advice wanted: street photography

[chicagojohn]

Being new here, I apologize in advance if this topic has been covered heretofore. In admiration of the many great results I've seen from skilled street photographers, I've often wanted to try it. However, every time I do, I'm confronted by that invisible barrier that exists between ourselves and strangers.

So last Thursday, when we had our nature photography shoot at Silver Spring, I rode up there with my teacher, Donnell, and I asked him about this subject. He told me it is an art in itself; that one has to establish an unspoken rapport with subjects and test out their willingness to be photographed non-verbally.

Anyway, I received an e-mail from an on-line friend who had been a professional photographer for many years before he decided to make some money as an electrician; he sent me a picture of a t-shirt he created that says, "I shoot in RAW so I can PP later." (He had submitted a draft of a tutorial he wrote on the subject for critique, which is probably why he sent me the t-shirt picture.)

So the confluence of these events led me to think of a design for a t-shirt that could possibly be of use in doing street photography. I already ordered it on-line, but I would be interested in any predictions as to its effect, which I will discover empirically, but also any other tips that you find to be helpful in this genre. The idea of this shirt is to capitalize on the stimulus-response connection we all have for the sign "Student Driver."


street photography shirt by ChicagoJohn, on Flickr

[mishlove]

CJ....if it will help you to push yourself into want you want to do....I say go for it.

[chicagojohn]

Thanks, mishlove. I had already considered the pragmatic aspect to this and so bought it figuring that at least it would make me attempt something. Nevertheless, I would welcome any specific techniques or advice which I could use in combination with the shirt; stuff you and others have found works.

I mean, if it really is a matter of interpersonal stuff you can't explain, then it is what it is, but that would be helpful to know as well.

[mishlove]

Myself...I start with a mindset....example, tomorrow I will do a 2 hour walk, and am already thinking of the event......It will play a part in my mind from now until I start.....I have a 20D + 50mm F1.8, that I strap to my hand and will walk with that most likely....and I will see what appears.....most opps I will miss, to close, to far, apprehension...but if i come away with 1/2 doz or so.... sweet.


Search for Thomas Leuthard Collecting Souls

[chicagojohn]

That is instructive and very helpful to me, mishlove; all of that, especially the mental part. I have an f/1.4 and will try it with that today and post the results on the forum if there are any. My teacher was telling us the method of staying in one place and waiting for something to come to you, as opposed to traveling.

I think I want to explore both approaches now, but the idea of selecting a specific lens, knowing its limitations, is along the same lines that my teacher was talking about in that one can't have everything.

Being new to this, this is a great lesson; to select some specific set of photographic limitations, and then then to see what may or may not unfold within those limits. For one thing, that helps to reduce the level of anxiety, and for another I think it will also heighten the sense of magic that is why I really love this in the first place.

Any other ideas or comments would be most appreciated. Especially as it may relate to handling the interpersonal issues of photographer and stranger.

[yellalablady]

I don't do a lot of street photography because I always feel like I'm intruding into something personal. It will be interesting to catch the photos of people as they're reading your shirt.

[navigator]

Hi John
Now this is a subject I like. I just take it when and if I see it.....sometimes candid, if I see someone then I might just ask...tell them they look interesting, flatter them if need be...sometimes they say "NO" but on most occasions they say OK but they wont pose which I don't want anyway.
Got some in my gallery (urban portraits) check them out.. the guy in yellow I asked. He was on a stall in Toronto street market....Michael's part of the world...think he is the leader in this field.
I use a 70-200 for the best results......good luck and give it a try...no "T" for me..that's your choice...Phil

[mishlove]

Especially as it may relate to handling the interpersonal issues of photographer and stranger.

If candid....take the photo and walk on.

[chicagojohn]

Well, now I am cranked up. I'm going through the mental phase as we speak.

I don't have the shirt yet, but in science we like to have a "control". So I bought a party shirt a year ago which has pictures of alcoholic beverages on it that I never wore, and I'm going to use that today.

The other thing I have worked out based upon mislove's original response is the gear. I'm always concerned about getting ripped off for $3K of gear which I could not afford to replace. I will be using an expendable K100D body and the f/1.4 prime. I know it's not going to happen, but I figure that configuration will look less valuable than a K-5 with an f/2.8 17-50 on it.

So, mishlove, navigator, and yellalablady, this one will be for you! Results to follow after PP tomorrow morning at the latest. Any additional advice within the next 3 hours will be included in whatever happens. I'm pumped!!!

[Waterwings]

John,

Here's a link (hope it works) to a free ebook by street photographer Thomas Leuthard, mentioned by Micheal (mishlove):

http://www.nuwomb.com/free-street-photography-ebook/

here's another link: http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2...o-me-for-free/

[chicagojohn]

Thank you Waterwngs. I will definitely check that out first thing in the morning.

It's way past my bed time, but I felt obligated to post something from this evening's adventure, appropriate, I think, to the thread. I have more, but they will have to wait until tomorrow.

