Author Topic: Street photography (Read 2497 times)

Eureka · « **on:** February 28, 2012, 04:29:38 PM »

Hi!

I feel a bit ridiculous to ask this question, but since I don't have any experience of street photography I don't think it's a stupid question.

Do you other forum users think that there is no pure street photography if I ask the people in it if I can have a photo of 'em. Just ask that, not tell them to do this or that, just ask if it's okay.

Otherwise I'm afraid they'll be pissed off on me. Specially when this is a small city, maybe I'll get problem later too then.

everclear · « **Reply #1 on:** February 28, 2012, 05:10:53 PM »

You won't capture the moment if you ask for a snapshot.

lisandra · « **Reply #2 on:** February 28, 2012, 05:38:56 PM »

get a long lens

Eureka · « **Reply #3 on:** February 28, 2012, 07:16:48 PM »

Hehe, I thought about using my Panasonic Leica 25mm

Pete · « **Reply #4 on:** February 28, 2012, 08:14:20 PM »

A few things,

As any new street photographer, the biggest thing to overcome is taking a photo of someone a few feet away. The way to over come this fear, is to do it.
The next thing to understand, is that IF you are on a "Public Street", including sidewalks, you are on "Public Property" Therefore you can take photos of people that are also on Public Property.
Now, in most city's, there may be a few feet from the building that may be considered Private Property. But, unless, they have roaming security guards outside and surveillance , you'll be fine.

Know your camera! So you can make instant changes as needed.
Use "A" mode and f/8-11,and ISO 200 as a start.
Use a wide angle lens for better DOF at wider f/stops... 14mm, 17mm, 20mm. The 14 or 17 are FOV used by most Street Photographers. The 20 (40 fov) is also popular, Leica CL/40mm f/2 was a kit offered in the late 70's (28/35), The 25mm (50 fov) is favorite, but requires a bit practice, because, you will find that with a 50 fov, a bit long for framing at 1st, I suggest the 17mm or 20mm.

To practice, go to your large city (NYC like.).. IE: many blocks of Tall buildings, with people that are on the sidewalks all day long, and plenty of them. I go to Downtown Indianapolis.
Arm yourself with a 17 or 20, use f/8 as a start, use "Face Detection AF" (Higher keeper rate), ISO 200, to use a faster speed.
You want at least a 1/125s to stop most action, 1/250-1/1000 is better.
When you see a moment, quickly raise the camera and take the photo, and then give them a quick nod and smile!

, and keep moving.

GO HERE
In 35mm
and read this also on Alex's Blog Some truth on the Street Photography

Be sure to explore this great blog on Street Photography.. Alex also has Street Photography Forum also here LSP magazine
The Forum tab is at the far right on the gray tab bar.

here are some from 1st try at it, I used a Contax G1 Film RF with a 45mm f/2 lens

In a hurry by Peter Arbib, on Flickr

Waiting by Peter Arbib, on Flickr

Crossing paths by Peter Arbib, on Flickr

Taking care of business by Peter Arbib, on Flickr

voyager · « **Reply #5 on:** February 28, 2012, 08:36:17 PM »

You'll get negative reactions, and if you can't build up a tough skin to them then you can't be a good street photographer. It's really as simple as that.

Pete · « **Reply #6 on:** February 28, 2012, 08:56:16 PM »

Quote from: voyager on February 28, 2012, 08:36:17 PM

You'll get negative reactions, and if you can't build up a tough skin to them then you can't be a good street photographer. It's really as simple as that.

+1

Self Confidence is a needed quality, but, can be learned, you can start with photo's of people 10 feet away or so, A great technique, is to hold up your camera to your eye, and act like you are waiting for them to pass you. As they get close, take the photo of them, and KEEP the camera up to your eye until they are passed you.

Eureka · « **Reply #7 on:** February 28, 2012, 09:18:10 PM »

Quote from: M5-User on February 28, 2012, 08:14:20 PM

A few things,

As any new street photographer, the biggest thing to overcome is taking a photo of someone a few feet away. The way to over come this fear, is to do it.
The next thing to understand, is that IF you are on a "Public Street", including sidewalks, you are on "Public Property" Therefore you can take photos of people that are also on Public Property.
Now, in most city's, there may be a few feet from the building that may be considered Private Property. But, unless, they have roaming security guards outside and surveillance , you'll be fine.

Know your camera! So you can make instant changes as needed.
Use "A" mode and f/8-11,and ISO 200 as a start.
Use a wide angle lens for better DOF at wider f/stops... 14mm, 17mm, 20mm. The 14 or 17 are FOV used by most Street Photographers. The 20 (40 fov) is also popular, Leica CL/40mm f/2 was a kit offered in the late 70's (28/35), The 25mm (50 fov) is favorite, but requires a bit practice, because, you will find that with a 50 fov, a bit long for framing at 1st, I suggest the 17mm or 20mm.

