Back in the late 90's I worked for a well known camera dealers here in the UK.We used to have a guy come in to drop 5 or 6 rolls of film in to be processed at least twice a week.Oddly,all his shots were candid pictures of girls chests taken around town and nothing else.Strange but true.
Feel uncomfortable doing street photography? Start at a fair, festival, car show or sporting event. Everybody is used to seeing people with cameras, and will pay no attention to you.
Alos if you can use something like a 24mm lens and prefocus. And hipfire(?) it well not really aiming but guessimating it. As generally once a person sees a camera they act differently.
I did that as well! I started at a car show. I initially was going for the cars, but soon realized the people interacting with the cars was where the interest lied. Also, about the hip firing thing, I've never had an issue with someone even seeing my camera when shooting normally. At car shows, most people are preoccupied looking at the window stickers and whatnot. I crouch down to get the right angle and I basically become invisible. Shooting [actually] on the streets is basically the same where I live, so long as I use a large zoom lens.
A good tip for number 4, and for street photography in general is to just smile and make a joke out of it, if you back off and look guilty, people will assume you are guilty and get pissed. If you can make them laugh, make a complimentary comment about something they are doing or wearing or whatever, you can diffuse most situations. Generally if you are happy and relaxed in your attitude to taking shots.
Top Tip #1: Shoot the elderly and the weak, they aren't fast enough to steal your camera Top Tip #2: Do not go into parks at dusk, you may encounter different species of primates copulating and getting pretty annoyed at you (especially when rocking a 70-200mm lens)
I love how encouraging, and informative this actually was. Not to mention, he was using practically the cheapest lens and not even talk about an L lens once :P
I tried it last week in hong kong and someone noticed I was shooting at him (he was repairing PCB and i thought i could snap the shot before he realise) He saw me and I gave him a smile. He was confused at first and quickly asked me to delete the shot and told me it is illegal in Hong Kong. I know it is legal but still, it can ruin the whole day's good mood :( I am hoping it doesn't kill off my passion for it though.
I agree. Regardless of the legality, if you take someone's photograph and they are offended by it, just delete it. It's the right thing to do. You will find many other shots and a large number of people out there either don't care or find it outright flattering to have their photo taken. You will soon forget about the one you missed . . . you will certainly forget it about quicker than if you let it turn into a confrontation.
Finally a good information, informative with a little cheekiness thrown in. Far better than the recent offering of tomfoolery with information as a distant second. Digitalrev should be about finding the fun in photography, not making fun of it. This is reminiscent of the "good old days" of DRTV
I've found that forcing yourself to shoot on the street and seeing the awesome shots you gather REALLY helps the shy factor. I used to be terrified, but I ended up getting this great shot of a street preacher in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. That practically erased my fear of going out and doing that. Also, having a huge lens (70-300mm) might help at first, as you don't need to be right up on someone.
I shoot in Aperture Priority also. I used to be all about manual, but on the street with the light constantly changing you're constantly adjusting. Not to say I don't adjust in AP. I do for different results. But now I just do it a lot less.
The thing I don't like about it is that it may choose a shutter speed slower than you want. 1/250 is the usual for stopping casual movement on the streets. You can certainly use 1/125 or lower but people are unpredictable and you can never be sure you are or aren't going to stop motion.
jmanzano17 I wasn't saying you were incompetent or anything. But with proper use of evaluative and spot metering, Av can be a very versatile mode. The issue with shutter speed, at the end of the day, can be fixed by bumping ISO speed, and inaccurate exposures can usually be avoided by using the correct metering modes in an appropriate fashion. Granted, its not as useful as manual.
I find two ways of shooting very useful: 1 As people already mentioned, use a long lens and be quick. People don't usually realize that you are taking pictures of them when you are 10 meters away from them especially when you only point your camera at them for two seconds. 2 If you want to frame closer, use an ultra wide lens (not fisheye). You can zone focus very easy and to make it even easier, stop down to a deep DOF. I very often shoot with a 12mm lens @ F4. That gives you 1 meter to infinity in focus. Also as your subject is so close, don't take your camera up, Just pretend you are playing with your lens knowing that everything should be in focus already. What about framing? Do it in post production. Of course you will need a lens with distance scale or better a DOF scales as well. Lok also mentioned a very useful technique before, Point your camera up and pretend you are shooting something high, then lower your camera and pretend yo are check the photo which in fact you are take the shot. Very good tip...
