Street photography advice

DeadJohn · 12-26-2019, 09:30 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by James also

Set a program mode for street photos

I'll offer an alternative viewpoint: TAv is my preferred mode for street photography. I use a fast shutter speed to freeze subject movement, medium aperture to get some depth of field, then let the camera pick ISO.

**James also** · 12-28-2019, 12:44 AM

Originally posted by vinni

I've never really used P-mode, what would the benefit be over Av to fix the depth of field?

Originally posted by DeadJohn

I'll offer an alternative viewpoint: TAv is my preferred mode for street photography. I use a fast shutter speed to freeze subject movement, medium aperture to get some depth of field, then let the camera pick ISO.

I should have perhaps put a question mark at the end of the sentence. I find Program mode really good if I have a consistent light. something that going in and out of shade may not help.

So tips such as set the speed and F stop let the camera decide ISO are the pointers I was hoping to eke out.

**rogerstg** · 12-28-2019, 08:25 AM

Originally posted by James also

So tips such as set the speed and F stop let the camera decide ISO are the pointers I was hoping to eke out

That's what i do most of the time (tav) but add that I also set my EV comp, generally to -1 stop. In darker areas, part of the attraction is the lower lighting: no point in wasting ISO only to darken in post. For dynamic areas of light and dark, it helps to avoid blowing highlights. Those scenarios are very common in cities (and in forests).
And, of course, back button focus/continuous to speed up shot taking.

**BarryE** · 12-28-2019, 11:02 AM - **1 Like**

Smile.
Don't look furtive.
Don't do the shooting from the hip style or the try and hide what you're doing. Be open about it.
If you feel you're shooting for the wrong reasons (I think we all know what that means), you will stand out and things can go wrong, quickly.
Dress relaxed to fit in.
Use a small camera and keep gear simple.
Ask if subjects mind, where possible.
If challenged, show them what you've been shooting and delete if requested, regardless of the law.
Be polite.
Start off in a big crowded event, eg carnival.
.. and smile ...

vinni · 01-08-2020, 09:00 AM

Originally posted by BarryE

Don't look furtive.

Alternatively you can go 'Bruce Gilden' style. I love this 4 minute

You Tube

where they follow him in NY.

**carlb** · 01-10-2020, 11:55 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by dlh

And people wonder why the term, "Yankee", is used as an epithet. Gilden sums it up for himself perfectly: "I got no ethics." He's an inconsiderate boob, and all I can say is that New York City deserves him. Though it's a wonder his nose is still straight - you'd have thought someone would have realigned it for him at some point, particularly in a lawless place filled with Bloomburgers.

I hope Rotterdam is better than that.

Yeah, I'm surprised he hasn't been belted a few times. Maybe he should try his "technique" on a bunch of Hells Angels and see how he fares.

bikehead90 · 02-03-2020, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by VSTAR

May I suggest...have a camera with an articulating screen so you are looking down at the lcd screen while the camera points towards your subject. May make you less nervous as the subjects do not know you are looking at them. Some of the best street photos I took when younger was with a Mamiya twin lens reflex...the standard focussing method was to look down into the camera...no one knew you were focussing on anybody or anything.

The “Apollo” screen on the K-1 has proven to be a godscend. In addition to removing the self consciousness, and can add a cool perspective on shots.

**simple1** · 02-03-2020, 08:29 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by dlh

And people wonder why the term, "Yankee", is used as an epithet. Gilden sums it up for himself perfectly: "I got no ethics." He's an inconsiderate boob, and all I can say is that New York City deserves him. Though it's a wonder his nose is still straight - you'd have thought someone would have realigned it for him at some point, particularly in a lawless place filled with Bloomburgers.

I hope Rotterdam is better than that.

Such an interesting video.

Folks in NYC would no doubt consider me provincial but my first thought was “try that with me an I’ll break your nose, take your film and generally break your shit“. That would never fly in a southern city.

But those same people don’t cast a second glance at such blatant rudeness.

**Pedrodelta** · 02-04-2020, 02:47 PM

Take a look here

You Tube

at Sean Tucker's youtube channel.
Lots of interesting info and sound advice.

