The Myth of Stealth

[Paulbe]

Hello, Dave! Hope you and Linda are doing well!
Re post #37--to me there IS a big difference in the appearance of the cameras--the Nikon's "black" stands out more. Of course--if you're on the street--that my not be noticeable. Interesting thread!
Paul

 

[dave lackey]

Hi, Paul!

We are ok. Just being lazy this weekend. Meaning of course, keeping a low profile while TCOB.

On the street, anyone with a camera is immediately noticed as ... well taking a picture! Unless body cams or such are used of course. The point is, I have yet to find anyone who cares!

So for me, I have no inhibitions about carrying any camera as long as it isn't outrageous like an R8 with a 400 lens! It really is overdone, that smaller body versus an SLR like the F6 or a D300, etc.
IMO, using smaller primes with a black body Nikon, I am good to go now that I tried it and I have no fear of being challenged while shooting. Again, I feel liberated from the myth.

 

[daveoo]

I first see two hands up to your face. Second, your face is obscured. And then the difference between the two cameras is noticed.

The sudden motion of bringing all this up to one's face.

Good ways to stand out in a crowd here. Initially threatening until processed by the bystander?

A big lens can look intimidating.

I am less concerned about what camera I use in a crowd now.

Thanks.

 

[dave lackey]

I first see two hands up to your face. Second, your face is obscured. And then the difference between the two cameras is noticed.

The sudden motion of bringing all this up to one's face.

Good ways to stand out in a crowd here. Initially threatening until processed by the bystander?

A big lens can look intimidating.

I am less concerned about what camera I use in a crowd now.

Thanks.

I am certain I have no idea if you are being serious. 🙂But the lenses on each camera are the same size. The point is, again, no one cared that I had an SLR. Not on the street. Not in the stores. Not in a restaurant. Never have had anyone care in all the years before either. I have been shooting SLRs since 1978 or thereabouts.

IMO, if someone is afraid to use an SLR, the fear is unfounded where I have lived for five decades.

 

[Rob-F]

Then again, if the shooter believes s/he is stealthier with an M6, then they probably are. Mental attitude counts.

 

[dave lackey]

Usually when I see someone on the street using a Dslr + a long lens, the only thing that comes to my mind is "poor amateur". It could be McCurry, the effect would be the same.

Couldn't resist it on the SLR thread could you?:angel:

Give it a rest, man.:angel:

This is not even about what you do.

 

[Pioneer]

I am not really a street shooter, actually more of an event shooter. So, right away people expect the camera and even expect you to be taking a few pictures. So I do.

It really doesn't see to matter what camera I am actually using. Actually, what seems to matter most in my area lately is whether or not I am photographing children. And even that can be situational. I have had far more confrontations around schools and playgrounds than anywhere or anything else. But I can shoot away with wild abandon at sports events where children are playing soccer, etc.

Sometimes the camera I use causes more interference than the fact of taking photographs. As an example, if I start walking the street with my Rolleiflex or my Crown Graphic I can get mobbed in short order. Not by people who want to stop me, but by those who want to see my cameras and ask questions.

But...like I said, I am not really a street photographer so my experiences are bound to differ.

 

[daveoo]

Yes, agree with you regarding the camera. It is how I initially appear to the subject that is more important for stealth or just non-threatoning presence.

 

[Paulbe]

Dave--back in April, when I was in NYC for a few days, I roamed around with an F3 with a 28 lens. NOBODY cared! They stared right THROUGH me --as if they had other, vastly more important things they had to attend to. And--smartphones!!! Everywhere! Talk about invisible! Just use a smartfone. Your point is well taken, and I do think it depends on where you are.
Paul

 

[ChrisPlatt]

As a kid I would take out my mom's Kodak 8mm movie camera and pretend to be filming.
I guess it was intimidating; most of the kids on my Queens block were camera shy - like me.

Chris

 

[Pfreddee]

Just be yourself. Everyone else is taken. (With a nod to Oscar Wilde).

