Street Photography Q&A - November 2020

Brian Lloyd Duckett | Street Photography

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The latest edition of my street photography Q&A includes questions about film, long lenses, viewfinder vs LCD, street photography awards, 'what's in my bag' and more. An essential resourse for street photographers!
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I've got a great schedule of videos lined up for 2021 and the small income I get from RU-vid and from you lovely people is an enormous help in these difficult times when workshops are impossible to run. If you would like to become a patron of my channel - with benefits! - please check out my Patreon page: / streetsnappers
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I'm the Founder and Course Leader at StreetSnappers, an organisation which provides street photography workshops and courses in London and across the UK, Venice, Lisbon, Prague and Paris. Whilst I'm an Official Fujifilm X-Photographer (ambassador), this channel is for everyone, irrespective of what sort of gear you use - including film users!
Please subscribe to receive news of new videos about street photography. You'll find tips & techniques, gear reviews, critique sessions, information about locations for street photography and lots of news, insights, ideas and developments from the world of street photography.

Опубликовано:

8 июл 2024

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Комментарии : 116

@hmdtvkli 2 года назад

In a world full of convenient shortcuts, I’ve trained myself to respect the purists. You are absolutely one of them.

@ianwinning5721 3 года назад

The one day London Workshop out with you and a few Fujifilm guys, buying your books and noting the information in 'Mastering Street Photography' and '52 Assignments' and your RU-vid channel, makes me seriously think now before I press the shutter button. Following your advice on projects, observing the light and my surroundings mean I no longer wander around aimlessly. I'm now capturing fewer but more interesting pictures. Gone are the days of going home with 300 pictures. I've gone old school again, working like I have two or three rolls of 36 film exposures. My brain really does work differently. I remember paying a fortune for development and prints, and the disappointment of seeing many rubbish pictures. My way of working now is not for everyone, but for me it's a challenge that's working. You keep posting and I'll keep looking. Thank you for all your help Brian.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Ian, that's heartwarming feedback - thank you!

@guidobennaerts333 3 года назад

Hi Brian, love your youtube channel !!! In the 70's I studied Photography in Antwerp, Belgium. I fell in love with the B&W system, the analog camera's and the processing in the darkroom. Did not go professional, but later I became familiar with the digital world (my first digital was a Sony Mavica), without knowing I missed the old analog aperture-, ISO- and time-settings on these new digital camera systems. Lucky one digital mirrorless camera system (Fuji) brought that all back alive for me. I love to shoot street, landscape, travel and stage.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks Guido - it's interesting that the Fuji system brings the 'old days' back to a lot of people - I guess it's good to combine the analog feel with the modern results! Glad you like the channel - thanks for the feedback :-)

@paulchoccyt1303 3 года назад

Thank you Brian, I keep looking for you!

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Cheers Paul - keep looking!

@michaelkobbe6825 3 года назад

Oh, and I completely agree with you on the fact that the most memorable street pictures put content before aesthetics! And you used some great examples to illustrate this!

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks very much, Michael! :-)

@aminmotin 3 года назад

Your point about "moments" and aesthetics is an interesting one. As I practise the craft of street photography (sadly nowhere near as much as I would like to) I find that many of the images I'm seeing on Instagram in particular are very "same old, same old". There are some people who shoot the same thing over and over. Their technique is excellent, for sure, but there is little originality compared to what they've shot before. It's like watching a recording of a show/opera/musical/play - it's the same every time. It can almost be fatiguing seeing the same thing over and over. That said, I'm very partial to the aesthetic shot, but I do now find myself very much more drawn to the moment or story. It's a little harder to find, I think, and that challenge makes it all the more enjoyable if you manage to pull it off. A beautiful pool of light remains beautiful even if you wait for a moment to unfold itself *in* that pool of light! (Obviously I'm meaning that in the general sense that good light on a poor subject or on a good subject is still good light - if the light changes then it changes!)

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Hi Amin, yes, I agree about 'originality' and your analysis of repetitive images. Sure, the 'moments' and much harder to come by - it can take days or weeks - but when they do come it's happy days. We often forget that when we're looking at a book of, say, Joel Meyerowitz, we're usually looking at a collection of images which took many years to collate - it wasn't shot over a few weekends! Have patience and the results will follow :-)

@kshysztof9649 3 года назад

Thank you very much for another great video.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

My pleasure - thanks for your support!

