I completely agree about avoiding the harsh contrast. I think folks sometimes feel that's more "real" for street photography, but I too am partial to smooth gray scale. Mostly. And yes, I need the B&W preview in the finder to see the lights and darks, the shapes and balances.
Thank you, Sultan! On last Sunday, I found your channel and ended up watching this video. It was the first time I heard of Pentti Sammallahti so I googled it. Then I got to know his first ever exhibition here in Japan has been held since April. But it was the last day of exhibition and already closed a couple of hours ago. I mourned my misfortune. But shortly I found "the exhibition has been prolonged due to popular demand" on venue's website. Probably I am the luckiest person in the world! Today I went to Kyoto to see the exhibition and it was (long sigh) amazing. Usuallly I don't buy the catalog at museum, but this time was exceptional. Now I am planning to go somewhere overseas this summer for taking pictures. There are many things to do, but first of all, I have to buy a camera! I'm considering Ricoh GR or Lumix with a prime lens. My life is getting illuminated all of a sudden. I owe you a lot, Sultan!
This is what I used to do often when I was learning photographing. Hmm, maybe have to go back to these roots to found my lost inspiration. Thanks a lot!
I like the idea of an assignment for creating a story and Robins 'shutter therapy'. I loved the time limit to push the agenda and the feedback on the image, why you liked it and setting strategy. I didn't know the EVF would change to B/W preview. Good tip! Thanks. More like this please it's inspiring.
Matti, next to your series about traveling around the world shooting with a single lens, this teaching was quite inspirational, it taught me too slow down and enjoy the ride. With 5 plus patents and a pile of other inventions under my belt, the message to me was slow down and find contentment, in this case - in photography and videography. Thank you, there maybe other talented people out there but you have the gift of teaching, teaching an art, which has more value to us than your perceived lack of ability, which is not at all lacking..
Inspirational video - thank you. I do a lot of B&W with my Fuji X-T3 and will set it so that I see the results in the viewfinder, using one of Fuji's excellent recipes (Across).
The queue at the tram stop picture was the best. Thanks for this video. I don't often shoot b&w but when I do, I change the colour profile, that changes my viewfinder/screen view to monochrome or L.monochrome. I don't use the special setting to change my view.
Thanks! I'm happy you like that photo. I like to view it as a story and not so much as a which is the best photo. But I guess we always like one photo more than others😀
It's great to hear your thoughts and feelings from when you took your favorite (and not) shots and how you narrowed them down -- that's a great insight. Thank you!!!
Such good advice, particularly at this time of year in the northern hemisphere when there isn't enough sunshine and when it's mostly monochromatic outside. I like the idea of giving myself an assignment - like cleaning the house (as I just did) before the wife comes home from work :) Thanks for posting that.
Thank you for yet another inspiring video, Matti. I enjoy shooting in black and white, too. I especially like the Lumix L Monochrome D setting; it reminds me of the high contrast Tri-X film used back in the 1970s.
Well in this time of Covid 19, what could be better than trying out my GH5 in the b/w mode in my snowy woods. Thank you for the inspiration that you have given me. Joan
I have an over-years-challange a 15 minutes walk (without photographing) that I do at least once a month around my home. Making similar as well as completely different pictures with different cameras and lenses, filters, different weather, light ... So I am focused to the pictures as well as to myself. Observing me, how I think and feel while taking pictures - developing new Ideas new perspectives and coming back to certain perspectives and planning new photography events by understanding how I feel in the moment. So the next bigger photo event will fit much better to my mood. Sometimes I like to flow along with the technology, new stuff, in most cases I reduce myself to a prime lens. The last chance to make an amazing picture (full moon, a lot of humidity in the air so expecting a really red Super moon) I decided not to take along any camera because I was not in the mood to play with my camera, make an extraordinary picture - I just wanted to enjoy the moment. And it was perfect! This video may help to find out what is really next in the line. 👍
Thanks for sharing. I agree so much, sometimes you just have enjoy the moment and not take any photos. The moment is more important than the photos of the moment.
Hi Matti, after seeing you on the live show with Rob, Robin, Peter and Jimmy, I gave your channel a look and have enjoyed the content. I use Olympus gear but much of your content is inspiring for any camera user; this video being an example of that. Many thanks.
Hi there, I just wanted to thank you for this video, it was very interesting to find out that it was not just me the one who loses his motivation to go out and take pictures from time to time. Also, thank you for the remedy to this situation, I just did it today! I went out to a open air street market on an assignment! 😃
Perfect little vlog Matti thank you. I have just recently started experimenting with B&W & you’re advice here was very welcome. I don’t see it as an issue that you were unable to video the work outside, quite the contrary in fact. Sometimes its just not necessary & with a time limit of 1 hour you would be very pushed to have achieve anything whereas you were able to concentrate & put together some very nice shots. Well done.
Excellent! Thanks for all these sharing and opening up with so much details. Really great. Very inspiring. Great refreshment from Craig Robert e6 vlogs and Thomas Heaton ;-)
Using a GX8 I always use monochrome, as it allows me to focus on the contrast, also the tone curves works well also as it mimics zone curves for the final print, or so it seems. Thanks for explaining the zebra function, I should read the manuals.
Great video, Matti. Really like the idea of a theme for shooting. You got some great pictures there that tell the story of a dreary, rainy day. I stopped shooting raw, as I am not a pro and jpegs are good enough for Flickr. So yes, I often set my Oly cams to monochrome for street photography and quite often my b/w’s are my best shots. I find it to be less distracting than colour if you want to tell a story, especially on a dreary day.
