Stranger in shopping centre...

[RhysPhotograph.me]

Success rate for men is = to their confidence and lack of perceived threat.

then i must appear to be a blood craving african spider in front of people.

The following may or may not help, but here goes...

a) Be well groomed and put some thought into what you wear, if you look like Marilyn Manson people will clutch their purse and carry on walking, only a little faster.

b) Let them see you coming from at least a few meters away.

c) Smile as you approach.

d) Don't get too close, and don't face them directly with your body until they are comfortable with you, instead face slightly away, but turn your head to face them and lean back slightly in a casual manner.

e) Give them a reason why you want to take their photo.

f) Pay attention to the tone and volume of your voice. Don't be scared to be a little loud to get their attention, but once your in close proximity your tone should be as if your talking to a friend.

g) If you have a good sense of humour (check with non-family members first) or ability to tease then use it, particularly with hot girls, the hotter they are the more shocking/honest the teasing can be, but needs to be done with absolute confidence.

h) Start with easy targets that you don't mind being turned down by, you will soon get used to it and confidence will grow, as it does so will your success.

i) Type "Sometimes you have to say" in to youtube.

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

So, what is your success rate with people considered not-hot? How do you approch "interesting" looking people?

Good looking people that know they look good tend to have higher self esteem, and are highly likely to agree to having there picture taken.
But images of pretty people are a dime a dozen.

Images of "interesting" people are often more interesting because they confront the viewers sense of beauty and challenges it.

This is also where I have difficulty. I would rather take pictures of the "ugly" people precisely to challenge the viewer. But I could then be acused of taking advantage of them and in presenting a "freakshow".

Interesting/old/"ugly" people tend to have lower self esteem, and would rather not have their pictures taken.


I also find people asking if you got the pretty girls number, quite crass and shallow.

Remember, all the freaky people make the beauty of the world.

 

[RhysPhotograph.me]

Actually I haven't noticed much of a correlation with physical beauty and wanting or not wanting to have their picture taken, in fact often I'v found the opposite is true.
The general formula is the same for the most part for everyone, but you would just tweak a few things.
For example, you wouldn't "tease" people about their appearance like you could to a girl considered "uber hot".

Men are pretty easy, they mainly like to feel respected, so again no teasing unless he's in a group and it's directed at someone else in his group. This is good for instigating banter and getting 'every one on board', rather than making the guy feel isolated and vulnerable to ridicule.

Old people are the best, you just talk to them politely like you would anyone and they usually respond well as they are sick of being invisible, I'v had quite a few long conversations with old people, sometimes they are keen photographers also and like to talk about that.

A few more you may or may not find interesting...

 

[MLeeK]

I never tried asking random strangers to take photos. Does it work or do you get rejected a bunch... haha

Different people have different success rates, my "yes ok" success rate was around 7.5/10

Edit:

Also if done correctly, you would be surprised what you can get people to do.
I once got a girl to do a modelling pose and then catwalk down a busy high-street.

Sounds so fun! Beautiful shot! I think the crop works too. It's all about those eyes!

 

[Bitter Jeweler]

Wow, Rhys. Thanks for you response and post :thumbup:

Now I can toss my logic away. :thumbup:

 

[RhysPhotograph.me]

Wow, Rhys. Thanks for you response and post :thumbup:

Now I can toss my logic away. :thumbup:

No problem, most of this stuff is actually counter intuitive imo.

 

[spacefuzz]

I like the high key feel. And nice job interacting with strangers