1.) defeats the purpose of "being there" in the scene 2.) wide lenses are great to fill more elements but you need to get closer to your subjects when eliminating stuffs in the frame and including what's only important. framing should not be done in post production, do it in the process of making the photo. if you will rely in post then how can you learn and practice your framing when shooting and not needing to do it in post? 3.) Zac Arias was the first to mention that technique. a better way to shoot directly up to your eye is do as how you would take a normal photo on an eye level but after taking the shot, look to something else. pretend that you are taking something else and do not look into the subject's eyes I'm no expect in Street Photography, just giving my 2cents here
Samuel Wong well that explains how you don't have the courage to get closer to your subjects. Getting yelled or punch is part of the genre, street photography is not for the cowards and with anxious attitudes. Of course getting closer doesn't mean 'better' photos but you will never get any improvements by not getting close to your subjects and the enjoyment of the genre will never satisfy you through long lens taking the shot from a far. Get your guts together or don't do SP. My 2cents for your cowardice
There is also another way that allows you to get closeer. All you need is a tilt screen. Prefocus and wait for your subject to fall into focus. This is very easily done now given all current generation of mirrorless has peaking. I wasn't suggesting people should not get close. My original post suggest people use ultra wide to achieve this, or the method mention above...Just don't pull your camera up in someone's face and frame. You should never let your enthusiasm get over your personal safety, it is never worth it. If there is a safe way to do it, do it that way.
I just imagine that I am an agent from another species, spying on the human race. This way, I dehumanize everything and detach myself emotionally, and feel less embarassed to take photographs.
I used to think that random creepy people behind cameras taking photos of others are really like creepy and crazy, but now that I know of this thing called Street photography, I respect them more.
Nice vid guys, I had a few days in HK last month so it was my first go at Street Photography, I was using a Canon EOS M2 so a nice little camera which flys under the radar compared to a DSLR. After an hour or so I started to get a bit braver and really enjoyed it. So many cool streets in HK and a really interesting place, looking forward to going back there. I did get a few good shots so mission accomplished :-) I found most people were not phased by being photographed, so many people walking around with cameras in HK, I guess its pretty normal.
I just walk around with my camera on it's tripod.. then when you get a good situation you're already ready to hit the shutter. Having a tripod also helps because people realize you're actually there TO take photos.. not just of them. Another good tip is to make it look like you're just flicking through photos.. hold your camera slightly lower than usual and with a grip like you're using the face buttons. I like getting long exposures of crowds, people tend to create a gap in front of where you're shooting which ruins the shot.. for there I'll set my camera up and wait around 30 seconds before taking my photo.. that way the crowd will be sick of your s**t and just start walking in front of you.. which is actually what you want hahaha
also just ask people if the shot doesn't require them not noticing you.. people dont mind posing for a photo if you ask them.. try it at a festival to build up confidence, people at festivals wear fancy dress and stuff and expect photos so when you simply say "hey, can I take a photo of you?" they dont mind.. I found a guy at a festival this year with loads of TMNT comic tattoos on his arm, they looked amazing so I asked him if I was ok to get a pic.. he took his top off and he was covered in them.. much better than a crafty picture from the side.
no1 tip.. don't be scared of people. They're just people. Wost case is they will have a go at you.. if they do just keep taking photos, what better for emotion? if you use a really fast shutter speed you could probably get a nice one of a fist coming towards you. I guess if you have the balls be cheeky and just take whatever, 10 seconds later you'll be gone and they'll have forgotten all about it. if you're scared then head to a 1st floor cafe and take photos out of the window.
Using a tripod on a busy street is not really ideal in my opinion. Street photography is usually about taking candid shots and that's difficult with a tripod.
it's mostly just to indicate to people that you're there for a reason and not to just take weird photos of them. it's always good to have a tripod at hand anyway. the camera being on a stand just shows people you're not a threat,i keep the legs up and hold it around halfway down so I get a steady aim when taking photos.. it's a good method for recording video when you're walking too. hold it loose so as you move it has a more natural sway.,ill shut up anyway, we're not talking about video.
I agree with this. If you plop down a tripod, you can just wait a while and snap photos of people as they walk by. If you don't move around a lot, people will just assume you're filming video or a time lapse or something and won't try to walk out of the way, whereas if you shoot handheld, they're much more likely to feel that they are the focus of the image.
The second most important item in your kit is a smile. Instead of hiding, make yourself stand out. Laugh, joke, and flirt and you will find resistance will fall away. You control the environment. After working the crowd for a while you can then get down with the business of taking candid shots.
This is awesome. Thank you. I used to shoot discretely, chest level, until I could called out by an angry person! I now consider it better practice to be blatant and obvious about it.
***** Kai is safe shooting in HK with people rushing busy on the street, or old people who don't care; I just wonder how Asian like me can do the same in USA
Hong Kong and Seoul are amazing for practice! In Causeway Bay, there is always someone pushing some cart or other around. In Seoul, just about every street is a photo opportunity.
I notice that a few people discouraged snapping pictures of kids. Is it illegal? I just find that they express themselves more honestly when they're having fun.. and it's these expressions that motivate me to snap them. And yes, I can relate with every single point Kai has raised.
