It’s funny. I’ve been really into street photography for ages, but as soon as my brother had a daughter, my interest in going out and taking photos of random people on the street disappeared. I realized how little I care about those kinds of photos beyond “this looks cool”. All I’m interested in now is documenting the people on my life, and the moments that mean something to me. Obviously all the street photography practice makes me a way better documentary photographer, but street is just practice for the real thing. My family and friends
I have just bought a medium format for that exact purpose. I feel that shooting on the street for me is more of a way to get out and sometimes meet with photography buddies rather than for the actual art form. But that said I've shot some really cool stuff on the street (mostly without people though)
After practicing Street Photography for more than 10 years, those doubts are in my mind for some time. The way I see it now is that constantly practicing is essential, it's like going to the gym, you just have to do it to keep good at it. I edit the best photos of those sessions, only some will be good. Later they can become something else, and sometimes we don't know what it is. Recently I've done a exhibition about the 13 years of street photography on a local park where I usually practice without ever considering that a project. Those loose images that when seen isolated were maybe just "cute" street photographs, when shown and thought as a portfolio got a different weight and value to them. Of course that practicing constantly is also essential to be sharp when you work on a more specific project. In resume, I try not not overthink it, just continue practicing and evolving while evaluating the work from time to time.
Very nice video, Samuel! I always enjoy your creations. Your honesty and openness are refreshing. I hope you keep making videos as long as it makes you happy (your videos certainly make me happy!). Did you sell your Nikon Zf for the Z7? I recently got a Zf and yesterday I got a Thypoch Simera 28 f1.4 Z mount. Can’t wait to try it out! Cheers again for all your great work, Samuel
very good point of view regarding the "streetphotography" , everybody is producing it now but nobody is buying ! and I think that the phenomenon is expanding to the reportage photography also - everybody is a "witness with a camera" that is willing to share for "likes" so no more need for professionals . It is sad to see that even great names from Magnum are pushed to sell "on location photography courses/experiences " in order to make a living ...
Can't believe they say that about street photography 😢.. awesome video and I remember I saw the Japanese visit on your ig stories the photos came out awesome 🎉 especially in color
I’ve been living in Berlin some years ago to attend some courses: I used to make photography in the streets. For me those were made also for a memory, for something who could last for the years, and on the other side Berlin is different: no one cares about me taking photos (it’s a different daily life, except the east side of the city where people are more discreet..). I live in Rome and taking photos in the streets here is common: no one cares about you, no one ask you about the usage you’re going to do with them. Very free
I added the Z7 to my existing Nikon cameras maybe half a year ago. I needed a backup to my D850 and now I just really enjoy using it for street :) Still have the ZF as well! I am actually using all three a lot for personal projects. Even simultaneously (like wearing three cameras at the same time haha).
I am blessed to live in the USA. Here, the laws favor photographers. As long as the images are not for commercial use, we can take photos all we want, post them, share them, even sell them. We only have to have permission if we use the photo for commercial use. Shooting on private property is a little different. We can photograph all we want with permission from the owner of the property. In my experience, unless you're in someone's house, people don't care if you photograph on their property, or even photograph their property. But is respectful to ask. Of course, this has caused a lot of ethical questions. Sure, it is legal for you to shoot all you want without permission, but should you?
Yes the US is much more free in this regard. Yet, German photographers publish books and do gallery shows with street photography all the time. It is kind of a grey zone here. Publishers are still very hesitant to publish unconsentional photography of people in public but there are some that do take the risk. But I envy Americans for their freedom to photograph and publish their work openly. And I understand that there is the other concern, if one should make use of ones rights just because one has the right to do so. But at least you have the freedom to choose if you are going to be an asshole or not : ) Here, you are always an asshole haha.
@@SamuelStreetlife As an American living in Germany, I am so much more hesitant to take photos here. On a couple different occasions you will hear someone yell, "kein foto" when they just see that you're holding a camera. I feel like they're always on guard to yell at you for taking pictures in general.
Just curious, I noticed that you are still using the simera 28f1.4 with an adapter. Is there any reason why you chose that over getting it in native Z mount?
It is what I have. Thypoch sent me the M mount version for a review and didn't get the offer to swap them for a different mount :) But I think I don't even want the Z mount version because it offers no benefit except that it has a different focus tab and the adapter is integrated in the Lens (lens is not shorter so they just added a mount adapter). I also think the Z version looks weirdly shaped. With a separated adapter the m mount version looks smaller on my Z cameras. And I don't mind the focus knob at all. These are my personal reasons. And I can always adapt the lens to other mounts in the future. If the Z mount version would at least have electronic contacts for focus confirmation, then I would absolutely go for a Z mount version.
