Street photographers: how do you stay mean when going lean?

[Al Kaplan]

I agree that the rigid gender stuff is rediculous. I have a number of friends and clients who are gay and are very much "out", but it doesn't bother me to be seen with them having a cup of coffee together. I've been carrying various shoulder bags for so many decades that I hardly notice it's there. Back when I was doing a lot of wedding photography I bought a nice small black leather ladys' "purse" with a shoulder strap to carry my extra rolls of 120 film, thinking that it looked a lot better with a tux than a typical "camera bag".

For everyday use these days I'm mostly back to one camera and lens, either a Leica CL with a 40 or a Bessa L with a 15. A small belt pouch holds a Weston Master V meter with the incident converter, a couple of spare rolls in my pocket, and it feels wonderful to not be carrying around three M bodies set up with 21, 35, and 85mm lenses, plus a 135 in my bag and a 180 on an SLR body hanging from my shoulder. I spent enough years carrying that load around trying to make a buck. Now it's fun time, one body, one lens.

 

[kbg32]

I have a variety of bags and backpacks from a small Domke to some bags I've picked up at various non-camera stores. I try to stay from camera looking bags. I use whatever I feel will be necessary for the day. It doesn't really matter what you use as long as it fills your needs and doesn't hinder you while photographing.

 

[gb hill]

I use a Tamrac LTX series bag when I carry one. It has room for one body & meter very comfortably, has a padded divider where I carry an extra lens or two. Also a good size zippered pocket to carry extra film.

 

[allen_a_george]

I use a backpack since two straps are easier on my shoulders than one. It has my food, water, phone and other miscellaneous stuff. Also contains marked ziploc bags with 1) unexposed film and 2) exposed film. Finally, one lens, one body.

Finally, I second what Nh3 said: I try to be at peace in my mind when photographing, and be very open about the fact that I'm photographing. It is all a learning experience.

 

[Todd.Hanz]

I agree that the rigid gender stuff is rediculous. I have a number of friends and clients who are gay and are very much "out", but it doesn't bother me to be seen with them having a cup of coffee together.

that's "ridiculous"

I live in Texas, so carrying a bag is out! Besides...I can't find one that goes with my spurs or doesn't clash with my saddle 😉

Todd

 

[rbsinto]

Who goes lean and mean? I always carry enough glass to cover all the bases.
Better to have it and not need it, than need it and not have it.
Besides, I don't have either the time or the inclination to be switching lenses when a scene pops up, because that's not the way life works. Street is too time-sensitive for that. Screw around and you'll miss it.
SLRs? I always carry three motorized bodies with zoom lenses, plus a Tenba 995 bag, and vest.
Rangefinder? Two bodies with 21 and 35 mm lenses plus a motorized SLR with a 180 for more reach, and the same vest. The rangefinder bag is something I cobbled together from a generic shoulder bag with some added bits and pieces from a backpack that belonged to one of our kids.
When I'm on the streets I'm Big as Life and Ugly as Sin. I don't know about anyone else, but it works for me.

 

[ClaremontPhoto]

rbsinto:


Wow, I would have thought that much equipment would have slowed you down.

But having looked at both of your photos in the Gallery from the past twelve months I can see it works for you.

The grabshot of the guy seemingly from a rehab center and fast asleep in an alley is an example of how to work fast even though you're carrying so many cameras. A decisive moment indeed.

 

[rbsinto]

Jon,
Thanks for the kind words.
I do most of my shooting with SLRs just because I'm more at home with them and feel my work with them is more creative than the photos I 've taken with the Rangefinders. I've got lots of what I consider to be good street shots posted elsewhere that can't be posted here because they were taken with SLRs

 

[chris91387]

Just read Chris91387's post... I assume that's your zip code -- Santa Clarita, right? It figures we SoCal folks would recommend beltpacks,.. they truly are very versatile, especially here.

Hello from 91709 (in the IE) !!!

hello keith. yup, i'm out in the 'burbs.


- chris

 

[totst]

1 lens , 1 body, hung on the neck. The obvious is more discreet. Try being cautious, then people react. Being so visible may actually render you invisible. Also, bring the oldest looking camera you got. Then they think.."is he sampling air or what?". My 2 cents.

 

[monopix]

A Hama belt bag as shown.

And as you can see from the strap attached to the left lug only, the camera hangs around my neck with no annoying straps attached to the side I grip it with.

Hama also do another version of this bag which can take three lenses. I have one of those too but don't like it so much.

 

[kshapero]

strap around the fist , a lens in the pocket, film in the vest pocket 🙂

Where is the camera?