I ride the bus around Seattle a lot. Never mind all the grumbling you hear about prices, service cuts, buses running late and all that. The truth is, the King County Metro is pretty great. It’s cheap, it’s safe, it’s green, and if you don’t have to get from one place to another right now, it’s really convenient.
Oh sure, I’ve stood out in the freezing rain waiting for a bus that never arrived (the 8 is especially notorious both for habitually running thirty minutes behind schedule, and for ghost buses–those that appear on the One Bus Away app as a few minutes away, then arrived and then departed on time while you stand on the sidewalk staring into an empty street). Sure, I’ve had to sit next to the smelly guy, or the woman who feels the need to take up as much space as the laws of physics will allow. But when it comes to the bus, I’m a pretty easy-going guy. I pop in my earbuds, listen to podcasts, and I watch the theatrics of the human circus around me.
I’m a people watcher. I love trying to guess their stories, deduce their motivations, and just take notice of their features, gestures, quirks. And there’s no better place to do that than on the bus. I’m sure it’s pretty creepy for a lot of people when they catch me staring at them as if I’m a predator of the sort that can’t live near schools. It’s probably pretty unnerving to look up to find a random stranger silently watching you. Yeah, I’m that guy. I’m also the guy that secretly takes pictures of you.
There are several techniques I employ to surreptitiously snap pics of people on the bus. Not only do I not want the subject to notice they’re on Candid Camera, I also don’t want some other passenger to tip them off. Every time I do it, I’m waiting to hear, “Hey! That guy’s taking pictures of you! Get him!”
When you’re taking pics, you always have to hold your phone suspiciously high, so there’s always a risk. But, while doing so, here’s how I try to make it look natural:
1. The High-Handed Text
Pretend you’re sending a text by moving your thumb around a lot before finally touching the capture button. You should also squint a bit as if you’re having trouble seeing the screen, which will make holding your phone up in front of your face a little more understandable.
2. The Sun Shade
Cup your hands around the edges of the phone as if you’re trying to shield it from the stray beam of sunlight. This will make it less likely that another passenger sees what’s on your screen, and it’ll look like you’re holding your phone so high merely to get the best viewing experience.
3. The No-Look Pass
This is the Magic Johnson move of photo taking, and requires as much skill. You’ve got to look one direction, and quickly point-and-click in the other. I’m no Magic Johnson, so this method usually takes me multiple attempts.
4. The Misdirected Selfie
If the subject is somewhat behind you, pretend you’re taking a selfie, but then turn the phone to capture said subject.
5. The Gutshot
Hold your phone by your stomach or in your lap, then turn it to capture your subject. It’s difficult to see the screen from this angle, so it requires nearly as much skill as the No Look Pass, but the motion is less likely to grab attention.
Other Tips
- Make sure your phone is on silent. Nothing tips people off to pics like the shutter sound your phone makes when you snap a photo.
- Act nonchalant. If you’re fidgety, sweating, or if you move too quickly, you’re more likely to garner attention. Move slowly as if you haven’t a care in the world.
- If you employ any techniques that require holding your phone high, you’re committed to the bit. Don’t lower your phone as soon as you’ve snapped the pic, or it’ll blow your cover.
I take photos of people on the bus so that I’ll always remember them. They’re people that I find truly remarkable in one way or another, people that are interesting, people that make me smile. These are people that I’m glad are in the world for no other reason than the texture they add.
Here are some of my favorite Bus People. Click to enlarge.
Every one of these people brought me a few minutes of joy, each in their own way. I love just knowing that they’re out there, adding texture to the city that I love. Here’s to you, Bird Man. Here’s to you, Flower Hat Lady. You have all made me smile.