@keyoguitar 3 года назад

Thanks Brian, all sensible stuff.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

My pleasure, Keyo - thanks for watching :-)

@alexandergirutskiy8823 3 года назад

Great video! Thank you for your answers!

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks very much Alexander!

@romotec0212 3 года назад

Thank you for all the great information! I've learned so much from you 🙏

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks for the feedback, Luis - I'm so glad it's useful :-)

@raymondharrison988 3 года назад

Great session really enjoyed it - got me thinking back to film days of old 👍

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks very much Ray - hope you and the family are well :-)

@morrisbagnall2690 3 года назад

Very enjoyable and informative as always Brian. I use a canvas messenger bag that I waxed myself and generally carry one digital (EM1 MkII) and one film camera, spare battery, extra roll of film (or two if it's my 6x6), notebook and lens wipes. Does the job!

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks very much, Morris! Don't talk to me about 6x6 film - it's costing me a fortune at the moment!!

@stevehooker2482 3 года назад

As per usual, an addictive discussion which makes so much sense. I don't follow slavishly but I take in everything.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks for your feedback and support, Steve :-)

@vincentbrooker3062 3 года назад

I look forward to seeing your video on film photography. By the way good Q&A!

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks very much, Vince. I haven't forgotten your question by the way - it's on the list for the next Q&A video :-)

@LyndonPatrickSmith 3 года назад

So I’m about 2/3 of the way through this awesome book “52 Assignments - Street Photography” and I just realized you wrote it! New subscriber - great channel and book! 📚

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Top man! Thanks very much Lyndon :-)

@PeteScR 3 года назад

Thanks for answering my question Brian. It was just as I expected and along the lines of whats in my bag too. I am always bemused when I see people on a days shooting on the street with a backpack filled with kit.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

My pleasure, Pete. Yes, you see all sorts of gear on the streets - and so much of it! I don't think my dodgy shoulder could cope ;-)

@andymiller7105 3 года назад

Liked the language question. I live in Berlin + speak German. Easier to get portraits if I pretend I can't speak the language + interesting/amusing to hear what they're telling their friends about you.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks for your comment, Andy - that's a good idea!

@iainscott1289 3 года назад

Thanks Brian, another great vlog. When I get back out with my camera, I'm going to adopt the attitude that I am using film. Think this will make me more discerning as to what I am going to capture. Keep up the great work and Stay Safe 📷🌈

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks for the feedback, Iain. I love your approach - I'll suggest that to people! Having said that, maybe be careful not to let it hold you back or inhibit your shooting ;-)

@erikwestberg5348 3 года назад

When it comes to timeless pictures we can't predict, what will make ppl 50 years on nostalgic. We often look at older pictures thinking "oh, it's so typical the 40.ies, 50:ies or whatever.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Yes, interesting isn't it? I think that in 50 years time people will be looking at photos with face masks, mobile phones etc and thinking 'wow'!!

@michaelkobbe6825 3 года назад

Hi Brian, I like your channel and especially your no-nonsense style. Being a street photographer myself, I watch it regularly for inspiration. On the subject of viewfinder vs. display, you argued that one of the advantages of using the viewfinder is the fact that it consumes less energy than the display. While this is true for optical viewfinders, typically to be found in DSLRs, it is not true for the cameras you and I use with their electronic viewfinders. For these, it is better - at least for energy-saving - to use the display. Another reason to use the display for me personally is that I shoot a lot from the hip because I don't want to draw attention to myself and especially to the fact that I'm taking pictures, as I usually prefer not to disturb the scene.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks for your support, Michael. I wasn't aware that the EVF used the same power as the LCD - you learn something new every day! And yes, shooting from the hip works well for lots of people and you need the LCD for that :-)

@michaelkobbe6825 3 года назад

@@StreetSnappers As far as I know, the EVF uses even more power than the LCD - due to its higher resolution.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

@@michaelkobbe6825 Thanks Michael - that's really interesting.

