be scared! i was also like that but being not self-confident or scared is just dragging you down and is anoying! wishing you good luck :)
I absolutely agree! I quite often just lift a camera with asking gesture and so many people nod back yes. Surprisingly, sometimes they start to pose in a amazing way and are happy to have conversation. The situation that helped me a lot was walking with a plastic toy lens on my camera and noone took me serious. That took all pressure away. And always when someone is confrontational - saying that I just practice and if they dont like photos wont be used anywhere is the best and true excuse
I recently got a camera and took it with me to a convention yesterday. I think it was a great way to deal with my anxiety over taking photos since its a lot easier to ask someone dressed up as Master Chief for a photo than to just take candid shots on the street.
Interesting perspectives. I have noticed POV street youtubes in Europe (UK) and USA nobody makes eye contact. Here in Africa it is considered rude not to acknowledge a fellow pedestrian, the minimum is to raise your right hand, palm forward and say something like "Yebo, mFowethu" (Yes Brother in Zulu) which opens the conversation to discuss family history, residential origin, present situation etc. This spoils the option of a candid image but it leads to a great relaxed and interesting conversation, which also leads to better images. You risk a potential knife in your throat if you jamb a camera up someone's nose without the necessary pleasantries. I keep a small notebook full of names and numbers arising from these street encounters.
A couple months into my street photography I had an encounter where a guy lost it because I took his picture in passing. He threw me to the ground and tried to break my camera (he wouldn't listen to a word I said). It was probably the worst encounter you can have shooting street, short of getting REALLY beat up. I'm glad to say it hasn't stopped me but its been tough coming back from that. Hopefully that's my one psycho encounter in my career and I'll never have another.
Thank you for your helpful advice. People are far more aggressive and suspicious than let’s say 20-30 years ago. The best places for street photography in Stockholm are shopping streets, Christmas markets, Old Town and other touristic places and the walks along the water on a sunny weekend. People carry seldom cameras nowadays and if you do you stick out. Warming up by taking any photos helps and once immersed you get less self conscious and dare to come close. I shot almost always from the hip. Not only to conceal but love the point of view.
For me the scariest part of street photography it's using flash right in front of someone, like, in their face. But the adrenaline rush it's even worthier when I see the photo, when it comes back from the lab or while I'm editing. It's such a nice feeling sometimes. Like, yesterday I took I picture of a couple in the bus and a guy that was beside me asked to see my olympus p&s because I was having trouble with the shutter button and we had a little small talk about the camera. Later on, I was taking a portrait in the pride parade.
Just signed up . Love your vids. A couple people I’ve known for years, and a bit off topic, whom I thought were fun and easy going said sternly and with a face I’ve never seen before, “I don’t like my picture being taken”. Then nothing. Crushed ice dumped on the that day’s interaction. Ooops. Okay. I don’t ask why nor do they elaborate but my view of them changed forever, like a deeper, real personality had surfaced. Still ran into them later but never the same. Eggshells.
Man... this is so timely. As an introvert who just started in street photography 2 weeks ago, I've always been faced with the moral dilemma of taking pictures of strangers. This video helps me to work on my anxiety, thanks so much for posting this... i just subbed! :D
I think street portraits worsened my ability to take candids! Nowadays I'm just so more comfortable approaching people to take portraits that when I try to take candids I wager the anxiety of confrontation over the comfortableness of asking people... And 10/10 it's easier for me to ask the person instead of juggling my camera to take a candid. And I get to share the photo with the person afterwards! And cheer the person a lil, compliment them! It's just so much more wholesome! (Also, I'm the one in control of the interaction, can work the scene better, etc, etc)
The truth is: you WILL face confrontation. It's not about anxiety; it doesn't matter if you have it or not (and if you don't, the chances of confrontation only increase). So, you must be prepared, and that's it. You might have to defend yourself. By the way, when confrontation happens, the worst thing you can do is apologize and offer to delete the photo. That's popular advice, but it won't work against an aggressive person. That way, you only confirm your own weakness and admit that you did "something bad." You did nothing bad or illegal! So, be calm but do not give up so easily. Only show respect when there's respect towards you initially. And know your legal rights. This is not a joke. You were lucky not to have any attacks on you, but there are plenty of stories where photographers have been seriously beaten.
