Problem with street shot

[PolaroidSky]

Totally agree with you Abers... well said.

A subject I photographed once said to me "I know I'm safe with you, as you'll get the truth and a photograph is only as honest as the hands that hold the camera" and I always take images to highlight what I see to be injustices in my surrounding society or to document the reality of it... not and never to exploit it.

[KeithT]

My take is simple. If someone puts themselves into the public arena, as any 'street' performer clearly does, then it is only to be expected that at some point a tourist, or other photographer, is going to take a snapshot of them to keep as a part of their memory lane collection. In my view it isn't unreasonable to take a photograph of such a street scene without being accosted by the said street performer. If, on the other hand, a tourist-cum-street photographer was taking a snapshot of a member of the general public going quietly about his or her business then it should be respected if the said person doesn't want to be photographed.

[xavier]

frankly I could not agree more about this street performer. To me it was only a matter of time before sume one started to take snaps of the person, and as far as I see any of these street performers who crack up at being photographed are in the wrong line of work!! Or am I wrong for thinking so??

[jinky]

I`ve taken shots of street performers but always drop a contribution into their hat / box to feel that I have earned the right. I don`t pay ordinary people on the street but as others say above if people object then back off. Good manners are above photographer`s rights for me in such cases and I guess with performers I am thinking I would not want them to steal my best shots from Flickr without acknowledgement or money so why wouldn`t I spare a little money for the chance to grab their act.

[karenoliver]

Thanks for all the replies. I am going to keep photographing when out although I have had my confidence knocked slightly. I still dont understand why someone would be a street performer yet not want to be photographed but someone suggested to me that he may have been drawing benefits as well as performing so was paranoid. I suppose it took Martin Parr many years to grow his thick skin