Dwayneb9584
Well-known
HAHAAH, really funny you mentioned this.
cambolt
Green Spotted Nose Turtle
Yeah... some of the shots just looked like boring snapshots, or like someone has walked around all day with a DSLR on burst mode at their hip the whole time. A couple of the shots were ok though.
_larky
Well-known
TLR on monopod, with hi-vis, NOBODY would suspect you! Great ideas 
Dr Gaspar
Established
Not interested by his ideas or style.
GSNfan
Well-known
I like watching videos of street photography but I can't get passed first 30 sec of this video, and I have tried twice. Its just too painful to watch this guy, he looks very uncomfortable and like a fish out of water.
_larky
Well-known
Just noticed he was shooting digital, then realised he's taking a ton of shots and getting 1 in 200 or something. I just bought the M6 to learn how to do the opposite.
daninjc
Well-known
I'm also curious to know what drives so many street photographers to come out with the video of them shooting in the street. Is it self promotion, a fashion, or a holy rule of street photography? I wonder if people are really that interested in that.
I can't help thinking that sometimes these videos are somewhat detrimental - think of Bruce Gilden - I don't really care how he gets his work done (btw I thoroughly enjoy it), but how much s**t did he gets from the videos that show his technique? There's a video of Joel Meyerowitz (whos work I also find great) shooting in the street that doesn't really give him justice, as he comes across as quite pedantic and pompous. So what do we do with all these street photographer videos? I also end up skipping them after about 1 minute.
I can't help thinking that sometimes these videos are somewhat detrimental - think of Bruce Gilden - I don't really care how he gets his work done (btw I thoroughly enjoy it), but how much s**t did he gets from the videos that show his technique? There's a video of Joel Meyerowitz (whos work I also find great) shooting in the street that doesn't really give him justice, as he comes across as quite pedantic and pompous. So what do we do with all these street photographer videos? I also end up skipping them after about 1 minute.
Renzsu
Well-known
HCB didn't want anybody photographing him, or when he was filmed, would prefer to stay in the shadows... so that nobody would recognise him on the street as that photographer guy How the times have changed.
How the times have changed.
GSNfan
Well-known
This video on the other hand is good to watch so you can learn from him how not to do certain things.
For one don't 'act' like you know what you're doing when you don't. People will sense that and then point at you and giggle.
For one don't 'act' like you know what you're doing when you don't. People will sense that and then point at you and giggle.
anu L ogy
Well-known
It all depends on the video - its not really fair to make a blanket statement about all street photographers. If every street photographer made a video, but they were all excellent quality, then I would be happy. Just look at Trent Parke's videos. To me, they are fascinating.
ackers8888
Member
Some harsh comments. Anyone who shoots street knows that you aren't going to get a keeper of a shot every time you go outside. We shoot thousands of rolls and only a handful make it into the Portfolio. Therefore in the short space of time that David was filmed, it was unlikely that he was going to get a masterpiece! I think it is interesting to watch someone shooting street with no inhibition though. Especially when you think of all the people so scared of taking street photos. I would rather die than have someone filming me, but good for David. He is a nice guy.
If you get one great photo (not just good, but great) in 200 you're doing well IMO. Are you sure it was digital? I thought it might be a Konica Hexar AF.
Last edited:
srtiwari
Daktari
To my mind, this is a ridiculous video. Other than seeing a guy walking about "snapping" photos, what does it tell you ? There does not appear to be much planning, composing, or any other creative "process" involved. I can't see what there is to learn here. And the pictures themselves are, well...nothing.
daninjc
Well-known
Very true, one can't expect a masterpiece in few hours of street shooting. What I'm curious to know is the value of these street-photographer-in-action videos. I end up feeling that that it's a form of self promotion - it seems that every street photographer sooner or later ends up doing that! Nothing wrong with it, but if anything I'd rather see a photographer comment on a selection of his best work, how he got there, what made him select it afterwards.
As for the harsh comments, it's true, on the internet we might get a little carried away with non-constructive comments :angel:. But it's nothing personal, it's just chitchat.
As for the harsh comments, it's true, on the internet we might get a little carried away with non-constructive comments :angel:. But it's nothing personal, it's just chitchat.
alistair.o
Well-known
I think your missing the point here; take Mr Winogrand, thousands and thousands of rolls of film and how many pictures do you know or how many books has he? Forget digital (X100 whatever) and think: I've just bought a camera, now I need to get out and learn in action (whether digital or film) Or of course there is the other route of what camera next? what lens next? whatever next - next-next-next. Take pictures now and loads of them.
Al
kbg32
neo-romanticist
Smoke rings are cool
I still say getting the word out on street shooting with these kinds of videos is cool. I would love to see others make their own and do better.
Do better? I don't think making videos of one's self doing street photography is a good idea at all. What would you come away with? Seeing how others do their work? You should do what you do and develop your own style. The point of being a good street photographer is remaining somewhat invisible and unobtrusive. The result is the images you produce.
I personally can't stand these videos. The worst of the bunch is Meyerowitz. It is all about photographer "grandstanding". I've never seen a good image come out of these.
While I get what you are saying, we do not know who made the video and what its purpose is. He does talk in the video... so maybe it is video for fans. I'm pretty sure these videos aren't self-promotion (or they'd be better i.e. more planned out). They are most likely just a quick video for a website or blog by someone interested in his work.
Honestly though... did you expect a class from him in this video? He did compose...just did it quickly. That is his creative process whether you agree or not. He's doing better than most RFF members with his process.
If someone went out to shoot a video of you for the day, can you guarantee great photos (not directed to you srtiwari, but everyone) or would you end up with "nothing?"
back alley
IMAGES
i find it surprising (still) what folks get riled up about here at the ol' rff.
'every' street shooter is making videos? not really!
'self promotion'...so what? is that bad?
i like watching them...never know what i might learn and if i learn nothing...big deal.
'every' street shooter is making videos? not really!
'self promotion'...so what? is that bad?
i like watching them...never know what i might learn and if i learn nothing...big deal.
raytoei@gmail.com
Veteran
thanks for sharing. as a student of photography, i think we can always learn by watching other people. i wouldn't want to pass judgment on David's style of photography from just one video, especially from the videographer's POV.
jky
Well-known
I personally gain plenty from watching others shoot street. I first discovered this when I first had a photowalk with a very talented street photographer from Vancouver. Watching his approach, how he reads the light and just plainly sees things that I would not have noticed... all valuable. I enjoy these videos the same way I enjoy a good photowalk... lots to learn from just watching somebody do their thing.