Street I'm not good at Street Photography...

[FowlersFreeTime]

Have a laugh:

I'm walking back from a Christmas tree lighting ceremony and walk past this restaurant with a young couple sitting in the "window seat" and I think, oh, this would be a nice photo for a "street photography" genre. So I turn around and try to quickly frame up without being too much of a creeper. I couldn't step into the street to "zoom out" so I'm 4 ft away from these folks and the guy sees me taking their picture and I scurry away with a sub-par photo because I'm embarrassed that he saw what I was doing

• E 17-70mm F2.8 B070
• 17.0 mm
• ƒ/2.7999999523163
• 1/125 sec
• ISO 3200

Just trust me: despite my poor execution, there was the potential of a nice "street photo" there

 

[iamdlewis]

So couple things:
1. Horrible "street photo" as at most I see a little bit of sidewalk and zero street
2. Zooming in I don't think the guy is looking at you as much as he is just kind of looking away from her
3. Based on #2 I'm not sure that conversation is going great for one of them
4. Since neither of them have wine or beer I assume the 'Great' only covers the American Food and the California Wines and New England Beers are just statements

 

[Slug]

My immediate thought was you caught a guy having a piss in the alleyway!
I’m sure there’s a story in there between the guy and the girl. We can use our imagination on what that is.

 

[Unframed Dave]

You had a go, good on you.

 

[Tim Mayo]

My immediate thought was you caught a guy having a piss in the alleyway!
I’m sure there’s a story in there between the guy and the girl. We can use our imagination on what that is.

Well it does say "no public restroom" on the widow. Poor guy must have been bursting!

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

For me, the big mistake here is the red-anorak guy. He dominates the picture but is nothing to do with the content. Two or three steps and he'd have been gone.

I'm no good at "street" either. I think maybe getting shy and flustered is one reason why we make big mistakes: getting something unwanted or not so good composition.

I photograph at classical (South-) Indian concerts. I've been a concert goer here for nearly twenty years, I was hardly unknown before I started doing stuff with a camera. Back then, I could never get a picture of someone smiling at me because if they did I'd get shy-flustered, the camera would shake and all my smiles would be blurs. Now, if someone smiles, I point the camera and snap. And smile back.

Whoa! One day I may be able to graduate to doing that with complete strangers. Until then, I applaud your efforts for even trying

 

[Brojon]

I agree it had potential.
As far as being embarrassed - I recommend a book "The Four Agreements".
One of the agreements is not to take things personally. He makes the case that most times people are actually oblivious to you and what you're doing - so stop worrying about it.
If you are definitely spotted then own it - smile at the subject. It will reassure them you are harmless.
Now in Europe, they are going through a privacy hysteria and this type of photo could land you in a deep pile.
This goes back to be aware of your surroundings and circumstances. Always know your rights - and limitations.
I once had the cops called on me because I was taking shots of kids playing in one of those "dancing water" fountains.
The cop started by being a jerk and demanded to view my images.
I refused on the grounds that in the US, there are no expectations or rights to privacy when in public (with specific exclusions).
He then stated that he could confiscate my camera and I told him that would be a very short career path after the ensuing lawsuit.
He chewed on that a minute then became a lot more friendly "Look, those ladies over there seem to think you're a pervert. Can you at least let me pretend to look at your images?"
I allowed that since he was now asking politely I would be happy to show him exactly what I shot.
He looked through them - commented he thought a few were pretty good - and then went over to tell the ladies that I was harmless and in fact I could take all the photos I wanted.
I highly recommend that everyone carry copies of Bert Krages' "Photographer's Rights" to show to people that think they can limit what you do.
USA only - sorry!

Bert P. Krages - Attorney at Law

www.krages.com