carcam Posted March 13, 2007 Share #1 Posted March 13, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) I'm new to the M8 and going to NY city this weekend for the Leica workshop. I have never tried "street shooting" and know there must be some tips and skills besides lots of practice. I read a recent post (sorry I can't find to give credit) and they said they aim high, aim low then shoot the unsuspecting person. Never would have thought of that... Any other tips- lens choice, focusing, etc. I am inherently most comfortable with a long lens and not "in your face" photography. I'm coming from years as a sports shooter with long white lenses and 8 fps on servo focus. I am enjoying expanding my photography experience; if it was too easy, it wouldn't be as much fun. Thanks in advance. Car Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Advertisement Posted March 13, 2007 Posted March 13, 2007 Hi carcam, Take a look here Tips for RF street shooting. I'm sure you'll find what you were looking for!
Guest guy_mancuso Posted March 13, 2007 Share #2 Posted March 13, 2007 I was in NY over the Christmas break and i enjoyed one day with just theM8 and a 28 cron. it was fun to have just one lens and see with that focal length. I also shot lot from the hip as they say. Remember the focusing trick with a tabbed lens at the very bottom of the lens set there ALL tab lenses is 4.5 ft. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
hofrench Posted March 13, 2007 Share #3 Posted March 13, 2007 I would discourage you from relying on stealth shots, especially initially. The most amazing thing about street photography is the realization that it generally IS ok to take pictures. Yes, you have to be careful about getting into people's faces, but this is very powerful realization, and you'll never have it if you're walking around zone focusing and shooting from the hip. The other thing is learning to be comfortable with the camera in the role of the "street" photographer. Believe me, it will come, but only if you give it a chance. Beyond basic technical competence, the energy you give off as the photographer is the most important factor in your success doing this kind of documentary work. If you are relaxed and comfortable with what you're doing, the subjects will "read" that. If you're nervous and sneaky, they'll read it, too, with predictable results. Have a look. There's NYC stuff here: Flickr: Photos from A Glimpse of the World Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sirvine Posted March 13, 2007 Share #4 Posted March 13, 2007 Stand in the middle of a busy sidewalk and shoot away. New Yorkers don't care about you--they'll just go around you and give you a nasty look for being in their way. As for locations, remember that 5th Avenue, Times Square, World Trade Center, SoHo, the Seaport, Columbus Circle and places like this are 99% tourists. You could get pictures of those people in Duluth or Napoli or wherever they come from. It might not be obvious to a visitor, but New Yorkers can tell who's a tourist just by the way they dress and walk. Real New Yorkers are in the Village (East, Greenwich and West), Upper West, Upper East, Chinatown, Midtown East, Harlem, Morningside, etc. and they are so much more interesting to photograph. Also, within Manhattan (at least below 125th Street), it's hard to get yourself into any trouble these days. You can go river to river without any problems, so explore.... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Laki Posted March 13, 2007 Share #5 Posted March 13, 2007 i find this video very interesting and helpfull Joel Meyerowitz : Photographer enjoy Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carcam Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share #6 Posted March 13, 2007 Thanks Guy, First I've heard of the tabbed lens focus thing...Just set the focus on 4.5 ft (f8 or so) ? I'll be using a new, coded 35 lux so I guess it's a tabbed lens. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
johnbuckley Posted March 13, 2007 Share #7 Posted March 13, 2007 Advertisement (gone after registration) Yes, this is important -- what Guy has said about setting at 4.5 feet on a tabbed lens. I don't know what this means. I had thought that for street shooting, the best way of leaving the lens was at the hyperfocal distance, and shooting at f/8 or above, so as to have as much in focus as possible at all times, without having to actually focus on a person or a point. I've also read somewhere that HC-B always left his Leica's on f/8, with the shutter at 125, so he didn't much worry about the exposure. But the 4.5 foot tabbed lens instruction is a new one on. Guy - would you mind explaining? Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertwright Posted March 13, 2007 Share #8 Posted March 13, 2007 Yes everything that has been said above but particularly the part about your attitude-you have a responsibility to the people you photograph so be responsible to them, in other words, make your picture, but seek out eye contact, don't back away from the scene, hold your ground or even move in closer like you are willing to share what you just saw that motivated you to make a photograph. The person with the biggest problem is usually you in your preconceptions about what is permissible and not. It is valid to be curious about others, to seek to make pictures about them, to meet people, to have random conversations, and to share your gift which is the ability to create photographs out of the everyday. The hip is not so hip imo. Other than the perspective it offers, which is unique, and could be significant to some photographs. There is no reason why all photographs are made at five feet six inches right? But the point about tourists is corrrect, NY is largely a city of people from somewhere else, so feel right at home! I have been street shooting here for a long time and in the last year let go of a lot of my hangups and suddenly everything changed, so I would encourage you to be fearless, yet also to be compassionate and responsible. I would also encourage you to be sensitive around photographing children, which has unfortunately become an issue in this culture, and also perhaps around muslim women for example. Maybe seek out permission if you are unsure, like around children. A business card can help, and emailing pics too. Sort of the "photographers contract" with the street, to leave it a hospitable place for other photographers. At least that is my idea. Good Luck! btw, leave the long lenses in the bag....on the M8, its all about the 21, 28, 35...or the 15cv if you have it, no focusing, but use the accessory finder. I like to use the 21 that way, with the zeiss finder, it is HUGE compared to the leica, and really fun to look through and shoot- ...Also, 90% of my pictures are made in my head-so mostly the camera is by my side -NOT around my neck - and I am judging exposure and focus distance so when I see it, I am ready, and the camera comes up and goes down. Most people never know I have made a photograph. The realization that it is ok has freed me up to linger a while now, also the winder on the M8 encourages a second frame perhaps or a third, a chance to fine tune focus if I need it, and usually people are still not aware. I have never had anyone "hear" the M8 on the subway or the street, even being very close. Trust your intuition-if you get a spidey-sense that something is about to happen-GET READY and get the camera up, because most likely you are right and it will be over in half a heartbeat. I cannot tell you how many I have lost ignoring that sense, it is almost always right, and when it is not, it's just another bad picture, like the other 100,000 or so I have made:) You will find that if you are "in flow" this happens more and more, and the second you start thinking about where to eat etc, the flow is broken and you miss a lot. Also, very hard if you are with people, being alone imo is a necessity but that may not work with your travel plans so do your best. Finally, the M8 is a bit of a celebrity here in NY, I have had more recognition and questions about it than I ever did with the M6. So be prepared for some questions and fun conversations. Hope to see you on the street. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sirvine Posted March 13, 2007 Share #9 Posted March 13, 2007 The other thing to be respectful of (to follow on to what Robert says) is security. It might not be readily apparent, but Manhattan is locked down, esp. in midtown and wall street. I can't tell you how many times I've been asked to move along by a security officer who materializes from the shadows. I learned the other day that shooting into banks is verboten. (Makes sense, I guess). Just remember that you might be perceived as someone scouting for malicious purposes, which only reinforces Robert's advice to be friendly and open and not act shady. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertwright Posted March 13, 2007 Share #10 Posted March 13, 2007 I did a whole series on banks and never once got chased, but I have had Plenty of experience with rent-a-cops around corporate buildings. You can try to point out you are on public property (the sidewalk) but they usually did not take the civil liberties class... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