I also know photographers that have had physical confrontations but they were asking for it imo. Defending yourself, in my experience, is best done by utilizing your run-fu. I am pretty bold with my street candids - but then again, I'm in Europe. Perhaps across the pond it's more hostile.
The confrontation issue is MUCH related to the country/culture/area where you shoot. In some places I lived (like Scandinavia) you NEVER EVER get confronted due to the mentality of the people. But some other countries/places its a completely different story (say slums in South Africa or bad Favelas in Brazil as an example). Common sense + reading people and your surrounding is the best guide in my experience.
Thank you man! I'm working like crazy - will be dropping to one a week + bonus videos every now and then from now on so I can focus a bit more on really nailing every video. Appreciate you so much :)
I have been doing street photography for about 3 months nobody has said anything to me yet I'm not fussed if it happens it's just a confidence thing,I started posting regular on Instagram just get out there and enjoy photography.
I have seen this kind of content 1000 times, but I enjoy a lot your channel, whatever the theme. Hope you grow a lot but if not, just enjoy! Thanks for the videos!!
FINE, I'LL SIGN UP TO YOUR EMAILS, HUNTER! You're cool, man. Always helpful and the kind of guy I can imagine most of us would love to have as a street photography buddy. Thanks for this. Only thinking about doing it, terrifies me. But at the same time, my "logical mind" says "what's the worse that can happen? They say no? Big deal!" Have you ever been asked to delete a photo you loved?
Hahaha thanks man! You gotta just commit to the bit and do it! I have never been asked to delete a photo actually - but I have been asked to remove one from Instagram, which I did only because they asked nicely
I live in Denmark, and the laws around privacy are so restrictive that you better make sure you obtain verbal consent to show people's faces, or expose yourself to nasty fines and even being sued. As long as individuals in the picture are not recognizable (it's too dark, they're looking away, etc), you're fine though.
Street portraiture is simple and the only ‘pain’ one is likely to experience is rejection. I seldom get rejected because I’m up front with people. In such situations a DSLR is the indicator that you’re a serious photographer as mobile phones are the go to camera these days. You’re right when you assert the toughest part is getting the image right! Permission to take the photo is kids play by comparison. Street photography is a different beast. It’s not all about getting in peoples faces for close ups, yet this taken for granted notion seems to be fulcrum for many RUclipsrs. Street photography is story telling, not sneaky close ups. For example Cartier-Bresson’s work was based on his knowledge of geometry while the obnoxious Bruce Gilden demonstrates little if any respect for his subjects. For people starting out I suggest finding a great location that people traverse and start there. Arcades are ideal as the architecture lends itself as a place to photograph and if a person or two happen along they know full well it’s a public space and they just happen to be in it. No drama, picturesque setting and bingo… an easy capture. I shoot street with a DSLR much of the time. Sure I have a little Olympus the rest of the time. The point is simply
Love your videos. Very funny/light-hearted but well presented with brilliant advice, and best of all you don't come across as a snob/know-it-all/arty-fart (for lack of a better term). Keep it up!
Im really happy that I found your channel! Your videos are really great and quality content. I’m also happy to see some work from Poland. I’m from Poland and I recently started to do photography. It’s great to see cool pictures taken on the streets of Polish cities. Often It seems like we miss something not living in NY or some place like this, but it’s simply not true and I love that your works shows this! Big love from Poland
Been a street photographer for 10+ years and recently had a terrible interaction when i asked a gut to take his photo.. reinforced my anxiety but i gotta take your challenge on. Also gona carry a zine hahahaha
Hi there. Just a heads up that you have a small mis-edit at 7:15 where you say "15 year old me would never" and then it cuts off and jumps to your outro.
