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Street Photography In Jaipur

11 Seconds | Street Photography In Jaipur

For years, I have refrained from street photography in Jaipur as I dislike projecting a camera in front of someone’s face. This is a downer, since I know of many good locations for street & people photography in Jaipur. Jaipur is one of the best places for street photography in India. Street photography is an art and skills are required to ensure good pictures. In a bid to improve my photography skills, I took up a photography tour in Jaipur. Check out my Indian street photography blog on Jaipur Photo-Walks in Jaipur

I was out to capture people on the streets of Jaipur on a weekend & found these people reading newspapers. I quickly composed this shot.

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As I bent down & clicked a picture, the shutter noise distracted one of them. He looked towards me with a blank face. I immediately locked his expressions in this frame. There was a gap of only 11 seconds between both these pictures. The expression on his face was priceless!

What are your thoughts about both these frames?

You can read about some of these interesting themes in the photo-walks in below links.

Photo Walk in Jaipur Faceless Frames ” Hands”, Eye-less, Shapes.

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180 thoughts on “11 Seconds | Street Photography In Jaipur”

  2. I also avoid street photography I agree with Cindy’s sentiments although I have taken a couple of really nice ones but I always ask and give a small donation if it is a street person 🙂

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    1. I think it’s never a good idea to pay for clicking. I have seen this in Pushkar fair, where people invite you to click their picture and then demand money because they have been getting it from professional photographers. They use abusive language for not paying. I guess they find it easy way to make money. If someone is needy, it’s a different thing though. Would love to see your pictures. Do you have a link to share, Carol?

      Liked by 1 person

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  3. I have never done street photography but I definitely love street photography done by others. These two images look great. I love the laid back way of life captured through your lens.

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    1. Thanks, Balaka. I’m not very comfortable when it comes to Street photography because somehow capturing people is not an easy subject. Do try it once and form your opinion. Yes, there’s laid back atmosphere because everyone is at ease. Must be different in your city. Thanks for appreciating. 😃

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      1. In my city, this is a rare occurrence :-D. I can understand that capturing people cannot be easy. But you did an excellent job. Also went through your other street photos and they are good as well.

        Liked by 2 people

      2. Is it because you don’t have time? Or the city doesn’t have such opportunities? I guess you live in Mumbai. Thanks for checking out other post. I’m happy to hear that you liked them. 😃

        Liked by 1 person

    1. Great shot. I love street photography as you can tell from my own blog. Well done on capturing as you did. My street photography at the moment is in London and some of my best shots were taken In brick Lane and Camden Town. As you will see from my post I always smile, joke with the people and often offer a cash donation for their time. I have had some great reactions and met some lovely people in the process. My Instagram is @streetsmith18 if you wish to see more of my work.

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      1. You have an awesome blog, Smith. Is that how I should address you? I love your pictures. Somehow, I always feel that monochrome reflect human emotions in a better way. Also, making them color-less takes away all sorts of distractions. It becomes even!

        To be honest, people here in Jaipur don’t mind being clicked for a variety of reasons. I generally take their approval by giving a friendly smile. Most of the time, I share what I capture with the subject. If I feel the person is not comfortable, I move on. But then, It’s not too long since I started doing the street photography in Jaipur.
        I think London is a great place for street photography with a variety of subject and lively atmosphere. It’s so cosmopolitan. I will follow you on IG. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

    2. Thanks, Kerry for sharing your thoughts on street photography. I think London is a great place for street photography. Try it out, someday! Would love to see your captures, Kerry! 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. He was neither bewildered nor upset. He wasn’t expecting to be “framed” in his daily routine of reading a newspaper. Do you have some experiences to share, Neel?

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      1. I do notice very interesting subjects in my everyday life and always wish I could frame them, but don’t feel comfortable doing so. Also a mobile camera is not quite apt for the purpose. However, whenever I travel I don’t shy away from framing people….I just go ahead, take their permission, and click them 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      2. Neel, I haven’t been traveling much for the last 2 years. The only advantage we have when we travel is that we come across many new things which are exciting. We are mentally free and willing to experiment. I have seen many of your Himalayan pictures, they are awesome. People in these regions are quite approachable and happy. They don’t question your motives like city-folks do.

        I know phone camera has it’s own limitation. Now we have a new generation of smartphones which is meant for portrait photography. But DSLR does have its own advantage. Thanks for sharing your thought, Neel. Appreciate it. 🙂

        Liked by 1 person

      3. You are so right about the hill people…they are so much more simpler! During travels, I just think that a DSLR is another thing to carry…..probably I need to get out of that mindset, at least have a point and shoot if not DSLR.

        Liked by 1 person

      4. Neel, I use all three to click pictures. DSLR, compact super zoom, and smartphone. But let me admit I have clicked more pictures with a super zoom because of many advantages. Even during a trek lugging a DSLR is not exactly a great thing to do. Compact camera does job really well. Also the picture size is not an issue. I’m highly dependent on a super zoom. 😃

        Liked by 2 people

  6. Food for thought, Arv. I love the results of street photography, but, like you, I am reluctant to push a camera in someone’s face. Over the years I have come to a few conclusions, to whit:
    1) Taking a photograph from a reasonable distance is more acceptable than close up.
    2) Asking permission first is the only really acceptable way to get close-up shots.
    3) It’s all about the situation – if the subject is in a situation where the photograph would lead to their embarrassment, humiliation, pain or other unpleasant feelings, even if they are unaware of your taking it, you don’t take the shot.
    4) If someone asks you not to, you respect that.

