A Day of Street Portrait Photography With Matt Peers
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- Опубликовано: 10 фев 2025
- In this video we follow along with renowned photographer Matt Peers for a day of street portrait photography in Birmingham, England.
Expect to learn how to approach strangers for portraits on the street, how to give direction, how to deal with rejection, the differences of shooting b&w and colour, the psychology of photography, how the analogue process is central to Matt's work, what makes a great photograph and so much more.
Matt's Instagram: / mattjpeers
Matt's website: mattpeers.photography
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🔴 Big thanks to Matt for having us along for a day out photographing strangers on the street! Go show him some love, and if you enjoyed it drop a comment below! 🤜🏼🤛🏼
"You go down the river and its never the same river"...what a fantastic statement. I really love his photos and the approach towards people, I learned a lot.
Tip for anyone wanting to start street portraits photography. It's completely fine to approach people and tell them that you're just learning, qnd furthermore, you're not even learning how to take portraits, you can tell people you're practicing how to approach people!
Absolutely!
Is it possible to love this man more than I do. What wonderful photos, what a fantastic view of humanity
What a wonderful comment!
What a fun outing. Matt Peers has a great eye with the camera, for sure, but it's his way of connecting with strangers that's the real star of the show. Photography is just the medium he uses to display the rapports he creates.
Absolutely agree!
He’s so good bruh like his “spheeel” is honed in and direct and effective wow.
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This is a great interview that shows Matt for the genius he clearly is. So interesting and inspiring.
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The way Matt communicates and directs his subjects is masterful. His ability to quickly relate and create a comfortable dynamic with a complete stranger is what sets him apart. Beautiful work. It was also really cool to see his darkroom and workspace. I want to see more of that in these kinds of videos - it balances nicely with the out-and-about format. 🙏
Thanks Nick! Glad you enjoyed it :)
Absolutely loved this episode!
Thank you!
One of the best ride along style photography clips! Totally relate to how Matt works in the field. Learned a lot along the way that I can use in my own practice. Well done.
Thank you! So happy to hear that!
This is incredible. I'll need to rewatch this a number of times, such a lot to learn from Matt. Thanks!
🙏🏻
Love Matt's work!
He’s so great!
You’ve done it again! Great insight to the thoughts and techniques of a photographer I wasn’t aware of. How generous of Matt to share his working practices and methods to get a portrait, I love his politeness and care he takes with his subjects. Thanks again to both of you.
Thank you so much!
I went for a photo walk this afternoon with my Mamiya TLR and came hope rather unsatisfied. Watching your video this evening has restored my hope. Thank you.
Sorry to hear your photo walk wasn’t fruitful but I’m glad this had given you some inspiration!
So much I identify with here, and great work from Matt.
When I used to shoot with a Hasselblad 503, it was SO much easier to approach people when I had the camera out. They were counterintuitively LESS intimidated by such a chunky looking camera because it looked unfamiliar and they were curious. Approaching people now with a big, modern looking camera is, I find, much harder - they're immediately on alert. I tend to keep my Sony in the bag until I've explained I'm an artist making work.
I kind of wish I still had that vintage talking point!
wow i was not expecting that first shot at 5:27
Wow, the guy is great for doing his work. especially when talking to strangers, while me don't even want to talk to myself. This is worth watching and learning. Thank you for the video.👍
So glad you enjoyed it!
Brilliant video and chat. Loved every minute. Thank you guys for this.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏻
Valuable perspective from a master on the street. The human connection is forgotten in today's world of handsized computers. Technology has isolated us and changed human habits in a way unimaginable only a few years ago...people habitually look down at their phones....almost like a force-field when walking about. Breaking the 4th wall and striking a conversation...making someone feel seen...it's so important to not lose that. I loved this video.
What a lovely comment and I couldn’t agree more! So refreshing to have some connections and conversations with strangers and watch Matt create beautiful portraits out of the interactions too. I think we should all try street portrait photography from time to time if only to remember that talking to strangers is more fulfilling than looking at them on our screens
He’s got such a warm, assured manner and that shows in the photographs.
I agree!
Thanks Tim. This longer format interview really helps understand Matt as a person, the motivations and integrity that underpins his work. Hearing the mechanics and sequence of his thought process is fascinating; enabling you to comprehend how he generates such an excellent social diary of work.
What a lovely comment! Glad you enjoyed it 🙂
Holy tamole, Tim. As a street portrait dabbler, this is THE best insight into the thought process and approach of a guy who's getting such a great connection with his subjects. No TLR aspirations yet, but i've an old EOS 500 and expired film v much considering using that for portraits exclusively. Big up both of you!
Thanks mate! He’s certainly got a way with people and I really love his approach, his work speaks for itself! Happy shooting 🙂
Qué fotógrafo más generoso. ¡Gracias por compartir tanto conocimiento!.
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙏🏻
"It's so unusual to see people with style" - Love that Matt! I'm stealing that line. 😍 Really interesting and inspiring video thank you.
