*Photographer: Danny Santos II  If you have never done street...



*Photographer: Danny Santos II 

If you have never done street photography before you might be scared that you’ll be confronted by the subject. Do you know what you’re going to say so you don’t look like a creeper? Need not to worry! Here are some sound and funny advice by Thomas Leuthard


“Bad excuses are worse than none.” - Thomas Fuller

Sometimes people ask you what you are doing and then you need a good answer. Here are some to choose from:

  • “I just shot this building in the background and you walked into my photo. Damn it…!” 
  • “I’m a tourist and document life in the city” 
  • “I have this new camera I’m testing today…” 
  • “Do you know Bruce Gilden? He is even worse…” 
  • “Do you know Vivian Maier? If you kill me, your photo will be release to public…” 
  • “You should see Eric Kim, he is a creepy Korean tourist with a Leica M9…” 
  • “There is this contest on Flickr! I’m participating in…” 
  • “I’m a photo student and our teacher wants us to shoot people. He is very tough…” 
  • “I work on the 100 Strangers project (www.100strangers.com)…” 
  • “I love your beautiful eyes…” 
  • “You have an interesting face…” 
  • “I love your style…” 
  • “You are hot. Can I have your phone number…?” 
  • “You look like my grand mother…” 
  • “I’m a talent scout. Do you want to become famous…?” 
  • “I’m a famous photographer looking for new models…” 
  • “I thought you are a celebrity…” 
  • “I thought you are a famous actor…” 
  • “I took your photo , now you owe me 10 dollars…” 
  • “I want to marry you…” 
  • “Elvis is alive…” 
  • “You look like Osama Bin Laden…” 
  • “Is this your wife or just a cheap hooker…?” 
  • “Don’t look at me, it wasn’t me…” 
  • “My camera is stuck, it shoots by itself…” 
  • “I have a really ugly wife at home and this is curing me…” 
  • “Yes, I’m a pervert. Thanks for helping me getting some satisfaction…” 
  • “I’m an investment banker. The recession made me do that…” 
  • “I’m young and need the money…” 
  • “I have an unhealthy addiction to ugly people…” 
  • “Others use drugs, I do candid portraits of strangers…” 
  • “You will be on television tomorrow…” 
  • “We are making a movie, please stand back…” 
  • “This is a crime scene investigation. I cannot answer your question…” 
  • “Your wife wants me to observe you. You should bring her some flowers tonight…” 
  • “Thank you, I will sell your portrait to a charity to teach disabled children photography” 
  • “Give me your address, I will send you a print…” 
  • “One day you will be proud that I took your photo…” 
  • “No, I cannot delete the photo, it’s on film…” 
  • “…” Pretend that you are deaf-mute. Give him a card telling what you are doing. 
  • “…” Pretend you have the Asperger-Syndrom
  • …or whatever you think helps to keep the shot.