using a 'big' lens

Slightly different perspective

Slightly different perspective

As someone who has taken a good number of shots in downtown Washington, DC, I can tell you my experience is that the most "people friendly" camera to use is a TLR. Using a Rolleiflex I've found people are happy to be in your picture. There seems to be something retro and comfortable about the image of a TLR. People just don't seemed scared by them.

Another point about style and size. I was shocked to see on the Ovation channel program "The Genius of Photography" that Steve McCurry walks around NYC photographing people, often while they aren't aware of him, using a hulking Nikon D3 on a pistol grip (not sure about the lens being used). Anyway, I would never carry a setup like that, but it just shows that anything can be used if you're comfortable with it.

I also find it easiest to pretend to be a tourist -- people are not suspicious of you then.
 
ferider said:
... For a more philosophical answer: in most "street photos" that I like, the subject(s) have noticed the photographer anyways and are interacting with her/him. Big or small lens doesn't matter then really, IMO. Being comfortable is a different matter. Roland.
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Good comment, and I agree. But it seems a matter of personal style whether you want to be unnoticed or interact with the subject. I like the interaction, so almost always I have assent of some kind before shooting, and I'll just suggest they go on doing what they're doing, as what they were doing is what I want to shoot. That puts to rest any concern, in most cases.

I have noticed the size of the lens seems to make more difference than the size of the camera body... A big long lens with a petal hood is "threatening". For example, my Pentax 645 with a 45-85 zoom is more alarming than the same camera with the compact 75mm normal lens.
 
Akiva, thank you very much for the kind words. I really appreciate it.

Gumby, Thats funny.

Last couple of days I have been working 12 hours a day. However I still had a chance to do some street shooting. Mostly between appointments in differnt parts of the city. As a challenge to my self, Iv been using nothing but my Leica M7 and the 35 Summilux 1.4. And I have been fearless in raising the camera and getting shots of people. In my life I have never had some many people ask me "did you just take my picture" Iv been off centering them and looking at the background in my own little version of the Jedi mind trick. Of course, I answer No🙄. And move on. Many other times they(the subject of the my street shooting) will look at me and and than they look at the background, an than back at me , looking at the back ground. Im sure there wondering why Im shooting the bus that is half a block down. And I play along, squinting to make out some distant detail behind them. Im sure in the back of there minds they know. But denile is easier than confrontation, I suppose.



Today on the way to the city to drop off the film, I saw this woman sitting on her tractor eating her lunch. I pulled in to the gas station. and set aperature and shutter speed while still sitting in the car. And than with out pause I walked over to a postion, I previsualized would make an interesting compostion in preperation to get the shot. Once there , I kept my head down and using my perhipial vision . I waited for her to look away and rasied the camera quickly focused and snapped two quick shots before she was off the tracker and in my face, asking what I was doing. I respoded ..."Taking pictures" .... Yes I did.... Why would you take my picture with my sandwich shoved in my face sitting on a tractor😀.
I have no idea how her reaction would have been any differnt if I was using my Nikon D3 and my much beloved 28 1.4 AF-D than the small Lecia M3 and the 35 1.4 Summilux except A. I would be showing the image on this post instead of just talking about it . B, She would have demanded I show her the image on the chimp screen(something I never do on the street)
.
As it was, I told I was street photographer and I assured her I wouldnt do anything wierd to her image. Now in saying that, I have no control what so ever what happens to "my" pictures once I post them on the internet. That is another subject.
My point is the size of my lens has nothing to do with there reaction.
It's the fact that Im taking there picture this is not something that is normal or common.


But this event crystalized several things to me. First off I dont care of peoples reaction after I take my picture. Iv got it, and that is that. And it's mine, it's mine, all mine.😛

I dont ask permission. I dont apologize and I dont feel bad.



Nikkor 300 2.0 IF-ED AIS on D3


I just wanted to share some observations on street shooting. I still say size dosnt matter.
Take care everyone.
 
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Thanks Doug, did you see the little kid inside enjoying his slurpy🙂. I saw this lady while driving and I basically stopped in the middle of street. My first sequence was just a little tight. so pulled up a little bit and switched lanes and got this one on second attempt. I really wanted the kid to be looking at mom but in those frames the dog was looking the wrong way. Somtimes you just got to be satisified in getting what you got. I think this one of those times.



300 2.0 IF ED AIS


300 2.0 IF ED AIS

28 1.4 AF-D photo by Kat
shot of Nikkor AIS in action with the Noctilux 50m 1.0 and the Leica MP.

NIKKOR 300 2.0 IF-ED AIS


80-200 2.8 ED AIS



600 mm 4,0 AIS


28 1.4 AF-D




800mm 5.6 IF ED AIS
 
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