A One-Shot ‘street’ story

By Art Meripol

29 September, 2026

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One Shot Story

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Street & Urban Photography
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This post from Ron Duda about stealth vs permission when shooting ‘street’ photos well explained the two approaches. In my career I’ve employed both, just going by what the situation called for. These days I generally prefer getting permission and shooting a more posed portrait that explores the environment at the same time. I like interacting with the people I shoot and learning a bit of their story.

Ron’s post reminded me of this old shot from November 1985. I was photographing a state fair looking for feature shots all day with plans to move inside for the evenings concert by the 80’s band RATT.

I caught these RATT fans waiting outside the coliseum for the doors to open. The couple sitting by them were at the fair to show their prize pigs. When I spotted the scene I knew not to look directly. A shot like this is like a wild animal, don’t make eye contact!

I knew if any of them caught me looking it would change the scene. I moved to a position to frame the scene and knelt down on one knee turned 90 degrees away from them pretending I was changing film. When I had the camera focused about where I thought was right I quickly spun and shot. I really like how the older man’s jaw is hanging open and his wife’s hand in on his knee as though needing reassurance. Meanwhile the spandex-clad fans are too cool to register the older couple.
This might well define the generation gap.

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About The Author

By Art Meripol
Journalism degree. 13 years as a news photographer with a sideline as a concert photographer before 24 years as a magazine travel photographer and the last 13 years freelance for editorial and corporate clients. Official photographer for the US Civil Rights Trail. Now moving away from client work and trying to figure out what's next by returning to film.
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Comments

Cosme Lapena on A One-Shot ‘street’ story

Comment posted: 29/09/2026

Great story, Art, and a great example of how a single frame can say so much. The contrast between the farm couple and the RATT fans tells the whole generation gap without a word: his open jaw, her hand on his knee, and the spandex crowd too cool to notice. I also loved the trick of pretending to change film. As a street photographer myself, I know that feeling well: the moment someone catches you looking, the scene is gone. Sometimes the best shots depend on staying invisible for just a second. Congratulations on the post!

Cosme
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Art Meripol replied:

Comment posted: 29/09/2026

Sounds like you've been there many times. Thanks Cosme.

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Jeffery Luhn on A One-Shot ‘street’ story

Comment posted: 29/09/2026

Art,
WOW, THAT IS A GREAT SHOT! That can be used as a poster, funny greeting card, portfolio, and museum piece. Really good!
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Art Meripol replied:

Comment posted: 29/09/2026

sometimes you just find yourself in front of a unique moment and can only hope not to blow it. I doubt I could have ever planned and found talent for a shot as naturally real as this. Thanks Jeffery. Coming from a pro like you it means a lot.

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Gary Smith on A One-Shot ‘street’ story

Comment posted: 29/09/2026

Are you sure that's not mom and dad with the kids?
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Art Meripol on A One-Shot ‘street’ story

Comment posted: 29/09/2026

"Are you going out like that"? and it cuts both ways. ha!
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Erik Brammer on A One-Shot ‘street’ story

Comment posted: 29/09/2026

Tops!!!
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Dogman on A One-Shot ‘street’ story

Comment posted: 29/09/2026

Of course it varies by the situation but I'm almost always using the "stealth" method. Because, for me, I like candid photos of people being themselves and I dislike posed photos. Just as you cannot step in the same river water twice, you cannot recall that interesting moment by asking someone to do it again or to stand for your photo and act a part. The part they act will almost surely never be themselves.

Gear today is amazing and can help in many ways. Shooting from the hip and cropping the image, using a silent electronic shutter, high frame rate motors and high ISO all can work for the photographer looking to catch the candid moments. You don't need to sneak around with a long lens, just mingle and interact and avoid being suspicious. People are kind of amazing when they are themselves. "Posed" is a dirty word to me.
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Art Meripol replied:

Comment posted: 29/09/2026

My newspaper days were all about stealth shots. For many years I've shot environmental portraits for magazines. I think I most like somewhere in between. Not necessarily stealth but not necessarily posing someone either. Really just whatever the situation calls for I guess. I now have a waist-level camera and finder and look forward to again trying more candid work.

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ARTHUR W GOTTSCHALK on A One-Shot ‘street’ story

Comment posted: 29/09/2026

Yes, shoot first, ask questions later. That's a law of photojournalism.
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Alexander Seidler on A One-Shot ‘street’ story

Comment posted: 30/09/2026

Great, Art !
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David Pauley on A One-Shot ‘street’ story

Comment posted: 30/09/2026

Terrific shot, Art! The contemptuous look on the young woman's face for me defines the frame. Attitude yes I get it but this wow this goes way beyond...I'm surprised she didn't singe a hole in the film. An eloquent argument for the unposed/stealth approach to street photography. Thankfully one can do both posed and unposed...
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Art Meripol replied:

Comment posted: 30/09/2026

thanks David. She surely had attitude, even the contempt of youth. And then consider that today she’s as old as the farm couple next to her. Wonder what she thinks of kids today?

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David Pauley replied:

Comment posted: 30/09/2026

Age is then great leveler for sure!

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Walter Reumkens on A One-Shot ‘street’ story

Comment posted: 01/10/2026

Great scene!
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