I love this! In college, a friend and I were having dinner on the outdoor patio of a cute little restaurant in downtown Ann Arbor. An older man started photographing us from across the street (which was well within his legal rights). Afterward, he crossed the street and came up to us and introduced himself as a street photographer. He found us fascinating (we looked "different" and had tattoos), and he gave us his business card so we could see the photos on his blog. It completely eliminated any weirdness, and I actually became good friends with him after. I bought his book of street photographs from Cuba, and he came to my senior exhibition when I graduated. He was always super supportive of my photography. I always thought the way he introduced himself was such a cool way to diffuse what might have been an otherwise uncomfortable or awkward experience. Plus, I loved getting to see the photos he took of us!
About 15 years ago, I was out one evening at a local ice cream shop. The lines were long, and the golden evening sun illuminated the faces of people waiting for their turn. It was a perfect setting, and I began taking candid photos of the scene. At one point, a three- or four-year-old stood nearby, holding a melting ice cream cone. The father knelt beside him, gently wiping the drips from his face, while the mother stood just behind them. She appeared to be watching them lovingly—or so I thought.
After about ten minutes, I decided to leave, but as I drove away, I was suddenly pulled over by five police cars. One of the officers informed me that someone had reported me for photographing children. What had been an innocent moment of street photography quickly turned into a tense situation. I offered to show the officers my photos to prove there was nothing inappropriate, but one of them initially declined. I insisted, scrolling through the images on my camera to demonstrate there was nothing to be concerned about. After seeing the photos, they relaxed and let me go.
Later, as I reviewed the images again, I noticed something I hadn’t seen before: the mother wasn’t looking lovingly at the father and child. Instead, her gaze was fixed on my camera, her expression subtly protective—a “mama bear” look that I had misread in the moment.
Having been a street photographer since the 1970s, I’ve witnessed a significant shift in how people react to being photographed, particularly with the rise of smartphones and the Internet. Today, I still do street photography, but it’s no longer candid. I now approach people and ask for their consent. While this means I often miss the decisive, spontaneous moments that once defined my work, it also means I no longer face angry confrontations—or the looming threat of police intervention.
When I began street photography in the late 1970s, people generally didn’t mind being photographed. However, as the internet and social media became more pervasive, I noticed a growing hostility toward photographers. This shift led me to stop photographing women on the street altogether.
Being a male photographer comes with its own set of challenges, often different from those faced by women photographers. To navigate this, I adapted by focusing on portrait photography where consent is given. Over time, as the media became increasingly vilified and societal tensions—exacerbated by lockdowns—became more common, people’s attitudes toward being photographed changed significantly.
It’s tricky though. Did the police ask why you were taking these pictures, and if they did, what did you reply? If they didn’t, what would you have replied?
I told him that I document every day life, and while there was a child in the photo, the mother and father were there with the child, and the camera was clearly visible to all three of them. I made no attempt to be sly whatsoever. Showing them the mother was clearly aware of the camera.
Once, I was waiting with my kids for something or somebody, in the downtown of a city in Connecticut.
The occassion was something festive so I wore a dress given to me by a friend, it was too ethereal and didn't fit the vibe of that downtown I guess, or maybe we looked strange, because I was with kids, and didn't fit some concept. I'll never know. Only I noticed a woman who was really trying to take photos of us. She tried this and that, but I knew it's us she's trying to photograph. Instead of liking it I went into a state of a deep confusion, started turning my back to her, hiding face, calling kids closer, but she would persist trying. In short, we soon were able to leave as whoever we were waiting for appeared.
But I couldn't help asking myself from time to time: did she manage to take pictures? Were they any good? (probably not)What if I see them somewhere? (I didn't)
It was a very strange experience. You don't want it but then you keep wondering, You never saw pictures yet you remember the day with the precision of the photograph taken.
im an introvert (with autism) but i never associated this with the fear of connecting with people. I guess this would be more like a shyness than introversion. A couple of laughs or a smile and they feel immediately at ease. My problem is that when i connect with others i disconnect from the inside and this is why i have to stay away from people. But i never had social anxiety, its actually fun to interact with total strangers.