@@SamuelStreetlife interesting 🤔 I've read conflicting reports on the web about the simera and focus confirmation. Some say it works others say it doesn't. Some say it works with the ttartisan 6bit adapter but I don't have any first hand experience. Sorry to ask another gear question, but have you done any further comparison to the Voigtlander 28f1.5 after your initial tests with Delmar? Curious to hear your thoughts!
Marine photos were okay, interesting documentary bit the real photos for me were at the 'white party'. The reflected light from the dresses in the faces of others were great IMO. Don't leave oit so long next time, lots of us out here look forward to your videos. :)
It would paint "street photography" in a better light then for sure (in the public eye). Sounds more serious... But the accessibility of street photography is also unique and makes "street photography" stand out from most other genres. Ultimately it shouldn't matter. But there is a disconnect with the current society and how it looks at the candid documentation of public life. We have a huge Bresson exhibition in the city center but if I point my camera to a person outside infront of the Gallery I am doing something "not nice". I hope all the buzz around AI and image manipulation will raise awareness on the importance of "real" photographs and real stories of us and our cities.
90% of street photography documents nothing though. The word documentary = "using pictures or interviews with people involved in real events to provide a factual report on a particular subject." Point being the "subject". MOst people have 0 subject other than, it's the streets. Rather than naming something different, actually creating a body of work with substance would be the better route to go. Which many do not. Or like to think they are but are actually kidding themselves.
@@DynastyUK Great point! Street Photography tends to focus more on the photographer than the subjects or themes being photographed. People are mostly just props or decoration (with exceptions of course).
@@DynastyUK From an artistic point of view, you might be correct. But what will be of value to future historians? What will they consider to be substantive? That's not for us to decide. It will be decided by their needs as archivists and historians. They will see important subjects where perhaps you don't. And what is a "real event?" Is a person walking on a sidewalk in front of a coffee shop not a real event? In the future, that particular photo may be invaluable. We simply don't know what will be of substance down the road.
@@MythMakerMusikWe will never know, but I ca hazard a guess, I think we get stuck thinking of the poetic beauty of something that came from the 50's when things in the world have changed so much. I think the real history will come from peoples personal photos from their phones and videos from Iphones etc. We're in an age where almost everything is filmed 24/7. So Street photography these days needs to be more that just some people walking past a sidewalk. Above said sidewalk is a camera recording the entire day. Google maps can show the changes year by year of an entire continent. I feel like people want nostalgia from something that's only just happened. To hope our photos mean something to someone someday is strange to me. It's so easy to trick yourself into thinking you are doing something good bec maybe, just maybe in 200 years people will love it, even though right now today, it kinda sucks.
Another great video Samuel. The combination of your wit, humor, video editing and pacing combined with your unconditional love of street photography is what makes your channel truly one of the all time greats. Thanks for what you do, I enjoy it thoroughly every time.
never stop doing this I want to see you in your 60s totally satisfied with your photography career and sharing your wisdom with others I loved this video thank you
@@SamuelStreetlife Man, with that white dress an image came to my mind of you in your 60s and that in one way or another you continue to be relevant in photography I had a prophetic moment
I think it's natural for a lot of people to get turned off of something that gets popular. You see it all the time with people and musicians they like. To stay with the photo theme, I see some similarities with abandoned/urban exploration that exploded from say 2005-2012. It got so popular that it got rather cliche to people. Street photography is absolutely going through a boom and no doubt it will turn some people away from it. Some people like the feeling that they are doing something unique, and when it's not that anymore, they stop. Of course that raises the question if they were doing that original thing because they loved it in the first place....
@@josephlai1078 it is nice! I always hoped Leica would bring out a 40mm Q! Buy I will never pay that kind of money for it (I think around 7000€). Maybe 2000-3000€ but even then I don't really need it. But I like it. Definitely would want to try one out.
Street photography can be abstract or conceptual, documentary needs to cover specific goals or topics. You can be creative with both, but definitely street is more free and documentary needs to serve eg, a story inside a publication. Lately I’m thinking about the Bruce Lee concept of freeing or emptying your mind and flow, be water, formless. And how that concept can be applied to street, documentary or any kind of photography or art form. There you have, an idea to restart the Matrix.