I have the 60d and it is the "bees knees" for street photography as it has the little flip out screen. Nobody takes pictures from their waist :) Oh, and I do it in "P" mode Auto ISO. Perfect. Get the right shot AND it's raw and adjustable. Finally, for me my Tokina 11-16mm is so great for it for the wide angle.
Enjoyed the video...May be I am wrong but I think the best way is not to chimp as mentioned by Kai and not to look into the eyes of your subject, look thru the viewfinder !! In Street Photography usually its said the more smaller camera the more invisible you are to take your shots. But somehow I feel there are two ways to look at it, depending on the laws of the land eg: A) In a place like Mumbai, small camera could get you suspicious look or knocks on back and Street Photography is NOT a hurried job where you want to become invisible with a small camera and walk off. I always fail to understand this part of Street Photography about sticking to small cameras, ofcourse to each his own. B) If you carry a big camera you do attract more attention but people atleast know OK..this guy is doing some kind of photography..what kind, they wouldn't know, but definitely won't knock on your back. Street Photography is tough anyways but most satisfying when one gets a lovely shot. And I enjoy shooting in both Mumbai and Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, especially the Avenue of Stars strip and Mongkok.
I love the confrontation. That moment when the person you are framing looks at you and none of the two parts knows what to do. Do you smile? do you ask for permission? do you take the photo and run? That uncertainty is what should drive street photography. Normally I just do the three S: Snap, smile and salute. Then run for your life and your camera's.
I like to try to make it look like I'm taking a picture of something else/the street/a building or take pictures when they're not looking and you can also try from across the way for beginners :)
its a bit easier for me because im usually with people and im a younger girl so people dont think its suspicious but if you're older or especially a guy it can be tricky
digitalrev isnt the same without alamby. kai, lok and alamby are very dynamic together. i bought a d7000 because of kai, i bought a 5dm3 because of lok, and i bought a d90 because of alamby. i sold all 3 when alamby left
What do the laws in Hong Kong say about taking pictures of random people in public? In Germany everybody has the "right of the own picture"(roughly translated) which means if you appear in somebody's photo/video you can prosecute(may the google translater be with me...!) him/her if they publish it.
In Germany, the "Recht auf das eigene Bild" just means that the photographer has to delete any publication of that image, it doesn't mean you can immediately sue him/her in court (only if the photographer doesn't comply).
In Germany you can, if I understand correctly, photograph people in public as long as you're not invading their privacy, hurting their dignity or have intention to publish the pictures without permission. If the people are not identifiable you can do what you want.
I do a LOT of street and still learning... and my method has ALLWAYS WORKED...and I have never been stopped or barely ever noticed. Just put a 35mm on the cam and let the camera ( in hand) be down the side. Correct and crop in Lightroom. Only downside is that photos are not landscape... But good tips non the less :)
DigitalRev could you possibly go on a trip around the world taking photos and showing spots to take photos? Example Australia, Melbourne, graffiti lane ways and cafe lane ways. Just a thought
understand the shyness but telephotos can seem more intrusive than approaching an interesting subject and talking to them like a real live human being and then asking if you may take their photo - look at some of the London street shots of Don McCullin and see just how he brings characters alive
That sure looks like a 1,8 50mm. They have pretty good optics, just the build quality can be somewhat dodgy. They're amazing for the price, though. I'm using a 1,4 50mm, and it's wonderful.
Canon 50mm F1.8 prime lens is something you can buy without giving a second thought. Cause its very cheap and yet it can get the job done. Just buy the lens and it would be best to fit with a full frame camera.
Hi Kai & Lok- can u do a "Day in the Life of DigitalRev' or a "Day in the Life of Kai & Lok' or something like that? I thought it might be a funny/cool video idea.
MORE ANGER! I laughed so much (I love that he uses his friends for this but srsly photographing other people when they clearly don't want to be is rude and invasive p.s. I'm also a photographer and only know too well stage fright and people noticing you and beginning to act weirdly)
This is entertaining and all, but where is the 7D MKII review? you guys are usually on the ball with this stuff. DRTV had a 6D review before it was released for Pete sake!
You don't need to delete street photos to shut people up, just walk away. Taking pictures of people on the street isn't illegal (well not in Britain anyway, I don't know about Hong Kong) but harassment and assault most certainly are illegal, so there's really not much the subject can do.
I live in the UK and I've only had someone tell me off for it once, I just ignored them and disappeared into the crowd, best way to deal with a situation like that I reckon
I've considered doing some street photography. A couple problems I have though is that I'm a bit timid about it, and there's not really a lot of good places around me to try. Plus I'd have to not do it with my wife around. I was down in Vegas for a weekend with her, and I considered trying some down there, but I never did because I kept thinking my wife would criticize me for doing it, saying it's weird of me to just take random people's photos. She doesn't like her photo randomly taken, so that sort of gets passed on in her criticism if I were to try it with other people. So, yeah... a few hurdles to jump if I were to ever do street photography.
