Miss Adelaide, a photo from South Australia, Ouest

Photographer's Note

I went to Adelaide Railway Station to take some pictures of the architecture, but, waiting at the entrance. I saw this lovely woman and I stole a shot or two of her. There have been some debates in the forum, in the past, about this type of photography. That is, taking pictures of people in public places without them knowing.Some people think that anyone in a public place is fair game, other feel that it is an invasion of their privacy and that one should ask first. The problem, for me, is that when asked, people tend to pose for the camera, showing the side that they want to show, and the spontaneous and natural look is lost.This lady had no idea that she was being photographed and she , to me, looks relaxed and wonderful, caught in an unselfconscious moment. I wish I could say that she was typical of the people of the lovely city of Adelaide, but human beings as lovely as this are rarely typical. She is a good example , however, of that fresh, healthy, outdoor look, typical of many who live in South Australia. But, was it right to take her picture...?

ribeiroantonio, patdeph, macondo, phwall, ALIRIZA, dareco, trekks, riclopes, bisok, WelshTraveller, thaprem trouve(nt) cette note utile

Critiques | Translate

ribeiroantonio (22730) 2008-10-14 0:04

In Australia, everywhere outside your own home, including the front garden is a considerer to be a public place. No one has the right of stopping you taking photos. Shopping centers may have a No Photo policy but need to be clearly stated. However, I have never been “harassed” by security as it happened to me in Portugal.
My policy is to polite with everybody and stop taking photos if politely asked for.
This photo is an excellent portrait and I am sure the young lady would like to have a copy.
Antonio

zeevat (204) 2008-10-14 0:05

Hi Kevin, beautiful picture. The girl look stunning. By the way what was that on the left hand side of the picture? Why didn't you consider cropping rather than painting??

I strongly agree with you that we can't get natural side if we ask before we click. I think most people will say OK for this shot in Australia.

Regards,
Zeevat

patdeph (35750) 2008-10-14 3:35

hello Kevin
this is a very nice portrait!Her face is standing nicely out from the grey background,th colours are superb!I am agree with you,it's better to photography the people when thye don't pose,that gives them a natural and better expression!I don't think that it is an invasion,of the privacy,myself I would not mind if someone was photographiing me!If this is not in a bad situation!;o)
Best regards
Pascale

macondo (20449) 2008-10-14 3:36

Hi Kevin.
I think it's OK to do this, but I'm not one of the bold ones; I usually ask people or at least thank them afterwards. Another thing I have done is show them the pic on the LCD. This time, though, I can see what you mean about getting a candid shot. This one is superb, and not only because she is so pretty. It's the lighting and the natural colour tones as well. Sharp, but not too sharp. A very pleasing portrait.
Regards,
Andrew

phwall (6787) 2008-10-14 4:09 [Comment]

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ALIRIZA (16423) 2008-10-14 4:57

Hi Kevin,
Wonderful composition of this beautiful girl with her expression and good details. Well done my dear friend...
All the best...
Ali Rıza

PixelTerror (0) 2008-10-14 7:11

Hi Kevin,
A well taken portrait with light on the face, narrow Dof and the eyes not looking straight into the lens, that being said it does not look very spontaneous...
Have a nice day JY

dareco (17136) 2008-10-14 8:17

Such a nice natural pose!! A beautiful girl! Very good lighting and colors. Good capture! TFS

chirasak (2) 2008-10-14 22:42

Hello Lung Kevin
very good sharpness, and a very nice portrait, i know you are good portrait photographer, i look at your WS, you are good WS, nice shot TFS

Regards
Chirasak

trekks (14348) 2008-10-16 0:22

hello Kevin

Haha! Please do not deny it, she is the real reason you are in Australia! And I wont blame you, she is real beauty, youthful and look at those eyes. lol

Jokes aside, the debate on that topic never ends and the answer can never satisfies everybody.

On technical, I think if there is any possibility to crop out the vertical strip at left and perhaps do a bit of off center. But I like the portrait. Very well taken with superb light condition. It looks like professional work to me.

tfs, bill

riclopes (35577) 2008-10-16 1:10

Olá Kevin, this is a sweet attractive face and it's dificult not to come here and apreciate the beauty for some time. Excellent crop from the original. In my opinion it's a good portrait and I belong to the ones that think that in a public place is fair game. I consider this one completely harmless. As many of us, I'm usually shy in the streets and if it happens to have a moment of dare, I'll stop as soon as I feel I'm disturbing anyone.
regards,
ricardo

Senk (2355) 2008-10-18 9:00

very nice portrait, just the timing when you shoot and she didn't look at your camera , I like well done Lung

take care

Seng

Nelu_Goia (3116) 2008-10-18 21:46

Definitely not,Kevin.It was not right to take it.
Try to upload it to stock photography websites and you`ll see that none of them will accept it without a model release.
If you can do it ,that does not mean you should do it,right?
Nelu

wolf38 (30) 2008-11-03 9:26

Hello Kevin. In order to say it first: the photo is a fantastic snapshot. I read the different comments attentively. Above all the question, which one may photograph and publish (or also not), interested me. The topic is very old and at the same time current. I think in this connection for example of HCB. One cannot set up a basic rule. All the same whether photo journalist or committed amateur, everyone must decide induviduell after his feeling. The photo pleases me very well. I am glad that you published it. Best regards, Wolfgang.

WelshTraveller (354) 2008-11-18 12:16

Hi Kevin
Being a sucker for a pretty girl, I think you've done a great job here and well captured. Very natural looking shot.
David