I really want to branch into street photography but I find the concept uncomfortable. It’s weird because I’m very gregarious and not remotely scared of confrontation. Your advice has given me the confidence to give it a try. Thanks very much for a great video 🙂
Hi, awesome videos you have, I have a question (I think). So I've been shooting for about 2 years now and slowly I've managed to get my confidence up enought to shoot candits but I recently got a DSLR a midsized one and I'm used to bridge or compact cameras and now I have that same feeling I had in the beggining. Is it wise to shoot candits on a DLSR? With a compact camera I think I've tricked myself into thinking that other people see me as a tourist so that anxiety goes away but with a DLSR I can't really. Do I have nothing to worry about?
Yep, it's all in your head. I shoot street with a big pro body and big lenses, and if anything, when you have a big camera people assume you're meant to be there
Helpful advice, well presented. Different privacy laws and norms in various countries can change the equation. Having a business card ready to show and hand out can also boost one’s credibility. Another approach I’ve seen is to take notice of people who clearly look like they want to be noticed. You a dog person?
For sure - but sometimes credibility can be more off-putting. Definitely have to read the room and decide on the amateur angle or the pro angle. Dog person for sure.
Honestly, great tips and all.. but I think my street photography would improve way more if I grew a magnificent beard, and started talking into wooden kitchen spoons
Hey hello you should definitely sign up to my emails! I will send you cool stuff for inspo, share cool photography, and you actually can email me back and ask questions! I am an open book. → email.huntercreatesthings.com/ 📷
Done! Great video mate, really inspiring.
Two additional things I embraced: public festivals, car shows, and other market style events. These places and events have a much more permissive atmosphere. People expect to see photographers and are likely to be less confrontational about it. Use these events to train a state of mind that disregards potential conflict. Take that state of mind into the real world and you will do fine.
Telephoto lenses. Self explanatory. My favourite is a 70-200 2x teleconverted lol.
100% - parades, car shows, anything going on in public that's an "event" is a great place to practice!
Going out and shooting street style photographs has 100 percent boosted my self-confidence. I realized that people/strangers aren't that scary to talk to, and general conversations with people can be quite interesting. Yes, confrontations are super awkward but they rarely happen.
It's such a big mindset shift once you get used to it right?!
You’re lucky I rarely venture out with my camera absolutely no self confidence
@@ArfurrCrownits much harder to worry than doing the actual thing! try to not be scared! i was also like that but being not self-confident or scared is just dragging you down and is anoying! wishing you good luck :)
I absolutely agree! I quite often just lift a camera with asking gesture and so many people nod back yes. Surprisingly, sometimes they start to pose in a amazing way and are happy to have conversation.
The situation that helped me a lot was walking with a plastic toy lens on my camera and noone took me serious. That took all pressure away.
And always when someone is confrontational - saying that I just practice and if they dont like photos wont be used anywhere is the best and true excuse
Nice! It's crazy how much easier it gets once you're past the fear
It also depends on how secure and safe your environment is. There are cities where I wouldn’t display valuables.
Naturally - but most places are safer than you think imo
I recently got a camera and took it with me to a convention yesterday. I think it was a great way to deal with my anxiety over taking photos since its a lot easier to ask someone dressed up as Master Chief for a photo than to just take candid shots on the street.
Hahaha nice!
Interesting perspectives. I have noticed POV street youtubes in Europe (UK) and USA nobody makes eye contact. Here in Africa it is considered rude not to acknowledge a fellow pedestrian, the minimum is to raise your right hand, palm forward and say something like "Yebo, mFowethu" (Yes Brother in Zulu) which opens the conversation to discuss family history, residential origin, present situation etc. This spoils the option of a candid image but it leads to a great relaxed and interesting conversation, which also leads to better images. You risk a potential knife in your throat if you jamb a camera up someone's nose without the necessary pleasantries. I keep a small notebook full of names and numbers arising from these street encounters.