So glad you enjoyed it! 🙏🏻
That was an absolute masterclass. Such superlative interaction skills .
Glad you think so!
I really loved and enjoyed this video, specially because of Matt's attitude towards people and towards the camera. He's humble, kind and honest, and it shows in his work. Lovely, really. Congratulations
Such a lovely comment! Thank you 🙏🏻
Excellent video of Matt at work!
I really enjoyed this episode. He is such a friendly person and great photographer.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏻
Really ace film Tim. Matt is my best buddy and I'm a big lover of his output and style. Seeing him at work like this is a real treat. I hope this inspires lots of other photographers who are interested in trying this to have a go. Great questions that got some real good insight into the psychology of the situation too and the mindset of the photographer.
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it, he’s such a lovely guy and makes incredible work!
A lovely video, a great watch. Fab interactions with people. Personally, I'd let them smile, but I get that is his style.
Glad you enjoyed it!
This is awesome and very inspiring, thank you so much 👍
I’m glad you enjoyed it!
Nice one. The Rollei with a Peak Design strap combo made me chuckle. May December romance!
Another great video, Tim. Thanks for the introduction to Matt and his work
My pleasure! Glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏻
This was a great episode Tim! Really enjoyed it!
Thanks so much, Kenny! That means a lot 🙏🏻
Great stuff,he clearly knows his craft very well.
He really does!
Thanks, Tim, for a great video! It’s fascinating to follow along and see how different photographers work on the streets. It's a real treat. I’ve been thinking about something-many street portrait photographers show their work or Instagram feed to the people they photograph to explain why they’re taking pictures. But if you're just starting out, you don’t have any previous portraits to show. It would be interesting to hear how they handled this issue when they were beginners themselves.
Really happy to hear you enjoyed the video! Answer: take portraits of friends and family, then you have some to show strangers :)
@@timjamiesonphotos Thank you. That's a good idea :)
Love it, huge fun of Rolleiflex, I have same one that he is using on the video is a beast of camera, my grandmother have me the camera and love it, I cant believe the quality of glass from 1960 crazy, amazing video
I want one now haha! Matt uses it so well - really glad you enjoyed the video! 🤜🏼🤛🏼
Great video, Great pictures and great Photography.
Thanks Tim and Matt.
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏻
Getting people to not smile is the secret sauce I was looking for, this was excellent.
I know right! I think it just gives the opportunity to show the gravitas and strength from people, a little glint in the eye, no forced smile - definitely the way to get powerful portraits I think
Such an interesting video, Matt has such a passion for his work and people. His books and dark room set up are very impressive.
Really glad you enjoyed it! And hell yeah I was dead jealous of his set up and book collection for sure
Love it, Rick. So glad you keep working with photographers to bring these other perspectives. Wonderful advice from Matt. From his first example, I was pleased by the point of view. "Out and proud" with the camera.
Glad you enjoyed it! I love Matt’s work and learned a bunch from him on that day
Thank you Tim. I've been wanting to do more street portraits, hopefully this will be helpful.
Thanks Scott! This is definitely the best guy to learn from!
Hi Tim. It was an amazing video; enjoyed it so much.
I love the pic of the lady with the missing teeth that Matt took. She has a beautiful smile.
Can you ask Matt what type of light meter he's using?
Cheers from the US. 👍🏾
Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it! Ping him a message on Instagram, I’m sure he’ll be happy to let you know :)
Great episode, could have watched it all day. Lady at the end nailed it, he just has a lovely friendly manner which comes natural which unfortunately you just can't teach
What a lovely comment! Thank you so much, glad you enjoyed it 🙏🏻
Thank you, so inspiring ❤
Glad you think so!
a very interesting person, a very interesting photographer, I liked the video, it is very inspiring to take the camera and shoot a film, thank you for the video, I definitely subscribed to this interesting person)))
Glad you enjoyed it! 🙏🏻
Excellent!
Glad you enjoyed it!
UK version of Paulie B's Walkie Talkie
... needs more walking though :)
Haha, there’s plenty of walking in this one later on in the vid!
@timjamiesonphotos still watching!! Its so weird seeing brum like this, I'm normally just going through just trying to get home as fast as possible without being crushed by a tram 😅
@@SystemParanoiait was such a quiet day, probably due to the January blues and it being absolutely freezing!
@@timjamiesonphotos hat guy with his family seemed cheery enough though 🤠
Hi thank you for the video, could you say roughly what f-Stop and shutter speed you were shooting at?
Thanks
Glad you enjoyed the vid! If you message Matt on Instagram ok sure he’ll be happy to let you know :)
I'M NOT DENYING THIS DUDE'S PHOTOS...CUZ THEY'RE GOOD...BUT HIS PROCESS IS WAY TOO MUCH FOR ME -I WOULD LITERALLY GET TIRED OF SAYING THE SAME EXACT THINGS EVERY TIME I APPROACH SOMEONE!!!
