Transcript Week 4: How to Shoot in the Streets Eric Kim PART I: Getting over the fear of shooting Street Photography.

Week 4:
How to Shoot in the Streets
Eric Kim
PART I: Getting over the fear of
shooting Street Photography
Lecture Overview
1. Why is it so difficult to shoot strangers in the
streets?
2. Why does it make us feel uncomfortable?
3. How can we approach a stranger and take
his/her photo without permission?
4. How do we stay “invisible” when shooting on
the streets?
5. What are the laws of street photography?
“If your pictures aren't
good enough, you're not
close enough.”
- Robert Capa
Robert Capa
Bruce Gilden
Why is it so difficult to shoot strangers
in public?
Street Photography Techniques
• Talking points:
1. How do I overcome the psychological barriers to
shooting in the street?
2. How can I take photos on the street without
being noticed?
3. What settings should I use on my camera?
1. How to overcome the fear of
shooting street photography
Based on my experiences:
95% of people don’t
do anything.
Rewire your brain
Smile and say “Thank You”
Compliment people
Get close to your subjects
Be prepared how to react
Don’t always stereotype
2. Being invisible on the streets
How to blend in with your
environment
How to be invisible
Smile
Don’t make eye contact
Pretend like you took a photo of
“something else”
Walk calm and relaxed
Michael Martin
Use a wide-angle prime
Use a small camera
Greg Schmigel
Understanding the
LAWS OF STREET PHOTOGRAPHY IN
THE US
What you can do legally
• Street photography is Legal in the US.
• You can take photos of people in public.
• You can take photos of private property from
public property.
• You can take photographs of police and
vehicles.
• Police can’t delete your photos.