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Originally Posted by blovitch
I think alot of this is to do with perceptions....
People see a huge SLR with a chunky lens and immediately form and idea.. When I have used an M camera and an to a certain extent an X-Pan 2 at Weddings, people always seem surprised, even dissapointed, that I am not lugging around a huge black box covered in buttons, dials and knobs. To the non photographer thats what a "Pro" camera should look like.
I think that if you are using a Leica M for street photography you will be seen with it, but the impact is different because of its appearance. It looks less like a "Pro" camera and more like an old hobbyist machine, therefore is less threatening to most people.
I am a little uncomforable with the notion of "stealth" when talking about street photography, maybe in the worlds trouble spots for a journalistic assignment, but for casual picture taking I think perhaps trying to conceal your activities is likely to bring about more attention than if you are a little more open and honest about your intentions.
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Your thoughts are reasonable, but not tested to 'conclusion'. Stealthy approaches to street photography
do produce different results from 'open & honest' methods as you describe them. IMHO both are legitimate, but produce decidedly different results.
As to the appearance of the camera, that is insignificant relative to the photographers demeanour. I know that any camera can be used for street photography
if the photographer is skilled. Without skill, the camera is useless anyway.
Concern about
what people think can easily cloud a photographers judgement. If you have a job to do, do it! If you are shooting street or other self indulgent style, then be considerate of other peoples rights, but their thoughts are their problem. Take them on board and you will compromise your images. Sometimes that can be the right thing, of course. No situation is straight forward.
Che3rs,
Erl