@pjmimages 3 года назад

Thanks for answering my question Brian and for all the other answers to some really good questions. An interesting video again and though provoking as always. I had to smile when you talked about using your 56mm. I went onto the streets with a 100-400mm the other day, just to try something different. More paparazzi than traditional street photography perhaps but I enjoyed my little play around. Might go 8mm next for a completely different challenge! Thanks again for the inspiration.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks very much for the feedback, Paul. I love shooting very wide - 8mm will be fun - let me know how you get on!

@miriamolmo4261 3 года назад

Medium format film, I think, it's the best.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Me too - love the stuff!

@heather333 2 года назад

Viewfinder, every time, which is why I dislike taking photographs on a phone.

@StreetSnappers 2 года назад

Yes, I prefer viewfinder too :-)

@martinwilsonphoto 3 года назад

I think the days of, film is dead are now long over. It is now a viable alternative to digital, confirmed by the big hitters like Ilford, Kodak, Fuji now getting involved and releasing new films or bringing old films back to market. Even the production of new film cameras by one of the big manufacturers doesn’t now seem as unlikely as it did a few years ago. If film ever did become obsolete it is the darkroom work I would miss the most though. Great video Brian, loving the channel.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Completely agree with you about film, Martin - it's exciting to see what's happening now. I'm just waiting for Fujifilm to release an analogue version of the X100........ :-)

@martinwilsonphoto 3 года назад

Now there’s an idea. What a camera that could be.

@samwilliams3966 3 года назад

I grew up in the digital age, my first camera was a phone, so I have always used a screen rather than viewfinder... when I got my Fujifilm I found using the viewfinder really awkward but with practice I’m slowly getting used to it. I’m still finding composition more difficult with the EVF but I think using a mix of both is working for me.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Hi Sam - like you, I use both and quite like mixing it up, though I probably use the EVF (or sometimes OVF) 80% of the time.

@harryp6312 3 года назад

I found myself agreeing with you on the subject of artistic light, street photography. Some wonderful exponents of it from Sean tucker and Mark fearnley for example. It's striking when done well but as you remark it lacks the sense of capturing a magic moment. For me it has more of a street/studio cleverness to it. Saying that, I'd love to be that clever lol. I look forward to your contributions Brian, best wishes

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks for your comments Harry. I agree with you - there are some outstanding proponents of that style but they're few and far between. Personally, I think the 'moment' approach is more fun and rewarding. But each to his own!

@wolfharley1 3 года назад

Especially the view finder / monitor for me Why, cause my camera view to Monitor stopped working properly and I now have to to into the menu This has taught me , without even knowing I prefer the viewfinder and not other reasons u have pointed out Thanks

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks Lee :-)

@danielsigg8405 3 года назад

Hi Brian: Great Q&A. Is the question of whether an artistic image versus a "decisive moment"/candid image has more of a timeless value perhaps the wrong question? If an image has a strong intrinsic value and interest, perhaps evokes emotion/mood and has a story, it might become timeless. And this image might not always the candid image. You mentioned Saul Leiter (and Fan Ho) as (a) prime example(s). Ernst Haas comes to mind as well. And many others. But I do understand how some might think that only "candid" street photography is the "real" street photography. This then becomes an argument over semantics, opinions, definitions, categories, but perhaps not about art. Cheers, Daniel

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Hi Daniel, thanks for the great comment - food for thought. I'm a great fan of Haas. Best wishes, Brian

@deejaybeephoto 3 года назад

Great Video and content Brian. Thank you. Hope to join one of your workshops “up North” soon!

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks very much David! Where are you based? Next year I’m doing street workshops in Liverpool and Hull, and urban landscapes in Manchester :-)

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

..... and Blackpool ;-)

@deejaybeephoto 3 года назад

@@StreetSnappers Thanks Brian . They’re all within easy striking distance, so I should be able to make one of them - will check dates on your site.

@samham3901 3 года назад

Thank you 😊 great session 👍 .. I like and prefer the viewfinder it gives more concentration but in case that this VF is optical not electronic ? what do you think? Is it reliable 🤔??

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks Samar :-). I prefer the optical because it uses no battery but the electronic is okay if that's all you have.

@angelafitch9439 3 года назад

Get your Zeiss lens wipes from Asda or Boots - same make, same thing but much cheaper than the camera shops!!