That's so interesting! You should do portraits of people you meet, that would be a great project
@@huntercreatesthings I do
A couple months into my street photography I had an encounter where a guy lost it because I took his picture in passing. He threw me to the ground and tried to break my camera (he wouldn't listen to a word I said). It was probably the worst encounter you can have shooting street, short of getting REALLY beat up. I'm glad to say it hasn't stopped me but its been tough coming back from that. Hopefully that's my one psycho encounter in my career and I'll never have another.
Hey at least you know you can handle it if it does happen again
That’s why I won’t shoot young to middle age Caucasian men. They’re too agro. Asian people are wonderful and have an entirely different mindset
Thank you for your helpful advice. People are far more aggressive and suspicious than let’s say 20-30 years ago. The best places for street photography in Stockholm are shopping streets, Christmas markets, Old Town and other touristic places and the walks along the water on a sunny weekend. People carry seldom cameras nowadays and if you do you stick out. Warming up by taking any photos helps and once immersed you get less self conscious and dare to come close. I shot almost always from the hip. Not only to conceal but love the point of view.
Great video and good advice. Talking to strangers is a big challenge for me but i think i just have to overcome my fear.
You can do it. I genuinely honestly mean this - it will change your life
For me the scariest part of street photography it's using flash right in front of someone, like, in their face. But the adrenaline rush it's even worthier when I see the photo, when it comes back from the lab or while I'm editing. It's such a nice feeling sometimes.
Like, yesterday I took I picture of a couple in the bus and a guy that was beside me asked to see my olympus p&s because I was having trouble with the shutter button and we had a little small talk about the camera. Later on, I was taking a portrait in the pride parade.
Flash is fun
I have a cheap digital camera and have been enjoying landscape photography but your videos are getting me interested in street photography now
Best of both worlds! Do both!
i got anxiety and started sweating while watching the video
More proof you gotta do it
Just signed up . Love your vids.
A couple people I’ve known for years, and a bit off topic, whom I thought were fun and easy going said sternly and with a face I’ve never seen before, “I don’t like my picture being taken”. Then nothing. Crushed ice dumped on the that day’s interaction. Ooops. Okay. I don’t ask why nor do they elaborate but my view of them changed forever, like a deeper, real personality had surfaced. Still ran into them later but never the same. Eggshells.
Thank you! Means the world that you're enjoying :)
Sucks when that happens but you just gotta keep on trucking
Man... this is so timely. As an introvert who just started in street photography 2 weeks ago, I've always been faced with the moral dilemma of taking pictures of strangers. This video helps me to work on my anxiety, thanks so much for posting this... i just subbed! :D
Thank you! You can do it :)
I think street portraits worsened my ability to take candids!
Nowadays I'm just so more comfortable approaching people to take portraits that when I try to take candids I wager the anxiety of confrontation over the comfortableness of asking people... And 10/10 it's easier for me to ask the person instead of juggling my camera to take a candid. And I get to share the photo with the person afterwards! And cheer the person a lil, compliment them! It's just so much more wholesome! (Also, I'm the one in control of the interaction, can work the scene better, etc, etc)
The truth is: you WILL face confrontation. It's not about anxiety; it doesn't matter if you have it or not (and if you don't, the chances of confrontation only increase). So, you must be prepared, and that's it. You might have to defend yourself. By the way, when confrontation happens, the worst thing you can do is apologize and offer to delete the photo. That's popular advice, but it won't work against an aggressive person. That way, you only confirm your own weakness and admit that you did "something bad." You did nothing bad or illegal! So, be calm but do not give up so easily. Only show respect when there's respect towards you initially. And know your legal rights. This is not a joke. You were lucky not to have any attacks on you, but there are plenty of stories where photographers have been seriously beaten.
I also know photographers that have had physical confrontations but they were asking for it imo. Defending yourself, in my experience, is best done by utilizing your run-fu.
I am pretty bold with my street candids - but then again, I'm in Europe. Perhaps across the pond it's more hostile.
The confrontation issue is MUCH related to the country/culture/area where you shoot.
