Yeah, me too. I'm an introvert. I suppose I might feel better about this kind of photography if I asked for the photograph first. But then I'd have to talk to strangers on the street. Yikes!
@@carlosmcse No, they weren't. Specially when you could simply ask for them. If you are an introvert, I 100% understand asking might be dreadful, it is for me and it sucks. I've been working on it for almost six months now and it does get better! Obviously you shouldn't start with something as extreme as this challenge. Perhaps try my challenge® of each time you go out try to ask someone, at least one person, to take their photo. If someone asks you why, tell them the truth, you are practicing to approach people for photos. Not only is it true, but if the photo you took isn't good, it doesn't matter, what matters is that you approached them, and they won't expect anything from the photo. Asking people for permission not only prevents any confrontation but it might be the highlight of someone's day. In sheer contrast of taking the photo of someone without their permission which not only might get them (rightfully) fuming, but it might spoil their day.
Your comments around 'overthinking', and not pressing the button because you are too busy determining whether or not the moment is photo worthy, really resonated with me. I realize that practice at observation and anticipation are key - encouraging myself to capture it first, and worry about it second, is one of the things that I need to work on. Thanks for talking about this issue straight on!
You’re one of the few photographers I’ve seen blogging who actually makes good photos, most of them are mediocre at best! And I do realize it’s tough to get good shots while you’re talking and walking and blogging. 🤙
Did this and you’re right. It’s a blast. I actually got some photos that turned out better than I expected. I doubt they will grace the walls of a museum or something but they were fun to take and I feel it put another photo arrow in my quiver.
Gareth you have a Peak Design strap but you don't use the little attachment that comes with it that screws into the tripod mount of your camera. You really should. This means you can attach the lugs to that position and leaves you with much greater hand movement on the sides of your camera. Which is so essential when shooting Fuji for reaching those dials. Also the camera hangs much more comfortably against your body. If you ever shooting with really big lenses it's absolutely essential to do it like this.
Lovely, wholesome, witty stuff as always. Being a casual hobby street photographer must have changed my aura or something. Because, for example, the last time I was on a short tube trip three unconnected random strangers talked to me, then so did strangers in the pub. I'm giving off 'openness' or 'curiosity' :) Quite enjoying some pics I took lately with deliberate or accidental side profiles of people. Their gaze reaching laterally across the photo gives them a nice distinction from things behind them in the background. Can be cinematic.
cool video mate , my technique is on my 24mm is to shorten my strap so my camera is basically on my chest and use my thumb on the shutter as opposed to my finger, it's scary just how close you can get to the subject... cheers for the content buddy..
@@GarethDanks when I use the 18 f1.4 (not for street) I use a step down ring to protect the front element of the lens more than anything, but helps a little with stray light blocking too. I wish Fujifilm would bring out a better version of the 18 f2, it's so noisy, slow and has pretty poor optics.
I live in a small town where carrying a camera definitely gets you noticed , sometimes negatively. I’ve started having it hanging mid chest height but with my trigger connected in my pocket. I wear my EarPods and just speak to myself as if not concentrating on taking pics but firing away with the trigger in my pocket. Maybe I’m crazy but I get less comments
I have a 40mm for my Nikon z6 II but I've been thinking about buying either the 26mm or 28mm for street photography. Where I live in the US, we don't have foot traffic in most places like you have. You do in the large tourist cities. I think it's because we build stores and the shopping is different. We drive to where we want you shop, get back on our car and drive to the next store.
That was an interesting challenge you set for yourself with the 1 meter photo project. It really pushes you out of your comfort zone to get so close to strangers on the street! I can see how it would make you look at details differently. Some of the photos did seem a bit further away than 1 meter, but it's a good learning experience.
Fun video Gareth! One thing I have to work on is using the LCD instead of the EVF. But, this type of shooting doesn't even require looking at either really. That might actually be easier for me. I just can't get the hang of using the LCD. I watch Roman and wonder how he doesn't walk into walls the way he's always looking at his LCD! LOL! Have a great weekend!