In the mean time, thanks so much for the ideas and mostly for the encouragement. I really mean that.


learning how to fish by ChicagoJohn, on Flickr

[navigator]

Nice image John.....enjoy your day....

[chicagojohn]

Thanks for your comment, navigator.

And specifically to Waterwings and mishlove, I have downloaded all three free e-books and they are EXACTLY what I was looking for.

I'm going to post some pictures from last evening elsewhere here, but I just want to make two final observations:

First, I really, really like this particular forum. I've participated many other places; this is unique. And I just want to explicitly state my appreciation.

Finally, especially after yesterday, which occurred after the past month during which I trashed everything I'd done before with only the desire to do something new, beginning to read and absorb these writings of Thomas Leuthard, I am gaining a new perspective on the depth of photography: Where I thought I was going through a door, I was only noticing a door was there, yet to be opened.

[chicagojohn]

One loose end to tie up....


grandpa by ChicagoJohn, on Flickr

So this didn't fit into the other narrative, but it turns out to be kind of a story in itself.
I actually made eye contact with this guy from the bridge and he smiled at me and waved. He was totally OK with my taking his picture.

Just before that, Carol photographed me taking a picture of his son teaching his grandson to fish. He was watching them, taking care of their bright red tackle box.

Of course, all of this happened before I waked past the biker bar. Thank God SD means secure digital!! AND thank God I have a spare K100D Super camera body!!!!

Now I'm done and will go on to enjoy the weekend....

[ScottL]

In my opinion, the best way to shoot street is to blend in rather than stick out. If you are out shooting with a Zoom or prime, I wouldn't have the zoom be TOO BIG because you stick out like a soar thumb. With that said, if you become part of the scenery, before you begin shooting (i.e. have a cup of coffee, tea, engage in conversation with the locals) and then slowly get into shooting, you will just fit in with the rest of the crowd. While you are shooting, look comfortable not anxious as it will show. The more you fit in, the more others you may be shooting will feel comfortable and may not even notice you are shooting them.

Street photography for me is about capturing a mood, reaction, expression, etc...

In NYC, I enjoy shooting local talent dancing, playing music, etc... It is rare that I shoot pedestrians, however, if one catches my eye, I might. With street musicians and dancers, I shoot first and tip later... I would rather them be natural then expecting... And from one artist to another, I give a tip and my card (you never know.)

[chicagojohn]

Thanks for your thoughts! It all makes sense.

[chicagojohn]

John,

Here's a link (hope it works) to a free ebook by street photographer Thomas Leuthard, mentioned by Micheal (mishlove):

http://www.nuwomb.com/free-street-photography-ebook/

here's another link: http://erickimphotography.com/blog/2...o-me-for-free/

To give you an update; Reading these e-books has crystalized my focus going forward. I've explored a lot of non-human subjects, but I know what I want to do now going forward. The funny thing is that even after a class in portraiture, I eschewed the photography of people, using only the lighting techniques I learned about there.

Lately I knew that something was happening; some transition. Now I know what that is about. I'm not saying I agree with what Thomas Leuthars does, but I think one doesn't throw the baby out with the bath water either. Actually, a great deal of his thinking pertains to all photography, regardless of subject matter. A must read for every beginner like me.

The older I get, the more amazed I am at how events which ostensibly appear to be random and unconnected have, in retrospect, a significant impact upon ones direction. I am certain that will be the case here, and I thank you both, Waterwings and mishlove for the references and also for your example, and the entire community here on Photoz, even those who prefer me to remain on my meds.

Postscript (a message in an internet bottle):

After assimilating what I've read in Thomas Leuthard's e-books, and this is most definitely not to try to criticize his methods and certainly not to cast any aspersions upon the rich instruction he provides to beginners like me, but ( ) What I really think, to be perfectly frank and honest, is that perhaps his suggestion that surprise and lack of awareness on the part of the subject is the only way to elicit a "genuine", un-posed response is most definitely false. It is clear that a portrait photographer with the requisite personal skills can establish a rapport with a subject, even in a studio environment, that will show the true spirit of the subject within that relationship, and there is most definitely nothing about the result that is "posed" or untrue.

When I look at his photos, I am getting the sense, and perhaps it unfair of me to make this judgement, but since he appears to be oblivious to others' dasein, focusing instead upon what will satisfy him as the photographer, I don't feel obligated to give him a lot of deference, the sense that he is, fundamentally a junkie that gets a high on the adrenaline rush of not being able to predict what will happen in the next moment. I think that he is rationalizing what he does with the language he tells himself about his interest in humanity. To the extent that that may be the case, it is, I think, an interest the entymologist has for his skewered butterfly collection. I am quite sure that many butterfly collectors arise in the morning with smiles on their faces, whereas their latest addition to the collection is not smiling.

Yet, I have benefited greatly from reading these things, both to the positive and, importantly, to the negative also, of taking pictures of people. As to the term "stranger", I suppose that is a relative term; a matter of degree.

In my view, photography should be in both its process and its result, about uniting, not a solipsistic adventure.