In some places I lived (like Scandinavia) you NEVER EVER get confronted due to the mentality of the people. But some other countries/places its a completely different story (say slums in South Africa or bad Favelas in Brazil as an example).
Common sense + reading people and your surrounding is the best guide in my experience.
5:30 Dude you are in!
😅
Loving these videos and your consistency. Please dont stop.
Thank you man! I'm working like crazy - will be dropping to one a week + bonus videos every now and then from now on so I can focus a bit more on really nailing every video. Appreciate you so much :)
Thanks !!@@huntercreatesthings
I have been doing street photography for about 3 months nobody has said anything to me yet I'm not fussed if it happens it's just a confidence thing,I started posting regular on Instagram just get out there and enjoy photography.
Nice
I have seen this kind of content 1000 times, but I enjoy a lot your channel, whatever the theme. Hope you grow a lot but if not, just enjoy! Thanks for the videos!!
Thank you!
That first scenario was too real dawg 😭
Hahaha happens to the best of us
Loved the intro 😂 you are so much fun to watch, Hunter!
Hahaha thank you Justine !!!!
FINE, I'LL SIGN UP TO YOUR EMAILS, HUNTER!
You're cool, man. Always helpful and the kind of guy I can imagine most of us would love to have as a street photography buddy. Thanks for this. Only thinking about doing it, terrifies me. But at the same time, my "logical mind" says "what's the worse that can happen? They say no? Big deal!"
Have you ever been asked to delete a photo you loved?
Hahaha thanks man! You gotta just commit to the bit and do it!
I have never been asked to delete a photo actually - but I have been asked to remove one from Instagram, which I did only because they asked nicely
can't wait to put this to the test! Thank you for the advice
Best of luck!
Love the vibe man! Great Video!
Glad you enjoyed it!
I live in Denmark, and the laws around privacy are so restrictive that you better make sure you obtain verbal consent to show people's faces, or expose yourself to nasty fines and even being sued. As long as individuals in the picture are not recognizable (it's too dark, they're looking away, etc), you're fine though.
One of the best ever street videos I ever seen you Ytube... great stuff... thanks for sharing
Glad you enjoyed it!
time to do street photography to cure my social anxiety
No lie it literally works
Street portraiture is simple and the only ‘pain’ one is likely to experience is rejection. I seldom get rejected because I’m up front with people. In such situations a DSLR is the indicator that you’re a serious photographer as mobile phones are the go to camera these days. You’re right when you assert the toughest part is getting the image right! Permission to take the photo is kids play by comparison.
Street photography is a different beast. It’s not all about getting in peoples faces for close ups, yet this taken for granted notion seems to be fulcrum for many RUclipsrs. Street photography is story telling, not sneaky close ups.
For example Cartier-Bresson’s work was based on his knowledge of geometry while the obnoxious Bruce Gilden demonstrates little if any respect for his subjects.
For people starting out I suggest finding a great location that people traverse and start there. Arcades are ideal as the architecture lends itself as a place to photograph and if a person or two happen along they know full well it’s a public space and they just happen to be in it. No drama, picturesque setting and bingo… an easy capture.
I shoot street with a DSLR much of the time. Sure I have a little Olympus the rest of the time. The point is simply
Agreed :)
Keep the up man! Love the vids:)
Thanks, will do!
Good work, be great to see some examples!
Thanks George!
Love your videos. Very funny/light-hearted but well presented with brilliant advice, and best of all you don't come across as a snob/know-it-all/arty-fart (for lack of a better term). Keep it up!
Thanks so much!!!
Im really happy that I found your channel! Your videos are really great and quality content.
I’m also happy to see some work from Poland. I’m from Poland and I recently started to do photography. It’s great to see cool pictures taken on the streets of Polish cities. Often It seems like we miss something not living in NY or some place like this, but it’s simply not true and I love that your works shows this!
Big love from Poland
Thank you so much!!! Poland is awesome.
