Your Photos FTH (from the hip)

[ulysses.o]

Curious to see how others here on RFF "shoot from the hip"
Take FTH to the next level here
"from the hip" doesn't necessarily mean it has to be shot below the belt. Meaning anything you don't frame through the VF.

For those of you who are skilled in distance focusing with a MF, enlighten us with your technique.

and for those of us using trusty old P&S', with or without auto focus, which camera do you count on?

for example, my GR1 never seems to let me down. framing seems to be second nature now. there's always room for improvement, but having the comfort of not having to squat when a low angle tells a better story or having to climb a tree for an aerial view is nice.

Don't be afraid to make this a photo heavy thread.

 

[ulysses.o]

Here are two of mine


by Ulysses from.the.sidewalk

by Ulysses from.the.sidewalk

(also posted on the GR1)

 

[OlliL]

The Don von oliverleschke auf Flickr


Tandem von oliverleschke auf Flickr


Two recent ones

 

[btgc]

Regarding shooting without exact framing I see some situations when I can understand this - to obtain certain point of view (say, close to ground) or to catch volatile moment when one simply has no time left to frame through finder. As for sneakiness, oops, I mean stealthiness and such I assume there can be few situations requiring this technique - taking pictures of drug dealers and similar, when attracting attention of subjects can be just dangerous. In casual situations I think this is just game to see how well one has learned focal length.

 

[jonmanjiro]

Not quite from the hip, but I certainly wasn't looking through the finder when I took this shot. As for technique, for this shot I preset the focus distance to about 2 metres and the aperture to about f8 (maybe?) and fired when ready.

 

[coelacanth]

(Hey Brian!)

I often do FTH or FTS or FTB. As for the technique, making your body memorize the focal length well (my fav is 50), zone focusing with plenty of DOF (I often use 1600 speed under daylight) and still taking chancing of "composing" off-center framing without actually framing. When tight focusing is required, you could focus to something in similar distance to the subject then shoot at subject without framing.

A few of mine.


The man in a fancy little hat. by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


fun for everyone? by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


stripes on facade by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


Into the secret garden by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


Two eggs by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr


share what you've got by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr

 

[ulysses.o]

Regarding shooting without exact framing I see some situations when I can understand this - to obtain certain point of view (say, close to ground) or to catch volatile moment when one simply has no time left to frame through finder. As for sneakiness, oops, I mean stealthiness and such I assume there can be few situations requiring this technique - taking pictures of drug dealers and similar, when attracting attention of subjects can be just dangerous. In casual situations I think this is just game to see how well one has learned focal length.

YES!

couldn't agree more

 

[woodphoto]

Shooting from the hip is pointless. It takes absolutely no skill to do it and I believe that you've actually removed yourself from the photographing process by doing it.

 

[ulysses.o]

(Hey Brian!)

I often do FTH or FTS or FTB. As for the technique, making your body memorize the focal length well (my fav is 50), zone focusing with plenty of DOF (I often use 1600 speed under daylight) and still taking chancing of "composing" off-center framing without actually framing. When tight focusing is required, you could focus to something in similar distance to the subject then shoot at subject without framing.

A few of mine.


The man in a fancy little hat. by Suguru Nishioka, on Flickr

hey sug, thanx for your much appreciated wisdom, this thread was inspired by your shooting style. lol

im gonna practice everyday once i get that lens!
my walks to work are so much fun! haight st is full of crazies in the morning.

Not quite from the hip, but I certainly wasn't looking through the finder when I took this shot. As for technique, for this shot I preset the focus distance to about 2 metres and the aperture to about f8 (maybe?) and fired when ready.

that's wat i'm talking about, "walking the focal zone!"

 

[ulysses.o]

Shooting from the hip is pointless. It takes absolutely no skill to do it and I believe that you've actually removed yourself from the photographing process by doing it.

i wouldn't say that, i think one brings the soul card into play when focusing and framing with intuition using technique to acquired desired results. i believe in having every wrench necessary to do the job right, whatever the job may be. sure these techniques are more street friendly and aren't for everyone but that shouldn't discredit them.

a growing bag of tricks is always a good bag to have.

 

[a10101100]

Play


Just shopping

guess the first one is cheating.. it was an AF camera so i just set the aperture to f8 and pressed the shutter..

the 2nd one pre-set to f5.6 with focus distance to 2-3m...

 

[Keith]

i wouldn't say that, i think one brings the soul card into play when focusing and framing with intuition using technique to acquired desired results. i believe in having every wrench necessary to do the job right, whatever the job may be. sure these techniques are more street friendly and aren't for everyone but that shouldn't discredit them.

a growing bag of tricks is always a good bag to have.

I agree totally. When hip shooting dominates someone's style I get bored with it very quickly, but as a tool to be used along with others I have no issue with the technique.

Damned if i can find any hip shots in my archives ... I'll keep looking though! 😛

 

[Sparrow]

I can only find one .. but then I even try to look through the VF on those little digi-cameras that don't actually have one, usually just long enough to miss the shot

This is my only one ...

 

[Keith]

Ah ... I found one. Not a street shot but I definitely remember not using the viewfinder because I was using my Leica ll with a 15mm Heliar!

 

[Sparrow]

Ah, pigs and sheep eh?

 

[ulysses.o]

Ah ... I found one. Not a street shot but I definitely remember not using the viewfinder because I was using my Leica ll with a 15mm Heliar!

hahaha i love this!

oh man i need that 15!

 

[Keith]

Ah, pigs and sheep eh?

Hmmm ... I see a goat and a sheep ... but no pigs!

Incidentally the goat's name is Jaffa and the sheep is called Minty ... I thought you needed to know this. 😀

 

[a10101100]

Ah ... I found one. Not a street shot but I definitely remember not using the viewfinder because I was using my Leica ll with a 15mm Heliar!

ooo but they are adorable! 🙂 and your focus is spot on!

here's another one from me..

 

[anerjee]

this is one of my favorites

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pangmomo/5734912331/


not really from the hip, but I have posture of holding the camera in front of me like its grown heavy...

i've stopped doing that. there are a couple of pics to show for every 5 rolls burned.

 

[a10101100]

this is one of my favorites

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pangmomo/5734912331/


not really from the hip, but I have posture of holding the camera in front of me like its grown heavy...

i've stopped doing that. there are a couple of pics to show for every 5 rolls burned.

nice... 🙂 at iluma?