I had encounters more than what you have shown here. Nowadays, people are getting edgy and pointing camera is becoming confrontational. I for one do not like having someone taking photo with me in it without my consent. And I have unpleasant encounters doing street photography. I know scout for a coffee shop or cafe or restaurant with a clear wide open window view of street activity. Seated and sipping tea or coffee, I now take street life photos with long lens - discrete and quite invisible.
Get a Yashica T5 and a roll of 400tx. The waist level viewfinder and AF allows you to shoot with one hand without ever bringing the camera to your face. No one will know you were there. I hold my cell phone in my other hand and people think I am just texting while I am shooting away.
How to avoid being shy at street photography.... don't live in or near London, where people automatically think you're a nut job. I've used some of these techniques though, like putting my camera down on a bench and leaving it on record. The flashing red light kind of gives it away though. Also found a telephoto lens very useful, and the shallow DOF on this is nice.
Verdoux007 Who said I was prevented? If you read my comment I have done street photography in spite of others. I felt awkward but I got the shots I wanted.
Verdoux007 That was a technique to avoid confrontation. Generally everyone who lives in and around London has the kind of face that says "the f**k you looking at?" and growing up here I can safely profess that it isn't a good idea to let people know that you're photographing or filming them. It isn't so much shyness as common sense, like knowing that going up close to a Tiger in the wild to photograph it isn't a good idea. Or is that my attitude too?
Follow the laws of your state/country. I've been punched while covering a street protest. One person objected to being photographed and decided to use me as a punching bag. Police got involved and had to tell the guy that I was within my right to take photos. Also, laws can also vary in regards to photographing of minors, being able to identify people in photos and publishing photos. If you intend on publishing the photos, carrying around a release form is helpful, especially if it's on an ipad.
"Hey, delete that photo!" "It's film, get back to me in a week or so"
I always offer my email lol, they can purchase the print
DookieMeister XD
DookieMeister Nah... just delete and recover.
Back in the late 90's I worked for a well known camera dealers here in the UK.We used to have a guy come in to drop 5 or 6 rolls of film in to be processed at least twice a week.Oddly,all his shots were candid pictures of girls chests taken around town and nothing else.Strange but true.
lool
Hey man, porn was hard to come by in those days.
Don't knock it till you try it
Feel uncomfortable doing street photography? Start at a fair, festival, car show or sporting event. Everybody is used to seeing people with cameras, and will pay no attention to you.
+Bandidos Yanquis Great advice
Alos if you can use something like a 24mm lens and prefocus. And hipfire(?) it well not really aiming but guessimating it. As generally once a person sees a camera they act differently.
I'm going to be in Edinburgh when they do their huge Fringe festival, so I'll be practising it then, just like you said!
I did that as well! I started at a car show. I initially was going for the cars, but soon realized the people interacting with the cars was where the interest lied. Also, about the hip firing thing, I've never had an issue with someone even seeing my camera when shooting normally. At car shows, most people are preoccupied looking at the window stickers and whatnot. I crouch down to get the right angle and I basically become invisible. Shooting [actually] on the streets is basically the same where I live, so long as I use a large zoom lens.
yep, and especially protests, demonstrations... where people are likely to approve being noticed + you'll have very expressive faces...
A good tip for number 4, and for street photography in general is to just smile and make a joke out of it, if you back off and look guilty, people will assume you are guilty and get pissed. If you can make them laugh, make a complimentary comment about something they are doing or wearing or whatever, you can diffuse most situations. Generally if you are happy and relaxed in your attitude to taking shots.
lol 2019 and I'm binge watching old DigitalRev videos
kai's favorite subject is someone with a trolley
Lemuel Bacli It is addictive, I actually does take trolley shot.
Top Tip #1: Shoot the elderly and the weak, they aren't fast enough to steal your camera
Top Tip #2: Do not go into parks at dusk, you may encounter different species of primates copulating and getting pretty annoyed at you (especially when rocking a 70-200mm lens)
lol
How to avoid the wrong kind of close encounters.
please do a review or make a video on the new iphone 6 camera just like you did with the iphone 5s
What happened to Alambi?
7d mk2 review ?
This was a really good video! You guys should do more like this video
TheHornet79
Seriously? Almabi has been gone for ages....
Kai is obsessed with people with trolleys.
"You don't want to be shooting a backlit subject" says the backlit subject.
roflmaoooooooooo
I love how encouraging, and informative this actually was. Not to mention, he was using practically the cheapest lens and not even talk about an L lens once :P
I tried it last week in hong kong and someone noticed I was shooting at him (he was repairing PCB and i thought i could snap the shot before he realise)
He saw me and I gave him a smile.
He was confused at first and quickly asked me to delete the shot and told me it is illegal in Hong Kong.
I know it is legal but still, it can ruin the whole day's good mood :(
I am hoping it doesn't kill off my passion for it though.