With best regards,

Pfreddee(Stephen)

 

[GarageBoy]

Sometimes, covering up the logos and such draws more attention to the camera. than if you just left it alone. Just like with cars ... When I see a car go by with no logo on it, I know it's been mucked with and become curious. Any notion of stealth or unobtrusiveness is then lost.

G

I notice the same thing too- hmm- no badges on what's clearly an AMG Mercedes... You're up to something interesting-
Taped up dot on your Leica M6- heh, that's cute, trying to be stealth in NYC

I do notice- even with friends- my SLR with 24-70 gets me the- "WTF?, Paparazzi? " response or the "put that away, you're at a party" response
I happen to like black manual wind cameras (FE2 and F3 in black)- but my chrome Minolta XD7 definitely makes people more comfortable/raises conversation (i.e. - "oh my god, are you using film? I haven't seen that in ages!) (which I want vs. the sneaky shot thing)

 

[giganova]

I keep my camera on a wrist strap pressed against the side of my leg so people can't see the camera. Zone focusing is a must coz there's no time to focus. My head and body are never facing the people directly. When I'm ready, I raise the camera to my eye and make one shot. If they don't react, I make more shots. If they noticed me, I smile and start a conversation.

 

[Monochrom]

I have to say that one i had this canon 5d with a 24-70 2.8....huge outfit.

Once on the streets people thought i was a pro photog and they became very friendly...many times with my leica and even with my sony rx100 people think they are some kind of madonna, the pope or some vip they get very very nervous....

So i guess there is something going on with my leica...in fact once i was delighted as i was shooting with a folder and from the crowd one chap shouted at me "you have no future with that crap".

😀

 

[leicapixie]

I mostly do street photography.
SLR with pentaprism are perceived as "Pro" cameras..
I often carry cameras in ever-ready cases.
It makes me appear amateur, harmless and am left alone..
Dress down, slightly poor looking.
I let camera hang in front, allowing free use of hands, to hold coffees, ice cream.
Don't use a large format camera, on tripod unless you want posed people!
Be prepared for folks lining up..
Practice being easily seen and quickly ignored.
No rapid movements, talk to strangers.

I have the amazing luck of "disappearing" in a crowd.

 

[Michael Markey]

I have to say that one i had this canon 5d with a 24-70 2.8....huge outfit.

Once on the streets people thought i was a pro photog and they became very friendly...many times with my leica and even with my sony rx100 people think they are some kind of madonna, the pope or some vip they get very very nervous....

Yes ...I`ve never been totally convinced that using a small camera on the street somehow makes the job easier .
Most street photographers in Manchester use DSLR`s without any problem.

I think that there is something to be said for being obvious rather than fooling oneself that people aren`t noticing you because you have a small camera.

That approach often seems to speak more to the individual photographers lack of confidence rather than being an effective strategy.

I`ve always found that people appreciate honesty much more but I guess that rather depends on where you live.

 

[tunalegs]

It's good to use a camera that can disarm with its charm. Like an Exa, for example.

 

[Tompas]

(...) To examine one's motives and state of mind is really the most important work of life. (...)

I don't know. I'll rather put my money on Charles Bukowski:

"And examining your own mind is the worst thing a crazy man can
do, all the theories to the contrary being bull****."

(Charles Bukowski, Purple as an Iris)

 

[btgc]

SLR with pentaprism are perceived as "Pro" cameras..

Prism box and potato masher flash are distinctive features. There even is cheap toy camera sold on ebay made as an SLR with that flash. Impress you friends at party, dresing up a pro photog! Just afraid, vest with 500 pockets will cost more than that rig.

 

[dugrant153]

From the OP:

"Stealth depends on how one perceived the photographer, after all, iPhones clicking everywhere with 8 years olds and 89 year olds using them everyday. Those appearing to be harmless are judged by many factors such as physical attributes, clothes, body language, age, etc."

Everyone seems to be missing the most obvious solution 🙂