Confrontation seems to be a popular topic in regards to street photography. It will likely happen to you. If it doesn’t, you better shoot more. I was confronted a lot early on, but it was mostly my fault. Be an actor on the streets. Walk around with a smile, be a goofy tourist. Don’t shoot if you’re in a bad mood. People pick up on your bad energy and think you’re up to something sketchy.
I still get confronted occasionally. Mostly when I’m in not an actor, so it’s my fault. I don’t blame those people. I’ll occasionally chat with them about what I’m doing and it’s turns into a positive interaction, which is nice because it puts me in a good mood.
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There’s nothing good to come from this encounter. It’s just going to put you in a bad way and likely ruin the rest of the day. Better to ignore them and move on.
I think we all have a tendency to want to prove ourselves as valid artists. Also ego plays a part. Don’t have an ego. Let the person win. You don’t need to come out on top or win the battle. Better to win the war.
Chris Athanasiadis 