Street Photography: Ideal Shooting Distance?

[esophoria]

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I've been using my Q daily since I got my hands on mine.  This is the first time I'm shooting with a 28mm lens all the time.

 

What distance are most people who are doing street photography shooting at?  I realize I can shoot far away and then crop the photo-- however, the size, prospective are not ideal that way...

 

Wondering the range of optimum distance that translates into a good photo?

[imants]

 atleast an umbtrella length away

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[Manoleica]

Hi, I will be in W/Creek in the next few weeks, actually at the Jaguar dealership. Aside from that I think the distance is more personal taste. It's what you See' and the way you express it through the lens.. 10/15 feet usually allows for some crop. Other than scenery I'm a crop to the subject officianardo'.. Of course your choice of aperture will also affect the end result..L

[wda]

Street photography covers a very wide field and is open to personal interpretation. My advice would be to choose a quiet area and practice shooting street furniture or other objects of similar heights to people. Or just take a friend along for a short trial and determine the distance you are happy  shoot. Note the distance. Then prefocus and set a mid-range aperture and build up experience from there. Analyse your results critically and you then have a custome way of working which will suit you. But be prepared to ring the changes when a situation demands a different approach. Don't forget that a 28mm lens means getting close to the action; so be brave and try it then move away to a new subject.

[jdlaing]

3-150 feet.

[viramati]

When using the 28 cron on the M and shooting from the hip I used to set my lens to 9' at 5.6 which gives me a DOF from  around 6'-17'. Unfortunately the Q doesn't have a 9' marking so I set it a little past the 6' mark. I am though finding that AF in multi-spot mode does give me a remarkably high success rate and basically change method all the time

[Joewdwd]

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I've had my Q for just over a week and have used it every day for street photography.  Usually about 2 to 4m.  I've had an M9 with 35mm lens but love the 28mm on the Q as I can get in a bit closer and I also get some context around the subject.  I have been switching between manual focus and auto.  The auto focus is super fast and generally quite accurate for quick shots.  28mm is also great shooting from the hip as I used to cut off a few heads with my 35mm lens.  The shutter has almost zero lag which means it is easier to get that decisive moment.

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Half the closest distance anyone tells you.

[earleygallery]

Close enough or far enough to make an interesting photo.

[Peter H]

Try everything, find out what works for you.

[farnz]

The distance you feel comfortable with.  As you gain confidence you will move closer.

 

Pete.