19:01 Great images. And anyone who has ever been in Hamburg for a bit of time will recognize where this is. The Alster is quite literally a Hamburg landmark.
Loved your shots at the strange White event, especially the ones where they glowed in various colors in the dark. I also always enjoy hearing your musings on the state of photography.
There should always be a purpose in whatever we are doing, even if it is random street photography. Without that focus or purpose in what we are doing, it can become meaningless and less rewarding.
Der Junge soll mal lieber ne Umschulung zum Informatiker machen. Informatiker werden händeringend gesucht wegen Digitalisierung und so. Als Informatiker kann man Homeoffice machen und nebenbei auch noch Kaffee trinken. Es warten da draußen über 150.000 offene Stellen auf Softwareentwickler zudem trägt Informatik zum gesellschaftlichen Wohlstand bei.
the slide show with Vivadi is absolutely stunning ! good to see you update again Samuel and I look forward to the next one !
It’s funny. I’ve been really into street photography for ages, but as soon as my brother had a daughter, my interest in going out and taking photos of random people on the street disappeared. I realized how little I care about those kinds of photos beyond “this looks cool”. All I’m interested in now is documenting the people on my life, and the moments that mean something to me. Obviously all the street photography practice makes me a way better documentary photographer, but street is just practice for the real thing. My family and friends
Good point.
I have just bought a medium format for that exact purpose. I feel that shooting on the street for me is more of a way to get out and sometimes meet with photography buddies rather than for the actual art form. But that said I've shot some really cool stuff on the street (mostly without people though)
After practicing Street Photography for more than 10 years, those doubts are in my mind for some time.
The way I see it now is that constantly practicing is essential, it's like going to the gym, you just have to do it to keep good at it.
I edit the best photos of those sessions, only some will be good. Later they can become something else, and sometimes we don't know what it is.
Recently I've done a exhibition about the 13 years of street photography on a local park where I usually practice without ever considering that a project. Those loose images that when seen isolated were maybe just "cute" street photographs, when shown and thought as a portfolio got a different weight and value to them.
Of course that practicing constantly is also essential to be sharp when you work on a more specific project.
In resume, I try not not overthink it, just continue practicing and evolving while evaluating the work from time to time.
Interesting contrast with the happy family in the foreground and the massive full metal floating murder machine in the background
Those photos at the end when the light had gone are amazing! Great video, really enjoyed it, as always.
Thanks Justin! Yeah it was good that we stayed longer. It made that event a little bit more special.
Love this!
Very nice video, Samuel! I always enjoy your creations. Your honesty and openness are refreshing. I hope you keep making videos as long as it makes you happy (your videos certainly make me happy!). Did you sell your Nikon Zf for the Z7? I recently got a Zf and yesterday I got a Thypoch Simera 28 f1.4 Z mount. Can’t wait to try it out! Cheers again for all your great work, Samuel
Great video. Loved the photos. Keep doing it.
19:35 such a great image!
The park with all the water was a lovely setting for the White Dinner. Such a nice video.
very good point of view regarding the "streetphotography" , everybody is producing it now but nobody is buying ! and I think that the phenomenon is expanding to the reportage photography also - everybody is a "witness with a camera" that is willing to share for "likes" so no more need for professionals . It is sad to see that even great names from Magnum are pushed to sell "on location photography courses/experiences " in order to make a living ...
yooooo dude at 1:29 singing Cha-La Head-Cha-La (from DBZ fame) aaaawesome
Can't believe they say that about street photography 😢.. awesome video and I remember I saw the Japanese visit on your ig stories the photos came out awesome 🎉 especially in color
Thanks man! Glad to hear that
Not a bad idea to make an OTSW David ;)
Would be refreshing to hear his view and approach.
I love the colors in your photos! Are you still editing with the Ricoh GR presets or your own configurations? :)
Samuel, the Thypoch 28mm you used is it M-Mount version?. Nice shots by the way.
I’ve been living in Berlin some years ago to attend some courses: I used to make photography in the streets. For me those were made also for a memory, for something who could last for the years, and on the other side Berlin is different: no one cares about me taking photos (it’s a different daily life, except the east side of the city where people are more discreet..). I live in Rome and taking photos in the streets here is common: no one cares about you, no one ask you about the usage you’re going to do with them. Very free
Any chance to do Street Photography challenges theme episodes like you used to do it back in the days …
When did you buy a Z7? Did you sell your D850, and you got a Zf not to long ago. Always changing cameras man ahah. Photos always look good as usual!
