photograph strangers without being a creep

THE ETHICAL DILEMMA

The biggest, and most controversial, challenge faced by both travel and street photographers centers on how they approach photographing other people. At the core of both genres is the desire to document life as it is, but how photographers interpret this principle can vary widely. Some prefer not to disturb the scene and attempt to take their photographs discretely, some forgo the personal space and comfort of others in the pursuit of their art, and others invite their subjects in on the collaborative process in the pursuit of something different. But I offer an alternative approach, a Hannah Montana-esque best of both worlds.

THE EXTREMES

Images by Bruce Gilden at @Bruce_Gilden on Instagram

Photographers like Bruce Gilden seemingly eschew this dilemma by ignoring the personal space, comfort and consent of his subjects with an approach to street photography that has been described as “confrontational” and “combative.” Gilden is a street photographer famous for getting up close and “in your face” with his subjects, sometimes without warning or prior interaction and almost always with a flash. His style can seem abrasive and unflattering, accentuating an individual’s imperfections and wrinkles under the pretense of displaying what makes them flawed or human. However, some would argue, myself included, that this abrasive approach to street photography, or street portraiture, robs people of their humanity by removing the input from how they are represented.

Images by Mihaela Noroc at @the.atlas.of.beauty on Instagram

Mihaela Noroc, the creator of The Atlas of Beauty, offers and alternative approach to capturing the essence of humanity in her travels. Noroc travels the world photographing everyday women with the goal of showcasing their natural, individual, beauty. Noroc’s subjects are aware of the camera and know they are being photographed. Noroc has photographed women from all over the world, including Ethiopia, Israel, and even North Korea, creating a style that seemingly displays the best versions of her subjects – in many respects she can be considered the anti-Bruce Gilden.

But there are photographers out there who believe that stopping to ask for permission can disrupt the moment and rob it of its integrity. These photographers might consider Noroc’s style of shooting as staged or performative, failing to capture life as by instead choosing the pursuit of a different goal. However, these three tips should help guide photographers through an alternative approach to travel and street photography, one that threads the needle between both styles of documenting humanity.

THE ALTERNATIVE

The suggestions I offer are nothing new, they’re followed by photographers like Mitchel Kanashkevich, who get involved with the scene without disturbing it – often building a relationship with his subject first. And this approach can be mastered in three simple steps.

STEP 1: BE OPEN TO CHANGE AND NEW EXPERIENCES

This tip can be viewed as life advice just as much as a photography tip, possibly more so. Put simply; be open to changes in the road and enjoy the adventure. This tip is especially pertinent with travel photography and can be summarized as “do the things you weren’t expecting” and “go to the places you weren’t prepared for.”

In one of my earliest travel adventures, well before I even had a camera and was shooting all my photos on a secondhand iPhone 4, I followed this advice and had the better experience for it. One morning, while heading down for my hostel breakfast in Athens, Greece, I was stopped by one of the servers and warned “hey, you should avoid Syntagma Square tonight.” As I was leaving the hostel that morning, I was again stopped by the door and told not to go to Syntagma Square that night. While exploring the city I was pushed aside by a police officer who said, “you’re a tourist, please avoid Syntagma Square tonight.” My server at lunch gave me the same warning, and when I caught up with a local friend for coffee that afternoon, she made me promise to, under no circumstance, go to Syntagma Square that night…

Anyway, that night in Syntagma Square I attended a rather surreal rally held by the Communist Party of Greece. I say surreal because, growing up in the 90s in Australia, communist had never been a reality for me – I knew it existed and I had read about the history, but until that night I’d never really “seen” it. I felt like a 17th century European Artist seeing a giraffe or elephant for the first time, I’d been told stories about them and had a rough idea of what it might look like, but up until now it had never been “real.” And had I been closed off to this adventure or deviation in the plan I would have never experienced it.

The same can be said more recently for “The Chestnut Festival” in Baia Mare. I had booked in for one night in Baia Mare, the largest city in Maramureș, Romania, with the intention of seeing the smaller villages the following day. My plan was set in motion and the train had left the station - until I heard the word “festival” from the lips of my current host. As it turned out, I had unknowingly checked out of my accommodation at the start of a three-day festival celebrating roasted chestnuts and the local community. On a whim, I postponed my other plans and opened myself up to a new experience.

STEP 2: SAY HELLO AND WEAR A SMILE

Thanks to a smile and a "bună ziua" (good day in Romanian) I was invited inside this kind woman's home for lunch.

This one is simple, walk around with a smile and say hello to people – in the local language if you can. This tip is especially effective in small towns and villages, and much less effective in cities. Generally speaking, people will notice your camera no matter how small the lens is, and there’s nothing worse than someone taking a photo like a creep who thinks they’re being discrete. People are much more likely to be relaxed about you taking their photo if they feel like they know you, even just a little bit. At least that was my experience in the villages of Maramureș in Romania where, despite my camera, I was able to capture candid, every day, moments in peoples lives. And, if you’re lucky, these small interactions can sometimes evolve into new opportunities – which brings me to tip number 3.

STEP 3:  JUST SAY “YES”

I saw this lady making Zakuska on the side of the road and, after striking up a conversation with Google translate, was invited to try it.

After establishing that initial connection with someone you wanted to photograph, especially in very hospitable countries like Romania or Mexico, you’d be surprised by the invitations that can follow. Throughout my time in Maramureș I was invited inside homes to see and experience a local way of life – all with my camera in hand.

DOES IT ALWAYS WORK?

No. Tips number 2 and 3 are especially case dependent. In places like Morocco, where photography can be seen as a taboo, no amount a smiling and friendliness will open people up to your photography. And that’s ok, sometimes its best to move on and look for a different shot or to try a different approach. And in places like Tanzania or Kenya, being too eager to say “yes” can get you into some tricky or expensive situations. No matter where you’re travelling, you always need remember to keep your wits about you. Always trust your gut if something feels “off.” However, despite these additional challenges, approaching people with a smile, an openness, and a friendly demeanor still created some wonderful photographic opportunities in both countries.