HIS WORK IS REALLY GOOD THO AND I DIG THE VIDEO AND INTERVIEW!!! KEEP SHOOTING! 🤘🏾🤘🏾
GLAD YOU ENJOYED THE VIDEO!
This man is superb. I would pay for having a coffee with him.
I learned so much from a day with him 👌🏻
@ can imagine! Thanks for the video Tim.
Thank you for this video. Very interesting.
I am a strEeet photographer. I gave up doing film as it is so expensive. Plus I love knowing what I have captured immmediately. Though I own a Rollie I’d never use it for street portraits. Very nice job sir.
If I was doing street portraits I’d use a portrait lens or a zoom to give me a choice of focal lengths. I don’t know how to use flash and suspect it would be off putting. Using a small reflector or flashlight might help, especially with people wearing a brimmed hat. I know it isn’t Matt’s style, I think it would be interesting having the subject select the pose.
Asking subject’s permission to take their photograph takes a lot of courage. I know I am not a charming person and thus pitching the subject would be hard for me. I wouldn’t take the rejection personally. It is simply a numbers game. Occasionally I’ve tried street portraits and mostly my subjects rejected my request restfully.
Lately I’ve been doing intentional camera movement. Maybe this weekend I’ll try doing some street portraits.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
Glad you enjoyed it
It looks like Matt is working hard all day. Does he keep sandwiches in his bag, and if so what flavour? 🥪
Haha not that I saw!
i like matts work but he definitely gives off a nervous energy to me, if he approached me with that, i would be a little off putted. Enjoyed the video none the less! Keep killing it matt!
Haha remember he was being recorded by me as well as trying to work and answer questions, not easy to do that at all… Plus he doesn’t come across as nervous anyway - every person we met was more than happy for a chat and for their picture to be taken.
@timjamiesonphotos I understand that, just saying how it felt when I was watching him interact with the woman. I shoot a lot of candid street and have become quite comfortable with it, but watching him do it made me feel anxious 😅
Yeah if you shoot candid street then you don’t actually need to approach people which is a different skill set, so I’m sure if you’re not used to approaching people and asking for a portrait, seeing someone else do it might make you feel nervous :)
@@timjamiesonphotos not the case, but I will leave it at that.
Street photographers are a hard working bunch, but what do they do with the photos?
What is the ultimate purpose?
That’s the same as asking a painter, or a sculptor, or an embroider, or a knitter, or anyone doing anything creative, what’s their purpose and what do they do with their art. You’d have to ask Matt why he does what he does but I think it’s pretty clear from the video
43:57 I wonder what was the approach line for her?
We literally walked past and said hello then had a chat for quite a while before he asked to take a photo. I cut it out of the vid just to make it flow better but she was so lovely!
Great stuff - but the no smiling rule doesn’t make sense to me. That lady smoking against the wall is defined by her huge personality and smile. A shame to wipe it off her in the portrait
I can understand that, for me I think it’s way better than smiling - it lends a sort of gravitas and power to the people in his portraits
apologies if this sounds mercenary...but how does he make money?
He has a career, photography is his hobby :)
@timjamiesonphotos thanks for that. I shot for published magazines for 30 years, but apart from books, I could never work out how street photogs made money....not easy at all
✌🏻 Nice pictures BUT: Terrible AI voice in german translated video... 🤮
Why do you feel the need to tell me that? I don’t make RUclips’s dubbing features 🤣
It all relies on human subjects that are unorthodox, which depends on the location/country.
And it relies on skin colour and ethnicity of the photographer as well.
Eg: If Mr Peers was a Somalian or a China Chinese on the streets of Birmingham, it would be monumentally different. It could even invite many negative and even dangerous responses.
I totally disagree, I have taken many portraits of people male and female in Birmingham uk , all have been very nice people and some are not stereo typical people , they are people with character , people who dress differently, normal people don’t make good subjects. Also the colour of someone’s skin makes no difference to me , people are people.
You clearly didn’t watch the whole way through as Matt answers this in the video. It’s got nothing to do with that at all
Exactly
@@timjamiesonphotos
Ask any Anglo to go to beautiful Isfahan in Iran to do the same thing, and he might be killed or apprehended by the police. Its very different compared to the whyte man who’s doing street photography in ex-colony India where many locals love to suck up to the whytes.
Even if Mr Peers tries doing it in Germany’s city centre areas, it could be highly difficult if he doesnt speak German.
Any Anglo can try doing it in Little Haiti (Miami)He/she might be violently assaulted.
@@johnstarkey4959 Think you missed macallanvintage's 2nd point here. He was talking about the ethnicity of the photographer, not the subjects. I think macallanvintage made a good 2nd point that I will ponder. Let's face it, it's risky doing this work no matter what ethnicity of the photographer but even riskier for some. That's one of the reasons why most of us don't do it. That's where bravery, charm and risk aversion comes in I suppose.