Will the wearing of masks kill street photography?

As a more than keen ...... Street Photographer.... I am finding it increasingly difficult to get the Street and Candid studies I used to, prior to the Voluntary wearing of masks became the order of the day. Now they may become compulsory for all except for those with specific problems. Sadly, that means Street Photographers lose the golden opportunities of expressions of daily life.... the smile, the frown, surprise or sadness etc.... .... Yes!.... I fully realise the good reasons for the wearing of masks, so will now need to change the emphasis of my Street Creations... to the observation and recording of gesture, pose, action, or, just the placement iof subjects within a certain setting, or, in a certain light. Dogs ..... or..... even just the accessories people are wearing or carrying could become the main Centre of focus..... I do know that tattoos make good subjects. [epzimg]150445_1594447029.jpg[/epzimg] . There might even be opportunities to, catch candid of subjects without masks at pavement cafe’s or outdoor events..... I might even pluck up the courage to request the quick removal of a mask for a requested ...Street-Portrait. Does anyone else have thoughts on this matter ? Sadly in my immediate area there are no super-special landscapes .... only, all too familiar tourist views, and home-town architecture. Hobbo

As a more than keen ...... Street Photographer.... I am finding it increasingly difficult to get the Street and Candid studies I used to, prior to the Voluntary wearing of masks became the order of the day. Now they may become compulsory for all except for those with specific problems.

Sadly, that means Street Photographers lose the golden opportunities of expressions of daily life.... the smile, the frown, surprise or sadness etc.... ....

Yes!.... I fully realise the good reasons for the wearing of masks, so will now need to change the emphasis of my Street Creations... to the observation and recording of gesture, pose, action, or, just the placement iof subjects within a certain setting, or, in a certain light.

Dogs ..... or..... even just the accessories people are wearing or carrying could become the main Centre of focus..... I do know that tattoos make good subjects.




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There might even be opportunities to, catch candid of subjects without masks at pavement cafe’s or outdoor events..... I might even pluck up the courage to request the quick removal of a mask for a requested ...Street-Portrait.

Does anyone else have thoughts on this matter ?

Sadly in my immediate area there are no super-special landscapes .... only, all too familiar tourist views, and home-town architecture.

Hobbo

;)They are a sign of our times and important to capture as seen imho. Photography could be very unique, see it as a opportunity. I’d rather see someone wearing a mask than not at the moment because it portrays a selfless person thinking of others or a scared one who we should all show respect for. I wish they would make masks compulsory in the whole of the uk. Concerned that you may ask someone to remove a mask just for a photo as this could potentially put them at risk. The eyes are the window to the soul and they are often still visible. I found this image very emotive and it was the face covering which helped [epzimg]17804_1594449916.jpg[/epzimg]

They are a sign of our times and important to capture as seen imho. Photography could be very unique, see it as a opportunity.

I’d rather see someone wearing a mask than not at the moment because it portrays a selfless person thinking of others or a scared one who we should all show respect for. I wish they would make masks compulsory in the whole of the uk.

Concerned that you may ask someone to remove a mask just for a photo as this could potentially put them at risk.

The eyes are the window to the soul and they are often still visible.

I found this image very emotive and it was the face covering which helped

I thought the latest suggestion was that the wearing of face masks / coverings was to be in shops, not in the street ?

I thought the latest suggestion was that the wearing of face masks / coverings was to be in shops, not in the street ?

Street photography for me is about our man-made environment and how people respond to it. That has changed dramatically, face masks are a part of that change. So street photography should respond to capture the new order. It's the way that we now live... Asking someone to remove their mask seems to me a) irresponsible, arrogant and extremely selfish, and b) totally counter-productive because you are then stage-managing the street. The opportunities for close-up candid portraits may reduce, but they are a small part of the [i]much [/i]bigger picture.

Street photography for me is about our man-made environment and how people respond to it. That has changed dramatically, face masks are a part of that change. So street photography should respond to capture the new order. It's the way that we now live...

Asking someone to remove their mask seems to me a) irresponsible, arrogant and extremely selfish, and b) totally counter-productive because you are then stage-managing the street. The opportunities for close-up candid portraits may reduce, but they are a small part of the much bigger picture.

