People are so polite when you’re taking photos on the street, and they notice you and try not to interrupt your shot. But I set little traps. I tell them, Oh, it’s okay, go ahead. Like I’m not going to take their photo.
But then I do. Usually they don’t notice. They think they’ve just passed me by with no record of it.
I’ve been doing this more on my i live here:SF shoots. Because the city itself plays such a huge role in my subjects’ lives, and their feeling about the city is what inspires them to participate, it only makes sense that it’s the random encounters with people and not just the buildings that surround us and the streets under our feet should play a part as well.
Emilie stands patiently by the colorful doorway on Haight Street, the one I chose for this particular set of images. We take turns choosing what we’d like to take photos of, with her in them, and I let her in on my candid camera plan. “I do take their pictures, even when I say I’m not going to.” That’s why she’s smiling. We share my secret.
We had passed this young man a block ago, as he was packing up his bedroll and pack, talking to an older woman about the proposed Sit-Lie Law and the controversy it’s causing here in the city. Haight Street in particular is one of the areas targeted by the extra pressure. The young man says the only time he’s been harassed for sitting on the sidewalk was in Los Angeles, but he’s not worried about these sorts of things. And I’ve never been harassed on Haight Street by the people this sit-lie law is supposed to discourage.
You can’t live in a city without people entering the frame of your life. It doesn’t work that way. Whether people cross your field of vision or beg for money or volunteer for a project because they see in it what you do (or more), that’s our physical, tangible world. Embracing it makes your personal world bigger and full of color and experience. (I also love that the top of the doorway in the photo says “Community.” Because that is what it’s all about, isn’t it?)
Speaking of community, Emilie’s story is one I particularly treasure. The honesty and beauty of what she has to say about her life and her city is worth reading and sharing. You can see Emilie’s story here.
7 Comments
Love this post. Your commentary on your method of street photography and the secret you share with the intended subject but not the additional subject is fascinating. The link above isn’t working btw, but I went over using the primary url and read the story. It has a great visceral quality, as well as the honesty and beauty you mention.
That was awesome Julie! On all counts! It’s rare to find an actual local person that was actually born and raised in San Francisco (most got priced out of the City a long time ago.) So, it’s great to see these flavors and colors in your project. THANK YOU!
C
It also helps when you have really interesting people to photograph. When you find individuals with their own unique style entering your shot, it’s a real lucky shot!
This post is perfection. I always feel so awkward about asking strangers to take their photos. It really is weird. Yet, sometimes, it is really worth it. Now that you’ve given me this idea, I so will do it. haha. I just love it.
There is so much going on in this image and all of it works perfectly. The neckline of Emilie’s dress echoing the shapes of the necklaces to her right, her face turned and pulling me in to the picture, she in black, he in black. Everything. I enter the frame also. But I think that was your intention, you sly woman. You are GOOD.
That shot is awesome! One of my current goals is to get better at photography (especially at portrait photography), and something tells me your blog is going to be a great source of inspiration. -X
I was just dropping in to wish you and yours the happiest Independence Day. May your day be full! May you enjoy laughter shared with family, great food shared with friends, fireworks to make you gasp, a lump in your throat at the anthem, and a full and grateful heart at all we have been given. Happy Fourth of July, my friend!