To be or not to be

[isorgb]

Sometimes I train prefocus with full open fast lens, like 28/2, 35/1.4.
I take pictures without looking through the viewfinder. I want to learn to use my rangefinder faster and better than autofocus 😉 Sometimes object is stranger, sometimes some other thing.
When I look results at home, I think that some pictures could be really interesting, interesting pose or people interaction or something else. BUT I know that it will never be true.
What do you think about this technique for "street" photography? For me theese pictures are only for analizing results and trash. I would like taking pictures with contact with "model", even only one look, than great result from hide camera, like paparazzi.

My problem is simple - I'm afraid to take pictures of strangers. I would like to change it instead of grow skills of framing without looking through the viewfinder.
However, I prefer to have head and I don't want to feel, like this woman 😉

 

[Damaso]

I'm not a huge fan of titled horizons. I think this technique can lead to more misses, at least until you are at the point where you have shot enough this way to know exactly what you will be getting.

But it does sounds like a fun way to shoot!

 

[chikubi]

Do a search on Daido Moriyama. Your technique is nothing new and nothing to be ashamed of. I'd rather see a tilted scene with unusual framing of something substantial than another perfectly framed shot of someone drinking coffee at Starbucks.

This is one of my recent faves shooting from the hip:

 

[Coldkennels]

My problem is not with tilted horizons, but with focusing:



With a wide-angle, it's not such a problem. But with a little collapsible 50mm, depth of field at such close range really doesn't cover much.

 

[isorgb]

I'm not a huge fan of titled horizons. I think this technique can lead to more misses, at least until you are at the point where you have shot enough this way to know exactly what you will be getting.

But it does sounds like a fun way to shoot!

I'm not too. You can see it in my "gallery", some pictures.... (gallery? 😉)

Do a search on Daido Moriyama. Your technique is nothing new and nothing to be ashamed of. I'd rather see a tilted scene with unusual framing of something substantial than another perfectly framed shot of someone drinking coffee at Starbucks.

This is one of my recent faves shooting from the hip:

Daido Moriyama, I did not hear about him earlier. Good example!
You are right, perfect frame from Sturbucks is probably less interesting than hide camera "on knee" from more strong place. But what does it mean, "strong" or "perfect"?
What I wanted to say, I would like take pictures with contact, eye, smile, you know. Hidden camera is not interesting for me.

My problem is not with tilted horizons, but with focusing:



With a wide-angle, it's not such a problem. But with a little collapsible 50mm, depth of field at such close range really doesn't cover much.

I train focusing 😉 Not for hidden camera. I am try it for fast perfect focus with my lenses on each situations 😉

 

[GSNfan]

To be or not to be, I guess you pretty much narrowed down the whole act of candid photography on the street, famously called street photography.

Your situation is very simple, do you carry on taking photos that you dislike or risk it by looking through the viewfinder and capturing your vision?

This is not a thread where one can tell you buy this lens instead of another, this is the part where you draw the line what sort of photos you want to take.

 

[alistair.o]

My advice is to keep on 'from the hip' and use eye focus. If film is cheap where you are and you home develop, then set aside 7/10 trial films for each way of shooting - keep notes (as much as you can) and see what works. I bet it's a litle of both eventually.

Good luck

PS get a level to fit in your hot shoe.

 

[moreammo]

I was in San Diego last week taking pictures of a boardwalk, specifically the relationship between the different people on the benches and everything around them. There was one man, maybe 40 feet from me, when he saw my camera go up he was clearly concerned about his photo being taken. After that he would not take his eyes off me and I stopped shooting. I walked his way fully prepared to explain myself but when I got close enough he just turned back to the bay and ignored me again. Everyone else I shot just ignored me. They saw me but didn't care. That's typically how it is for me, most people don't care or don't notice and the few that do are normally fine with it once you explain what your doing, if they even ask.

 

[daninjc]

I'm not a fan of shooting from the hip. As a technique i think it has very limited practical use, and most of the time I find the results sloppy and dull. Since you don't seem happy with it either - you probably would be better off overcoming your fear of photographing strangers - if street photography is something you enjoy. With some practice, and forcing yourself the first times, you'll probably get comfortable doing it.

What do you think about this technique for "street" photography?

 

[Chinasaur]

Keep shooting man! You'll either figure it out or you won't! 🙂