Shooting from the Hip

Hambino · 12-19-2010, 09:58 PM

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Do any of you actually do this?? I think about it from time to time and I always think I'd feel a little creepy trying to "sneak" a photo

Just curious (as usual

)...

idkjai · 12-19-2010, 10:06 PM

Hahahahah it's funny that you posted this! I actually have taken some shots from my hip. The person I wanted to take a picture of was extremely shy and I wanted a to get a candid shot of her. SHots weren't that great though

Hambino · 12-19-2010, 10:15 PM

haha I hope she forgave you! :-P

Baracus · 12-19-2010, 10:37 PM

One of my favourite styles.

Armed with a K10D + Sigma 10-20 + hyperfocus, I try to frame at the wide end while shooting from the hip, knee, vertically, horizontally, etc. This allows me to crop the final outcome.

Since I have to get real close to my subjects, (1-2m) a quiet shutter would be helpful to avoid suspicion.

Hambino · 12-19-2010, 10:42 PM

Hmmm, I really like getting super candid shots of people I just don't know if I can bring myself to try this, especially since the shutter on the K-r is the exact opposite of quiet

kevinschoenmakers · 12-19-2010, 10:44 PM

I do occasionnaly, but the keeper rate is quite low. I have a few examples in the Shanghai series here.

JeffJS · 12-19-2010, 11:01 PM

Yep... Every picture I've ever taken of people I don't know was taken 'from the hip' or in my case, from the belly

. Sometimes, I'll set the camera for interval shooting and let the camera snap one every few seconds, just to see what I get as I'm moving along. Usually nothing worth keeping but sometimes there are a couple.

hcc · 12-19-2010, 11:09 PM

I have taken several shots with the camera hanging from my neck on my chest (almost at hip level). In other cases, I was on my knees and I tries to get the camera sitting on the ground. In another situation, the camera was above the beach sand and shooting at an incoming wave. In each case, I was trying to get the camera as low as possible, holding it somehow like hip shooting.

My experience was:

* the keeper rate is low (less than 50%)

* the top LCD of the K-7 is a great help

* I tend to prefer to shot MF and have the better keeper rate with MF.

* In dynamic situations, outdor, I use Hi continuous shooting.

An example is below, where the camera body was barely above the water surface with a breaking wave incoming towards the camera:

Hope that the experience might be of interest. It is not hip shooting but there are some similarities... I was above the camera in each case.

Steinback · 12-20-2010, 02:02 AM

I do occasionally. I find that I have a better keeper rate with pre-focusing to the approximate distance or using a wide lens's hyperfocal distance than I do with autofocus.

KarenH · 12-20-2010, 02:23 AM

I do it now and than, but most of the time when I shooting pictures of my dogs.
I don't always want to be flat on the ground, so I just put the camera on the ground or hold it at hip level. When I do this, I always use the kit lens (18-55 mm) or the wide angle, because it gives nice angles. The success rate is about 50%.

Hypocorism · 12-20-2010, 04:36 AM

Originally posted by Hambino

Do any of you actually do this?? I think about it from time to time and I always think I'd feel a little creepy trying to "sneak" a photo

There are accessories for your type, eg:
1. 55mm Spy Right Angle Lens for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax (eBay item 150412531685 end time 05-Jan-11 03:39:01 AEDST) : Photography

2. LCD Protector and Angle Viewfinder for Digital Cameras - BUY - FLIPBAC INNOVATIONS
(I just ordered one of these in 3" to fit K-r, will report back if works OK when it arrives. Should make a useful screen protector in any case.)

3. (Can't find one of these for Pentax ATM but we need to watch out for the Ca/Ni/Oly paparazzi)
Aputure GT1C LCD Remote Viewfinder Canon T2i XSi T1i - eBay (item 330510304959 end time Dec-29-10 20:09:12 PST)

.R.

Zav · 12-20-2010, 05:36 AM

Sounds like Lomo here

**TER-OR** · 12-20-2010, 06:57 AM

I'll do it frequently when I want a different perspective. Whether the camera focuses on what you want is nearly a crapshoot...