To practice, go to your large city (NYC like.).. IE: many blocks of Tall buildings, with people that are on the sidewalks all day long, and plenty of them. I go to Downtown Indianapolis.
Arm yourself with a 17 or 20, use f/8 as a start, use "Face Detection AF" (Higher keeper rate), ISO 200, to use a faster speed.
You want at least a 1/125s to stop most action, 1/250-1/1000 is better.
When you see a moment, quickly raise the camera and take the photo, and then give them a quick nod and smile! , and keep moving.

GO HERE
In 35mm
and read this also on Alex's Blog Some truth on the Street Photography

Be sure to explore this great blog on Street Photography.. Alex also has Street Photography Forum also here LSP magazine
The Forum tab is at the far right on the gray tab bar.

here are some from 1st try at it, I used a Contax G1 Film RF with a 45mm f/2 lens

In a hurry by Peter Arbib, on Flickr

Waiting by Peter Arbib, on Flickr

Crossing paths by Peter Arbib, on Flickr

Taking care of business by Peter Arbib, on Flickr

Big thanks for the lesson and the link tips, Peter!

I just wonder, can you with other words describe why the 25mm isn't a good choice for the first time... hehe, langauge problem for me

Pete · « **Reply #8 on:** February 28, 2012, 09:31:53 PM »

Not really, it's OK.
If you want a full length on a sidewalk, and you find you have to back yourself against a building, you may not get the full length shot. That's one limitation. But, a 50 fov can work fine. Many old school SP's used a 50. In fact the Zeiss 5cm f/1.5 Sonnar was the first street photography lens made for reportage photography and low light lens.

Sent from my iPad

Eureka · « **Reply #9 on:** February 28, 2012, 09:47:20 PM »

Yeah.

That Cartier-Bresson used a Leica 50mm was the final thing that make me deicde buying Panasonic Leica 25mm instead of the Voigtländer dito

cosinaphile · « **Reply #10 on:** February 29, 2012, 01:40:53 AM »

if someone objects , tell them with a smile your a street photographer , and you only wished to get a artistic record of a moment in the life of a city or some other line to break the ice

and show you mean no harm.... tell them that you post on a safre website [ whatever that means] where visual artists from around the world show their work offer them a print , from many vibrant cities of the world get some cards printed up , also you can ask them to pose for a street portrait in a manner that is fresh and spontanious , cartier bresson did it at times and it worked for him

there is no one answer , just go out and work it and dont be afraid to shoot , sometimes shoot with a wide lens ansd as they approach shoot beyond them as if they never were the subject you had in mind , theres lots of stuff you can do

mynameisjonas · « **Reply #11 on:** February 29, 2012, 01:52:52 AM »

The good thing about the 50mm equivalent FOV is that you don't need to get quite as close to people as with a wider lens (which is a welcome feature to us beginners), but it's still short enough to give the picture a feeling of 'being there'.

Another tip is to stay in one area for a little while and let your subjects come to you, rather than "hunting" them. People will feel less intimidated if they walk into your shot than if you walk up to them and shove your camera in their face. A lot of people will even apologise afterwards for ruining your shot of whatever they think you were shooting behind them.

mynameisjonas · « **Reply #12 on:** February 29, 2012, 01:57:51 AM »

I don't remember if you've said where you live, but if you live in small town, this is a really great guide (på svenska dessutom

): Gatufoto i en småstad

Different rules apply when you're not in a big city. Even Stockholm is way too small be approached in the same way as NY, London, Tokyo, Paris etc.

Eureka · « **Reply #13 on:** February 29, 2012, 02:06:35 AM »

Hehe, I live in the northern part and did find that guide yesterday

I mailed it to my father so that he can print it on his job and bring it to me

How you mean with rules? Swedish law? Or some unwritten rules?

mynameisjonas · « **Reply #14 on:** February 29, 2012, 02:40:21 AM »

No, the law is the same, I meant the rules of street photography. The less crowded a place is, the bigger "personal space" people have, so it's harder to get close to people without creating a weird vibe.

Blaufeld · « **Reply #15 on:** February 29, 2012, 03:03:15 AM »

Beware of different laws while travelling abroad - here in Italy the situation is a bit different.
Let's start with the assumption that you're doing it for the "sake of art" and not for a commercial purpose (that has legal complications).
You are free of photograph people in a public environment if they are a natural element of the whole scene, but IF the person is the most important element of the composition, and he/she is clearly recognisable, you must ask permission beforehand OR making sure that the face is blurred ( blurring the zone on/around the eyes is sufficient) because you may be infringing the right to privacy.
BTW you can NEVER thake a shot of a minor without the explicit consent of the parent.