Been a street photographer for 10+ years and recently had a terrible interaction when i asked a gut to take his photo.. reinforced my anxiety but i gotta take your challenge on. Also gona carry a zine hahahaha
You got this!
Hi there. Just a heads up that you have a small mis-edit at 7:15 where you say "15 year old me would never" and then it cuts off and jumps to your outro.
Oh! And obviously, thank you for your fantastic content!
Thanks - it's a deliberate cutoff for comedic effect :)
@@huntercreatesthings oh! Hahahaha
I really want to branch into street photography but I find the concept uncomfortable. It’s weird because I’m very gregarious and not remotely scared of confrontation. Your advice has given me the confidence to give it a try. Thanks very much for a great video 🙂
You can do it! I'm so glad it helped ☺️
What's the story behind the thumbnail photo? Looks like quite the story to tell.
Italy supporters in London for Euros in 2021
Does the sound of the shutter matter? I bought a 35mm point and shoot and idk i am kind of scared of scaring people away eheh
Nope I use a load of loud cameras
@@huntercreatesthings btw what about shooting from the hip? Or it really doesnt matter hah. And, is the goal not to be noticed or what?
I made a video called "Why I take photos without looking" that will answer both of those questions ☺️
@@huntercreatesthings thanks♥️
Hunter what gear do you use? (Eg.Camera, lenses, microphone, editing software, etc). (If you do answer I am most thankful for your time).
I will answer this in next weeks q&a video!
@@huntercreatesthings thank you I will make sure to stay tuned then.
Hi, awesome videos you have, I have a question (I think). So I've been shooting for about 2 years now and slowly I've managed to get my confidence up enought to shoot candits but I recently got a DSLR a midsized one and I'm used to bridge or compact cameras and now I have that same feeling I had in the beggining. Is it wise to shoot candits on a DLSR? With a compact camera I think I've tricked myself into thinking that other people see me as a tourist so that anxiety goes away but with a DLSR I can't really. Do I have nothing to worry about?
Yep, it's all in your head. I shoot street with a big pro body and big lenses, and if anything, when you have a big camera people assume you're meant to be there
BTW, a quick question, do you shoot street with a larger DSLR and a big 24-70 lens... or do you shoot with a "sneaky" smaller Fujifilm camera?
Big DSLR with a grip and usually sigma art primes (almost as big as 24-70) or my Pentax K1000 which is about the size of a Fujifilm XT-5
Helpful advice, well presented. Different privacy laws and norms in various countries can change the equation. Having a business card ready to show and hand out can also boost one’s credibility. Another approach I’ve seen is to take notice of people who clearly look like they want to be noticed. You a dog person?
For sure - but sometimes credibility can be more off-putting. Definitely have to read the room and decide on the amateur angle or the pro angle. Dog person for sure.
Great video
Glad you enjoyed it
@@huntercreatesthings have you seen Artur Troliński POV series in Warsaw?
I have not! I'll check it out
@@huntercreatesthings It is like Paulie B Walkie Talkie
Or do as I do stay home or only venture out when wearing my tin hat
Tin hat optional
i have mutism so if anyone confronts me im just gonna cry
who's gonna teach me how to smile though hunter? who??!!??
Watched a video today and the guy was using a super wide angle basically the camera was so close to people they didn’t realise they’re in the frame
Another W for 28mm
Honestly, great tips and all.. but I think my street photography would improve way more if I grew a magnificent beard, and started talking into wooden kitchen spoons
Hahahaha thank you - and yes, the spoon definitely helps
Seriously a great piece of advice from a young guy to an old played out old guy 😊
Thank you!
Do you roam around with a ladle and a camera everywhere?😂
Yes
lol no chance in germany
2:46 "that it's important" (no it isn't), "or that it's art." (sure, i guess 🙄 )
If street photography isn't important or art, then perhaps you might have to wonder why there's so much of it in the MoMA
It's a shame lomo purple is the only 110 film B&H had in stock 🫠
Convert to B&W and tell people you found a secret cache of Kodak XX in 110
Interesting idea 🤔