ianmartin1960

Hi there, I have a practical photography assignment tomorrow and the subject is street photography. Easy enough I thought till I typed it in to U-tube, sooooo many different points of view and contrasting ways to approach it. I must admit I don't like the idea of being intrusive by taking photos of people (lets face it how many of us like other people taking shots of us unless you happen to be Brad Pitt or some other paparazzi loving movie star) so what's the best way to approach this? hide well away and have a long zoom lens so the subject is not aware they are being photographed from a distance? Any hints or useful web sites/links where I can learn the best way of doing this will be much appreciated. Also, what lens might be the best choice? no time to swap lenses when on the move in street locations so which is a good all rounder? My Canon EF selection includes 18-55mm kit lens, 55-250 F/4-5.6mm zoom, 100mm F/2.8 Macro, 50mm F/1.8 II prime and finally my "walkabut lens" 28-105mm F/4-5.6
All help will be much appreciated and if I take any decent ones I will post on here for you to critique. Thanks guys.

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

You are right. You are likely to get a lot of differing opinions.

Search "Thomas Luthard" on Youtube and you'll get some good ideas.


For myself, I say use a 35mm or 50mm lens. I think that getting somewhat close is part of street photography, others may and will say different.

One thing that I REALLY want to stress is to get a moment of human interaction...that is to watch scenes unfold, and then catch that decisive moment, that moment when there is something worth looking at.

I went out a week or two ago and I wish I had known that when I went...all I did was take snap shots on the street.


Here is a video explaining what I'm saying:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5Qjym5uliDw#

docrob Loc: Durango, Colorado

As there are so many styles I suggest you take some initiative and figure out your own.........or buy one of those new cars that will parallel park for you........and drive for you.....tell you where to go - how to get there - do all the thinking for you.

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

Well, if you're 6'5" and weigh 300 lbs you have an advantage. If not I'd keep my distance and be discrete, not everyone likes to be photographed and of course it all depends where you are and who you're aiming at.

Law enforcement and criminals take offense so use common sense.

jerryc41 Loc: Catskill Mts of NY

I would avoid hiding and using a long lens. Be pleasant and smile. Spontaneous is nice, but when people see you stop and raise the camera, spontaneous is gone. That's where a nice smile comes in. It will be very easy to tell if someone does not want you taking pictures. I think many people will be flattered.

Although they can be excellent subjects, I would avoid taking shots of little kids. Looks creepy.

gonate Loc: sacramento,calif

The above is very good advise , by all means do not hide.
gonate.

dawgtired Loc: Raleigh, NC

Google Thorsten Overgaard. I saw a really good article on Henri Cartier-Bresson the other day. I'll see if I can find it for you. If you have a local library you may be able to find some of his books. There is also a really fun person on YouTube that does a lot of camera reviews and he did a really nice video on just what you are asking about. I'll see if I can locate that also.

Glad to help

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Right on. I like to shoot through store front windows and restaurant windows or into bristos. People are doing something in those situations.

I do lots of street photography and use the nifty 50. But have always thought a nice f1.4 65 or 70 would be ideal. All it takes is $ and as the art collector said: No Monet!

ole sarg Loc: south florida

Notice he and other street photographers use range finder cameras. This is because they are unobtrusive.

A long lens is very intrusive as is a big wide angle.

Most important don't be shy and just go about your business of taking pictures. Shoot fast, decide on a focal length, get your light meter reading off of your hand in both the sun and the shade. Adjust your speed to those readings as you go about your work. Don't fiddle with t he camera or the shot will be gone.

dawgtired Loc: Raleigh, NC

There are several YouTube videos by the funny guy I mentioned earlier. go to YouTube and search Digitalrev street photography. Still looking for the article on Bresson

dawgtired Loc: Raleigh, NC

Are you on Twitter by any chance? If so, the other article I mentioned is on the Leica Forum, dated March 7. It was a great article and very easy to understand on how Bresson used the 2D effects of the picture plane to his advantage

canoncan Loc: Fife Scotland

when ive done street photography before, i put my camera round my kneck with my 50mm on, that way no one really notices you, i try and take pictures from that level, i opt for black and white shots alot of the time, or i like to find a bench to sit on and click away,

on thing i do like about sites like this is most people will only be too please to give helpful advice, where as others can be, lets say ignorant, my moto is if you dont ask youll never know.

have a great day out and click away!

Wabbit Loc: Arizona Desert

The Nikon D5100 has an articulating screen, excellent feature, so does my G11.

I've said this before and I'll say it again .... not everyone wants to be in pictures, I'd keep my distance if I were you!

dawgtired Loc: Raleigh, NC

I really appreciate humor in street photography. One thing I would suggest is pick a spot, perhaps in front of a storefront with something interesting in the widow and wait till something interesting happens. Perhaps a husband trying to sneek a peek past his wife at a Victoria's Secret window. Or perhaps a juxtapose of society. A window advertising Rolex watches and a homeless guy walks by, etc

rpavich Loc: West Virginia

I agree...that's the element that I didn't have when I went out my first time...the "story" within the photograph.