Let it slide :)
don't bother fighting with them, you've got years to take shots in life and you'll probs take better ones
Respect and shot the next XO
I agree. Regardless of the legality, if you take someone's photograph and they are offended by it, just delete it. It's the right thing to do. You will find many other shots and a large number of people out there either don't care or find it outright flattering to have their photo taken. You will soon forget about the one you missed . . . you will certainly forget it about quicker than if you let it turn into a confrontation.
Finally a good informative video in a while.
2:37 the "delete" noise. which is really the auto focus noise lolol
Kai, you totally missed that shot of a woman pushing a trolley! WTF
Finally a good information, informative with a little cheekiness thrown in. Far better than the recent offering of tomfoolery with information as a distant second.
Digitalrev should be about finding the fun in photography, not making fun of it. This is reminiscent of the "good old days" of DRTV
This is the best of Kai!
Thank you.
Loc and Kai are my brothers from another mother. I love you guys
I've found that forcing yourself to shoot on the street and seeing the awesome shots you gather REALLY helps the shy factor. I used to be terrified, but I ended up getting this great shot of a street preacher in downtown Kansas City, Missouri. That practically erased my fear of going out and doing that. Also, having a huge lens (70-300mm) might help at first, as you don't need to be right up on someone.
I shoot in Aperture Priority also. I used to be all about manual, but on the street with the light constantly changing you're constantly adjusting. Not to say I don't adjust in AP. I do for different results. But now I just do it a lot less.
jmanzano17 It's not bad if you understand and know metering well enough.
The thing I don't like about it is that it may choose a shutter speed slower than you want. 1/250 is the usual for stopping casual movement on the streets. You can certainly use 1/125 or lower but people are unpredictable and you can never be sure you are or aren't going to stop motion.
Brad Maestas Depending on your camera you can set the minimum shutter speed you don't want to go past.
jmanzano17 Exactly why I said "depending on your camera."
jmanzano17 I wasn't saying you were incompetent or anything. But with proper use of evaluative and spot metering, Av can be a very versatile mode. The issue with shutter speed, at the end of the day, can be fixed by bumping ISO speed, and inaccurate exposures can usually be avoided by using the correct metering modes in an appropriate fashion. Granted, its not as useful as manual.
I find two ways of shooting very useful:
1 As people already mentioned, use a long lens and be quick. People don't usually realize that you are taking pictures of them when you are 10 meters away from them especially when you only point your camera at them for two seconds.
2 If you want to frame closer, use an ultra wide lens (not fisheye). You can zone focus very easy and to make it even easier, stop down to a deep DOF. I very often shoot with a 12mm lens @ F4. That gives you 1 meter to infinity in focus. Also as your subject is so close, don't take your camera up, Just pretend you are playing with your lens knowing that everything should be in focus already. What about framing? Do it in post production. Of course you will need a lens with distance scale or better a DOF scales as well.
Lok also mentioned a very useful technique before, Point your camera up and pretend you are shooting something high, then lower your camera and pretend yo are check the photo which in fact you are take the shot. Very good tip...
1.) defeats the purpose of "being there" in the scene
2.) wide lenses are great to fill more elements but you need to get closer to your subjects when eliminating stuffs in the frame and including what's only important. framing should not be done in post production, do it in the process of making the photo. if you will rely in post then how can you learn and practice your framing when shooting and not needing to do it in post?
3.) Zac Arias was the first to mention that technique. a better way to shoot directly up to your eye is do as how you would take a normal photo on an eye level but after taking the shot, look to something else. pretend that you are taking something else and do not look into the subject's eyes
I'm no expect in Street Photography, just giving my 2cents here
For me I rather not "being there" or "not framing" than being punch in the face or being shout at. Just my two cent too!!
Samuel Wong well that explains how you don't have the courage to get closer to your subjects. Getting yelled or punch is part of the genre, street photography is not for the cowards and with anxious attitudes. Of course getting closer doesn't mean 'better' photos but you will never get any improvements by not getting close to your subjects and the enjoyment of the genre will never satisfy you through long lens taking the shot from a far. Get your guts together or don't do SP. My 2cents for your cowardice
Many people who shoot street using 50+ lens will disagree with you, but its ok not everyone can be Eric Kim.....
There is also another way that allows you to get closeer. All you need is a tilt screen. Prefocus and wait for your subject to fall into focus. This is very easily done now given all current generation of mirrorless has peaking.
I wasn't suggesting people should not get close. My original post suggest people use ultra wide to achieve this, or the method mention above...Just don't pull your camera up in someone's face and frame. You should never let your enthusiasm get over your personal safety, it is never worth it. If there is a safe way to do it, do it that way.
Pfew I thought this video was trolley free !
If he's shooting, it's definitely a big NO.
He missed out the trolley with a woman there!!! :)
"Jump!" Probably your funniest line ever.
