Im 62 and have been trying to do local street photography in the past 2 years. Ive suffered from low confidence, PTSD and an alcohol problem. Photography has help me in countless ways, and in a few months of doing Street Photography Ive gained more confidence, helped me deal with my PTSD, and its help me remain alcohol free ( mainly because taking up photography I cant afford to drink anymore lol) . Ive even started a 12 month project of taking street Portraits of local people, (and even going up and asking for their picture! ) and have the backing off some local businesses and the local shopping center . Its not just the getting out, with a disabled wife I also enjoy the editing part as well. Picking up a camera was the best thing I have done in a long time ( except marrying my wife !)
I'm currently 25 and have been into film photography for over 4 years. I've felt so identited with the people pleasing and not bothering anybody! During covid I lost my fear and started documenting the pandemic in my city. People were quite friendly and open to me taking their photo, as they tend to be in general here in the south of Spain. Street photography has remained a great therapy for me ever since. Thanks for your videos, they are really inspiring!!
So glad I found this channel, you make great points. I am autistic and thus extremely reclusive; to the point that I never went outside my home unless it was absolutely necessary. At the age of 24, I had lived in 4 different countries and 9 different cities but I never felt any connection to any of these places and never learnt much about the culture because I never left my home. That is when I decided to start street photography so that I can observe the people and the culture more closely. Earlier I used to always be lost in thought, and paid little attention to the surroundings and the people around me, but street photography has completely changed how I see the world.
I find astonishing the amount of "street photographers" that have been bursting on YT and social medias. A few of them produce beautiful pictures. Some of them produce pictures... but seem to enjoy the process more than the result. There should be studies about these average results to try to understand if that's just people enjoying to play with these beautiful toys that cameras have always been, or the magic of photography in itself beyond aesthetics.. Or if there's a desperate attempt to break growing loneliness. I've seen Paris becoming more and more a city of hordes of running ghosts. More and more sad or mad faces everywhere. I was able to meet a few girlfriends in the streets at my young age, not being especially that type of guy - would it be that easy nowadays? I was sitting at a cafe in Paris a few days ago and an old guy began to talk about weather and rubbish to a couple seating nearby. He just wanted to have a chat. He left and the first commentary of the couple was he was a bit weird and might have been from the countryside. Doesn't this street photography plague carry a kind of attempt to reach others in a social life becoming narrower and narrower?
I go out on photo walks every week that I can, and most weeks I can, happily. I approach people and tell them that I am photographing people who are out together or by themselves and enjoying their day, and I ask them if I may photograph them. 75-80% percent say yes, and after the photo, I ask them if they’d like me to send it to them, and if they say yes, I do. I use a Canon Rebel T2i with a battery grip and an 18-135mm zoom with a hood, and I carry it against my chest, so it’s easy to tell that I’m out photographing. Last week, when I asked a couple who were sitting with their dog at a sidewalk restaurant table if I could photograph the three of them together, they said yes, and I sent them their photos. After I did, I heard back from them that they had seen me walking around photographing people, and they had hoped that I would ask them. It makes me so happy to be out doing that, and I think that comes across to others, in a peaceful way. It’s so wonderful!
i think so too. if you treat people with moderation, you won't get into trouble in most cases. i love people who are unaware of my camera. they are beautiful. please show me more works of you in the video.
Tolles Video! Vielen Dank! Das Problem "People-Pleaser" kenne ich nur allzu gut und es ist wirklich schwer, diesen Teil der Persönlichkeit zu ändern. Deshalb ist es echt wichtig, von Zeit zu Zeit mal wieder jemanden sagen zu hören, dass man nicht jedem ständig gefallen muss, sondern dass man auch das Recht hat, hier zu sein und seinen eigenen Wegen zu folgen.
Herzlichen Dank lieber Robby! Ja, wenn man sich des Problems bewusst wird kann man langsam davon wegkommen, das Problem bei mir war allerdings der erste Schritt ...
