Photographer Heather Protz on street shooting: “Most people are okay with it.” But not always.
Do your subjects know you’re shooting them?
Every situation is different. Many times I start by seeing something that draws my attention and, wanting to keep that moment, I do not interact with the subject. Then, if they notice me, I smile and tell them a little about myself, ask if they are having a good day. That initial smile goes a long way. If people do not want me to use their image I won’t. Most people are okay with it.
In “Leaving Paris” (1) the subjects did not know I was making this image, as they were caught up in their own world. I moved on after only snapping two frames, wondering what that moment could have been about. Did they lose everything gambling? It is a touching moment of strength and what appears to be sadness.
Have people become upset about being photographed?
I have had people tell me they will call the police. When people are upset I try to defuse the situation and walk away. I was chased into a Denny’s on the Strip last year. Ninety-nine percent of the time people are fine with it; they like it because you noticed them.
2. Treasures Man
In “Treasures Men” (2), the man in the big sunglasses was not happy I was photographing him. Throughout the day our paths kept crossing. He was looking for me, but I kept snapping when I walked by — his glasses were too good to pass up. Two shots after this image, it was time to move on, but this was a keeper. The man covering his eyes, the next not really caring and big-glasses guy getting ready to tell me off — you feel the tension in this image, which makes us keep looking at it.
What are your criteria for a good street image?
I look for a connection or a disconnection. In “Looking Up” (3), the man looks to be plugged in. I love the layering of meanings one could draw. First, he is connected. To what? To the power grid, to a higher being? He is happy; he is quiet. I walked away from making this image feeling good. We made a connection. I did not direct him; I let the moment evolve.
3. Looking Up
For the most part, people do not smile when they walk around. When I snap the shutter, they might look angry, but it’s just how people look. I shoot a lot to get one good image. You do not come home with a portfolio of images from one or two shoots. Turning the Tables (her street photography) is an ongoing series from the past two years.
it has a distinct visual quality. how did you settle on that?
I chose black-and-white to strip the emotion of color away, letting one focus on the people. I further altered the images by putting greater focus on the subject, letting a slight blur occur elsewhere.
4. Florida in Las Vegas
In “Florida in Vegas” (4), I love how Vegas is as featured as the people. The Stratosphere is a defining element in many of my images. It lets the viewers know they are in Vegas. Florida Man in the foreground knows I am taking his picture. He is looking at me and not really caring. I made 10 images, moving and snapping until I had a foreground, middle ground and background that worked to tell the story you see here.
See more at heatherprotz.com