glenerrolrd Posted March 13, 2007 Share #11 Posted March 13, 2007 I tend to favor the wide angle get close method in NYC . The environment makes the photographs interesting. I use the 24mm with an external finder ,zone focus and try to keep the aperature at 5.6 if I can find enough light. This gives me some lattitude (DOF) and the ability to frame and shoot quickly . I check my focus by finding something about the same distance but away from the subject. At twilight I start to use the Noctilux 50 which adds a little variety. I still like the traditional NYC locations....never miss Grand Central Terminal always something to shoot. Enjoy walking Times Square at night . Rockerfeller Center has opened the Top Of the Rock..easy location to get the skyline. Ellis Island is pretty neat if you have a day with decent light ..large interior windows. Central Park is worth the walk but here I like a 90mm or longer ...people are moving thru and its not as easy to get close. This of course is just a POV ...with a M8 ..a WA and a 50 you can cover a lot of ground. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest WPalank Posted March 13, 2007 Share #12 Posted March 13, 2007 One thing left out in all the other posts: Smile! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Riley Posted March 13, 2007 Share #13 Posted March 13, 2007 wonder how you get past this sort of thing then Rights of Professional and Amateur Photographers Petition We are concerned by suggestions raised in a Federal Parliament working committee that suggest public places should become "camera free zones". (Sunday Telegraph 11 March 2007) Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
grober Posted March 13, 2007 Share #14 Posted March 13, 2007 1.) on the M8, use a 24/25mm or 28mm lens pre-focused to a medium distance 2.) set the shutter to continuous mode and take several in a burst of two or three IF you're in a busy place where the noisy M8 will be masked 3.) rely on the fact that the M8 looks like an old "retro" camera which tends to put the subject at ease and convince them you are therefore not a pro 4.) always be courterous and respect others who wish to avoid you IF they see you shooting 5.) try some intentionally blurred shots with longer shuter speeds to paint the light 6.) make sure you charge the battery, carry an extra memory card and have fun! (Our favorite indoor place in NYC? The Metropolitan Museum of Art on Central Park. Good cafe in the basement for a "reasonably priced" NY meal too.) -g Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
barjohn Posted March 13, 2007 Share #15 Posted March 13, 2007 i find this video very interesting and helpfull Joel Meyerowitz : Photographer enjoy Thanks for the link. A very good and educational video. Well done and well worth watching. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
j. borger Posted March 13, 2007 Share #16 Posted March 13, 2007 i find this video very interesting and helpfull Joel Meyerowitz : Photographer enjoy I do not think i would get away jumping in front of people dressed like a Ninja and stick a camera in their face like Joel Meyerowitz does ........ i would probably end up in the hospital or the policestation acting like that over here (Netherlands/ Germany)..... ! Perhaps New York is different, i am not sure if i want to try his strategy over here Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest sirvine Posted March 13, 2007 Share #17 Posted March 13, 2007 C'mon, the dutch and germans are polite to a fault in my experience. Of course, you might get run over by a bicycle, but that's another matter. In New York, if anyone gets upset, just point to the nearest security camera and remind them that we're all being photographed all the time. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Photoskeptic Posted March 13, 2007 Share #18 Posted March 13, 2007 I had not heard of the tabbed trick either but I might try it! I use the scale (distance) figures on the lens. I usally walk around with the camera around my neck, pretend I'm messing about with the lens and shoot from the hip, so to speak. I usually use a 400 ISO film, 1/500, f8 or f5.6 depending on whether or not I'm in shadow and set the distance at 10 ft. to the left over the f8 mark. This system works well and I very seldom get a blurred shot unless I particularly want one. I'll see how my system works when my M8 arrives. Good luck and good light. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
carcam Posted March 13, 2007 Author Share #19 Posted March 13, 2007 Thanks for all the great advice. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
james_h Posted March 13, 2007 Share #20 Posted March 13, 2007 Yes, this is important -- what Guy has said about setting at 4.5 feet on a tabbed lens. I don't know what this means. John, If you have a recent lens which has a tab on the focus ring and spin the tab until it is at the bottom of the lens then the focus point is at 4.5 feet. The idea is if you have the exposure preset, you can focus the camera on 4.5 feet without even looking at the camera and shoot. Provided your subject is 4.5 feet away... ! Of course you can guestimate by moving the tab right or left for any adjustments. regards Jim Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.