As someone who may lead the world in “got caught” moments, I will share some thoughts and stories. Most of the time, I shoot video that requires greater proximity and continued periods of focus on the subject. It is not quite "voyeur" in style, but maybe my experiences will help others doing guerrilla photography.
Often, I shoot “open camera” although occasionally from a “blind” or “out of a bag” constructed for the purpose. I have shot Blacks, Haulover, South Beach, Keywest, Cap d'agde, Rio, Jamaica, Wrecks (sort of), French Riviera, Nice, and other European beaches.
Here are my most common situations for beach photography:
1. “The cover up”: Subjects notices that a video camera is pointed and covers in some fashion. Usually, with a disapproving look or a “look away” action. Rarely, does any more come of this type of encounter, but it is best to move on and not press your luck.
2. “I don’t care”: Subjects don’t want to participate by posing, but do not mind being photographed respectfully. You will know that you are caught, but the subject will act like they didn't see you.
The best approach is to ask once you are noticed, and be ready for question about what your intended usage is. I state that my intention is to publish a video for sale of the beach or the event. Stating “just for personal use” rarely goes over well in that the subject interprets this as “I’m a perv.”
3. “Make me famous”: just shooting “open camera” attracts lots of attention especially at beaches that do not have that custom. This may be bad, or very good. Watch for subjects that are excited by the prospect of being asked to participate. Usually, they will not approach you, but if you ask, they will pose until you run out of tape or hard drive space.
4. “Protectors of the beach”: Cap d'agde, Haulover and Blacks have nudist groups that act as de facto regulators of the beaches. These groups can be very aggressive toward photographers. The best approach is complete honesty and transparency. I state that I will shoot only with permission and be respectful. I state that the subjects have the right to be photographed with their consent, and that the presentation of the beach is important to the acceptance of nudity. If pushed any more, I assert my rights are equal to any other individuals.
This is the most dangerous situation in my opinion. If it gets out of hand, I ask that a lifeguard or the police be called to mediate the dispute (the photographer is within his legal rights if shooting open camera but not if shooting from the bag). I prefer not to get in the argument of legal rights and ”public beach” unless the person you are speaking to is rational and listening.
Be prepared to have to defend yourself. Stand up and get your gear in order if a confrontation ensues.
5. “The boyfriend protecting”: Compliment the girlfriend and ask for permission to do more photographs. Place the boyfriend in control by asking him to ask his gf is she wishes to be photographed. Be polite.
Oddly, I have found that this situation works itself out without problems to the photographer. The boyfriend needs to show that he cares, but once he is in control, defers to the gf and doesn’t wish to fight.
6. “I’ll do a few poses”: Many times subject will agree to pose with restrictions or conditions. While this is tempting for the photographer, I will not agree. The reason is that the conditions seem to evolve in the subjects mind over time. You may be called to answer for requesting a wrong pose or publishing a picture the subject determines was not part of the arrangement. I take the approach “it is my picture” once you agree to pose. I have lost a few subjects in this approach, but saved lots of grief and disagreements the next time I shoot the same beach.
Some stories:
At South Beach, a group of 5 girls were setting up near 6th street (busy) and all 5 were knock outs. Before they took anything off, I approached and asked permission to video them undressing and going to the water. They were surprised by my boldness but agreed. A group of beach regulars saw me setting up my camera and told me that photography was not allowed in that portion of the beach. Two of the guys were particularly aggressive. I asked the beach regulars to monitor my shoot of the girls to make certain I was not violating any beach etiquette in my photography. I asked that a lifeguard be called to monitor if they were unwilling. Afterwards, the beach regulars and I became friends and they assisted me with “etiquette questions.”
At Cap d'agde, the police were called and started following me on the beach. I determined that attempting to get away or cover up was useless, so I take the camera from the backpack, and started filming in open view. The police stepped up and “detained” me by removing me from the beach. I pointed out that I was not trying to hide my activities and was not violating any laws. After an hour of watching my tapes, the police determined that I was not shooting any underage person and drove me back to the beach. Life guards were alerted that I was OK and it solved many of my problems in that difficult area for photography. However, the trip to the station was unpleasant due to my inability to speak French and the loss of beach time.
At Rio Ipanema Beach, I had just arrived and was shooting the harbor area. A girl saw me with a camera and sent her boyfriend to make a scene. For once, I was not actually shooting anyone. The boyfriend took a swing and a scuffle ensured. Welcome to Brazil! I became known to everyone at the beach and the police all in one moment. But, afterward, I had a constant stream of girls that would ask if I wished to take their picture. Most had swimsuits on, but we would go to be water and they would take off their tops for the pictures. One of the best days of my photography life. The rest of the trip I kept hoping I could find someone to cause a scene at the beach so that I could repeat the first day’s experience. Sometimes, being known as a photographer is a good thing.
Sorry I don’t have more photos but I shot mainly video.
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