    Liked by 4 people

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    1. Mick, I think your 4 commandments on street photography are awesome. In the end, we need to respect the subject decision. There have been times when the vendors have asked me to capture their pictures because they never had an opportunity to get themselves clicked. As you mentioned, it’s all subjective and situational. Thanks for sharing these four principles. They are awesome!
      I would love to see your street photography pictures, Mick.

      Liked by 1 person

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  9. I loved the last pic! It’s like he feels the intrusion into his life and is having a ‘moment’. I get why you don’t like street photography. Maybe try telling your subjects next time that you want to take a pic. But that kills the candid nature of the photograph too. Choices, choices…

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    1. One of the best ways that I have discovered is making a friendly eye contact that tells them that they will be “framed”. Most street vendors love the attention because that’s something they never experienced. At times, vendors have asked me to click their pictures seeing a DSLR hung around me. In such cases, I make it a point to get the picture printed and hand it over to the subject. They never had any such opportunity of being clicked and getting their pictures. But yes, it’s not easy to click pictures in the street.
      Appreciate your time and effort to share your thoughts, Pradita.
      🙂

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  10. I never used to have the confidence to take on street photography, but now I love it. I haven’t had any confrontations as of yet but I’m sure I will. But on some occasions, like I said in my previous reply, I do ask permission and have great response back. If they say no, then no it is, I thank them and walk on.

    Liked by 1 person

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    1. Hey, Smith thanks for sharing your thoughts on street photography. I think if you appear friendly with your body language and facial expressions people usually don’t mind being snapped. Just smile. I’m sure it works most of the time. Then be sensitive to show them their picture.

      Thanks for sharing, you have some amazing street photography shots on your blog. Following it for more pictures. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  12. You definitely need to get out of your “comfort zone” to do street photography, but on the streets there is no conception of privacy because their out in a public place. The only time you would probably need a permit is if it is for commercial use kind of photography, otherwise just take the shots, preferably with a prime lens between 28mm to 50mm. You would be forever asking people permission to take a photo of them, then the photo would be a “posed” shot and not street which is always natural and candid, you have to “capture the moment”-even though this boy is looking straight at you, he is still not some posed shot. He is just mid-read of his newspaper. Check out the work from Cartier Bresson for inspiration, he used a Leica film camera with a 28mm lens, one of the best street photographers ever!

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    1. Jane, you have made some very relevant points here. People are always divided on this issue but I think your point is valid that in public place “everything goes”. Seeking permission certainly becomes a “posed” shot. I have checked few of Cartier Bresson’ s pictures, they are in a different league. I haven’t come across something similar, till date. Thanks for this information, Jane.
      I will prefer to use a 100mm macro because it provides sharp pictures and allows you to be discreet. What do you think?

      Liked by 1 person

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    1. Framing people along the surrounding is what I love but that excludes clear faces of the people. Most of stock photography sites require the photographer to issue a disclaimer that the person who has been framed in the picture is okay with being clicked. Which city do you live in?

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  14. It’s interesting how someone’s expression can change so fast when they know they are being caught on camera! I don’t think I have ever felt comfortable doing street photography either, I always feel like infringe upon people’s privacy even if it is in a public setting.

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    1. Hi, Alana. I think you have a valid point. I 100% agree with your thoughts on street photography.

      However, many people on the street don’t mind being clicked because they like the attention being showered on them. Many such people especially vendors have no access to photography equipment. At times, some of these vendors have asked me to click their pictures, But that’s another story. Appreciate your feedback and comment.

      Do you love photography, Alana?
      🙂

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    1. Absolutely. Landscape photography, on the other hand, is a different ball game. 🙂

      Happy to see you back on blog-o-sphere, Suyash. 🙂

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  18. I love street photography and though I have started doing that recently, I am enjoying. I think it’s important to seek permission and then make the person comfortable.
    Coincidentally, I posted a portrait for WW today 🙂

    Liked by 2 people

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    1. Parul, the only reason why I never undertook street photography is that I think it somehow doesn’t feel right. Only recently, I thought of stepping out to do the same as an experience. Either I stop if I feel the person is not comfortable with being snapped or I seek their approval. I show my shot with the subject, at times they feel so happy because they have no access to photography. On this note I would like to share this incident. Once I was wandering in the vegetable market and seeing a DSLR many vendors asked me to click their pictures. I got the pictures printed and handed it over to them during my next visit. They were so happy because they never got themselves snapped before.
      Will check out your post, Parul. Thanks for sharing. 🙂

      Liked by 1 person

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  19. The man in the newspaper most likely heard the click of the camera and looks a bit puzzled. Like you, Arv!, I am very hesitant when it comes to taking pictures of people in the street. Best is to seek permission before shooting.

    Liked by 2 people

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  20. I love to do street photography but wouldn’t want to cause anyone embarrassment or distress. Mine are usually done from a distance and I also ask for anything closer. No means no, so if that is the answer, I move on …
    Nice shots!

    Liked by 2 people

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