Stranger Portraits

Street Portraits
Written By Mark Moran

How do you pluck up the courage to ask a complete stranger for a photo?

I don’t. I engage with people, talk with them and strike up a conversation. As the conversation starts to flow I’ll plot my shot for composition, pose and direction of the light. I’ll wait for the right moment then pop the question, “Can I take your photo?”

Rarely will I just walk up to someone and ask for a photo without introduction or pleasantries. Better to catch someone’s eye or say hello with a wave or nod of the head. I’m so shy most people say hello before I do anyway and if they do chances are they’re friendly enough to approach and maybe, just maybe a photo.

So why does it seem so hard photographing strangers? Fear of confrontation or aggression? The chances are small, I’ve never had an aggressive response but that doesn’t mean it’ll never happen. I’ve sensed potential confrontation when I’ve misread a situation or when something dodgy is going on. The suspicious daggers are out and I get asked what I’m doing.

Fear of rejection? Well it’s only a “No” and a no never hurt anyone so that ain’t so bad, right? I accept it and move on.

Most people are genuinely happy to be photographed, thrilled to be noticed, picked out from the crowd. A compliment goes a long way. So with the hard part out the way it’s on to the easy bit, location, background, composition, pose, light reading, aperture, shutter speed, ISO…

Mark Moran https://www.markmoran.co.uk
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Did you just take my photo?