I just imagine that I am an agent from another species, spying on the human race. This way, I dehumanize everything and detach myself emotionally, and feel less embarassed to take photographs.
wow thanks for this
Street photography is like wildlife photography just make people like animals:)
These are the drtv videos I miss
I'm actually trying street photography for the first time tomorrow, what timing!!
Nice video as always, keep them coming!! I always enjoy Kais humour!! :-D
Thanks for the Alamby flickr link. She looks lovelier than ever
"That's it! More anger!"
You are really the best!
What audio mic system are you using? Your audio quality is always supreme! Thanks for another great and entertaining video!
Street Photography is the best!
I used to think that random creepy people behind cameras taking photos of others are really like creepy and crazy, but now that I know of this thing called Street photography, I respect them more.
Great tips Kai, I may go out and try some street photography today and see how many of these problems I encounter.
why so many bad comments? this channel is almost completely street photography, so why complain about it now?
Always the best vids , thanks .
Nice vid guys, I had a few days in HK last month so it was my first go at Street Photography, I was using a Canon EOS M2 so a nice little camera which flys under the radar compared to a DSLR. After an hour or so I started to get a bit braver and really enjoyed it. So many cool streets in HK and a really interesting place, looking forward to going back there. I did get a few good shots so mission accomplished :-)
I found most people were not phased by being photographed, so many people walking around with cameras in HK, I guess its pretty normal.
Great deal of tips.
I just walk around with my camera on it's tripod.. then when you get a good situation you're already ready to hit the shutter.
Having a tripod also helps because people realize you're actually there TO take photos.. not just of them.
Another good tip is to make it look like you're just flicking through photos.. hold your camera slightly lower than usual and with a grip like you're using the face buttons.
I like getting long exposures of crowds, people tend to create a gap in front of where you're shooting which ruins the shot.. for there I'll set my camera up and wait around 30 seconds before taking my photo.. that way the crowd will be sick of your s**t and just start walking in front of you.. which is actually what you want hahaha
also just ask people if the shot doesn't require them not noticing you.. people dont mind posing for a photo if you ask them.. try it at a festival to build up confidence, people at festivals wear fancy dress and stuff and expect photos so when you simply say "hey, can I take a photo of you?" they dont mind.. I found a guy at a festival this year with loads of TMNT comic tattoos on his arm, they looked amazing so I asked him if I was ok to get a pic.. he took his top off and he was covered in them.. much better than a crafty picture from the side.
no1 tip.. don't be scared of people. They're just people. Wost case is they will have a go at you.. if they do just keep taking photos, what better for emotion? if you use a really fast shutter speed you could probably get a nice one of a fist coming towards you.
I guess if you have the balls be cheeky and just take whatever, 10 seconds later you'll be gone and they'll have forgotten all about it. if you're scared then head to a 1st floor cafe and take photos out of the window.
Using a tripod on a busy street is not really ideal in my opinion. Street photography is usually about taking candid shots and that's difficult with a tripod.
it's mostly just to indicate to people that you're there for a reason and not to just take weird photos of them. it's always good to have a tripod at hand anyway.
the camera being on a stand just shows people you're not a threat,i keep the legs up and hold it around halfway down so I get a steady aim when taking photos.. it's a good method for recording video when you're walking too. hold it loose so as you move it has a more natural sway.,ill shut up anyway, we're not talking about video.
I agree with this. If you plop down a tripod, you can just wait a while and snap photos of people as they walk by. If you don't move around a lot, people will just assume you're filming video or a time lapse or something and won't try to walk out of the way, whereas if you shoot handheld, they're much more likely to feel that they are the focus of the image.
This video is actually useful. Thank you! :-)
The second most important item in your kit is a smile. Instead of hiding, make yourself stand out. Laugh, joke, and flirt and you will find resistance will fall away. You control the environment.
After working the crowd for a while you can then get down with the business of taking candid shots.
Thanks for the tips. Streep photography is fun and can make for som great pictures.
This is awesome. Thank you. I used to shoot discretely, chest level, until I could called out by an angry person! I now consider it better practice to be blatant and obvious about it.
Any tips for installing cameras in the bottom of a toilet?
use a GoPro
wanna film your shit saying goodbye?
Fact: People dont confront black street photographers =D
...I just thought about it and realized you might be right no one had ever said anything to me lol
***** Oh dear.
***** Kai is safe shooting in HK with people rushing busy on the street, or old people who don't care; I just wonder how Asian like me can do the same in USA
eric kim seems to do just fine and has plenty of pov street photography vids
lovetiantian eric kim seems to do just fine and has plenty of pov street photography vids
Hong Kong and Seoul are amazing for practice! In Causeway Bay, there is always someone pushing some cart or other around. In Seoul, just about every street is a photo opportunity.
"Jump" ...perfect!!
Good video , I do like the more serious ones once in a while
I notice that a few people discouraged snapping pictures of kids. Is it illegal?
