There is a sub-set of portraiture, called street photography, where the photographer captures candid moments of strangers, often without their permission.
Sometimes, the results can be impressive, as with this shot by Sam Javanrouh (http://wvs.topleftpixel.com/10/01/29/ )
I know photographers that like this sort of photography, but it isn’t for me. I take photographs in two settings… for hire, and for myself. When I’m hired, my total focus stays on what the customer wants. Sometimes they want candids, say of a wedding, and I drop heartily into “street photography” mode at their behest.
But when shooting for me, as I do now that I’ve retired from professional photography, the focus remains entirely on pleasing me. And that does not mean pictures of strangers. Instead I document family and events important to me – strangers need not apply.
So street photographers… enjoy, and if you snap me, I’d love a copy. But I doubt I’ll be joining your ranks anytime soon.
February 2nd, 2010 at 1:52 pm
I like taking these kind of pictures. If your goal is to evoke a certain reaction or feeling in people who see your work, well done shots of this type will do it. Documentation of events or life milestones is equally vaild. That’s the great thing about photography- everyone gets to do it the way they want.