Why I Love 35mm for Street Photography (and Photobooks: Joel Meyerowitz, Matt Stuart & Alex Webb) 

One neat trick with 35mm, that aids in quick from the hip compositions... The distance from the subject is equal to the edge-to-edge capture on the long side of the frame when holding camera horizontal (landscape). If you are 10 feet from a wall, you will capture 10 feet of that wall. Once you learn this, you can walk around and estimate the framing pretty accurately before you lift the camera to your eye... or without bringing it up to view at all with a zone focused lens. FWIW... the 24mm behaves exactly the same when holding camera vertically (portrait mode). I like the 24mm in crowds and generally shoot close in vertically.

Really like the mixture of you talking about the lens followed by a look at some photography books that demonstrate examples.

Just as you like to watch Joel’s videos, I find myself watching your videos before going out too. Thanks for putting yourself out there, I appreciate it very much.

i'm japanese high school student. I found you on Instagram. I like your photo very much!!

always love these uploads 👌

Great video, glad I found you guys. I was convinced I needed the 50mm after Shane (I'm from U.S. from Irish descent so I was partial of course), but then I saw this one and I think it put me over the top. I can only afford one lens with the M11 I ordered and I believe this will be it. I also really appreciate the discussions on why the 35 works and Shane's 50, but when you add the segment about the photographers and the books that influenced you rounds it all out and makes it more accessible. Not just a talking head promoting gear in the links below. Prime Time - love it. Thanks!!

Great video again, thank you. Im just starting out on the street with 35mm (xf23mmf2) and love it, lots to see and learn.

Hi Josh, thank you so much for heads up about Matt's book, I also found another book I've been looking for years coming out

Splendid video! 🙌🏼 Totally agree on Joel Meyerowitz, I watch his interviews and videos whenever I feel the lack of motivation and creativity, he is just so inspiring. Indeed 35mm is a good starting point especially for learning.

35mm is my go to lens nowadays, I used to use 50mm a lot but the ability to layer and create a sense of space between elements in the scene - as opposed to compression - is one of the things that draws me to this focal length. Like you, I also like 28mm - particularly in London - but I sadly I sold that one a little while ago.

Thanks for another video. this is my weekly inspiration as street photo newbie!

thanks for making me craving on those books, hahaha...

Ahh man, love this. A British channel that feels right. Great pointers.

Great video! I feel the same way about Alex Webb’s work. Simultaneously inspired, but also wanting to throw my camera out the window :)

I use a Nikon 24mm F2.8 ai-s on my Nikon D7000 and so it gives me 36mm - I really like this focal length for street photography....

You are a very good photographer!!! Most of the YT street photographers I watch just make pictures of a street with some people walking there, but most of them are senseless, showing no emotion, contrasting tones, geometrical lines like all of HCB pictures. Regards from Peru.

Lovely stuff Josh. Found myself defaulting to 35mm over 50mm recently, definitely becoming a favourite

Yeah, it's so amazing by 35mm lens.

Yes more prime time please! The “trifecta” I’m a bit more familiar with but how about something …. Wider? Like a 24mm? 21mm? I’m not sure how wide Gilden shoots at but I think the more recent Suzanne Stein uses 24mm equiv. Must have to get so close!

Really like this kind of video! Really interesting and inspiring! Good job 👏

I'm certainly going to try the 35mm soon, even though I come from 50mm, which is a bit easier if you want to be away from the subject and good for details. But the 35mm gives a natural look, as you said, that's almost the focal length of human eyes, so love it.

Awesome video. Would love more content on 50mm lens. Maybe making the most of a 50mm lens?

Thank you! This is amazing and inspiring video.

Amazing shots! love it

Great video. I really love the colors in your photos. Just brilliant. Please do a video on your editing style!

Fantastic video as always! Up next 85mm pls. Very much agreed with the 35mm preference (though I love 50 too). The entirety of Notice was shot with 35mm or 35mm equivalent lenses.

Hey guys. Just getting into street photography and was recommended this channel by a friend. Really enjoy what you are doing. You've probably had this question before (I didn't have time to scroll through 92 comments haha) but wondered if either of you shoot 85mm and whether there will be a video on this particular lens at all. Sorry if I'm making you repeat yourself 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

This was quite a refreshing presentation!