I added the Z7 to my existing Nikon cameras maybe half a year ago. I needed a backup to my D850 and now I just really enjoy using it for street :) Still have the ZF as well! I am actually using all three a lot for personal projects. Even simultaneously (like wearing three cameras at the same time haha).
I am blessed to live in the USA. Here, the laws favor photographers. As long as the images are not for commercial use, we can take photos all we want, post them, share them, even sell them. We only have to have permission if we use the photo for commercial use.
Shooting on private property is a little different. We can photograph all we want with permission from the owner of the property. In my experience, unless you're in someone's house, people don't care if you photograph on their property, or even photograph their property. But is respectful to ask.
Of course, this has caused a lot of ethical questions. Sure, it is legal for you to shoot all you want without permission, but should you?
Yes the US is much more free in this regard. Yet, German photographers publish books and do gallery shows with street photography all the time. It is kind of a grey zone here. Publishers are still very hesitant to publish unconsentional photography of people in public but there are some that do take the risk. But I envy Americans for their freedom to photograph and publish their work openly. And I understand that there is the other concern, if one should make use of ones rights just because one has the right to do so. But at least you have the freedom to choose if you are going to be an asshole or not : ) Here, you are always an asshole haha.
we should . if necessary i ignore laws…
@@SamuelStreetlife As an American living in Germany, I am so much more hesitant to take photos here. On a couple different occasions you will hear someone yell, "kein foto" when they just see that you're holding a camera. I feel like they're always on guard to yell at you for taking pictures in general.
Just curious, I noticed that you are still using the simera 28f1.4 with an adapter. Is there any reason why you chose that over getting it in native Z mount?
It is what I have. Thypoch sent me the M mount version for a review and didn't get the offer to swap them for a different mount :) But I think I don't even want the Z mount version because it offers no benefit except that it has a different focus tab and the adapter is integrated in the Lens (lens is not shorter so they just added a mount adapter). I also think the Z version looks weirdly shaped. With a separated adapter the m mount version looks smaller on my Z cameras. And I don't mind the focus knob at all. These are my personal reasons. And I can always adapt the lens to other mounts in the future. If the Z mount version would at least have electronic contacts for focus confirmation, then I would absolutely go for a Z mount version.
@@SamuelStreetlife interesting 🤔
I've read conflicting reports on the web about the simera and focus confirmation. Some say it works others say it doesn't. Some say it works with the ttartisan 6bit adapter but I don't have any first hand experience. Sorry to ask another gear question, but have you done any further comparison to the Voigtlander 28f1.5 after your initial tests with Delmar? Curious to hear your thoughts!
Marine photos were okay, interesting documentary bit the real photos for me were at the 'white party'. The reflected light from the dresses in the faces of others were great IMO. Don't leave oit so long next time, lots of us out here look forward to your videos. :)
Bro are you shooting a Z6 now what is happening 😅
They haven’t seen paulie b youtube channel? There are so many street photographers nowadays
@@robertobreve8623 In the US, where it is also legally permitted to publish street photography work, yes.
Street photography should be renamed to “documentary photography.” After all, what we all do is document everyday life, the good and the bad.
It would paint "street photography" in a better light then for sure (in the public eye). Sounds more serious... But the accessibility of street photography is also unique and makes "street photography" stand out from most other genres. Ultimately it shouldn't matter. But there is a disconnect with the current society and how it looks at the candid documentation of public life. We have a huge Bresson exhibition in the city center but if I point my camera to a person outside infront of the Gallery I am doing something "not nice". I hope all the buzz around AI and image manipulation will raise awareness on the importance of "real" photographs and real stories of us and our cities.
90% of street photography documents nothing though. The word documentary =
"using pictures or interviews with people involved in real events to provide a factual report on a particular subject."
Point being the "subject". MOst people have 0 subject other than, it's the streets.
Rather than naming something different, actually creating a body of work with substance would be the better route to go. Which many do not. Or like to think they are but are actually kidding themselves.
@@DynastyUK Great point! Street Photography tends to focus more on the photographer than the subjects or themes being photographed. People are mostly just props or decoration (with exceptions of course).
@@DynastyUK From an artistic point of view, you might be correct. But what will be of value to future historians? What will they consider to be substantive? That's not for us to decide. It will be decided by their needs as archivists and historians. They will see important subjects where perhaps you don't. And what is a "real event?" Is a person walking on a sidewalk in front of a coffee shop not a real event? In the future, that particular photo may be invaluable. We simply don't know what will be of substance down the road.