All great advice. I come from the same place of social discomfort. I find that it never really goes away. Some days it acts as more of a constraint than others. I do find that the smaller the camera, the less inhibited I am. Maybe I'm projecting my own responses onto people but I find people are less observant or wary of me when I'm carrying my little RX100. My other challenge is that as a very pale European with ginger hair living in China it's impossible not to be noticed!
Rule #1. Never make eye contact. I think this is underrated. If you're looking in the general direction of someone, you will notice if their eyes rest on you, and the two of you will lock eyes.
Your curiosity about human behaviour must be so intense. Photography is clearly a passion. Amazing photos. Some of us will never be comfortable as photographer or subject. It feels so intrusive. But Thanks so much for an interesting read.
While your mentor was an in-your-face shooting negative reflexes from people with his flash, your style and perspective is completely different. You also capture great focus and colors in your night shots and capturing the true emotions of people engaged in their relationships with others and the environment. Bravo. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Great advice! You have to be fearless and thick skinned, but always read the room. I never photograph children for example, they really do not understand public consent and I never liked my kids photographed, including when the evening news wanted to one time and I would not let them. Let them have childhood for as brief as it is. I will photograph homeless. Others have the opposite approach. I will use it with students and camera club in Southern Caalifornia, and shared to Bluesky. Your blogs are clear, simple and direct.
I enjoyed this, both photos and text. I have missed many good shots due to anxiety. My reliever is a joint:) Good points. It's always the question about how to approach close enough.
:) What about this? …prior to shooting, looking for 15mins at photos of your favourite photographer that you will try to emulate, then joint or your favourite drink, and then repeating the same prior to editing?:)
Though great street photography has come out of Spain it has a law, I think it's numbered 1862 ..maybe...that is about Privacy rights...boiled down the act of taking anyone's photo anywhere* without their permission is illegal...punto. Sorta fucked. So killed it dead for me here. I love street photography, it is terrifying but very satisfactory and the truest joy in people popping whatever your approach.
I love this! In college, a friend and I were having dinner on the outdoor patio of a cute little restaurant in downtown Ann Arbor. An older man started photographing us from across the street (which was well within his legal rights). Afterward, he crossed the street and came up to us and introduced himself as a street photographer. He found us fascinating (we looked "different" and had tattoos), and he gave us his business card so we could see the photos on his blog. It completely eliminated any weirdness, and I actually became good friends with him after. I bought his book of street photographs from Cuba, and he came to my senior exhibition when I graduated. He was always super supportive of my photography. I always thought the way he introduced himself was such a cool way to diffuse what might have been an otherwise uncomfortable or awkward experience. Plus, I loved getting to see the photos he took of us!
About 15 years ago, I was out one evening at a local ice cream shop. The lines were long, and the golden evening sun illuminated the faces of people waiting for their turn. It was a perfect setting, and I began taking candid photos of the scene. At one point, a three- or four-year-old stood nearby, holding a melting ice cream cone. The father knelt beside him, gently wiping the drips from his face, while the mother stood just behind them. She appeared to be watching them lovingly—or so I thought.
After about ten minutes, I decided to leave, but as I drove away, I was suddenly pulled over by five police cars. One of the officers informed me that someone had reported me for photographing children. What had been an innocent moment of street photography quickly turned into a tense situation. I offered to show the officers my photos to prove there was nothing inappropriate, but one of them initially declined. I insisted, scrolling through the images on my camera to demonstrate there was nothing to be concerned about. After seeing the photos, they relaxed and let me go.
Later, as I reviewed the images again, I noticed something I hadn’t seen before: the mother wasn’t looking lovingly at the father and child. Instead, her gaze was fixed on my camera, her expression subtly protective—a “mama bear” look that I had misread in the moment.
Having been a street photographer since the 1970s, I’ve witnessed a significant shift in how people react to being photographed, particularly with the rise of smartphones and the Internet. Today, I still do street photography, but it’s no longer candid. I now approach people and ask for their consent. While this means I often miss the decisive, spontaneous moments that once defined my work, it also means I no longer face angry confrontations—or the looming threat of police intervention.
It is definitely harder for men!
When I began street photography in the late 1970s, people generally didn’t mind being photographed. However, as the internet and social media became more pervasive, I noticed a growing hostility toward photographers. This shift led me to stop photographing women on the street altogether.
