I definitely sit on the introvert side of the social food chain, but I do like to photograph people (hopefully before they realize they are being photographed). Sort of candid portraiture.

And as I’m usually shooting with a 35mm prime lens, this necessitates getting up pretty close and personal.

I would usually prefer to chew on one of my testicles than get in this sort of interaction with someone I don’t know. I always feel a vulnerability to all the potential energies that arise from sticking a camera into someone else who is simply going about their business.

Yes. There is an intimacy in taking someone’s picture this close. At first, that intimacy is non-consensual, which makes it complicated and difficult. Sometimes they never know.

Question: How would you feel if I took your photo while you were out and about in a public space? How would you feel if you never realized…and later found out that it had been published (like on this blog)? These are perplexing questions.

If you are interested here is some information on the legal aspects of photographing someone in public in Australia.

Anyhow, I take a photo, then it kinda goes like this….

First: they will cotton on pretty quickly to the fact that I have just taken their photo (damn that shutter sound).

Next: There will be some form of interaction. Im never sure how that will go. Mostly, not how I expect.

No matter the response, these interactions are always good medicine for me.

–ooOoo–

Oh and just out of interest, here is a little trick that street photographers will sometimes use when taking your picture. I have used it very effectively myself. After capturing your photo, the photographer will look up from the viewfinder…looking right past you. As if they were taking a picture of something behind you, far back from you, and definitely NOT you.

You look around to see what is so interesting…..no? Nothing? Whatever.

Little do you know, you is what was so interesting.

–ooOoo–

Here is a recap of a few people I have shot recently.