Thanks for your video. I love street photography but there are caveats. In Melbourne, Australia there’s no shortage of street photographers and the opportunities are great. The cops don’t hassle you because it’s legal & they have better things to do. However, busy suburban centres are entirely different and the cops have hassled me a couple of times. One went so far as to make a threat of arrest. Turns out someone rang the cops on each occasion. Irrespective of the right to shoot in public some cops are on a power trip so when shooting there I get my shots and get away from the area. Back to Melbourne. Street photography is an industry there with accomplished street photographers being paid to teach people how to go about it. I’m careful about who I photograph and tend not to photograph men in their 20’s through to their 50’s. There’s an instinct that screams DON’T shoot this fella & I follow my gut feeling. If there’s a subject I really want to shoot I have to be discreet about it. I’m mastering shooting from the hip for these shots and it’s worth the practice. Also I won’t shoot children as parents can get annoyed. The best subjects are Asian people. They love me shooting them and their kids. They’re so gracious about it & it’s a pleasure to meet them & show them their images. Also people who are a little out there are usually cooperative. I’ll often ask for a candid shot from people who seem open to it. Once again I go by my gut feeling. However, none of this matters when I’m in Asia, specifically in Indonesia. The people there are so obliging. I’ll show my camera to them and if they don’t want me to shoot a small gesture is enough to let me know yes or no. Mostly it’s yes and I have thousands of images going back years. I’ve even been able to get photo shoots by initiating a conversation with them, get chatting and one thing leads to another and we arrange a time for a more formal shoot. I’ve become friends with some & have had invitations into their homes and met their families. Other invitations have been to weddings, birthdays etc. There have been many wonderful experiences but I still use my gut feeling as a guide.
Im 62 and have been trying to do local street photography in the past 2 years. Ive suffered from low confidence, PTSD and an alcohol problem. Photography has help me in countless ways, and in a few months of doing Street Photography Ive gained more confidence, helped me deal with my PTSD, and its help me remain alcohol free ( mainly because taking up photography I cant afford to drink anymore lol) . Ive even started a 12 month project of taking street Portraits of local people, (and even going up and asking for their picture! ) and have the backing off some local businesses and the local shopping center . Its not just the getting out, with a disabled wife I also enjoy the editing part as well. Picking up a camera was the best thing I have done in a long time ( except marrying my wife !)
Thank you so much for sharing this. Wish you all the best. ❤
I'm currently 25 and have been into film photography for over 4 years. I've felt so identited with the people pleasing and not bothering anybody! During covid I lost my fear and started documenting the pandemic in my city. People were quite friendly and open to me taking their photo, as they tend to be in general here in the south of Spain. Street photography has remained a great therapy for me ever since. Thanks for your videos, they are really inspiring!!
So glad I found this channel, you make great points. I am autistic and thus extremely reclusive; to the point that I never went outside my home unless it was absolutely necessary. At the age of 24, I had lived in 4 different countries and 9 different cities but I never felt any connection to any of these places and never learnt much about the culture because I never left my home. That is when I decided to start street photography so that I can observe the people and the culture more closely. Earlier I used to always be lost in thought, and paid little attention to the surroundings and the people around me, but street photography has completely changed how I see the world.
Thanks, I need that great piece of wisdom, I will hit the street again soon. Be well
I find astonishing the amount of "street photographers" that have been bursting on YT and social medias. A few of them produce beautiful pictures. Some of them produce pictures... but seem to enjoy the process more than the result. There should be studies about these average results to try to understand if that's just people enjoying to play with these beautiful toys that cameras have always been, or the magic of photography in itself beyond aesthetics.. Or if there's a desperate attempt to break growing loneliness. I've seen Paris becoming more and more a city of hordes of running ghosts. More and more sad or mad faces everywhere. I was able to meet a few girlfriends in the streets at my young age, not being especially that type of guy - would it be that easy nowadays? I was sitting at a cafe in Paris a few days ago and an old guy began to talk about weather and rubbish to a couple seating nearby. He just wanted to have a chat. He left and the first commentary of the couple was he was a bit weird and might have been from the countryside. Doesn't this street photography plague carry a kind of attempt to reach others in a social life becoming narrower and narrower?