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks Angela - good tip! I hope all's well with you :-)

@angelafitch9439 3 года назад

@@StreetSnappers All good here Brian, although like most, not quite as exciting as things used to be!! Great videos, I really enjoy them. Thanks and hope to see you again in the not too distant!

@myblueandme 3 года назад

Hi, I just discovered your channel. It's awesome! I have a question please. Is it important to understand hyperfocal distance for street photography?

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thank you! I would say not - maybe hyperfocal distance is slightly over-complicating things. I think zone focusing is a bit simpler and works well enough.

@robinchun1 3 года назад

Hi Brian .. when using film do you scan it and work on the images digitally or just send off to a lab and accept the results? for your info I did film for 30 odd years and can't for the life of me see myself going back to it

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Hi Robin, I do a little work on the scans but not much - I hate over-processed images! But I love shooting film and it's great to mix it with digital :-)

@bcegerton 3 года назад

Great Q&A Brian, I’m need to get a new camera, I’ve been looking at the XT-3 but also found a “Like New” XT-4 for a great price at a reputable dealer, is it worth going for the 4 for its IBIS as I can get slight shaking or do you think the XT-3 would be ok for that

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Well, the X-T4 is the better camera, mainly because of IBIS, so if that's useful to you, go for it. I find the rear screen more suited to video than to stills but it's not a deal breaker. In terms of IQ, they're the same. So there's very little to choose between them. With the shaking, maybe my choice would just about swing in favour of the 4.

@bcegerton 3 года назад

@@StreetSnappers I’ve gone for the XT-3, the price difference after finding a refurbished one on Fuji for £1099 then a New one at Park for £1149 with the 18-55mm f2.8-4 was too much, would have meant having to put extra to on my Credit Card for the XT-4 and with my shakes now being at a minimum due to having had my Transplant a couple of years, I just couldn’t see the point. Now I’ve got money towards a 35mm. It’s just a pity we’ve been put in Tier 3 or some would have gone on a day down there, love it in London, went last year with a couple of lads then again I had a few hours shooting after a meeting too.

@NeilGraham 3 года назад

Done ✅

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks Neil :-)

@beyondthegravecemeterycult1475 3 года назад

Should we shoot with film if we can't develop the prints ourselves? I don't have a dark room yet, so I would have to send the film somewhere for processing. I love your channel, and I'm reading your book!

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Yes, I think so. I shoot film and either use a lab or process it at home and then scan the negs (the latter is very cost-effective once you've bought the tanks etc). Good luck with street photography :-)

@carlosc.639 3 года назад

Great video! What do you think about Fujifilm recipes? Do you use one?

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks Carlos! Regarding recipes, no - I don't use them. I usually shoot in RAW and do very little to the image. The main exception is for B+W: if I know I want I B+W image I may use the Acros simulation which I think is really good.

@harvgreenberg3031 3 года назад

Another great session! Many thanks!

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

My pleasure, Harv, as always :-)

@zoonaanz3411 3 года назад

Hi, Brian I am so happy to have found your channel and have been watching all of them nonstop. Thanks you for the great content. I have questions about the gears. I want to find my personal favorite focal length and have been eyeing on a fixed lens camera with a 35mm lens since I have some experience with 35mm lenses. However I am also debating if a fixed lens would be limiting for me and that I should first get an interchangeable lens system to try out different focal length prime lenses? Also if I do go with the interchangeable lens system, is full frame needed for street photography? Thanks again.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Hi Zoonan, thank you for the comments and welcome to the channel! I would say definitely start off with a fixed lens! For street photography, 35mm is perfect (with a full-frame camera) - or 23/24mm with an APS-C crop sensor. I have never used full-frame for street photography - always a crop sensor!

@zoonaanz3411 3 года назад

@@StreetSnappers Got it, also I really enjoyed the Saul Leiter video, waiting for master #2!

@kshysztof9649 3 года назад

You have answered the viewfinder vs LCD screen. But what about shooting without looking at the viewfinder?

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

I often do it! If you know your lens well enough - particularly if it's a wide lens - you can guess what's in the frame with reasonable accuracy. Mark Cohen was pretty good at it!

