Street photographers.... what lenses?

[Scepticalscribe]

Those are the two links that come up in google search.

Hansens photos usually don't contain any people and if they do, their faces are rarely recognizeable.
Same goes for the other link.

The german legal situation regarding street photography is in a grey zone.
In reality you should be ready to frequently get the police called on you, if you don't get assaulted right away. I remember having a guy swear and scream at me because I took a photo of a massive apartment complex and he claimed that on of the apartments is his.

Long lenses could come in handy

How much of this - reluctance (and accompanying rage) would you put down to historical (and cultural) experiences? Where in Germany were you photographing?

Now, while I well realise that the Nazi era (and accompanying state inspired surveillance) is long over, but the communist regime of the DDR - which was one of the more controlling of (as well as intrusive into) its subjects lives of the Warsaw Pact regimes - lasted until the end of 1989, and many people still around today would have experience of it and memories informed by it.

The reason I mention this is that I have come to realise that the ability to photograph 'freely' in a public space (without experiencing resistance, dislike, suspicion - all of which will alter, or distort, any image you take) has been informed by the experiences of the inhabitants of that same public space with regard to their right of access, permissions, and 'freedoms'.

I remember trying to take photographs in Belarus some years ago; as long as I was photographing a statue of Lenin, shoulders covered in snow, there was no problem. However, when trying to photograph old (or new) buildings, or squares, or anything else, people scuttled, at speed, to try to escape being framed in a shot. Thus, the experience of living in a totalitarian regime, where everything was subject to possible surveillance, informed their response to any camera in any public space.

 

[paolo-]

The typical "street photography" look is a 35mm lens (probably a Leica) on B&W film. You'd shoot at around f/8-11 and rely on zone focusing (prefocus by just guessing the distance of your subject).

IMHO, the result is stale and overdone. I personally like 50mm but it also depends on the city you're shooting in. You might be able to get interesting results with a telephoto. But as others have mentioned, it'll be hard to get away from that pararazzi/creeper look. Also, it'll be hard to frame a shot while walking and you'll need probably have a people walking in your frame.

 

[phrehdd]

Zone focusing is faster, even when compared to the fastest modern AF cameras and lenses. As I'm sure you know, using this technique, the camera is always in focus, between your chosen distances. All you have to do is learn your distances, in your example 3ft to 11ft.

Regarding bokeh, and I'm sure this is going to be controversial, anyway.... I'm not sure it has any place in street photography. I've never seen a neon street light that is a weird circular blur. For me, a greater depth of field is important because part of the challenge of getting a great street shot is capturing "action" throughout the depth of field, so the image is not flat. In a single image I want interest in the foreground, middle ground, and background. It should be difficult to get a good shot, it should be a real challenge, and using this depth of field is part of it. Of course, I'm talking about layered shots here. Yes, there are fantastic single point of focus shots such as Cartier Bresson's jumping man, I get it, really. My point is just about Bokeh and depth of field.

Oh, and I'd be grateful if someone could point me in the direction of great, and I mean great Street photography or street photographers using telephoto lenses. Other than William Klein's fashion work, I'm at a loss. I have never heard of or seen any great street work with telephoto lenses.

We are on the same page. I think you put it far more succinctly than I could.

 

[Meister]

How much of this - reluctance (and accompanying rage) would you put down to historical (and cultural) experiences? Where in Germany were you photographing?

Now, while I well realise that the Nazi era (and accompanying state inspired surveillance) is long over, but the communist regime of the DDR - one of the more controlling of its subjects lives and intrusive of the Warsaw Pact regimes - lasted until the end of 1989, and many people still around today would have experience of it and memories informed by it.

The reason I mention this is that I have come to realise that the ability to photograph 'freely' in a public space (without experiencing resistance, dislike, suspicion - all of which will alter, or distort any image you take) has been informed by the experiences of the inhabitants of that same public space with regard to their right of access, permissions, and 'freedoms'.

I remember trying to take photographs in Belarus some years ago; as long as I was photographing a statue of Lenin, shoulders covered in snow, there was no problem. However, when trying to photograph old (or new) buildings, or squares, or anything else, people scuttled, at speed, to try to escape being farmed in a shot. the experience of living in a totalitarian regime, where everything was subject to possible surveillance, informed their response to any camera in any public space.

You are 100% correct about this.
I think it has to do with historic experiences, too.

But to stay on topic: A small, harmless camera (Leica, Fuji, Nikon Df) will provoke people less. If you shoot with one of the black, big standard dslrs, a long lens might come in handy.

 

[cyb3rdud3]

It all depends what you want to get out of it. When I like to get in and personal I use my 35mm, or sometimes (mainly if I want to go for portraits) I grab my 85mm. But sometimes I require more range and I'll go out with my 70-200. It just depends for me.

 

[apphotography]

http://www.seconds2real.org

http://www.street-photography-hamburg.siegfried-hansen.de

Here you go.

I'm not a lawyer, and certainly not a German lawyer, but I think Germany has arrived at that weird junction where the taking of the photos is not illegal, but the publishing is.

Well in England they were trying to make street photography difficult in the wake of the attack in 2005. I was once stopped and ID checked by police when shooting the Thames. I did not fuss about it. I understand when police have to follow stupid instructions. I'm a member of the Royal Photographic Society and they give us a card to show police that they are not allowed to prevent the public from taking photos in public.

 

[Scepticalscribe]

You are 100% correct about this.
I think it has to do with historic experiences, too.

But to stay on topic: A small, harmless camera (Leica, Fuji, Nikon Df) will provoke people less. If you shoot with one of the black, big standard dslrs, a long lens might come in handy.

Well, the experience of the past and/or present (intrusive Governments) may make people a lot more reluctant to allow themselves to be photographed in a public setting, especially if their previous or prior experiences with being photographed have been unhappy.

When I first visited Belarus, I had a Nikon F100 camera, which was a well build, solid, but relatively large old style film SLR, so photographing anonymously didn't get to happen.

That camera was stolen, and these days, yes, I do have a 'small, harmless' camera, a Leica M6, which is wonderfully inconspicuous when used in public, yet satisfyingly solely made.

 

[aerok]

I use my X100 for street so 22mm for me on crop.

Street photographers is better as you get closer to your subject in my opinion

 

[VirtualRain]

Is this for full-frame? Otherwise the 135L will be too tight (~200mm equivalent). On full frame it's a great lens and it's actually pretty light and compact comparatively speaking. I do the vast majority of my photography with my 50L and my 135L (on a 5D2).

You and I seem to be rather unique here in thinking the 50L and 135L would be a great combo (on FF)... Do you have any examples of street photos with the 135?

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The typical "street photography" look is a 35mm lens (probably a Leica) on B&W film. You'd shoot at around f/8-11 and rely on zone focusing (prefocus by just guessing the distance of your subject).

IMHO, the result is stale and overdone. I personally like 50mm but it also depends on the city you're shooting in. You might be able to get interesting results with a telephoto. But as others have mentioned, it'll be hard to get away from that pararazzi/creeper look. Also, it'll be hard to frame a shot while walking and you'll need probably have a people walking in your frame.

I agree with this... But are you (and others) saying that a telephoto like the 135 would give your photos that paparazzi/creeper look, or that using it on the street would make you look like a paparazzi/creep to people/subjects on the street? The former I could understand as a result of the compression and subject isolation of a fast telephoto, but the 135L is pretty much indistinguishable from a 24-70 or 24-105 to the casual observer (being black and relatively compact).

 

[Hey Jude]

In reality you should be ready to frequently get the police called on you, if you don't get assaulted right away. I remember having a guy swear and scream at me because I took a photo of a massive apartment complex and he claimed that on of the apartments is his.

Long lenses could come in handy

It is for this reason that the few times I have ventured into street photography, I used my Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VRII. I also now have the smaller, lighter and less conspicuous 70-200 4.0, so that is the lens that I will use in future.

I would prefer to avoid a nasty confrontation, if at all possible.

 

[Apple fanboy]

It is for this reason that the few times I have ventured into street photography, I used my Nikkor 70-200 2.8 VRII. I also now have the smaller, lighter and less conspicuous 70-200 4.0, so that is the lens that I will use in future.

I would prefer to avoid a nasty confrontation, if at all possible.

As long as your not photographing children of course! Even if they are nearby, I'd be weary about hanging out with a big lense. People can be quick to draw conclusions. one of the many reasons I don't often shoot people.

 

[soulreaver99]

On my Sony NEX C3 or 5T, I use a Sigma 30mm (can't afford the Sony 35mm) and it does a great job for street photography. Also depending on where you are shooting, even the pancake 16mm f.8 lenses are awesome too.

 

[sarge]

Arguably the greatest Street Photographer of the last decade talks about his process for his series Heads.

http://prisonphotography.org/2010/10/26/philip-lorca-dicorcia-on-shooting-in-public/

He says he was twenty feet away so presumably he was shooting with at least an 85mm

 

[anotherscotsman]

I'm by no means an expert but surely street photography covers a wide range of topics from personal & close-up to what is in effect urban landscape with a corresponding range of lens requirements. Just bought a 20mm Canon lens - compact and relatively discrete - for these types of shot. Comments always appreciated.

 

[Edge100]

Leica M6
Voigtlander 35 f/2.5 (you don't need fast lenses for street)
Tri-X

That's all you need for a lifetime of classic images.

 

[sarge]

I'm by no means an expert but surely street photography covers a wide range of topics from personal & close-up to what is in effect urban landscape with a corresponding range of lens requirements. Just bought a 20mm Canon lens - compact and relatively discrete - for these types of shot. Comments always appreciated.

I agree - and given his varying approach to the subject matter, so would diCorcia in all likelihood. In his series Hustlers which is one of my all time favorite portrait series, he pre visualizes his scenes using a 6x7 Linhoff viewcamera (with what looks to be a fairly wide angle lens 120mm maybe - I'm not sure) and engages in a totally different kind of street photography.

http://lightbox.time.com/2013/10/18...llywood-hustlers-drug-addicts-and-drifters/#1

But in my opinion you're right, there is no single camera, lens or approach that can define or constrain the parameters of street photography. I suppose all that is required is a street and a camera.

 

[anotherscotsman]

I agree - and given his varying approach to the subject matter, so would diCorcia in all likelihood. In his series Hustlers which is one of my all time favorite portrait series, he pre visualizes his scenes using a 6x7 Linhoff viewcamera (with what looks to be a fairly wide angle lens 120mm maybe - I'm not sure) and engages in a totally different kind of street photography.

http://lightbox.time.com/2013/10/18...llywood-hustlers-drug-addicts-and-drifters/#1

But in my opinion you're right, there is no single camera, lens or approach that can define or constrain the parameters of street photography. I suppose all that is required is a street and a camera.

Great link thanks. Just spent a long weekend in NYC & Brooklyn using only the 20mm as a sort of challenge. Although not ultra wide on full frame, it certainly poses some composition challenges but I suppose that's true of all focal lengths, some we are more familiar with than others.

 

[sarge]

Nice! Hope it wasn’t too cold for you. The afternoon sun in midtown is really gorgeous this time of year. Lots of soft light and long long shadows.
The only drawback with digital is that the batteries drain rather quickly when it’s as cold as it was the last couple of weeks.

PS – I assumed that 6x7 format of the Linhof mentioned above was in inches ( I shoot 5x7 Deardorff so hence my guess he was using 120mm lenses) but it appears to be 6x7cm, so maybe he’s shooting w/a 50mm. Wide angle lens in either case. Maybe one of these days I'll get lucky enough to shoot the streets of Glasgow

 

[anotherscotsman]

Nice! Hope it wasn’t too cold for you. The afternoon sun in midtown is really gorgeous this time of year. Lots of soft light and long long shadows.
The only drawback with digital is that the batteries drain rather quickly when it’s as cold as it was the last couple of weeks.

Maybe one of these days I'll get lucky enough to shoot the streets of Glasgow

Thanks Sarge. Batteries certainly drained faster but the cold was not an issue - makes a change for us to have cold and dry rather than hovering around freezing with gray/rain. Got quite a few shots I was happy with and will post a few (just put one on the weekly contest thread).

Also did the Grimaldi's/Juliana's pie comparison - my vote went to Juliana's.

Careful what you wish for - it might come true...but Glasgow is certainly a great city.

 

[sarge]

What, no macro shots of the pie?! You're braver than me - the line is ridiculous enough on a warm day!

 

[VirtualRain]

The more I look into the subject of street photography, the more I agree that there are a wide range of styles and types.

I'm particularly drawn to this cinematic wide-angle style (some shot with a 135mm)...
https://www.flickr.com/groups/cinematicstreetphotography/pool/

Although I also like the classic B&W style as well...
https://www.flickr.com/groups/1046180@N24/pool/

I need to get out and try some of both.

 

[paolo-]

The more I look into the subject of street photography, the more I agree that there are a wide range of styles and types.

I'm particularly drawn to this cinematic wide-angle style (some shot with a 135mm)...
https://www.flickr.com/groups/cinematicstreetphotography/pool/

Although I also like the classic B&W style as well...
https://www.flickr.com/groups/1046180@N24/pool/

I need to get out and try some of both.

Reading the comments on the shots by James Yeung with the 135mm lens, he's using a 2x anamorphic adapter on the lens. So, in effect, he's getting the field of view of a 68mm lens.

I agree with this... But are you (and others) saying that a telephoto like the 135 would give your photos that paparazzi/creeper look, or that using it on the street would make you look like a paparazzi/creep to people/subjects on the street? The former I could understand as a result of the compression and subject isolation of a fast telephoto, but the 135L is pretty much indistinguishable from a 24-70 or 24-105 to the casual observer (being black and relatively compact).

I think both. The compression will probably look weird and make it hard to frame a shot. I think people pointing a big DSLR at random people on the street kind of look like creepers but especially with the 135mm, you'll basically be shooting people across a street.

Really go out with what you have and see what works for you.

 

[VirtualRain]

Reading the comments on the shots by James Yeung with the 135mm lens, he's using a 2x anamorphic adapter on the lens. So, in effect, he's getting the field of view of a 68mm lens.




I think both. The compression will probably look weird and make it hard to frame a shot. I think people pointing a big DSLR at random people on the street kind of look like creepers but especially with the 135mm, you'll basically be shooting people across a street.

Really go out with what you have and see what works for you.

UPS dropped off my 135L today.

I'll be trying it out on a business trip to Europe with a weekend layover in Paris.

My initial reaction when taking it out of the box, was surprise at how small and light it is. It's noticeably lighter than the 85L and about the same size and weight as my 24-105 zoom. After mounting it and looking through the view finder, my reaction was "Whoa... this is a narrow field of view". It's going to require some distance. As you say, shooting across the street kind of distance. We'll see how it pans out, but I don't expect it to make me look creepy... at a glance, it looks no different than any walk-around zoom lens... and from across the street, I probably won't even get noticed.

 

[paolo-]

UPS dropped off my 135L today.

I'll be trying it out on a business trip to Europe with a weekend layover in Paris.

My initial reaction when taking it out of the box, was surprise at how small and light it is. It's noticeably lighter than the 85L and about the same size and weight as my 24-105 zoom. After mounting it and looking through the view finder, my reaction was "Whoa... this is a narrow field of view". It's going to require some distance. As you say, shooting across the street kind of distance. We'll see how it pans out, but I don't expect it to make me look creepy... at a glance, it looks no different than any walk-around zoom lens... and from across the street, I probably won't even get noticed.

Looking forward to some pictures

 

[cyb3rdud3]

UPS dropped off my 135L today.

I'll be trying it out on a business trip to Europe with a weekend layover in Paris.

My initial reaction when taking it out of the box, was surprise at how small and light it is. It's noticeably lighter than the 85L and about the same size and weight as my 24-105 zoom. After mounting it and looking through the view finder, my reaction was "Whoa... this is a narrow field of view". It's going to require some distance. As you say, shooting across the street kind of distance. We'll see how it pans out, but I don't expect it to make me look creepy... at a glance, it looks no different than any walk-around zoom lens... and from across the street, I probably won't even get noticed.

It may not look creepy on paper, but it sounds creepy to me how you are planning to "pap" from a distance. Really don't like that. Why not just get stuck in. I don't mind someone taking a photo right in front of me. But start doing that from across the road and it definitely is creepy no matter how big or small your lens may be.