Four Levels of Being (or Not Being) Invisible as a Street Photographer

 

Four Levels of Being (or Not Being) Invisible as a Street Photographer

We've had a few conversations here about taking pictures of strangers, and the anxiety around what happens if the strangers notice you.  There’s a continuum of preferences about invisibility as a street photographer.  I’ve watched a lot of videos on the topic of remaining invisible as a street photographer, and seen a lot of tips on how to pretend you’re didn’t just take someone’s picture.  Also, I’ve seen a fair amount on allowing the person to be aware their picture was taken.  Here are videos I’ve seen that address different four levels of being (un)noticed.

First, Hunter Scott reviews the basic techniques for looking like you’re not taking someone’s picture:

How Street Photographers Are INVISIBLE

Jeff Ascough is an introvert, and his wife Sarah is an extravert, and they have different approaches to remaining unnoticed:

How to stay invisible on the street

 

Brian Martin is at the second level: he, and several famous painters, think it’s cool if your subject is looking at you:

When Your Subject Looks Back At You—Everything Changes

 

A third level is when Jamie Windsor approaches strangers and asks if he can take their picture.

How to ASK STRANGERS for PHOTOS

 

At the fourth level, Pablo Strong actually interviews strangers on the street.

Asking Strangers "What Was Your Happiest Moment?" - Streets of Brighton - Episode 29