A few months ago I decided to bite the bullet and start approaching folks in the street to ask for their picture, rather than just shooting the same old candid stuff in the same old streets, which was beginning to bore me senseless. It is far from a new idea – but one that I was always too terrified to attempt myself.
When I did finally have a go, I realised how rewarding the process could be. Rather than just having rolls of film full of the same person (like in a portrait shoot), each roll can now contain a whole bunch of different faces. I am still in the early stages of figuring things out, but here is a selection of portraits from the streets of Glasgow over the past few months. All shot on film – processed and scanned by moi.
Love seeing the smiling faces! Have you offered to give any of them a copy, digital or analogue, of their photo?
I presume these are all post-Covid19 photos. Do you find people are more or less likely to talk to you?
Thank you! Yeah – I have a bunch of cards printed with my Instagram on that I give to anybody that is curious. Most people don’t seem to care though, and are happy enough with letting me take their picture.
All of them are post-COVID. I haven’t had anybody who didn’t want to speak at all because of the virus, though I deliberately avoid asking people with masks on as a rule.
This is very cool! I’ve watched a few videos of photographers asking for street portraits. It seems like such a neat process.
What are you typically saying when you approach people? Is it just as simple as asking if you can take a photo?
Hey man! Thanks for the comment. It’s something that’s always terrified me, but I thought it was necessary to break out a funk. I’m going to write about it specifically in a coming blog (so watch this space), but I generally just go right up and ask straight out – then tell them what I found interesting. If people ask why I’ll explain and have cards I can give them, but people rarely do.
Love it. I tried at least once for sure, and I was super nervous, haha! I look forward to hearing more about your experience!