why would you use a right angle viewfinder (WINKO)?

[Hjortsberg]

Like Farm Security Administration photographer Ben Shahn?

Thanks in advance.

 

[Merkin]

you would also find yourself using it a good bit when using a portable tripod, particularly an older portable tripod.

 

[Pablito]

Like Farm Security Administration photographer Ben Shahn?

Thanks in advance.

He felt it made him less obtrusive, like people would not be aware he was photographing them. But today people are much more camera-conscious.

The WINKO is not like modern right angle finders. You don't look down into it. It's not for having the camera low to the ground as others have described. You hold the camera at eye level.

 

[jtm6]

The WINKO is not like modern right angle finders. You don't look down into it.

Ahh yes, I know what you mean. I think that would draw more attention. 😀

 

[Pablito]

Ahh yes, I know what you mean. I think that would draw more attention. 😀

Nowadays it probably would!

 

[Hjortsberg]

He felt it made him less obtrusive, like people would not be aware he was photographing them. But today people are much more camera-conscious.

The WINKO is not like modern right angle finders. You don't look down into it. It's not for having the camera low to the ground as others have described. You hold the camera at eye level.

but this doesn't make sense to me. so he wasn't looking at them when he was taking the picture (by use of the WINKO) but the lens of the camera was still pointed at the subjects. surely they must have known the regardless of the angle the photographer was looking the camera lens was pointed at them and therefore their picture was being taken

 

[Roger Hicks]

. . . surely they must have known the regardless of the angle the photographer was looking the camera lens was pointed at them and therefore their picture was being taken

Not necessarily. You're looking at few million years' evolution on reading body language vs. a century or so of reading cameras. TLR users reckon you can use a TLR sideways, for that matter.

On the other hand, I had a WINTU CHROM and never got on with it, so I probably looked more conspicuous than if I'd just used the camera normally. This applies to a lot of 'stealth' photography: people trying to be 'stealthy' often look like conspicuous prats. A lot of it (including using a right-angle finder) is down to smoothness of operation, and confidence.

Cheers,

R.

 

[dovi]

I read that Helen Levitt used one. I really admire her work. Knowing she used one makes her work more understandable to me because I was amazed at the way most people in her shots look so relaxed and unconcerned.

 

[.... _]

One of the benefits of using a tlr is that you look down which means you hold the camera lower. And for a full length portrait that is a good thing because it means the camera is not pointing downwards to get the subjects feet in. i.e. the camera is located nearer to the mid height of the subject which also means film plane will be closer to parallel with subject plane. So a right angle viewer on a 35mm camera will do the same for you.
And for low or ground level subjects it makes it easier to get your eye in there to see.

And if you're bald you can write "smile" on the top of your head to make the subject smile naturally when you put your head down to look in the right angle finder.