Can you help me understand how you set up your focus? Are you in manual? If so how would you advise I set it up? I normally shoot auto for landscaper etc but want to try more street
Jermyn Street in St James is always a good location. It's a nice balance between Oxford Street and Bond Street, you definitely get a lot of well dressed people (Jermyn Street is famous for tailors) like Bond Street, but everybody there seems a bit busier and on their way to somewhere else so you fade into the background a bit more like Oxford Street.
I've been out shooting with my Ricoh GRIII for the first time this last couple of weeks (my usual camera is an XT-4 usually with a 23mm - 35mm equivalent on the front) and I think the 1-meter challenge is the perfect way to get use of the wider frame. Shooting at a distance is fine for landscapes, etc. but for people? If you're more than a meter away, they're tiny in frame. Great video cheers :-)
Hi Gareth. I really enjoy your videos,. I've tried similar to this , but not as close, need to practice more. Zone focussing at 1m or manually set to 1m ? (Adelaide, South Australia)
I really want to get into street photography but I just can’t bring myself to do it (wimp!). I’ve been out to Birmingham about 4 times now and each time I’ve left my camera in the bag. Love some of these candid shots you have taken Gareth. I’ll keep trying haha.
I’ll do that, next time the bag will stay at home. I only take the bloody thing for spare batteries and a lens cloth anyway 😂. I feel really self conscious about taking photos of other people, I’ve only ever photographed family and landscapes/outdoor scenes where I’m out by myself. But I need a change as I’ve been doing that for ages now and this seems so accessible and offers loads of different photos. Just need to get over it and make a start. Thanks for the advice and making me question where the problem lies.
There are better ways to do street photography. Don't feel you have to jump into people's faces to do good street photography. The look of "startle" and "fear" on a subject's face is not a good thing -- not artistic at all. Any perv can get those reactions.
It might also help just to carry your camera with you without the intention to take even a single photo. Just take it and walk around until you feel comfortable with your cam. It relieves you from the pressure you might feel. At some point it feels like walking your dog and then you might be able to actually use it. Maybe with a 50 mm lens first, so you don't have to come very close. Then 35 mm. Or start with a 400 mm if you are really wimpy. ;) Just kidding ...
Watched right up to the 4:39 time mark. Really not worth spoiling someone's moment or time over a photo. It's sad that it's being celebrated, you just spoiled someone's day, no photo is worth that. Specially when you just showed that you don't have any trouble asking for consent seconds prior to that. I'm leaving with a sour taste now. I know it's my hill, but it's a hill I'll gladly die on. Consent is king.
Depends on your camera, most mirrorless cameras have electronic shutter and their mechanical shutters also are much quieter than their Dslr equivalents.
4:52 If Dick Emery was still alive I would have put money on one of these women being him !!.Great shots & excellent ideas/tips 👍But yes, I dither all the time and wish I had taken the picture. Its really daft because all we have to do is bin those we don't like later on, we've wasted nothing and probably gained a lot !
have you ever notice now that were going colorless now, its not vibrant anymore, where more on black and white and gray colors. from phones to bldng fahsion trends, as a beginner photographer its quiet hard to practice at times vibrant picture specially if you on a city, most of the color we see are pastel colors gray, black and white no more vibrant colors. there are vibrant colors but as times go these colors are slowly out of sight, because vibrant colors makes us happy, maybe this is also one reason why most of the people today are depress,
Thanks for the comment mate. I’m not sure tho. I see a lot of people adding colour to images that isnt there. I agree that we need more colour added to our surroundings tho. They definitely don’t want us happy lol
Also known as the sunny weather challenge. I wish I could always use f11 and 1/1000 😂 But basically the challenge is my modus operandi except I focus at 2m so sharpness goes from 1,5m to infinity. The sun glasses ladies shot is great, love a good surprised face
