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I thought it'd be nice to have a thread of our own where we could share our techniques and methods of street shooting. I haven't really developed "my way" yet but I'm looking to improve so tell me how you do it?

Here's where I'm at now:

So far all my shots have been from longer distances with medium to long telephoto lenses as I haven't had the courage to shoot people with shorter lenses from close distances. I really like the "inside the action" feeling in street shots made with wide angle lenses and would like to some day be shooting street shots with shorter focal lenghts. I've tried shooting "from the hip" with zone focus but I like the see what I'm shooting so I'm using the viewfinder to compose and control the shots I take. And although shooting "blind" could amount to some amazing shots I don't think I'd find it that satisfying knowing "I just got lucky".

So I decided to start training to be more comfortable shooting people from closer distances. I decided to start with a 50mm and after a while move to 35mm and then to 28mm and then maybe shorter. I'm also thinking that first I'll just shoot without thinking too much about composition to just get some shots and to gain some experience/confidence. I'm using my new K-r with small manual primes to keep from looking too intimidating/creepy.

I actually skipped the 50mm and started this morning with Super-Tak 2/35mm. I didn't have too much time but got a few shots where the subjects (people) filled a large part of the frame and other shots where I pressed the shutter too far from the subjects and the people were relatively small in the picture. Most of the shots were techically OK with good focus, previously I've had some shots that were blurred because I apparently was in such a hurry to put the camera down. I quess auto-focus could help with taking shots quicker but apparently I like to do things the hard way. I've also found out (like others before me) that it's easier to stand still and let people come towards you than it is to walk up to them.

I wouldn't call any of the todays shots "keepers" but I'm still happy I did it as it was a step forward for me.

What do you think of my "training" plan? Is this just nonsense which I should forget about? Or would you do something different?

Oula not nonsense at all. We all have our own techniques,methods and philosophy and we all diverge at times. Makes sense to me. I've seen some zone hipshot stuff that's great but for the most part I love shooting with good focus that I've looked at through viewfinder too. There is no better feeling than when beautiful shot turns out that you shot on fly with sharp focus and good comp.

Outdoor markets are probably some of my best shots for people to come walking to me.The majority of my best people shots come from market walks for me.

Well, that sounds reasonable! Should try that too, because I find myself in m.o.l. the same situation as you. There's one thing I in your story that makes me react though, because I tend to disagree. You say but I think a good use of mf makes it easier! With autofocus, the camera needs quite some time to focus, especially in low light conditions. When I use short MF lenses I use the hyperfocal technique, thus skipping the cumbersome focussing...... For me, it works better....

What about using a really wide angle lens to get close to people while still managing to get candid shots? I'll soon have a Sigma 10-20mm and was thinking it would serve well for street shots, in part because I could be closer to people and get them in the shot while not pointing directly at them.

Yes, you're absolutely right. Although for my defence I must say I was able to get some separation from the background with the 35mm at f4 but I'm willing to trade that for trouble free focus. So next time it'll be hyperfocal all the way.

I wonder how wide a lens you need to get away with it. Would my 14mm suffice?

Absolutely but with a 14 you'll be standing on subject's shoes just about if you want them to fill frame.

So I'll point the lens "past" my subject and still get them in the frame. I'll have watch my step though

That's what I was thinking, Ovim. I have an advantage -- I'm short. In crowds, people often look over me, rather than at me.

Personally I think you're worrying too much about gear... 14mm, 24mm, 30mm... all are totally usable and able to capture good street images, what matters more is your sense of composition and timing. However of course you have to find something that works for you gear-wise if you're unfamiliar with candid shooting. The classic length are (35mm focal lengths) 28, 35 and 50mm. Some people prefer wider too. 35mm is a real classic. HCB used 50mm most of the time.

I was asked about htis in another thread, and jotted down these points about candid shots. My opinion, not gospel:

- I think using long focal lengths is generally a mistake, separating you from the scene
- There's a good reason street photographers usually use wide to standard focal lengths
- Some photographers prefer hiding gear, i prefer not being obvious, i.e. being unobtrusive
- Big, loud DSLR's and big lenses are not the best tools.
- SPEED is the big deal. Having the camera to your eye for a split second compared to a second can be a difference between a great candid and junk
- Shooting from the hip is not my preference
- The moment matters. Just being a candid doesn't make a shot good.
- Geometry/composition still matters
- Speed also means knowing all your settings and not looking at your camera much or fiddling around
- Try finding an interesting scene and waiting for someone interesting or someone to do something interesting in it. Or try the opposite, looking for snatched moments without forethought. Both work but I am moving much more towards the latter.
- Do whatever works for you

Good words Camus and mostly agree especially on points about gear. Comp and creativity rule over the tools and techniques all the time in my book.

Definitely. Of course you need to think about gear at some points, and definitely technique, but in the end they're just the means to the end, and the end is the image - not what was used to shoot it.

Thanks for your thoughts CWyatt. A lot of good points there and duly noted.

I don't think I'm worrying too much about the gear though. I'm worrying about the fact I'm uncomfortable shooting strangers from close distances. So I've been shooting from afar, which results in "separation of the scene" as you put it and I wan't to improve.

So my thought was to just teach myself to get in closer step by step. And once I'm comfortable to get up close to people then it's easy to take a step back if needed to.

edit. I took a look at your webpage and I love your work!

I became curious and looked at Camus work too
It is amazing, very inspiring!

Personally, I look at what I am shooting. I consider composition but it is not my primary concern. Capturing the moment is my concern. I worry about composition with some cropping afterwords.
As far as lenses go, I use mostly 24mm lenses and I try and fill the screen. This means my working range is from 5 feet to 20 feet max. I also try and make eye contact with a smile 90% of the time. When I shoot a person, they usually know it. I have found my biggest asset is that I am very confident. I go after my shots, I generally do not let them come to me. Exceptions are if there is a nice back ground I would like to use or the light and shadows are working well together. I like to be ''in the scene'', Not out of it. I know people like wide angles so they can be sly and point it off to the side and capture your subject, But I prefer to point the camera right at my subject.

As far as auto focus goes, with Pentax it is all about manual focus. The pentax auto focus is simply tooooooo slow. When I use my D300S or D700, I put it in AF.C because that system is fast enough. Having said that, my favorite DSLR is the K20D with either my DA21, Sigma 24 or Tokina 20-35mm lens.

Why not start by asking people if you can take their picture? I do this every now and again. Most people comply and are happy to have their image made. But get close if you want good pictures.

Take a look at this article as well.