@@MythMakerMusikWe will never know, but I ca hazard a guess, I think we get stuck thinking of the poetic beauty of something that came from the 50's when things in the world have changed so much. I think the real history will come from peoples personal photos from their phones and videos from Iphones etc. We're in an age where almost everything is filmed 24/7. So Street photography these days needs to be more that just some people walking past a sidewalk. Above said sidewalk is a camera recording the entire day. Google maps can show the changes year by year of an entire continent.
I feel like people want nostalgia from something that's only just happened. To hope our photos mean something to someone someday is strange to me. It's so easy to trick yourself into thinking you are doing something good bec maybe, just maybe in 200 years people will love it, even though right now today, it kinda sucks.
You never show us your new Z (whatever) gear!
😂 if I do people say stop with the gear videos... but I want to talk about my Nikons in a future video. Something like a long term review.
Dont worry about wearing white. You both look like you got married or you are on your way to play a cricket match.😂
One minute silence for John.
RIP legend📷
I feel like everyone is getting tired of street photography because everyone on insta is doing the same stuff.
Another great video Samuel. The combination of your wit, humor, video editing and pacing combined with your unconditional love of street photography is what makes your channel truly one of the all time greats. Thanks for what you do, I enjoy it thoroughly every time.
Aw thanks a lot Tom!!
never stop doing this I want to see you in your 60s totally satisfied with your photography career and sharing your wisdom with others I loved this video thank you
Thanks for the kind encouragement! Let's see if I will still share my thoughts on RUclips in 24 years haha.
@@SamuelStreetlife Man, with that white dress an image came to my mind of you in your 60s and that in one way or another you continue to be relevant in photography I had a prophetic moment
I think it's natural for a lot of people to get turned off of something that gets popular. You see it all the time with people and musicians they like. To stay with the photo theme, I see some similarities with abandoned/urban exploration that exploded from say 2005-2012. It got so popular that it got rather cliche to people. Street photography is absolutely going through a boom and no doubt it will turn some people away from it. Some people like the feeling that they are doing something unique, and when it's not that anymore, they stop. Of course that raises the question if they were doing that original thing because they loved it in the first place....
great fun and photos at the... whatever the "white event" was...
But why this person waving an imperial japanese flag @1:29?
Oh the ship is flying it aswell 3:01
Good to see you making video again. On a side note, what are your thoughts on Leica coming out with a Q3 43mm? It must be nice? or not?
@@josephlai1078 it is nice! I always hoped Leica would bring out a 40mm Q! Buy I will never pay that kind of money for it (I think around 7000€). Maybe 2000-3000€ but even then I don't really need it. But I like it. Definitely would want to try one out.
@@SamuelStreetlife The M11-D price is also record breaking high priced.
Street photography can be abstract or conceptual, documentary needs to cover specific goals or topics. You can be creative with both, but definitely street is more free and documentary needs to serve eg, a story inside a publication.
Lately I’m thinking about the Bruce Lee concept of freeing or emptying your mind and flow, be water, formless. And how that concept can be applied to street, documentary or any kind of photography or art form.
There you have, an idea to restart the Matrix.
The balance of video and photos at the same time is so hard, keep trying to separate the two but time is limited 😅 great video!
Thanks George! Yeah, limited time = limited potential...
19:01 Great images. And anyone who has ever been in Hamburg for a bit of time will recognize where this is. The Alster is quite literally a Hamburg landmark.
Loved your shots at the strange White event, especially the ones where they glowed in various colors in the dark. I also always enjoy hearing your musings on the state of photography.
Great images, interesting thoughts. Thank you both for sharing!
Those White Dinner photos were ethereal! Well done!
The White Dinner Party was an uplifting sequence.
Epic Moment... Dragon ball song!!!
You took some great photos that day!
There should always be a purpose in whatever we are doing, even if it is random street photography. Without that focus or purpose in what we are doing, it can become meaningless and less rewarding.
True!
Der Junge soll mal lieber ne Umschulung zum Informatiker machen. Informatiker werden händeringend gesucht wegen Digitalisierung und so. Als Informatiker kann man Homeoffice machen und nebenbei auch noch Kaffee trinken. Es warten da draußen über 150.000 offene Stellen auf Softwareentwickler zudem trägt Informatik zum gesellschaftlichen Wohlstand bei.