Street persona....

On the streets, I try to fade as far into the background as I can.---to look as nondescript as possible. I aim at being noticed by the people around me as little as possible as I endeavour to capture camera magic. Here in Toronto-- Canada, as soon as some folks see a lens being leveled at them, they likely adapt to some degree, their natural behaviour style. Mostly, the general public just ignore a 'tourist photo guy', some actively enjoy posing for the camera and just a few  (hopefully) may become confrontational /threatening. On the streets, I avoid wearing bright colours and gaudy brand name camera straps that could draw attention to me. Olive drab multi pocketed  'professional' waist coats that shout "photo guy at work" are also eschewed. A key item I always wear are sun glasses---not least as the Toronto sun light in city streets during the mild weather season does tend to be intense and tiring for aging eyes, but also as a means of avoiding direct eye contact with potential subjects while I shoot away. Setting my camera at a 35 mm locked focal length, I do try to fill the frame as far as I am able with the  target ---ie: to be as close as possible. I have noticed on multiple occasions while on the streets, that  the initial reaction of folks after the shot is taken, is to turn their heads, looking behind them to see what/who else the tourist photo guy might have had in his view-finder. In that instant, I am usually well passed and on down the street to the next slice of life photo opportunity.
                   

Street photography is a strange beast. Out in the midst of crowds, yet so alone in a private bubble. Sometimes I will go out into the city and immediately see abundant photo 'opps' hurtling up in front of my lens. I smile and engage easily in conversation with the diverse characters that I encounter, referred to I believe, as being "in the groove". Other days: nil, nada. I see nothing and am closed & unable to communicate effectively with potential subjects, tending to shoot surreptitiously from the hip, & subjects are not even aware that they have been captured. There is little doubt in my mind that individuals are most natural when they do not realize that they have been photographed. A lovely smile for the camera from a street person is the most UNNATURAL gesture, and one that I will always delete at first opportunity.
          A few comments on the pictures I have attached to this posting.
#1. Child framed behind the bars of a 3rd class carriage. I took  the shot on a railway platform in India. Trains in the sub-continent are almost invariably packed and when one rolls into a crowded station, it is frequently stormed by the masses attempting, with or without ticket, to get on board. To prevent gross over-loading, steel bars are welded across the carriage windows. I just happened to notice this beautiful child gazing wistfully out onto mayhem on the platform.
#2.  In his best Bat Man outfit, this athletic individual tackles the zebra crossing on his hands., shepherded by a Toronto policeman, who, judging by the amused look on his face was enjoying the spectacle. Notice the tall male on the left. He seems oblivious to the action. How many up-side-down Bat people, complete with police escort, does he see on a daily basis?

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