Unique Shots of Unique Subjects
Forming Relationships in Street Photography
Who says that street photography has to be candid?
Twentieth-century photographer William Klein often interacted with subjects before snapping a shot of them.
The photographer who died in 2022 chatted with people on the street, seeking subjects he thought would role-play in front of the camera.
Subjects in street photography don’t always have to not be aware that someone is taking their picture.
Making a camera-based conversation on the street can be quite entertaining to the photographer and subject.
Other willing subjects can include people on the street who are advertising a product. A pair of young women advertising encouraging people to eat vegan food looked to be an incredible photo-op in downtown Palm Springs.
I saw them and thought, “Oh! this is soooooo Palm Springs.”
No sooner than they pose obligingly after I asked them. My line “Gosh! I love vegan food” grasped their attention. I needn’t say more. I held up my camera and uttered, “Can I?”
In case if weren’t aware, In Mexico, they love to dress up children. The parents usually are more than happy for a photographer to take their picture.
I mean what could be a better photo than a decked-out child with a smiling father?
Fabulous Palm Springs Follies Throwback
Palm Springs used to have a huge show with senior beauty queens. They were called the Fabulous Palm Springs Follies (closed about ten years ago).
No one under 55 was permitted to audition. For decades, the show packed older revelers into the Palm Canyon Theater.
I knew them well. I wrote about them for a local publication and was invited to photograph them in their dressing rooms.
Seeing an 80-year-old attractive woman wearing a lot of rhinestones, not to mention see the show for free had me thinking I want to be like that when I’m older. (No problem if you take that the wrong way.)
A very chatty local celebrity Riff Markowitz hosted, frequently joking about the audience by informing them about how painful it might be to turn their heads when acknowledging the lighting technician.
Wonder Women guest hosted on several occasions.
Two-Sailor Man
Ahh, no one can talk about more willing subjects to be photographed than the street performers. And there’s no better place for that than LA.
One-man shows aren’t that uncommon. The man who turns into two sailor-like characters is a crowd-pleaser in Santa Monica Place outdoor mall.
Drag Queens or Similar Gender Benders
However this doesn’t happen much, especially if the person is decked out in an uber outfit or in drag or both.
Golf Cart Living
A select few homeless people are also not adverse to have their photograph taken.
About 15 years ago in Palm Springs, California a woman made her home in a golf cart. This woman (I should have asked her her name) had been everywhere around the city. Many people knew her or knew of her.
When I passed her one day in the early 2000s, I casually asked her how she was.
She didn’t say much to me.
That didn’t stop me.
I simply asked her if I could take a few photos and she was much obliged, so I zoomed right into her home as she posed.
To be sure, posed photographs sometimes aren’t as good as those caught when people are in action; however, in this situation, it didn’t matter what she did. Her home contained so many details of some very unimportant items.
Especially Important! Asking for Permission Abroad.
When traveling locals know tourists like to take photos and most of the time subjects are happy to show life’s enjoyments such as swimming.
Since street photographers might not enjoy being brought into custody, it’s very well advised to ask first and be super careful where you photograph.
Unfortunately, I learned my lesson during the Arab Spring Uprising in Egypt in 2011. Well below in the subway of downtown Cairo, I wanted some subway shots. I love subways, and Cairo’s seemed especially interesting.
Only problem was there was a revolution up above.
I was surrounded by some men and brought in.
After trying to listen to some very broken English, they let me go, but I learned my lesson (for the most part).
There are times and places where you simply do not take photographs under any circumstances.
Catching a shot of an obliging subject in Buenos Aries of mismatched clothing. Photo by Matthew Bamberg
Nothing beats a quirky outfit man or woman. Buenos Aires usually has some finely clothed people. Well..in a way, the mismatched clothed man above is unique and accepts his photo being taken.
Finally, I never miss a gorgeous older subject. The woman above met my standards because she looked so darned nice! And she was. I talked to her while I took a close-up. A pleasant experience, indeed!
Street photography has to be one of the most enjoyable types of photo-taking. Personally, I love it a lot. Occasionally, I do take photos of people without permission.
However, it’s rare now, as the best shots come from human interaction with subjects.