@scrptwic 3 года назад

I want to use a interesting question. I believe my pictures taken with my older CCD ( Charged Coupled Device ) Sensors look different than my CMOS sensor pictures. I can't put my finger on why they look different. My CCD cameras are only 6 megapixel but take good daylight pictures . Both are Pentax a *istDL from 2005 no image stabilization and a Pentax K100D I just acquired which is image stabilized

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Interesting question, though I'm not at all a technical person so I'm unable to give you a technical answer. But I guess sensor technology has evolved and they just get better all the time.

@rishikeshsshinde 2 года назад

Hi Brian, I have watched almost all videos on your channel. Its fantastic and I'm more interested than before. Thanks for triggering the interest. I have a question: Do you think the new OM-1 from Olympus would be good street photography?

@paulchoccyt1303 3 года назад

I've started doing some portrait style shooting this last week, had some great shots and 99% of the people have accepted to pose or model for me

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

That's a good hit rate Paul - I also find that most people will co-operate :-)

@paulchoccyt1303 3 года назад

@@StreetSnappers Yeah i'm just beginning to put some up on my IG from now

@lewischapman3286 3 года назад

Hi Brian, I recently subscribed and am also enjoying your books! I have a question: if you could go back to when you first picked up a camera and give your younger self one piece of advice, what would it be?

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Hi Lewis - many thanks for commenting! Is your question for the next Q&A video or would you like an answer now?!

@lewischapman3286 3 года назад

@@StreetSnappers Maybe the next video? I'm happy either way!

@mcuna42 3 года назад

Where’s the night street photography video mentioned? I don’t see a link in the description.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

I pointed to a grey strip with the link above my head - but you'll see it on the channel, third one down I think.

@carelvanderlippe 3 года назад

Thank you for another interesting video. What struck me is that your face is not in focus at all times. For example around minute five of the video. Perhaps this can be solved with the auto focus settings on your video camera?

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks Carel - you're right - I forgot to switch on the 'face detect' setting ;-)

@jlaw8882 2 года назад

You forgot to say that if you enter a photo in a competition, in the small print, you give away the rights to the work.

@StreetSnappers 2 года назад

Good point - thanks :-)

@per-erikpedersen4801 3 года назад

Your talkes about street photography are very good. You keep on talking about how to behave, and what to do to have a good time doing it. But I think I do not agree upon one thing you stessed. You said that the back screen is draining the battery. I have a mirrorless camera, with an EVF. I hva learned that this EVF is consumpting electrisity fare more than the screen. This is caused by the high refreshing rate of the EVF. So if you want to spare youur batteries, you should NOT use the EVF.I think it was my hero Robin Wong that had a video of this. And to be able to take candidphotos, you should avoid taking the camera up to your eyes. (I think!)

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks for pointing that out - I wan't aware of that!

@larsrosing5033 3 года назад

Sorry to say, but you make the same mistake as many other youtubers, and that is to not set your recording camera on manual focus. It hunts now and then, I can live with it but it disturbs you somewhat, during the video ;) Great video though!

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks, Lars. I forgot to set 'face detection', hence the focus hunting. My mistake - I'm quite new to shooting video! ;-)

@johnflett7228 3 года назад

Perhaps you should disable autofocus and do it manually if you are just sitting there in one spot. It is very distracting to have the focus keep popping between you and the books behind you.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Apologies.

@johnflett7228 3 года назад

@@StreetSnappers Lol. No worries. You were probably busy providing some great tips on shooting street and not paying attention to video. Thanks for paying attention and not just shit-canning my somewhat abrupt critique.

@beyondthegravecemeterycult1475 3 года назад

I don't care for the person-in-the-light photo. For all I know, the photographer used his friend to pose for the photo.

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Yes, I'm sure that happens sometimes, sadly.

@RakeshDas-qx4xd 10 месяцев назад

Sir, can you give me a camera.

@davidcox3833 3 года назад

You keep drifting in and out of focus

@StreetSnappers 3 года назад

Thanks for pointing it out. It happened several times in this video- I must had had the wrong setting by mistake. Hope it didn’t spoil the content for you.

@raypowell6783 3 года назад

The focus is You Tube 1 touch the image 2Top rt corner 3virticle dots press them 3 you will see that for some reason the image quality is 144 4ajust this to the highest settings The picture should be better this has been happening on my tablet for the past few weeks, I hope this helps. You will have to do this quite often .