“I don’t know if all the women in the photographs are beautiful, but I do know that the women are beautiful in the photographs.” – Garry Winogrand Garry Winogrand’s one of my biggest personal heroes. The ultimate street photographer, Garry was a non-stop photographic machine. His were the pre-digital days. He devoured film with an appetite previously unmatched. He shot film like many photographers shoot digital today. Frenetic, non-stop, with only an occasional break to reload. He shot almost every day and while he crisscrossed the country shooting the best of America, he always remained a quintessential New Yorker at heart. When Garry died at an early age of 56 he left John Szarkowski, then director of the NY MOMA, with the task of editing what he left behind, 6,500 rolls of unprinted and 2,500 rolls of undeveloped 35mm negatives (about 300,000 frames). - Thomas Hawk

Thomas, a very interesting and thought provoking article. I do not have nearly as many hours on the street as you do, but as Brad stated on his comment on your Blog, I believe the direct approach is usually the best. If you act like you are trying to hide something, people often get suspicious. It also depends on where you shoot. SF is probably more hostile than Santa Cruz and the San Jose area, where I do most of my street shooting. Oakland would probably be even more confrontational yet. I find that in tourist areas like amusement parks, state parks, art festivals, street fairs etc. public photography is even more accepted without a blink from most people as everyone has a camera. I also find the type/size of camera makes a big difference. I shoot a 5DmkII with a battery grip and one of several L lenses, so I stand out in public like a sore thumb. I use a hand strap, and no neck strap, so I try to hold my camera down at my side when I'm not shooting, which seems to be a lot more discrete and non confrontational. - Jeff P. Henderson

Jeff, I agree, touristy spots seem to be much more relaxed. I suppose that's because people can understand why the average person might be taking photos there vs. untouristy places where it may feel more out of place for them. I find that protests are also a great place to get photos as people there seem to have a feeling that what you are doing is ok. - Thomas Hawk