Rules Of Street Photography

I don’t think there are any real rules of street photography. Many post similar, slightly different variations, of a photographers “do no harm” philosophy, but there is no consensus on any of it, and many historical street photographers blatantly didn’t follow it. Weegee shot corpses, drunks and bums. There is the laws on what you can and cannot take pictures, but even that isn’t followed. But none-the-less, everyone has their own code. I thought I’d preface with that, before you think that there is some cosmic force that will damn you for eternity for following this, and this is just my take, and how I shoot.

Jack’s Rules For Street Photography

Rule 1 - Carry business cards

First rule of street photography: “carry business cards”. Make sure you have as much of these as you do film. Mine are super fancy because I can afford, but don’t feel shame in having a more basic card. Hand these out to people you shoot, people who ask, people who even look remotely interested in what you are doing. Hand them out liberally. Make sure you keep these stocked. Make sure you have them somewhere, where its easy to grab and hand out.

The business card has a few functions. First, is to sooth any fears people might have of someone just walking around with a camera taking pictures. Its one thing to explain you are an artist, its another to prove it. This is fairly good at getting you out of trouble with property owners, would be assailants, and paranoid people who’s first inkling is you are up to no good, either as Law Enforcement or some sort of creep. Second, is to give an avenue of contact for people in your photos in case they have any questions, concerns or want their photo taken down. Third, promote yourself, sell your artwork, give contact info to would be clients, get your name out there.

So what goes on a business card? Name, or alias you do photography as, somewhere your work can be seen such as a website, flickr, or instagram account, contact info you feel comfortable sharing with the public, and a good representative piece of your work. For me, that contact is an email, blurred out for the internet because spam reasons, but you can very much get the email by running into me IRL and getting a card. The picture on the background is “Amsterdam Billiards and Ball”, the only work of mine that currently hangs on my own wall, and has long been used to represent my work. Card in picture is the old one with my Flickr and Instagram account. The new ones have a linktr.ee, and the batch after this will have this website.

And always: Leave the back side blank white so you can write on it. Either your own notes or give to someone else, and bring a pen

Rule 2 - If The Subject Says Take It Down, Take It Down

The law states that any picture taken in a place where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy is legal. That said, there is no obligation to go right up against the edge of the law, and against rules of taste. I’m not a creep or the paparazzi, so if someone decides they don’t want their picture being used, it doesn’t. This could be as the photo is being taken. This could be after its published or years later. The subject could agree and just not like how the photo came out.

As I hand out business cards, you can contact me via email or various social media on the card, for takedown requests.

Exception: If the picture is part of a newsworthy event, and the picture is being sold to a reputable publication. Reputable meaning non-tabloid, non-gossip column. Public right to know outweighs personal privacy.

Rule 3 - Observe, Don’t Interfere

This is everything from don’t get too far into people’s business, or any further than you need to get the shot, don’t wreck an urbex site, if there is a fight or conflict, do your best to as neutral as the Swiss. There are going to be exceptions to this, if someone needs medical attention, or genuine help.

Rule 4 - Portray Things in Context As They Are

Don’t frame a photo or shot to be misleading of what is actually going on. Abstracts of portraying nothing really at all are fine.

Rule 5 - Get Lost And Be Found

Step off the beaten trail. Buy the ticket, take the ride. Follow the white rabbit. Take the side quest. Discovering something down a back alley and wandering off with a camera is a good way to find scenes and photos usually not observed. Get lost with your imagination, and find photos not otherwise taken.

Rule 6 - No Asses, Backs Of Heads

Do not capture a subject with both ass(buttocks) and back of head. They are completely turned away from you, and you got no expression of what they are doing, and could be bordering on creeper shot. If you have multiple subjects in a photo, at least one face and front.

If you absolutely need to take a picture of an ass, the subject needs to turn their head so at least part of their face is on the camera. If for whatever reason they are unable or unwilling to do this, please re-assess what you are doing.

Rule 7 - Don’t Abuse Artistic Privilege

Society, especially Los Angeles has let you bend certain rules if you make quality art. Don’t abuse this. Don’t be a creep. Don’t take non-consensual nudes. No erotic shots of unsuspecting victims. No gratuitous shots of bums, corpses, and disadvantaged people that isn’t part of larger story telling. Don’t violate people’s privacy…too much. No non-consensual pornography. Its not possible to be a street photographer without being a little weird. Don’t push this too hard, and don’t abuse it.