How do you shoot stealthly?

[tomk126]

Hello all, I'm new to a rangefinder, and extremely happy to be here. I just developed my first 5 rolls of film that I shot, and I am unhappy about the low number of good shots. I realize practice, practice, practice, will help me but I wanted to know where most of you shoot from while shooting stealthly. (hope that makes sense) Do you just aim the camera at the subject from any arbitrary spot and fire away? ie: just point shoot and cross your fingers? I wear a neck strap when I shoot and I was taking pictures with my camera down around my waist to be less obtrusive to the subjects. Anyways hope this makes sense, I look forward to your answers, and I'm happy to be aboard. Thanks

 

[Maxapple88]

I'd say that you are bound to miss your shots when not looking through the viewfinder. Prefocus the lens and then just pull up the camera for the shot quickly.

 

[amoz]

Yep, what Maxapple said + (1) measure the light on your hand (medium grey) beforehand and adjust your camera accordingly (if it's not an AE RF set to A); (2) make sure you stand still at the moment you press the shutter. It's ok to want and blend in with your surroundings, but it's best to freeze when you actually shoot (at least for me it is).

For proper composition there is nothing like actually looking through the viewfinder at the instant you take the shot. Hip shots can work out really well, but you'll need lots of practice and always a tad of luck.

Try prefocusing by scale-focusing, i.e. setting the distance marks on your lens in accordance to your diaphragm.

Hope this helps!

 

[RML]

Maybe Garry Winogrand can teach you a few tricks. 🙂

See here: http://shardsofphotography.blogspot.com/2007/06/garry-winogrand-on-video.html .

 

[Michiel Fokkema]

Practice, practice and practice.
If you're new to rf's i'd not expect one good shot at all on your first rolls.
I'm happy with one good shot on every roll of film.
i just finished a project on which I shot around a 1000 frames. I'm left with 20 good pictures and 3 outstanding pictures, and I'm happy with that.
Shooting without framing doesn't really help. Try to build up some confidence. See yourself as a photographer and photographers make photographs. Act as a photographer and everybody else will accept you as such and will accept you taking pictures. Be polite, smile, nod and be prepared to answer the question "Why do you take my picture?" carry a business card and promise to sent a print in cases needed.
Oh yes, practice a lot.
You'll find great info here:http://2point8.whileseated.org/

Just go out there and do it.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

 

[projectbluebird]

Some great suggestions here, so I'll just add my two cents (adjusted for inflation).
When you actually press the shutter release, be looking somewhere else. I've used this to take photos from only a few feet away from the subject, and none of them caught on. It helps to have a quiet camera.

 

[crawdiddy]

Practice, practice and practice.
If you're new to rf's i'd not expect one good shot at all on your first rolls.
I'm happy with one good shot on every roll of film.
i just finished a project on which I shot around a 1000 frames. I'm left with 20 good pictures and 3 outstanding pictures, and I'm happy with that.
Shooting without framing doesn't really help. Try to build up some confidence. See yourself as a photographer and photographers make photographs. Act as a photographer and everybody else will accept you as such and will accept you taking pictures. Be polite, smile, nod and be prepared to answer the question "Why do you take my picture?" carry a business card and promise to sent a print in cases needed.
Oh yes, practice a lot.
You'll find great info here:http://2point8.whileseated.org/

Just go out there and do it.

Cheers,

Michiel Fokkema

Excellent advice, from all.

 

[FPjohn]

Obvious

Obvious

Hello:

I try to be obvious, there taking photos, and not appearing stealthy. No direct confrontation but always waiting for tacit permission seems to work. 'Being middleage, bearded and wearing a crushed hat also appears to help.

yours
Frank

 

[FrankS]

Black tape on a chrome Leica, of course! 😉

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

Just step up and take the photo.

Have the focus and exposure set up, and then click.

No need at all for 'stealthy'.