Great video Josh. I'm also a 35mm shooter but have recently started exploring 28mm and 50mm. Would to see a video on how you do zone focusing using the 28mm and 35mm.

Thanks man, I love 85mm and zoom lenses. I'm trying to get more into understanding how to use wider lenses and this was very helpful. Orson Welles said the worse you are as a filmmaker the closer you get to the actor. 'It's the long shots that seperate the men from the boys' and then proceeded to talk about how John Ford would only go close if he had too.

Such a great video. So inspirational

Really loved your 35mm photos! I think that are quite better then the zoom ones or 28mm. I don't know but it feels that you've worked the composition very seriously. Congratulations for the video and arguments for the 35mm. Totally agree. You've opened my appetite for 35mm !

Great video! Thank you for sharing

Brilliant video, brilliant books!📚

Joel is a great inspiration, nice video really enjoyed this

Very informative as always!

I just got your book delivered today, Josh! I was surprised that Setanta got it sent to Taiwan in a week.

Awesome stuff, learning a lot from you!

My favourite lenses are 28mm and 50mm, why? Because I was using most of the time a 35mm, because I needed a little bit more wide and a little bit more tele. I know the 35mm it is between both but it is not enough, if I would like a perfect lens I would change the 35mm and the 50mm for a 40mm, so a 28mm + 40mm it could be the perfect combo.

I didn’t quite see which camera you was using there, could you go back and do some close ups 😂 Only messing Josh, Great video mate! Those three are huge influences on my work also, particularly Webb for layering.

I use the 35mm a lot! I prefer look of 50mm, but there are a lotmore people than when HCB was jauntily snapping! Get closer! Showing a lens and body that's so expensive, is not fair. I defy anyone to see the differences in a cheap SLR with 35mm! Pentax, Minolta, Canon are all OK. Many great photos, more than Leica done ,with those! A RF might be worst sytem to choose! If you fit, Yay! Otherwise a phone is better! Enjoy what you do. Great video, lots to take in. Go see some of those links. Bravo.

Very good 😊👌🫶

What about a 40mm? The Goldilocks lens! I’ve been shooting recently with the Fujifilm 27mm (40mm eq) and it’s fantastic. Has barely come off my camera.

👏🏻

Definitely interested in some thoughts about longer tele lenses for the sort of work you guys do. Do love a 35mm tho!

great content

I know that red bridge - it must be Shugborough! - I may sound over excited but I've never seen some where I know in a youtube vid before - unless it was a famous landmark.

Great video dude

Hi, hope you can give me some help please. I have brand new films not expired all 35mm - Portra 400, Portra 160 and Fujicolour Pro 400H, Kodak Tri-X 400 - which ISO gives the most pleasing results for each of these films? Will be using with Leica M6.

how do we get this old school/ documentary photo effect ?

Are you shooting 35mm on the d850? What's your thoughts on the AFD f2 if you have any? Great stuff as always.

Now seeing ur leica again , i must say you probably shouldnt sell it to only have d850! keep them both , you are a pro street photographer , and perform on a great level, and the m10 suits you

Thank u for video. Nice shirt! What the brand is it?

Thank you for this video. In the midst of blazing pandemic losses where I’m at this was wonderful. May I ask Josh which Leica 35mm lens is in this video ? The Summicron Asph 35mm ? Is that an M6 ? Thanks for squeezing in mini book reviews too !

I prefer 35 prime ….it teaches distance and observation and able to work street portraits and landscapes for me….one camera one lens

I'm really very confused. Sorry, Josh. Do you mean the 23-23mm lens which converts to a 35mm lens or do you mean a 35mm lens which turns into a 50-55mm lens?

Do you use zone focus with your Leica?

Next video 85mm?

The 35 is for beginners who are not experienced enough to deal with the 28 and 50, the only lenses worth having for documentary photography.

Here i thought the 35mm in the title was for 35mm film lol

Ngl I thought 35mm film at first 😅

Meyerowitz has always underwhelmed me imho he used his connections to get noticed and is very eloquent but he attempts to intellectualise street above its station.