Pete · « **Reply #16 on:** February 29, 2012, 04:21:18 AM »

Quote from: Blaufeld on February 29, 2012, 03:03:15 AM

Beware of different laws while travelling abroad - here in Italy the situation is a bit different.
Let's start with the assumption that you're doing it for the "sake of art" and not for a commercial purpose (that has legal complications).
You are free of photograph people in a public environment if they are a natural element of the whole scene, but IF the person is the most important element of the composition, and he/she is clearly recognisable, you must ask permission beforehand OR making sure that the face is blurred ( blurring the zone on/around the eyes is sufficient) because you may be infringing the right to privacy.
BTW you can NEVER thake a shot of a minor without the explicit consent of the parent.

In America, this is not the case. IF the person is on public property and the image IS NOT FOR COMMERCIAL USE, IE:Like ADVERTIZING, then, you need no release or permission. there is no expectation of privacy on/in puplic property. People that object, will tell you so. You can tell them that the image came out blurred, or what ever. You don't have to delete it either. But, if you feel, that will prevent "scene", go ahead. But, you should have a rule, not to delete any photo until you edit them at home.
Lisandra had replied to this in another topic., saying the same thing basically.

Sent from my iPad

mynameisjonas · « **Reply #17 on:** February 29, 2012, 04:29:07 AM »

So basically, street photography is illegal in Italy. That's a bummer.
How do press photographers cope with those laws? It's gotta be a major PITA.

lisandra · « **Reply #18 on:** February 29, 2012, 06:16:34 AM »

In the USA you can photography anything on your sight if you're in a public space. That includes people of ANY age, and buildings be them public, private, homes or federal. You can't however, photography people in places where they expect privacy, like a gym or their house.

This is why for street photography I've decided to break a few of "the rules". See, the problem with photographing people a few feet away is that other people start to notice and thus, start to act on the expectancy of a photo. That, for me, ruins the whole street photography purpose. If someone makes a scene you'll have to leave, not because you have to, but because nobody will act natural afterwards. So completely contrary to popular belief I use long lenses, anything from 150mm to 400mm. It has taken some practice, but I'm getting there. The most difficult thing is finding a place with a good view, that you can move a bit to change perspective enough, and nothing on the way.

Pete · « **Reply #19 on:** February 29, 2012, 06:38:54 AM »

Quote from: lisandra on February 29, 2012, 06:16:34 AM

In the USA you can photography anything on your sight if you're in a public space. That includes people of ANY age, and buildings be them public, private, homes or federal. You can't however, photography people in places where they expect privacy, like a gym or their house.

This is why for street photography I've decided to break a few of "the rules". See, the problem with photographing people a few feet away is that other people start to notice and thus, start to act on the expectancy of a photo. That, for me, ruins the whole street photography purpose. If someone makes a scene you'll have to leave, not because you have to, but because nobody will act natural afterwards. So completely contrary to popular belief I use long lenses, anything from 150mm to 400mm. It has taken some practice, but I'm getting there. The most difficult thing is finding a place with a good view, that you can move a bit to change perspective enough, and nothing on the way.

This is why seasoned street photographer, have everything "Pre-Set", so, when they "See" an opportunity as they are walking up and down a street (Always on the move), they raise the camera and take the photo within 5s, give a quick nod and smile, and keep walking.

If, you stand in a stationary place, then people will notice you and avoid or ignore you, or act crazy for you.. (Which could get some great funny photos also).

mynameisjonas · « **Reply #20 on:** February 29, 2012, 07:15:00 AM »

Using long lenses give the images a different feel. I've shot with my 45mm quite a bit on the street, and while I've managed to get a couple I really like, there is a slight feeling of disconnection. When you look at the pictures you can tell right away that I was standing at a "safe" distance. A big (huge) part of what makes street photography exciting is the fact that the photograher takes part in the scene.

Blaufeld · « **Reply #21 on:** February 29, 2012, 01:09:52 PM »

Quote from: mynameisjonas on February 29, 2012, 04:29:07 AM

It's gotta be a major PITA.

You bet.

Eureka · « **Reply #22 on:** February 29, 2012, 01:17:23 PM »

I want to give a big thanks to all of you that have been this friendly and inviting, helping me with all this tips.

Big thanks! / André

PS. Maybe I'll try this tomorrow and show you the result. Now I'm off to bed, reading that manual Jonas linked. DS.

Pete · « **Reply #23 on:** February 29, 2012, 01:36:32 PM »

Looking forward...

joanmc · « **Reply #24 on:** July 25, 2012, 08:37:13 PM »

i crazy about photography. street photography concept looks awesome

Author Topic: Street photography (Read 2497 times)

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