[quote]Street photography for me is about our man-made environment and how people respond to it. That has changed dramatically, face masks are a part of that change. So street photography should respond to capture the new order. It's the way that we now live... Asking someone to remove their mask seems to me a) irresponsible, arrogant and extremely selfish, and b) totally counter-productive because you are then stage-managing the street. The opportunities for close-up candid portraits may reduce, but they are a small part of the [i]much [/i]bigger picture. [/quote] I don’t mean, that I would request the removal if a mask in that way at all.... I’m not selfish, or arrogant.... I am a born and bred inhabitant of a small English town.... Among the residents that I pass by almost on a daily basis .... are old school friends and acquaintances going back through my own 82 years..... we stop, we chat, we take the Mickey.... have a laugh.... life, is all too short. Yes!....Covid is a terrible thing.... but Im not gathering together unmasked protester’s or organising an illegal and dangerous booze up. I’m simply, a well respected grandad, who has a camera welded to his chest....... with a very keen eye, for a shot.... following, hopefully, in the steps of some of the best. I have studied very closely the work of all the best Street Photographer’s , their styles, approaches, good and bad.... rule-breaker’s.....daring..... flash-in-the-face.... tilted horizontals and verticals..... long-lenses.... Sneaking up on vulnerable subjects....or... taking the mickey out of the..working-class at play in New Brighton.... you know, who they are .... or were. If.....and only if....I did request mask removal. (it was only a hypothetical suggestion ) I would strictly keep my two meter social distancing... and would be wearing a mask myself.... The first part of my post, described exactly what you say in your first sentences....I go .....fully..... along with that. Stay safe, keep others safe.... but don’t remove your camera.... Hobbo

Quote:Street photography for me is about our man-made environment and how people respond to it. That has changed dramatically, face masks are a part of that change. So street photography should respond to capture the new order. It's the way that we now live...

Asking someone to remove their mask seems to me a) irresponsible, arrogant and extremely selfish, and b) totally counter-productive because you are then stage-managing the street. The opportunities for close-up candid portraits may reduce, but they are a small part of the much bigger picture.




I don’t mean, that I would request the removal if a mask in that way at all.... I’m not selfish, or arrogant.... I am a born and bred inhabitant of a small English town....

Among the residents that I pass by almost on a daily basis .... are old school friends and acquaintances going back through my own 82 years..... we stop, we chat, we take the Mickey.... have a laugh.... life, is all too short.

Yes!....Covid is a terrible thing.... but Im not gathering together unmasked protester’s or organising an illegal and dangerous booze up.

I’m simply, a well respected grandad, who has a camera welded to his chest....... with a very keen eye, for a shot.... following, hopefully, in the steps of some of the best.

I have studied very closely the work of all the best Street Photographer’s , their styles, approaches, good and bad.... rule-breaker’s.....daring..... flash-in-the-face.... tilted horizontals and verticals..... long-lenses.... Sneaking up on vulnerable subjects....or... taking the mickey out of the..working-class at play in New Brighton.... you know, who they are .... or were.

If.....and only if....I did request mask removal. (it was only a hypothetical suggestion ) I would strictly keep my two meter social distancing... and would be wearing a mask myself....

The first part of my post, described exactly what you say in your first sentences....I go .....fully..... along with that.

Stay safe, keep others safe.... but don’t remove your camera....

Hobbo

[quote] If.....and only if....I did request mask removal. (it was only a hypothetical suggestion ) I would strictly keep my two meter social distancing... and would be wearing a mask myself...[/quote]its not just about the distancing.

Quote: If.....and only if....I did request mask removal. (it was only a hypothetical suggestion ) I would strictly keep my two meter social distancing... and would be wearing a mask myself...
its not just about the distancing.

[quote]If.....and only if....I did request mask removal. (it was only a hypothetical suggestion ) I would strictly keep my two meter social distancing... and would be wearing a mask myself....[/quote] I personally wouldn't ask someone to remove their mask because it would mean people fiddling about with their masks and having to discard their old one and use a new one. Of course, I imagine most people would refuse anyway. The art of street photography is to capture a moment, not create one - that would be street portraiture, a different thing altogether. I suppose the mask will now replace the mobile in street photography, or perhaps now we'll have both. Joyous times! :(

Quote:If.....and only if....I did request mask removal. (it was only a hypothetical suggestion ) I would strictly keep my two meter social distancing... and would be wearing a mask myself....

I personally wouldn't ask someone to remove their mask because it would mean people fiddling about with their masks and having to discard their old one and use a new one. Of course, I imagine most people would refuse anyway. The art of street photography is to capture a moment, not create one - that would be street portraiture, a different thing altogether. I suppose the mask will now replace the mobile in street photography, or perhaps now we'll have both. Joyous times!

I think that street photography is all about imaging things as they are, any posing or interference turns it into portraiture of another kind, informal or even street portraiture. I once had a judge in a competition suggest chasing this subject down the (crowded) street and posing him he said 'that sort of person likes that sort of thing, keep trying!' That was one of the reasons I left the club. [epzimg]21670_1594457605.jpg[/epzimg]

I think that street photography is all about imaging things as they are, any posing or interference turns it into portraiture of another kind, informal or even street portraiture.

I once had a judge in a competition suggest chasing this subject down the (crowded) street and posing him he said 'that sort of person likes that sort of thing, keep trying!' That was one of the reasons I left the club.

I do quite a bit of street photography and people wearing masks is the current norm that may be with us for some time. To me, doing street work reflects the streets as they currently are.

I do quite a bit of street photography and people wearing masks is the current norm that may be with us for some time. To me, doing street work reflects the streets as they currently are.