I just find that they express themselves more honestly when they're having fun.. and it's these expressions that motivate me to snap them.
And yes, I can relate with every single point Kai has raised.
much better episode than of late thumbs up.
First 10 secs and I'm dying of coolness overload >_
I have the 60d and it is the "bees knees" for street photography as it has the little flip out screen. Nobody takes pictures from their waist :) Oh, and I do it in "P" mode Auto ISO. Perfect. Get the right shot AND it's raw and adjustable. Finally, for me my Tokina 11-16mm is so great for it for the wide angle.
Enjoyed the video...May be I am wrong but I think the best way is not to chimp as mentioned by Kai and not to look into the eyes of your subject, look thru the viewfinder !!
In Street Photography usually its said the more smaller camera the more invisible you are to take your shots. But somehow I feel there are two ways to look at it, depending on the laws of the land eg:
A) In a place like Mumbai, small camera could get you suspicious look or knocks on back and Street Photography is NOT a hurried job where you want to become invisible with a small camera and walk off. I always fail to understand this part of Street Photography about sticking to small cameras, ofcourse to each his own.
B) If you carry a big camera you do attract more attention but people atleast know OK..this guy is doing some kind of photography..what kind, they wouldn't know, but definitely won't knock on your back.
Street Photography is tough anyways but most satisfying when one gets a lovely shot. And I enjoy shooting in both Mumbai and Hong Kong. In Hong Kong, especially the Avenue of Stars strip and Mongkok.
Kai shoots like me - AF Centre spot, manual ISO and Aperture priority, sweet :D
I really love that guys :) ! so nice and usefull clips ! Thank you a lot for these tipps
I love the confrontation. That moment when the person you are framing looks at you and none of the two parts knows what to do. Do you smile? do you ask for permission? do you take the photo and run?
That uncertainty is what should drive street photography. Normally I just do the three S: Snap, smile and salute. Then run for your life and your camera's.
I like to try to make it look like I'm taking a picture of something else/the street/a building or take pictures when they're not looking and you can also try from across the way for beginners :)
its a bit easier for me because im usually with people and im a younger girl so people dont think its suspicious but if you're older or especially a guy it can be tricky
digitalrev isnt the same without alamby. kai, lok and alamby are very dynamic together. i bought a d7000 because of kai, i bought a 5dm3 because of lok, and i bought a d90 because of alamby. i sold all 3 when alamby left
What do the laws in Hong Kong say about taking pictures of random people in public? In Germany everybody has the "right of the own picture"(roughly translated) which means if you appear in somebody's photo/video you can prosecute(may the google translater be with me...!) him/her if they publish it.
...without permission
In america if someone takes your photo without your permission you have the right to have sex with them.
Haha..I heard you're allowed to take pictures and film in public places in the US.
In Germany, the "Recht auf das eigene Bild" just means that the photographer has to delete any publication of that image, it doesn't mean you can immediately sue him/her in court (only if the photographer doesn't comply).
In Germany you can, if I understand correctly, photograph people in public as long as you're not invading their privacy, hurting their dignity or have intention to publish the pictures without permission. If the people are not identifiable you can do what you want.
7D Mark II review!!! Please! We all want to see it
I don't do a lot of street but when I do I mostly go for large crowd shots. No one complains about being in those.
Hey Kai I thought you had enough with that trolley thing already LOL
I do a LOT of street and still learning... and my method has ALLWAYS WORKED...and I have never been stopped or barely ever noticed.
Just put a 35mm on the cam and let the camera ( in hand) be down the side. Correct and crop in Lightroom. Only downside is that photos are not landscape... But good tips non the less :)
I do enjoy your videos thanks again :)
DigitalRev could you possibly go on a trip around the world taking photos and showing spots to take photos? Example Australia, Melbourne, graffiti lane ways and cafe lane ways. Just a thought
understand the shyness but telephotos can seem more intrusive than approaching an interesting subject and talking to them like a real live human being and then asking if you may take their photo - look at some of the London street shots of Don McCullin and see just how he brings characters alive
this intro music, good old times
Is Kai using a 1.8 nifty 50mm Canon lens in this? I've been debating getting one since it's so dirt cheap and the end results are pretty impressive.
That sure looks like a 1,8 50mm. They have pretty good optics, just the build quality can be somewhat dodgy. They're amazing for the price, though.
I'm using a 1,4 50mm, and it's wonderful.
I can't stress enough how good of a deal that lens is. Bad build quality or not - it's amazing. Get it!
Are you judging it on 1080p (2MP) footage ?
Canon 50mm F1.8 prime lens is something you can buy without giving a second thought. Cause its very cheap and yet it can get the job done. Just buy the lens and it would be best to fit with a full frame camera.
Dorf Schmidt and how do you view your photos? 6k IMAX screen
LOVES takiing pictures of people with trolleys.
