I do feel a distant hesitating approach to these shots. I was going to comment earlier that I find myself liking digital capture more because I can shoot until I get into a more relaxed state of mind, and that's where things tend to happen for me.
I think the advice to get closer is good but you have to factor in how people relate to you generally. People tend to ignore or smile at my wife where I can count on an annoyed glare..
Some prefer telephoto while others prefer wide. So many choices to play with.
To the OP, What is your opinion on all this?
My opinion? Well, firstly, that this is a great group with a wide diversity of perspectives but always constructive in its criticism.
Re your comment on digital: I would love to have an M9, but, for now, I can't get over the $7K hump; maybe eventually. But that "decisive moment" might not wait until you're sufficiently relaxed, no?
Re getting closer: I commented on this in my response to Damaso, so I won't belabor the point. However, I do try to get into the frame that which I think "works." When I decided to shoot that crazy scene of partially dressed people, I hesitated because I thought it would just be an ordinary snap. But then the woman with the ice cream cone happened by, and I knew that the shot would be somewhat better than an ordinary snap.
I would like to add another thought, one that is possibly shared by others here. I always carry a camera. But often it's a "virtual" camera that allows me to record virtual images that I would have liked, in reality, to have captured. But when I capture these virtual images, I recognize that even if I had my real camera with me, I'd probably pass up some of the shots because of my concern with being intrusive.
Harry
