Would it sounds weird if...

[fishiboii]

I asked a random person if I could take their photo? I'm still learning photography, only had my 600D for a month now, and I take it everywhere with me. Sometimes I see something I like and want to take it, but the fear of what if they think I'm weird or What if they tell me to stop taking photos of them stops me from possibly taking a killer shot. This only happens when the person in question is involved in the shot by the way, I'm not this shy everywhere I go I don't wanna miss good oppurtunities see!

edit: just realised what my title says. sound*
lol

 

[cgipson1]

I do it on occasion... especially when I am in the downtown area. I don't think it is wierd... the worst that can happen is they will say no (in various ways)!

 

[Raian-san]

If you have the guts to do it, why not. Nothing wrong with that to snap photos. Just ask if they wanted their photos be sent to them. Could be a good profile pictures :thumbup:

 

[PatrickJamesYu]

Candids are cool
When shooting in public, it is fine and legal to just shoot
But you can ask them if you like to be generous
But sadly, sometimes it ruins the shot 'cause they start posing haha.

Get yourself a telephoto and do the creep from a distance

Haha but, if you present your self professionally, they should be fine with it or polite with saying no
If you approach them as 'just a person with a camera' it can be creepy and they will bail.

Good luck to you.

 

[jaomul]

There is an interesting thing going on in Flickr called 100 strangers, maybe have a look. I know it's not your angle but it has thousands of people who ask strangers can they take their photograph. I have only done it twice, once was accepted and the second time the people didn't like the idea, but I can see how it would help build confidence over time

 

[manaheim]

I usually don't ask. I find it makes people start posing which ruins the shot.

 

[sm4him]

I take pictures of strangers all the time, as part of my job...passengers getting on or off buses and trolleys, people waiting at bus stops or sitting in the station lobby. Most of the time, people are either oblivious to it, okay with it, or (very, very often) they give me a look and then quickly leave the area where I'm shooting.
I've had people come up and request that I NOT take the pictures, I've had a couple come up and ASK me to take their pictures...I've had a new bus operator call security on me because I was "suspicious" lol, and I had one guy come up and say "I don't know what you're doing, but you can't take my picture because I am a legal, law-abiding citizen who is not doing anything wrong." Seriously! So, of course, at the first opportunity, I took his picture anyway...
I did miss a GREAT shot a couple of weeks ago, because I'd already put my camera away when a guy came walking across the bus platform (which isn't allowed) carrying a guitar and a CHAIR...like a wooden dining chair...he couldn't understand why they weren't going to let him on the bus with that chair!

Most people who even SEE you taking their picture will either ask you to stop, start posing, or they will simply walk away. Having a "reason" you are taking photos of them is always helpful--I have the built-in excuse of it being my job, but you can always say "I'm working on a project," or something like that. You don't have to mention it's your own personal project!

One note: I also recently went to one of the local corn mazes and shot photos of unknown adorable children. I suspect that I got away with this because I am a female...I wouldn't really suggest males chase around after young children they don't know, taking their pictures, or you'll probably end up explaining yourself to the authorities. It's unfortunate that people would be suspicious of a male doing that, but not a female, but that seems to be the case...at least where I am.

 

[ann]

Other than not having a fellow with a chair and the law-abiding citzien my experiences are similar to the above.

Sometimes I ask, usually by pointing at them and then at the camera, sometimes I don't. Just depends on the situation.

 

[TamiAz]

I asked my first stranger yesterday and they were totally ok with it. I kind of stayed back because I felt like I was intruding...Maybe with a little more experience I'll get more comfortable getting closer to the subject.

Does anyone ask for their email address to send them the shots you got??? Or give them a card with your email address.. Especially with kids. Do you send pictures to parents??

 

[ann]

I used to get their address and send them a print. These days, I give them my email address as this gives them control over the situation. Sometimes they just give me theirs. I tell them to think about it and if they want a copy to email and I will send them the file.

I always send them when they ask. Don't be surprised if you never hear back from them, it is strange, but it is more common not to hear a thank you let alone a message that it arrived.

 

[cgipson1]

I used to get their address and send them a print. These days, I give them my email address as this gives them control over the situation. Sometimes they just give me theirs. I tell them to think about it and if they want a copy to email and I will send them the file.

I always send them when they ask. Don't be surprised if you never hear back from them, it is strange, but it is more common not to hear a thank you let alone a message that it arrived.

Yes.. that happens to me about 60-70 % of the time... either they never email asking for the photo.. or they never say anything after I send it. Occasionally I will get an email saying thank you.

I usually get a kick out of their reactions, when I ask if I can shoot them. If they ask why, I tell them what caught my eye... and they usually get a little embarrassed and start laughing. I will sometimes do several shots.. and even "pose" them a little bit... some of them really get into it!

 

[fishiboii]

Thanks for all the advice and stories guys and gals! I took what you said and decided to man up and get out there, start asking and just taking without asking. Generally when I ask most seem a bit weird with it, so I just take it anyway and the majority don't care. Funnily enough I shot a photo of these 2 girls without asking them, they posed in the shot and asked to see them, I now have both their phone numbers and we're off clubbing on Friday ;D I'm loving this! Haha, kinda made my confidence grow for shooting in weird places and people. Personally if someone shot a photo of me, I really wouldn't care that much, unless they look a bit odd. But you can tell a photographer. And besides, I'm a uni student, it's very easy to tell. If anyone asks, I'm doing a project. Simple answer really. Cheers peeps!