Photos and Words by David Tannenhauser
I am relatively new to street photography and I find myself developing an ethic as I go.
What is the balance between curiosity and an invasion of privacy?
Ideally, I could take every shot I please without concern for the subject, but in today’s increasingly online world, it is important to respect people’s “media space.”
One way I accomplish this is by taking portraits from behind. There is something interesting to me about a third-person view of someone else’s experience in our neighborhood and the city.
I swear, it is just a few steps taken behind someone to frame the photo — and then — I’m gone.
I won’t lie, there is a little bit of a thrill to “getting away with it,” but in the end, I think it is harmless. The subject’s privacy stays intact, and hopefully, an evocative image is captured.
What were they thinking about? What was he saying to her? I’ll never know, but it is fun to wonder.
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Not too many examples of unnecessarily blocking the sidewalks and subway stairs.
I love this!
Thanks for this. One of the photos captures my neighbors, whom I don’t know well, but always greet in passing.
It makes me appreciate our neighborhood that much more.
Enjoyed the photos and appreciate your thoughts about the ethics of taking photos and not invading people’s privacy. Recently I have had the occasion to consider this ethical standard which, to me is even more critical when children are involved.
Release consent was always required at the newspaper where my father worked as a photographer. This was also his own personal ethic, that has stayed with me to this day.
An option would be might be to capture the photo, approach the subject(s) if possible, and ask their permission to publish?
Commendations to Tannenhauser for his ethical approach. Excellent photos.
What a thoughtful and clever way to protect people’s privacy while photographing them! Photographing from the back provided an interesting perspective, with a lot to discern. ,I had two instances recently where I asked and received permission to photograph subway riders, one a young man knitting a beautiful scarf, and the other a cellist with his beautiful instrument!
The subject’s privacy doesn’t totally stay intact. It’s a little better than snapping pics of full faces but it’s still questionable and a bit intrusive. You think it’s harmless but everyone else may not feel that way.
There is no reasonable expectation of privacy in public spaces.
These are wonderful. Great perspective. Thank you!
Completely in keeping with the current Fredrick exhibit at the Metropolitan Museum. His paintings also featured people with backs to the painter; draws the viewer into the scene and environment.
Please get rid of all the scaffolding on the UWS.
Like the idea..adds the element of mystery..
I like these photographs but agree with commenter Mike that subjects of the photographs may feel differently about their privacy – even from the back – than the photographer does.
The mystery of the conversations and relationships is a great imagination piquer and good prompt for fiction writers.
In the past 10 years I’ve noticed a substantial increase in the use of walkers/rollators by UWS residents. I know we’re a NORC and this is an inevitable development. That doesn’t mean I like it. One of the reasons I love (or used to love) living here is the speed and energy. I’ve actually had people say “what’s your hurry” when I’m making a wide arc to get around their slow amble. When did walking fast no longer become the norm?
In case you haven’t noticed, some people can’t walk fast. And we love the UWS bec it’s home to young and old. Someday you too will be 70 and will understand that fast walking people often brush by slow walkers too carelessly and too close, from behind, earbuds in place, eyes on the phone. With a little courtesy and respect, we can all live on the sidewalks together.
How many years I was a fast walker on the upper west side… Speeding down the sidewalks and people would visit from out of town. I would always say can’t you keep up now? I am 80 no longer live in the city but come back every summer. I’m guessing I’m going to be one of the slow walkers that the new version of me speeds by.
Many of these photos are painterly. Beautiful.
And people blocking the sidewalks is a whole different animal. They don’t belong iin this collection. Not the place to complain.
No soloists?
In NYC, there is no “expectation of privacy” in a public space (especially given the number of c/c cameras in NYC), so I think Mr. Tannenhauser may be under the inaccurate impression that he could not take photos pf people from the front (though he seems to simply prefer doing so from behind). He could if he wanted to, completely legally.
Simply FYI, here are the “rules”: “You can photograph people in public areas where they are visible to the general public, such as streets, sidewalks, parks, and public transportation; There’s no legal requirement to obtain someone’s consent to photograph them in a public space; While photographing people in public is generally legal, it’s important to be mindful of their privacy and avoid situations that could be considered intrusive or harassing; While not legally required, some photographers choose to ask for permission before taking someone’s picture, especially if the photograph is for commercial use or if the person is identifiable.”
That leaves a lot of wiggle room for taking photographs – even from the front.
With most people carrying a camera in their phone, it’s impossible to avoid eventually ending up in someone’s picture. Privacy as we once understood it ended with the cell phone. Of course, the people in these photos might have various opinions about being deliberately chosen as subjects but it’s likely we’ll never know so we can just enjoy looking at them.
I love these shots!
The series of the “back” photos is remarkably interesting……Just seeing one or two is not enough. There’s something about a repetitive motif or idea that becomes Art
Thank you