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12-26-2019, 09:30 AM - 1 Like	#31
DeadJohn Pentaxian Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: New York Posts: 4,833	Originally posted by James also Set a program mode for street photos I'll offer an alternative viewpoint: TAv is my preferred mode for street photography. I use a fast shutter speed to freeze subject movement, medium aperture to get some depth of field, then let the camera pick ISO.

12-28-2019, 12:44 AM	#32
James also Site Supporter Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Victoria Photos: Gallery Posts: 330	Originally posted by vinni I've never really used P-mode, what would the benefit be over Av to fix the depth of field? Originally posted by DeadJohn I'll offer an alternative viewpoint: TAv is my preferred mode for street photography. I use a fast shutter speed to freeze subject movement, medium aperture to get some depth of field, then let the camera pick ISO. I should have perhaps put a question mark at the end of the sentence. I find Program mode really good if I have a consistent light. something that going in and out of shade may not help. So tips such as set the speed and F stop let the camera decide ISO are the pointers I was hoping to eke out.

12-28-2019, 08:25 AM	#33
rogerstg Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2007 Location: Rhode Island Photos: Albums Posts: 1,168	Originally posted by James also So tips such as set the speed and F stop let the camera decide ISO are the pointers I was hoping to eke out That's what i do most of the time (tav) but add that I also set my EV comp, generally to -1 stop. In darker areas, part of the attraction is the lower lighting: no point in wasting ISO only to darken in post. For dynamic areas of light and dark, it helps to avoid blowing highlights. Those scenarios are very common in cities (and in forests). And, of course, back button focus/continuous to speed up shot taking.

12-28-2019, 11:02 AM - 1 Like	#34
BarryE Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2013 Location: Hampshire, UK Posts: 1,653	Smile. Don't look furtive. Don't do the shooting from the hip style or the try and hide what you're doing. Be open about it. If you feel you're shooting for the wrong reasons (I think we all know what that means), you will stand out and things can go wrong, quickly. Dress relaxed to fit in. Use a small camera and keep gear simple. Ask if subjects mind, where possible. If challenged, show them what you've been shooting and delete if requested, regardless of the law. Be polite. Start off in a big crowded event, eg carnival. .. and smile ...

01-10-2020, 11:55 PM - 1 Like	#36
carlb Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Perth, Western Australia Posts: 1,162	Originally posted by dlh And people wonder why the term, "Yankee", is used as an epithet. Gilden sums it up for himself perfectly: "I got no ethics." He's an inconsiderate boob, and all I can say is that New York City deserves him. Though it's a wonder his nose is still straight - you'd have thought someone would have realigned it for him at some point, particularly in a lawless place filled with Bloomburgers. I hope Rotterdam is better than that. Yeah, I'm surprised he hasn't been belted a few times. Maybe he should try his "technique" on a bunch of Hells Angels and see how he fares.

02-03-2020, 07:36 AM	#37
bikehead90 Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2018 Photos: Gallery Posts: 193 Original Poster	Originally posted by VSTAR May I suggest...have a camera with an articulating screen so you are looking down at the lcd screen while the camera points towards your subject. May make you less nervous as the subjects do not know you are looking at them. Some of the best street photos I took when younger was with a Mamiya twin lens reflex...the standard focussing method was to look down into the camera...no one knew you were focussing on anybody or anything. The “Apollo” screen on the K-1 has proven to be a godscend. In addition to removing the self consciousness, and can add a cool perspective on shots.

02-03-2020, 08:29 PM - 1 Like	#38
simple1 Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: In the Florida swamps Posts: 761	Originally posted by dlh And people wonder why the term, "Yankee", is used as an epithet. Gilden sums it up for himself perfectly: "I got no ethics." He's an inconsiderate boob, and all I can say is that New York City deserves him. Though it's a wonder his nose is still straight - you'd have thought someone would have realigned it for him at some point, particularly in a lawless place filled with Bloomburgers. I hope Rotterdam is better than that. Such an interesting video. Folks in NYC would no doubt consider me provincial but my first thought was “try that with me an I’ll break your nose, take your film and generally break your shit“. That would never fly in a southern city. But those same people don’t cast a second glance at such blatant rudeness.