Here's one with mallards who eventually figured out we weren't going to give them any treats, and decided to walk back to the pond:
Anderson 64 | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Camera held low, using the fisheye lens, Ki's looking at my face. Not the greatest autofocus job, but good enough for web.
Ki ready to pounce | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

Camera held above my head, and while not perfect, it does get the dogs on both sides of the fence.
Fence | Flickr - Photo Sharing!

**Deimos** · 12-20-2010, 07:00 AM

When walking around cities in the developing world I would sometimes hold my camera in my hand at waist level, like I was just carrying it casually, and just fire away full speed. I'd get a few keepers out of the bunch.

RioRico · 12-20-2010, 07:51 AM

Yes, but... not so much with the big K20D, although I sometimes have it strapped over my shoulder or around my neck and will trigger the shutter whilst just aiming the locked-down DA18-250 a general direction. When the Tam 10-24 arrives, it may have this exercise.

But I do much more of this with a P&S. I became quite adept at holding my trusty 5mpx Sony DSC-V1 nonchalantly in my hand as I walk, arms akimbo, through town streets. It's quite easy to swivel my hand at a target of interest. I'm quite happy with this technique, which has been very useful in Mexico and Guatemala.

It started for me as a Lomo-esque idea, using my original fixed-lens 1mpx Sony DSC-P20 in California's Mother Lode / Gold Rush towns. I never got into the drop-the-Lomo trick although I've tossed it a bit. But stealth photography has always fascinated me. From the half-frame wind-up Canon Dial-35 back in film days, to my DSC-V1 now, to a clip-on HD lens on my cap -- I love it! The hidden eye sees all!

12-19-2010, 09:58 PM	#1
Hambino Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Japan Photos: Albums Posts: 201	Shooting from the Hip Staff note: This post may contain affiliate links, which means Pentax Forums may earn a small commission if a visitor clicks through and makes a purchase. If you would like to support the forum directly, you may also make a donation here. Do any of you actually do this?? I think about it from time to time and I always think I'd feel a little creepy trying to "sneak" a photo Just curious (as usual )...

12-19-2010, 11:09 PM	#8
hcc Pentaxian Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Brisbane, Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,005	I have taken several shots with the camera hanging from my neck on my chest (almost at hip level). In other cases, I was on my knees and I tries to get the camera sitting on the ground. In another situation, the camera was above the beach sand and shooting at an incoming wave. In each case, I was trying to get the camera as low as possible, holding it somehow like hip shooting. My experience was: * the keeper rate is low (less than 50%) * the top LCD of the K-7 is a great help * I tend to prefer to shot MF and have the better keeper rate with MF. * In dynamic situations, outdor, I use Hi continuous shooting. An example is below, where the camera body was barely above the water surface with a breaking wave incoming towards the camera: Hope that the experience might be of interest. It is not hip shooting but there are some similarities... I was above the camera in each case. Last edited by hcc; 12-20-2010 at 01:39 AM.

12-20-2010, 04:36 AM	#11
Hypocorism Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: Melbourne .au Posts: 623	Originally posted by Hambino Do any of you actually do this?? I think about it from time to time and I always think I'd feel a little creepy trying to "sneak" a photo There are accessories for your type, eg: 1. 55mm Spy Right Angle Lens for Canon Nikon Sony Pentax (eBay item 150412531685 end time 05-Jan-11 03:39:01 AEDST) : Photography 2. LCD Protector and Angle Viewfinder for Digital Cameras - BUY - FLIPBAC INNOVATIONS (I just ordered one of these in 3" to fit K-r, will report back if works OK when it arrives. Should make a useful screen protector in any case.) 3. (Can't find one of these for Pentax ATM but we need to watch out for the Ca/Ni/Oly paparazzi) Aputure GT1C LCD Remote Viewfinder Canon T2i XSi T1i - eBay (item 330510304959 end time Dec-29-10 20:09:12 PST) .R. Last edited by Hypocorism; 12-20-2010 at 04:47 AM.

