About getting in close: I wanted to talk a little about defusing a situation when someone gets all nasty when you take a close portrait. I was shooting with my buddy Chicago Joe yesterday, and he was getting quite frustrated. He couldn’t understand how I was able to get so close without getting yelled at. He had somehow managed getting chewed out twice in the same day. The reason? He didn’t “own” the street – he froze up.
When I take a portrait, as my camera comes down, the first thing the subject sees is a friendly smile. The first thing they hear is, “thank you, you have a wonderful face.” I’ve seen the anger fall from their face like ice on a spring morning – time after time. If they do get nasty, I just walk away.
Regardless, I “own” the street, i.e., I’m totally calm and confident about what I’m doing. Another thing that works well for defusing things is bringing business cards and explaining that you’re an artist and a freelance documentary photographer. I also tell them that if they email me, I’d be glad to send then a copy. By using these tactics (and others), I have never had a serious problem.
A few things that I ask myself before getting in close to shoot a portrait:
1. Is the subject worth the risk? I don’t shoot just anyone, they have to be different. Don’t waste a shot on someone who is normal…
2. Do I have a clear escape? I try to avoid shooting in places where I can’t leave, e.g., CTA trains, restaurants ect.
3. Do I have the right to take the shot? Does the person have a “reasonable expectation of privacy?”
One other rule that I have: If a person walks up to me, They forfeit any right of complaint when I take their image…