Video: The Sartorialist shooting on the street

[andersju]

Nothing to do with rangefinders, but I thought some might find this interesting - I certainly did (thanks TOP)! Here's a very nicely made video about Scott Schuman of The Sartorialist fame, following him around when he takes pictures of people on the street:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e5NgG5koPZU

 

[John Elder]

What he does is th exact opposite of what i do on the street. I never ask permission or direct a subject. Different strokes for different folks.

 

[GSNfan]

He shoots everyday, thats not easy.

 

[porktaco]

yeah. the EXACT opposite of what i do. interaction with subject, hey there stay there do this do that, multiple shots. i do like his results a lot. despite his big stupid camera 🙂

 

[shyoon]

What Mr. Schuman does isn't exactly candid street photography though, is it? It's like a mini impromptu photo shoot, so a degree of control and interaction is required for the results.

 

[AzzA]

He takes some really nice photographs.
It's definitely not candid though, which is widely regarded as one of the major aspects of street photography.
To me he is creating a visual record of sociology revolving around fashion in public/on the street. Like shyoon mentioned, "impromptu photo shoots", which are very hard with amature models - a challenge in itself.

 

[gavinlg]

Thanks for linking this - he's a wonderful photographer and I'd consider his photos as true and pure as any other normal 'street' photo.

 

[Keith]

The fact that it's not candid makes it unusual IMO and the way he interacts with his subjects and thanks them sincerely appeals to me for various reasons. It's not street photography as we perceive it around here but to him it is and everyone has the right to make their own rules.

Thanks for the link I really enjoyed the video. 🙂

 

[jpberger]

For a guy who shoots a lot of verticals he sure has an awkward way of holding a camera.. not that it seems to have hindered him any.

 

[gavinlg]

In regards to The Sartorialist photographs I've seen, I can't see how they can be defined any different than posed/constructed photographs of mostly amateur models situated in the street.
for those who define them as street photography I'd love to hear why. I'm genuinely interested as I could have it all wrong.

The Sartorialist is specifically a fashion based photoblog correct? The true justification of fashion is the trickle down to personal style (which is different from fashion) demonstrated in real life situations - on the street, every day by people who aren't models or fashion designers, but merely wear the clothes because it's 'what they like'. Amateur models on the other hand wear clothes that to showcase a line or influence a market. It's aesthetics for the sake of aesthetics rather than aesthetics for the sake of personal style.

Therefore, these photos are an accurate record of the highlights from mundane and normal happenings that usually go unnoticed on the street every day. They're a reflection on current trends, gender roles, relationships, collective public emotions etc etc. Just because he asks them to pose doesn't make them any less reflective of societies current trends and happenings than a candid photo does. It only makes them nicer to look at (yeah i said it 😎)

 

[GSNfan]

Imo street photography is the most difficult genre in photography because turning the mundane every day into interesting pictures requires pure talent.

 

[Keith]

Or dumb luck!

What's the expression ... "Even a blind squirrel finds a nut occasionally!"

 

[GSNfan]

Talent is 90% of the equation. Nobody taught HCB or Eggleston their style, they just had it in them and it emerged. Talent cannot be discounted.

 

[antiquark]

Anyone know what camera and lens he's using?

EDIT: checked the EXIF on one of his pics:

Camera Maker: Canon
Camera Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II
Lens: EF85mm f/1.2L II USM
Image Date: 2009-09-30
Focal Length: 85mm
Focus Distance: 5.25m
Aperture: f/2.5
Exposure Time: 0.0031 s (1/320)
ISO equiv: 250
Exposure Bias: -1.00 EV
Metering Mode: Matrix
Exposure: aperture priority (semi-auto)
White Balance: Auto
Flash Fired: No (enforced)
Orientation: Normal
Color Space: Adobe RGB (1998)
GPS Coordinate: undefined, undefined

 

[elshaneo]

Very nice video indeed. I'd still consider his images as street photography, but more in the formal way compared to most of us who shoots without asking permission 🙂

 

[Tompas]

(...)Why is [street photography] used as a sort of benchmark other types of photography is often measured against?

It's the most difficult and challenging discipline in photography. It's the holy grail of photography. YMMV.

 

[Ranchu]

^What he said^

I'm surprised to see so many people scoffing at street photography, as if any other kind of photography isn't easier.

 

[gavinlg]

^What he said^

I'm surprised to see so many people scoffing at street photography, as if any other kind of photography isn't easier.

That's just ignorant. I love good street photography but there's no way it's any more difficult or skilled than any of the other branches of photography. Try lighting a picture like Mario Testino and needing to do it day after day under commercial pressure without fail... That's difficult.

 

[andersju]

It's the most difficult and challenging discipline in photography. It's the holy grail of photography. YMMV.

I think it's the holy grail of photography for some amateurs and hobbyists, and I think the reason why is that for some (perhaps the majority) of these people, who like cameras and perhaps also photography, it's the mentally least challenging thing to practice when test charts, cats and close family have run their course as subjects.

Shooting a specific project or assignment tends to require ideas, time, planning, effort, discipline, working with other people, etc. Street photography, on the other hand, is often seen as something you do alone, anywhere, anytime: just you, the inconspicuous black-taped Leica and your zen ways, roaming the streets for the decisive moment, just like Cartier-Bresson before you.

I'm not saying 'street photography' is easy; on the contrary, as evidenced by all the pictures posted, it's very difficult to do well - just like any other type of photography. I'm just saying that it seems to be the most accessible type of photography for many amateurs who lack other things to shoot, or think that they lack other things to shoot.

 

[Tompas]

(...) for some amateurs and hobbyists (...) who like cameras and perhaps also photography (...) mentally least challenging thing (...) the inconspicuous black-taped Leica and your zen ways (...) amateurs who lack other things to shoot (...)

Hmm...

Why do you get so agressive just because I said street photography is harder than other photography?

It's just an opinion, you know, my opinion, and you may have a different one. No reason to spit poison.