I go out on photo walks every week that I can, and most weeks I can, happily. I approach people and tell them that I am photographing people who are out together or by themselves and enjoying their day, and I ask them if I may photograph them. 75-80% percent say yes, and after the photo, I ask them if they’d like me to send it to them, and if they say yes, I do. I use a Canon Rebel T2i with a battery grip and an 18-135mm zoom with a hood, and I carry it against my chest, so it’s easy to tell that I’m out photographing. Last week, when I asked a couple who were sitting with their dog at a sidewalk restaurant table if I could photograph the three of them together, they said yes, and I sent them their photos. After I did, I heard back from them that they had seen me walking around photographing people, and they had hoped that I would ask them. It makes me so happy to be out doing that, and I think that comes across to others, in a peaceful way. It’s so wonderful!
Great and very important message Oliver! Well done!
Danke dir lieber Samuel. Viele Grüße!
i think so too. if you treat people with moderation, you won't get into trouble in most cases. i love people who are unaware of my camera. they are beautiful. please show me more works of you in the video.
thank you for share about 😍 i love street photography too
Thank you for you kind feedback mate!
Tolles Video! Vielen Dank! Das Problem "People-Pleaser" kenne ich nur allzu gut und es ist wirklich schwer, diesen Teil der Persönlichkeit zu ändern. Deshalb ist es echt wichtig, von Zeit zu Zeit mal wieder jemanden sagen zu hören, dass man nicht jedem ständig gefallen muss, sondern dass man auch das Recht hat, hier zu sein und seinen eigenen Wegen zu folgen.
Herzlichen Dank lieber Robby! Ja, wenn man sich des Problems bewusst wird kann man langsam davon wegkommen, das Problem bei mir war allerdings der erste Schritt ...
@@streetphotographyguy Genau das ist auch mein Problem. Beruhigend zu wissen, dass es auch anderen so geht. :)
I love your channel, any plans to visit India? Lovely country for street photography.
Hi! Thank you a lot! I've been to Varanasi a few years ago and hope to return one day. But i don't know when...
Super Thema, saugut gemacht! 👍👍👍👍
Vielen Dank für dein tolles Feedback lieber Ralph, freut mich sehr!
Thanks for your video. I love street photography but there are caveats. In Melbourne, Australia there’s no shortage of street photographers and the opportunities are great. The cops don’t hassle you because it’s legal & they have better things to do. However, busy suburban centres are entirely different and the cops have hassled me a couple of times. One went so far as to make a threat of arrest. Turns out someone rang the cops on each occasion. Irrespective of the right to shoot in public some cops are on a power trip so when shooting there I get my shots and get away from the area.
Back to Melbourne. Street photography is an industry there with accomplished street photographers being paid to teach people how to go about it. I’m careful about who I photograph and tend not to photograph men in their 20’s through to their 50’s. There’s an instinct that screams DON’T shoot this fella & I follow my gut feeling. If there’s a subject I really want to shoot I have to be discreet about it. I’m mastering shooting from the hip for these shots and it’s worth the practice. Also I won’t shoot children as parents can get annoyed.
The best subjects are Asian people. They love me shooting them and their kids. They’re so gracious about it & it’s a pleasure to meet them & show them their images. Also people who are a little out there are usually cooperative. I’ll often ask for a candid shot from people who seem open to it. Once again I go by my gut feeling.
However, none of this matters when I’m in Asia, specifically in Indonesia. The people there are so obliging. I’ll show my camera to them and if they don’t want me to shoot a small gesture is enough to let me know yes or no. Mostly it’s yes and I have thousands of images going back years. I’ve even been able to get photo shoots by initiating a conversation with them, get chatting and one thing leads to another and we arrange a time for a more formal shoot. I’ve become friends with some & have had invitations into their homes and met their families. Other invitations have been to weddings, birthdays etc. There have been many wonderful experiences but I still use my gut feeling as a guide.
Thank you for this vídeo!
Thank you for your kind feedback!
tolles video was sich abhebt von den üblichen youtube foto videos -danke
Danke dir für das positive Feedback!
Umm, is the thumbnail AI generated? The model’s hands look a bit odd. Just a question rather than an accusation. Great video.
It is, yes. My wife wasn´t in the mood to play a pharmacist for me ;-)