Candid Photography and Manners
This doesn’t really apply of course if you’re taking shots of inanimate objects. A tree is not likely to get offended if you shoot it at a moment when its branches look forlorn and sad – but a person might.
Perhaps you are lurking in the back alleys of a Third World city, or maybe your own, attempting to capture a specific ambiance. You get an old woman in your viewfinder who has obviously seen better days. Nonetheless, you see her noble expression and a certain grace in her pose, so you take the shot.
Afterwards you can give the images a good color balance in image editing software for your friends to admire. Obviously you derive the pleasure of your efforts – but what did the model get?
Back in the day when I first began taking photos, I came upon a man coming towards me along a city street on a crutch. It was a striking image, so being a god with a Nikon I brazenly stepped out and took it. My subject became very upset – and I could see his point: nobody wants to be recorded for posterity looking bad?
When I returned to the darkroom I threw the negative out and made a vow not to do that again. Should I have asked for his OK first? That would not have solved the situation and he most certainly would have said no. The point was, why was I taking that shot in the first place? Had I thought about it a little more I probably would have taken my shot from behind and spared his feelings.
Sometimes you take a candid snap and the value of the shot is that the person is unaware of your interest. These pictures can be great and the effect would be spoiled by going up and announcing your intention beforehand. However, what you can do is once you’ve got your shot, approach the subject, let them know you’d like to take a photo and do the best job you can of taking a flattering picture of the person. They may never see it, but here, as in many things – it’s the thought that counts.
Another suggestion, often appreciated in poorer countries or areas where the local people have been assaulted photographically on a daily basis by throngs of tourists, is to offer at least some polite financial exchange for the modelling services provided. This is usually appreciated and it’s good for your conscience.
As another example: I once conducted a photo essay for myself on a particular school. It was impossible for me to provide all the teachers and students with a print each so I burned a CD of some of the better shots and gave it to the head teacher.
On another occasion, I took some shots of a dog training class and gave the trainer some of the best prints to hand out at the next class.
Good manners are always appreciated and all of this comes under that heading. Also you will probably find yourself to be welcomed back in the case of having to re-shoot anything later.
Try it.