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12-19-2010, 10:06 PM	#2
idkjai Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: New York, NY Posts: 104	Hahahahah it's funny that you posted this! I actually have taken some shots from my hip. The person I wanted to take a picture of was extremely shy and I wanted a to get a candid shot of her. SHots weren't that great though

12-19-2010, 10:15 PM	#3
Hambino Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Japan Photos: Albums Posts: 201 Original Poster	haha I hope she forgave you! :-P

12-19-2010, 10:37 PM	#4
Baracus New Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Posts: 8	One of my favourite styles. Armed with a K10D + Sigma 10-20 + hyperfocus, I try to frame at the wide end while shooting from the hip, knee, vertically, horizontally, etc. This allows me to crop the final outcome. Since I have to get real close to my subjects, (1-2m) a quiet shutter would be helpful to avoid suspicion.

12-19-2010, 10:42 PM	#5
Hambino Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Japan Photos: Albums Posts: 201 Original Poster	Hmmm, I really like getting super candid shots of people I just don't know if I can bring myself to try this, especially since the shutter on the K-r is the exact opposite of quiet

12-19-2010, 10:44 PM	#6
kevinschoenmakers Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Shanghai Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,509	I do occasionnaly, but the keeper rate is quite low. I have a few examples in the Shanghai series here.

12-19-2010, 11:01 PM	#7
JeffJS Inactive Account Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Michigan, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 7,484	Yep... Every picture I've ever taken of people I don't know was taken 'from the hip' or in my case, from the belly . Sometimes, I'll set the camera for interval shooting and let the camera snap one every few seconds, just to see what I get as I'm moving along. Usually nothing worth keeping but sometimes there are a couple.

12-20-2010, 02:02 AM	#9
Steinback Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: GTA, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,673	I do occasionally. I find that I have a better keeper rate with pre-focusing to the approximate distance or using a wide lens's hyperfocal distance than I do with autofocus.

12-20-2010, 02:23 AM	#10
KarenH Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Berkel en Rodenrijs Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 828	I do it now and than, but most of the time when I shooting pictures of my dogs. I don't always want to be flat on the ground, so I just put the camera on the ground or hold it at hip level. When I do this, I always use the kit lens (18-55 mm) or the wide angle, because it gives nice angles. The success rate is about 50%.

12-20-2010, 05:36 AM	#12
Zav Pentaxian Join Date: Feb 2009 Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,371	Sounds like Lomo here

12-20-2010, 06:57 AM	#13
TER-OR Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Dundee, IL Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 6,699	I'll do it frequently when I want a different perspective. Whether the camera focuses on what you want is nearly a crapshoot... Here's one with mallards who eventually figured out we weren't going to give them any treats, and decided to walk back to the pond: Anderson 64 \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! Camera held low, using the fisheye lens, Ki's looking at my face. Not the greatest autofocus job, but good enough for web. Ki ready to pounce \| Flickr - Photo Sharing! Camera held above my head, and while not perfect, it does get the dogs on both sides of the fence. Fence \| Flickr - Photo Sharing!

12-20-2010, 07:00 AM	#14
Deimos Site Supporter Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Kingdom of Wonder Posts: 1,777	When walking around cities in the developing world I would sometimes hold my camera in my hand at waist level, like I was just carrying it casually, and just fire away full speed. I'd get a few keepers out of the bunch.

12-20-2010, 07:51 AM	#15
RioRico Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Limbo, California Posts: 11,263	Yes, but... not so much with the big K20D, although I sometimes have it strapped over my shoulder or around my neck and will trigger the shutter whilst just aiming the locked-down DA18-250 a general direction. When the Tam 10-24 arrives, it may have this exercise. But I do much more of this with a P&S. I became quite adept at holding my trusty 5mpx Sony DSC-V1 nonchalantly in my hand as I walk, arms akimbo, through town streets. It's quite easy to swivel my hand at a target of interest. I'm quite happy with this technique, which has been very useful in Mexico and Guatemala. It started for me as a Lomo-esque idea, using my original fixed-lens 1mpx Sony DSC-P20 in California's Mother Lode / Gold Rush towns. I never got into the drop-the-Lomo trick although I've tossed it a bit. But stealth photography has always fascinated me. From the half-frame wind-up Canon Dial-35 back in film days, to my DSC-V1 now, to a clip-on HD lens on my cap -- I love it! The hidden eye sees all!