Street Photography Question.

Originally Posted by kbg32
"...it seems that we all have our different ways in approaching this style of photography."
Click to expand...
Exactly. Listen to positive feedback from the others here and find your own way, what works for you. DON'T take advice from someone telling "this doesn't work" or "that is useless." That which is forbidden or worthless to others may very well turn out to be the gear, method or approach that you enjoy the most.

Example: Like many others, I like using a 35mm lens in crowds, etc. However, a cheapo LTM Elmar 9cm lens is widely accepted as a "portrait lens" and I could easily see how someone who would prefer to stand off just a little rather than be in-the-face could use one of these for "candid street portraits." (My old uncoated version stops down to f.36. On the street in good sunlight, that should give one plenty of DOF to work with. ;) )

L.Geek, give yourself plenty of time to develop your own methods, likes, dislikes. Work at it and enjoy the work. Shoot when/where your comfy and then challenge yourself to push that zone out a little. Stretch your creative muscles, learn something, then stretch 'em again. I've learned to love the process.
 
>So which is it, the hip, the leg or the chest?

Yes...

All three, depending on the circumstance.
 
The pics attached below may give you some confidence...In the first one image the two women knew I was there but just ignored me, I just waited for things to come together.The second image the woman saw me and laughed as the wind blew and she tried to hold onto her skirt, no black eye for me and no shouting, once I took the photo I smiled as she looked back over her shoulderOn the third photo the guy on the left of the frame apologised profusely for spoiling my photograph, personally I think he and the chap on the far right helped to make it.
 

Attachments

  • Beach-life.jpg
    Beach-life.jpg
    92.9 KB · Views: 0
  • Laughing_woman.jpg
    Laughing_woman.jpg
    88.5 KB · Views: 0
  • Lowestoft Airshow #8.jpg
    Lowestoft Airshow #8.jpg
    119.3 KB · Views: 0
Simon that last pic reminds me of Martin Parr...very nice and agree the intrusion of the guy on the left makes the photo
 
I would say yes to the TLR
TLRs are beautiful, and you can't suffer of TLR GAS as it's such a big camera (buy a nice biiiig 2.8F and don't think about it, or a tiny automat 1 to 4 or a MX EVS or a T) :)
Yes, people do notice what's going on, but they won't feel challenged with your bi-eyed thing that shines in the light of sunset. And it creates a contact. People would come and then you ask the fatidic question "can I take a photo of you please sir I would be sooo pleased to record your happy though ugly face on my big film. Please..." Some friends of mine even asked people in the street "we're studying the smile in the history of art course...". Remember that most humanist photog had a real contact with those they were taking. What you can do, ok it's not actual steet photog but street photog is only a part of the humanistic movement, is going from shop shop, and asking the people there if you can take a photo of them.
 
ChrisN said:
A recurrent theme above is being open, confident and obvious. In this vein, why is a "discrete" rangefinder better for this than a big SLR?
Click to expand...

I think size is a big reason. RF tend to be lighter and smaller than an SLR/DSLR,

Noise IS another reason. RF ARE quieter than SLR/DSLR...No Mirror to flap up/down. although some SLR/DSLR are quite.

Also smaller is less threatening size wise. So people are more at ease around you. I Guess.

at least that is how read it. I say, there is some truth to this though. But an OM SLR...I had one or two, they are quiet too. may be the best SLR for Street Photography.
 
ChrisN said:
A recurrent theme above is being open, confident and obvious. In this vein, why is a "discrete" rangefinder better for this than a big SLR?
Click to expand...

If you're looking to stick the camera in someone's face before they notice, a RF might help. Otherwise not.

My huge EOS-30 works fine for me.

5403524-md.jpg
 
rogue_designer said:
I've actually found in most cases, unless you are naturally the most non-threatening, cheerful person in the world, that looking your subject directly in the eye is a sure way to get waved off. It's challenging to them, and rarely seen as friendly. (IMO)

I try to look past the subject, it seems if there is a small hope that the photographer is shooting something else, people assume you are.

Sometimes I will go and ask if I can (tho I usually already did). But I always try to keep in my mind that quote from Harvey.

"In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart or oh so pleasant." Well, for years I was smart...I recommend pleasant."
Click to expand...

I did the look past thing in San Francisco as if focusing my attention somewhere else then taking the shot and smiling. I guess it's hard to be a tourist in your own town. I can't always travel so I guess I have to set my mind to think I'm just a tourist wherever I go.

Thanks for the inspiration.:)
 
No guilt, why feel guilty? You're not hurting them or doing anything wrong. I think some people are cut out to do this kind of work and others are not. I've never had a problem and don't really care if they do see me. Actually I like it when we connect and i make the shot. If the connect with you just take the picture and smile and thank them. If any conversation follows just tell them it's you hobby and you love photographing interesting people. It's the truth isn't it?

I've only had two occasions where my camera got me in trouble. Once it was shot at and the guy emptied a pistol at me. Gravity was working well that day so I could be here to tell the story. The second was when I walked into a flop house with my Leica and was met at the door by a large man swinging a fire axe at me. I found I could out run him running backward. Other than that never a problem.
 
x-ray said:
I've only had two occasions where my camera got me in trouble. Once it was shot at and the guy emptied a pistol at me. Gravity was working well that day so I could be here to tell the story. The second was when I walked into a flop house with my Leica and was met at the door by a large man swinging a fire axe at me. I found I could out run him running backward. Other than that never a problem.
Click to expand...


Wow Don, I am very glad that you are still with us! I knew that your photographic experiences were vast. But in that other thread about comparing 50mm lenses, I never thought to ask which was most resistant to bullets?;)
 
I wonder if the titanium body would deflect bullets.:eek:

Thanks! Glad you like the images. In the coming month I will probably have some new images. I think you'll like these. I'm in the middle of a documentary project on religious snake handlers and strychnine drinlers. :eek:
the snakes are scarce at the moment but I'll have some other images scanned soon.

DD
 
shadowfox said:
Hi, my wife and I enjoy your blog very much! love your Chinatown shots, they are bold and interesting. How do you like your new M6? Any tips on getting one?
Click to expand...
Thank you shadowfox. Appreciate the kind words especially the desciption of being "bold". Never thought of my photographs as that so it's refreshing to hear. It's nice to know that someone is looking at my work :)

I'm loving my M6. It's amazing how the percentage of "good" shots (in focus and exposure) has skyrocketed since I started using the M6. There really is nothing like it and makes you a much better photographer.

My advice on purchasing one is to look at the classifieds here and also Craigslist - I think there's one for Dallas. I bought mine via Craigslist from local guy that let me see it and take a few shots with the camera before I committed. It was a very pleasant experience and I got a bargain to boot as I bought the body and a 35mm ASPH.
 
Last edited:
I would recommend reading Bystander: A History of Street Photography by Westerbeck and Meyerowitz.

It is a good read in itself, but also shows the remarkable variety of styles and subjects that constitute street photography.

I think it is out of print, but I picked up mine used from Amazon.
 
Try Chris Weeks (he's a member here) 'Street Photogphy for the Purist' book. It's a free download.

Also check out his blog at BabecuedIguana.com
 
I guess there is no fixed rule of street photography. But as mobile phone featuring camera is getting popular, people on the street should have no way to avoid being shot.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom