When I’m circulating in an area waiting to catch a subject I frequently check my wrist watch then look around as though I’m searching for someone I’m intending to meet. Add a frustrated look as though they are late and that usually puts people at ease.
i have been taking street shots for over 10 years and mainly use a mamiya7ii. I even used a hasselblad and pentax 67. What have i learned? You are never invisible. No matter what you wear or do. You can spend too much time "being invisible" and not take any decent shots. Lesson? Be more involved in SEEING and WATCHING. Observe and react. And spend less time worrying about "being invisible" Use zone focusing and learn exposure on any given day or moment.
I wear clothing that helps me blend in with the surrounding buildings. I use a small camera, but not a tiny one. I will spend time looking at my phone before taking a picture. Last but not least, I don’t wear a backpack.
Matt Stuart, a famous street photographer, makes no attempt to be invisible: he obviously takes a shot, but when he does he then looks at the top plate of the camera with a baffled expression on his face, shakes his head, and just keeps walking.
You are right, Matt is a fantastic photographer - but his approach is a bit different. I think we need to keep in mind that the style of Street Photography differs from country to country. Here in Germany or in Eastern Europe people are very wary about Street Photographers, while in London or New York most folks have absolutely no problem with photographers. I love to shoot openly in NYC or London.
Oh - wie ich schmunzeln musste, Oliver , und spätestens bei dem roten Outfit war der Übergang vom Schmunzeln ins herzliche Lachen fließend. Ich mochte von Anfang an deine Art, 'Wissen aus Erfahrung' mit dieser Prise Humor zu vermitteln. Deine Tipps sind mir, u.a. auch aus diesem Grund, stets willkommen. Am Ende dieses Videos kam mir dann der Gedanke, dass ein unauffälliges Verhalten recht schnell auch mal zu einem äuußerst auffällig unauffälligen Verhalten geraten kann, sollte man dabei beobachtet werden. Vor allem, wenn man sich krampfhaft darauf konzentriert und sich in all das Mittel- und Unmittelbare, das man am Körper mit sich herumträgt, verheddert ;-). Da können schon mal für einen selbst un-, für ein evtl. Gegenüber jedoch recht auffällige filmreife Slapsticks zustande kommen ;-). Liebe Grüße - Monika
I love and have used MANY of these techniques, but I hadn't done that lately, so I like it. I'll add one more. Have you ever seen how Garry Winogrand did it? He looked like he was having trouble with his camera and fumbling with it, and all jiggly in his hands without even looking through the viewfinder, snapping away. That's one I use sometimes. Just looking incapable. ;)
Yes, the confused professor trick! That´s also great , I shared this in my older video about being invisible in Street Photography about 1 year ago. It´s really a very useful trick for many situations. Thanks Chris!
My favourite methods for street are the no finder (not even the tilt screen, as I find peple notice it as well), and the Garry Winogrand thing, looking like figuring out something with camera, often checking the focus ring (use mf lenses the most) back and forth turning the camera at me in between the shots
Good tips, but I think it all depends on your goals and the specific situation that can vary scene to scene. So your method needs to be adapted in real time to your goals. For example, I prefer getting up close and personal, even doing street portraits. This skill set is radically different than being an invisible creep lurking in the shadows. When I’ve engaged people personally, the camera size really hasn’t mattered at all from a GR3 to a Canon with a 24-70. And I can get the same non-personal shots with any camera as long as I’m not walking by them and shoving a camera in their face or taking pictures of their kids. I’m not saying never be discreet, just think there is too much unnecessary paranoia being spread across RUclips with how to do street.
@@whatsgood001 I am sure it doesn'r suck.. No, i think it can be also great to be visible aa a photographer and provoke reactions- but it really depends on the area/ city/ event/ country you are photographing...thanks for your feedback, have a great weekend!
My photography has always been all over the place for almost 20 years I just don’t care if I’m invisible or not when my revolving door of photography gets a itch for street photography for a few months.
It doesnt always help when like me you have a blue beard, but sometimes it helps when they come up and talk to you ! ( no Im not shaving it off, my chin looks worse lol)
A blue bird is a great idea when you get known as the photographer with the blue beard (No, he´s an artist, don't worry, don´t you see his famous blue beard?) Here in Germany we have a journalist who became for a certain part famous for having a red mohawk haircut when nobody had that...so, thanks for the inspiration, I´ll talk to my barber ;-)
How to be invisible while obviously taking photographs: bring a "model" with you. On the surface, it looks like hou are shooting the model but you are really photographing unsuspecting subjects. It also catches attention and subjects will look right at you as you photograph them. More often than not, people will approach and become willing subjects for street portraits. Works like a charm.
Thank you so much for watching my videos, it really means a lot to me.
When I’m circulating in an area waiting to catch a subject I frequently check my wrist watch then look around as though I’m searching for someone I’m intending to meet. Add a frustrated look as though they are late and that usually puts people at ease.
i have been taking street shots for over 10 years and mainly use a mamiya7ii. I even used a hasselblad and pentax 67. What have i learned? You are never invisible. No matter what you wear or do. You can spend too much time "being invisible" and not take any decent shots. Lesson? Be more involved in SEEING and WATCHING. Observe and react. And spend less time worrying about "being invisible" Use zone focusing and learn exposure on any given day or moment.
I love the humour in your videos, and of course the content itself too. Thank you!
I wear clothing that helps me blend in with the surrounding buildings. I use a small camera, but not a tiny one. I will spend time looking at my phone before taking a picture. Last but not least, I don’t wear a backpack.
Matt Stuart, a famous street photographer, makes no attempt to be invisible: he obviously takes a shot, but when he does he then looks at the top plate of the camera with a baffled expression on his face, shakes his head, and just keeps walking.
You are right, Matt is a fantastic photographer - but his approach is a bit different. I think we need to keep in mind that the style of Street Photography differs from country to country. Here in Germany or in Eastern Europe people are very wary about Street Photographers, while in London or New York most folks have absolutely no problem with photographers. I love to shoot openly in NYC or London.
Oh - wie ich schmunzeln musste, Oliver , und spätestens bei dem roten Outfit war der Übergang vom Schmunzeln ins herzliche Lachen fließend. Ich mochte von Anfang an deine Art, 'Wissen aus Erfahrung' mit dieser Prise Humor zu vermitteln. Deine Tipps sind mir, u.a. auch aus diesem Grund, stets willkommen.
Am Ende dieses Videos kam mir dann der Gedanke, dass ein unauffälliges Verhalten recht schnell auch mal zu einem äuußerst auffällig unauffälligen Verhalten geraten kann, sollte man dabei beobachtet werden. Vor allem, wenn man sich krampfhaft darauf konzentriert und sich in all das Mittel- und Unmittelbare, das man am Körper mit sich herumträgt, verheddert ;-). Da können schon mal für einen selbst un-, für ein evtl. Gegenüber jedoch recht auffällige filmreife Slapsticks zustande kommen ;-). Liebe Grüße - Monika
I love and have used MANY of these techniques, but I hadn't done that lately, so I like it. I'll add one more. Have you ever seen how Garry Winogrand did it? He looked like he was having trouble with his camera and fumbling with it, and all jiggly in his hands without even looking through the viewfinder, snapping away. That's one I use sometimes. Just looking incapable. ;)
Yes, the confused professor trick! That´s also great , I shared this in my older video about being invisible in Street Photography about 1 year ago. It´s really a very useful trick for many situations. Thanks Chris!
@streetphotographyguy okay, so I'll go back and look at that one as well. -
Invisible thumb. Great trick
Very good tipps! Its also about body language and outside perception.
Thank you for your positive feedback!
My favourite methods for street are the no finder (not even the tilt screen, as I find peple notice it as well), and the Garry Winogrand thing, looking like figuring out something with camera, often checking the focus ring (use mf lenses the most) back and forth turning the camera at me in between the shots
Good tips, but I think it all depends on your goals and the specific situation that can vary scene to scene. So your method needs to be adapted in real time to your goals.
For example, I prefer getting up close and personal, even doing street portraits. This skill set is radically different than being an invisible creep lurking in the shadows.
When I’ve engaged people personally, the camera size really hasn’t mattered at all from a GR3 to a Canon with a 24-70.
And I can get the same non-personal shots with any camera as long as I’m not walking by them and shoving a camera in their face or taking pictures of their kids.
I’m not saying never be discreet, just think there is too much unnecessary paranoia being spread across RUclips with how to do street.
No wonder my street photography sucks. I've been literally doing the complete opposite of everything you just said 😔
@@whatsgood001 I am sure it doesn'r suck.. No, i think it can be also great to be visible aa a photographer and provoke reactions- but it really depends on the area/ city/ event/ country you are photographing...thanks for your feedback, have a great weekend!
My photography has always been all over the place for almost 20 years I just don’t care if I’m invisible or not when my revolving door of photography gets a itch for street photography for a few months.
It doesnt always help when like me you have a blue beard, but sometimes it helps when they come up and talk to you ! ( no Im not shaving it off, my chin looks worse lol)
A blue bird is a great idea when you get known as the photographer with the blue beard (No, he´s an artist, don't worry, don´t you see his famous blue beard?) Here in Germany we have a journalist who became for a certain part famous for having a red mohawk haircut when nobody had that...so, thanks for the inspiration, I´ll talk to my barber ;-)
@@streetphotographyguy Im know locally as Bluebeard photography , a blessing and a curse lol
Silly
How to be invisible while obviously taking photographs: bring a "model" with you. On the surface, it looks like hou are shooting the model but you are really photographing unsuspecting subjects. It also catches attention and subjects will look right at you as you photograph them. More often than not, people will approach and become willing subjects for street portraits. Works like a charm.
That´s a fantastic tip! Thank you for sharing.