Yes! I do realise and know, the difference between ....Street-Photography ...and....Street-Portraiture.....one good look at my portfolio will show you that.... nothing is ever heavily posed, just happy subjects who don’t mind their features being recorded at that particular time. I repeat.... I would NEVER.... ask someone to remove a Covid 19 mask..... the comment was just part of my opening/general question about where Street Photography can go during these very different times. There are lots of people, still not choosing to wear a mask..... all are potential subjects as long as social distancing rules are kept. My personal Street-Photigraphy rules.....are.... never to use a long lens.... never hide, be in plain sight..... never take advantage of a vulnerable person... avoid taking recognisable shots of children, without full parents/adult approval.... never intrude on a conversation or emotional meeting... I am fully aware of the pitfalls, rules and boundaries that you all mention..... I have made a very deep study of The genre..... Hobbo

Yes! I do realise and know, the difference between ....Street-Photography ...and....Street-Portraiture.....one good look at my portfolio will show you that.... nothing is ever heavily posed, just happy subjects who don’t mind their features being recorded at that particular time.

I repeat.... I would NEVER.... ask someone to remove a Covid 19 mask..... the comment was just part of my opening/general question about where Street Photography can go during these very different times.

There are lots of people, still not choosing to wear a mask..... all are potential subjects as long as social distancing rules are kept.

My personal Street-Photigraphy rules.....are.... never to use a long lens.... never hide, be in plain sight..... never take advantage of a vulnerable person... avoid taking recognisable shots of children, without full parents/adult approval.... never intrude on a conversation or emotional meeting...

I am fully aware of the pitfalls, rules and boundaries that you all mention..... I have made a very deep study of The genre.....

Hobbo

[quote]I once had a judge in a competition suggest chasing this subject down the (crowded) street and posing him he said 'that sort of person likes that sort of thing, keep trying!' That was one of the reasons I left the club.[/quote] I do solemnly swear that I am not and have never been a member of a camera club... But a couple of years ago a nearby club set street photography as their monthly challenge, and friends report that most of the members interpreted this as photos of architecture. Posed portraits are at least a step in the right direction...

Quote:I once had a judge in a competition suggest chasing this subject down the (crowded) street and posing him he said 'that sort of person likes that sort of thing, keep trying!' That was one of the reasons I left the club.

I do solemnly swear that I am not and have never been a member of a camera club...

But a couple of years ago a nearby club set street photography as their monthly challenge, and friends report that most of the members interpreted this as photos of architecture.

Posed portraits are at least a step in the right direction...

Hobbo I don't give a flying duck. It's a nice time to shoot architecture without the need for filters and long exposure times to vanish the crowds :)

Hobbo I don't give a flying duck. It's a nice time to shoot architecture without the need for filters and long exposure times to vanish the crowds

Masks are part of the current situation, it's a documentation of the times. You wouldn't think or ask someone to remove their raincoat in a storm just for a street picture. Or perhaps a construction worker's hard hat evn if they are having a cup of tea outside the site. OK, that's not serious as such and while it's not making light of the coronavirus stuation, the point is that attire varies with situations. Perhaps [i]zeitgeist [/i]sums it up.

Masks are part of the current situation, it's a documentation of the times.

You wouldn't think or ask someone to remove their raincoat in a storm just for a street picture. Or perhaps a construction worker's hard hat evn if they are having a cup of tea outside the site. OK, that's not serious as such and while it's not making light of the coronavirus stuation, the point is that attire varies with situations.

Perhaps zeitgeist sums it up.

[quote][i]I wish they would make masks compulsory in the whole of the uk.[/i][/quote] Spare us that. I'd be more impressed by the pro mask brigade if some of them actually knew how to use one. There's no point in forcing people to wear them if they don't serve their intended purpose. In reality, I imagine that a fair chunk of the population would ignore a compulsory instruction anyway. Folk around here have certainly ignored the instruction (or was it just a request?) to wear masks on buses although I was in London today and most people were wearing them, incorrectly, in almost every case, on the Underground. And yes; I grudgingly used a bandana.

Quote:I wish they would make masks compulsory in the whole of the uk.

Spare us that.

I'd be more impressed by the pro mask brigade if some of them actually knew how to use one.

There's no point in forcing people to wear them if they don't serve their intended purpose.

In reality, I imagine that a fair chunk of the population would ignore a compulsory instruction anyway.

Folk around here have certainly ignored the instruction (or was it just a request?) to wear masks on buses although I was in London today and most people were wearing them, incorrectly, in almost every case, on the Underground.

And yes; I grudgingly used a bandana.

I really don’t understand the hostility to mask wearing, it’s a bit awkward to start with but you do get used to it. Our nurses and doctors wear them for so many hours a day why is it such a hardship to wear a face covering for few minutes a day if it helps get us through this pandemic a bit quicker?

I really don’t understand the hostility to mask wearing, it’s a bit awkward to start with but you do get used to it. Our nurses and doctors wear them for so many hours a day why is it such a hardship to wear a face covering for few minutes a day if it helps get us through this pandemic a bit quicker?