More videos like this please
Hi Kai & Lok- can u do a "Day in the Life of DigitalRev' or a "Day in the Life of Kai & Lok' or something like that? I thought it might be a funny/cool video idea.
MORE ANGER! I laughed so much (I love that he uses his friends for this but srsly photographing other people when they clearly don't want to be is rude and invasive p.s. I'm also a photographer and only know too well stage fright and people noticing you and beginning to act weirdly)
WE NEED MOAR VIDEOS!!! Where are the new ones???
So true!
Enjoyed the info.
Hey Kai and Lok! I saw you 2 on the tvb news taking pics of the police.. 香港加油!
2:00 I shoot film and still honestly don't know what to do about that.
Process the picture and give it back to them
Give them your email and stuff
Was just about to say this
Great photo information
Awesome video. That ladie got well annoyed. Lol
Please do a side by side review between the new Canon Powershot G7X and Sony RX100 M3.
Great video! very informative to myself!
1:40 That guy definitely had an exclamation mark above his head.
This is entertaining and all, but where is the 7D MKII review? you guys are usually on the ball with this stuff. DRTV had a 6D review before it was released for Pete sake!
Good episode.
You don't need to delete street photos to shut people up, just walk away. Taking pictures of people on the street isn't illegal (well not in Britain anyway, I don't know about Hong Kong) but harassment and assault most certainly are illegal, so there's really not much the subject can do.
I live in the UK and I've only had someone tell me off for it once, I just ignored them and disappeared into the crowd, best way to deal with a situation like that I reckon
I've considered doing some street photography. A couple problems I have though is that I'm a bit timid about it, and there's not really a lot of good places around me to try. Plus I'd have to not do it with my wife around. I was down in Vegas for a weekend with her, and I considered trying some down there, but I never did because I kept thinking my wife would criticize me for doing it, saying it's weird of me to just take random people's photos. She doesn't like her photo randomly taken, so that sort of gets passed on in her criticism if I were to try it with other people.
So, yeah... a few hurdles to jump if I were to ever do street photography.
When I take photos of people I'm like "fuck it, they don't know me"
If you want your wife to stop criticize you, just talk about it with her
Maybe in HK people are open minded, but it's very different were i live. Nice videos guys, keep it up.
I had encounters more than what you have shown here. Nowadays, people are getting edgy and pointing camera is becoming confrontational. I for one do not like having someone taking photo with me in it without my consent. And I have unpleasant encounters doing street photography. I know scout for a coffee shop or cafe or restaurant with a clear wide open window view of street activity. Seated and sipping tea or coffee, I now take street life photos with long lens - discrete and quite invisible.
I find using zoom lens and taking them from a distance works better
+rocker1821 that's just being lazy.
Get a Yashica T5 and a roll of 400tx. The waist level viewfinder and AF allows you to shoot with one hand without ever bringing the camera to your face. No one will know you were there. I hold my cell phone in my other hand and people think I am just texting while I am shooting away.
How to avoid being shy at street photography.... don't live in or near London, where people automatically think you're a nut job. I've used some of these techniques though, like putting my camera down on a bench and leaving it on record. The flashing red light kind of gives it away though. Also found a telephoto lens very useful, and the shallow DOF on this is nice.
Try Brighton :) I had my first session there!
I think it's YOUR attitude that's preventing you from photographing people. Don't blame others for your own shortcomings.
Verdoux007 Who said I was prevented? If you read my comment I have done street photography in spite of others. I felt awkward but I got the shots I wanted.
ArcanePath360 If you're shooting from far away, then yes, your shyness has prevented you from going close to people.
Verdoux007 That was a technique to avoid confrontation. Generally everyone who lives in and around London has the kind of face that says "the f**k you looking at?" and growing up here I can safely profess that it isn't a good idea to let people know that you're photographing or filming them. It isn't so much shyness as common sense, like knowing that going up close to a Tiger in the wild to photograph it isn't a good idea. Or is that my attitude too?
somebody threatened to kick my head in today for taking a pic of his motorbike. i deleted the pic, then took another as he went past :)
Kai, did you do a video of the Tamron 70-200 compared to the Nikon 70-200 2.8 yet? I wonder how the focus breathing is on it.
the 5D MKIII with the cheapo nifty 50 on it. Not sure if Kai is being cheeky or if he really prefers that lens?
Come on Kai.... Do the 7D Mark II review!!!!!
You know you want to!
It would be interesting to try with a 7d mk2. The 1090 jpeg buffer and 10fps would make things interesting.
Alamby!! Where are you?!?! I Miss you!!
thanx for the tips Kai =)
Follow the laws of your state/country. I've been punched while covering a street protest. One person objected to being photographed and decided to use me as a punching bag. Police got involved and had to tell the guy that I was within my right to take photos.
Also, laws can also vary in regards to photographing of minors, being able to identify people in photos and publishing photos.
If you intend on publishing the photos, carrying around a release form is helpful, especially if it's on an ipad.