Being a male photographer comes with its own set of challenges, often different from those faced by women photographers. To navigate this, I adapted by focusing on portrait photography where consent is given. Over time, as the media became increasingly vilified and societal tensions—exacerbated by lockdowns—became more common, people’s attitudes toward being photographed changed significantly.
It’s tricky though. Did the police ask why you were taking these pictures, and if they did, what did you reply? If they didn’t, what would you have replied?
I told him that I document every day life, and while there was a child in the photo, the mother and father were there with the child, and the camera was clearly visible to all three of them. I made no attempt to be sly whatsoever. Showing them the mother was clearly aware of the camera.
Once, I was waiting with my kids for something or somebody, in the downtown of a city in Connecticut.
The occassion was something festive so I wore a dress given to me by a friend, it was too ethereal and didn't fit the vibe of that downtown I guess, or maybe we looked strange, because I was with kids, and didn't fit some concept. I'll never know. Only I noticed a woman who was really trying to take photos of us. She tried this and that, but I knew it's us she's trying to photograph. Instead of liking it I went into a state of a deep confusion, started turning my back to her, hiding face, calling kids closer, but she would persist trying. In short, we soon were able to leave as whoever we were waiting for appeared.
But I couldn't help asking myself from time to time: did she manage to take pictures? Were they any good? (probably not)What if I see them somewhere? (I didn't)
It was a very strange experience. You don't want it but then you keep wondering, You never saw pictures yet you remember the day with the precision of the photograph taken.
Thank you for another great essay, Dina
im an introvert (with autism) but i never associated this with the fear of connecting with people. I guess this would be more like a shyness than introversion. A couple of laughs or a smile and they feel immediately at ease. My problem is that when i connect with others i disconnect from the inside and this is why i have to stay away from people. But i never had social anxiety, its actually fun to interact with total strangers.
So many different flavors of it.
love Bruce and his Brucean advice always haha
Yeh :)
I am glad I found this. I like your work on Instagram and always wanted to learn more.
All great advice. I come from the same place of social discomfort. I find that it never really goes away. Some days it acts as more of a constraint than others. I do find that the smaller the camera, the less inhibited I am. Maybe I'm projecting my own responses onto people but I find people are less observant or wary of me when I'm carrying my little RX100. My other challenge is that as a very pale European with ginger hair living in China it's impossible not to be noticed!
Rule #1. Never make eye contact. I think this is underrated. If you're looking in the general direction of someone, you will notice if their eyes rest on you, and the two of you will lock eyes.
Great photos!
Your curiosity about human behaviour must be so intense. Photography is clearly a passion. Amazing photos. Some of us will never be comfortable as photographer or subject. It feels so intrusive. But Thanks so much for an interesting read.
While your mentor was an in-your-face shooting negative reflexes from people with his flash, your style and perspective is completely different. You also capture great focus and colors in your night shots and capturing the true emotions of people engaged in their relationships with others and the environment. Bravo. Thanks for sharing your tips.
Great advice! You have to be fearless and thick skinned, but always read the room. I never photograph children for example, they really do not understand public consent and I never liked my kids photographed, including when the evening news wanted to one time and I would not let them. Let them have childhood for as brief as it is. I will photograph homeless. Others have the opposite approach. I will use it with students and camera club in Southern Caalifornia, and shared to Bluesky. Your blogs are clear, simple and direct.
It's the opposite for me, I have no issues photographing children but I never photograph the homeless. Everyone has their own preferences for sure.
I enjoyed this, both photos and text. I have missed many good shots due to anxiety. My reliever is a joint:) Good points. It's always the question about how to approach close enough.
A joint works for me only in theory. Makes me feel motivated and creative but all the photos turn out to be bad when I look at them sober.
:) What about this? …prior to shooting, looking for 15mins at photos of your favourite photographer that you will try to emulate, then joint or your favourite drink, and then repeating the same prior to editing?:)
Though great street photography has come out of Spain it has a law, I think it's numbered 1862 ..maybe...that is about Privacy rights...boiled down the act of taking anyone's photo anywhere* without their permission is illegal...punto. Sorta fucked. So killed it dead for me here. I love street photography, it is terrifying but very satisfactory and the truest joy in people popping whatever your approach.
It all depends on the intent of the photos. Mine don't allow for eye contact because it breaks
the tableau effect. But I've seen many photos where it works.