Limited time? Yes, of course if pro works have to be ready within the agreed time. Or as a test of your capability. A long time ago a Swedish pro photographer said, “when you find a good view/composition, “be patient and wait for something to happen”. I think that was a good advice. Patience is a tool you need as a photographer.
Thanks for this inspiration, Matti. In the Olympus Super Control Panel top right I choose Monotone, (What you see is what you get) but as the file format, bottom left I choose RAW. In the viewfinder I see B&W, but I can convert the colour RAW file on the computer to B&W, which gives me great choice in the grayscales, based on the colours in the file. I hope this description makes sense.
Hey Matti... How about a photo walk with a friend... One person is like a "sniper" and and the other is his "spotter"... So you as the "sniper" will see and take the photos and your "spotter" will film you... Then afterwards you both can enjoy a coffee or icecream together... Maybe Peter would be up for this kind of fun day...
Thanks! That could work, but the real problem is that the photo moment can happen very quickly or I may not get any photos at all. So the amount of video footage can be many hours and only me walking down the street😀 I'm working hard to find a good solution.
I have my camera set to FINE+RAW and the Photo Style set to mono. I like B&W in the viewfinder when composing, especially in street photography. I also get b&w jpegs as previews in Lightroom to help me decide what to do with the RAW images - do I keep the colour image or convert to monochrome. Best of both worlds. Thanks for another interesting video.
It is useful to hear how professionals approach each photo. I like your talking us through your thinking of some of the best pictures. I like the image of the row of women at the tram-stop! What printer do you use?
Great example of an easy to grasp but challenging assignment to accomplish! I also find it a bit weird when shooting RAW with monochrome settings that you have to simulate the style in Lightroom or trust jpeg to get the same results.
You can, of course, set different limits or another assignment for yourself, this is only an example. The Monochrome photo style is to be able to see in grayscale when shooting and the RAW is for post processing flexibility. You could, of course, shoot in color and then use the same post processing, but why not use the B&W preview, if you can.
Hi Matti, this was really motivating for me. Regarding the tip how to make a footage of you making some street photography... I honestly doubt that there is any other way to do it right other than make someone to film you. I came across a very interesting channel here on youtube - Analog Insights. Maybe you will find some inspiration how to make a footage from a shoot there...
great video. great pics and inspiration guide. i am Panasonic Lumix user since 2010. i love Panasonic. they re top quality company and not commercial and marketing oriented. i like to shoot long exposures AND street photo.either color or monochrome. it is pure happines to me. i only want to ask you,how to cope with street photography when there re people on it. i mean,can i post on line photos with people who dont know that? is it legal? thats my eternal fear and agony and i have never found the answer yet. i currently use lumix G90 with leica 15mm 1.7 and sigma 56mm 1,4. thanks and congratulations for your effords.
Thanks! It depends on the legislation in each country, but in general in most countries it's legal to photograph in public places and publish the photos as "art". But it's not legal to use those photos in commercial purposes. However, I'm not a lawyer, so take this only as general advice, nothing more.
I seldom shoot in monochrome. I tend to just reduce saturation close to zero whenever I need some B&W. This is a nice way of getting just a touch of selenium or sepia onto an image that would otherwise be a boring grayscale. Something like Jock Sturges pictures.
Yeah, I agree. I don't know how Rob Trek does his photo walks and video record it. My two assignments I may do is the 9mm body cap and adapting my dad's Pentax lenses to my Olympus. Now that he just retired, he might not let me borrow the lens because he was talking about buying a few rolls of film to shoot with his old camera. We shall see.
I tried shooting my G85 once in Mono (I think the L.Mono profile -- wanted contrasty photos) -- even used the digital "color filter" settings to emulate using color filters on the lens (makes a great impact on the tonality of BW film). And it was interesting -- but even with B&W film photography you don't see the image in B&W -- so that sort of "spoiled it" for me -- I like trying to determine how the image will look even though I cannot see that when I take the shot (B&W film photography with color filters) -- where I make specific choices on the type of film, which filters to use, what colors will be dominant in the composition. And then have to wait for the film to be developed, printed/scanned to see if I captured what I was hoping for. In fact my B&W photography now with digital tends to be shot in color and then converted to B&W in post -- pulling the colors out, but also emulating specific color filters -- it's neat to get one color photo and then produce different final B&W versions as if I had used different color filters on the lens. But I get your idea also -- see what you want to capture in that "gloomy" black-and-whitish setting.
There's no right or wrong and you do what works for you. Some enjoy seeing in color and visualizing in grayscale. I also sometimes convert a color photo later to B&W.
@@mattisulanto -- Yup. And in the film days (wait, I still shoot film too!) a photographer could shoot color film and then in the darkroom take it to B&W by using specific paper to print on -- and, as much as it might sound limiting, going from a color negative to a B&W print -- it actually adds lots of options at that stage, lots of "post" creativity. But just keep on doing what you do and sharing it with us! I definitely appreciate it!
Hi there, thanks for your series on the G9 which I am just getting used to. I took your B&W settings and found them interesting, However I must be doing something wrong as when I shoot I view the pic in mono on the camera but when I open them on my computer they reverty to colour.... is there any setting to fix them in mono please.
If you have customized photo style in camera and you shoot RAW, your RAW app doesn't understand the custom settings and will revert to a default color photo. You have to shoot jpeg to preserve the in camera settings.
Thanks for your comment. I explain how I made the pictures in the video and I don't use a tripod in street photography. We all have our own way to take pictures and my way may not please you and vice versa. However, I think it's only good. It would be quite boring if we all took similar pictures and we all liked each others pictures.
Getting video of you out taking photos -- you really need a second person to shoot the video, unobtrusively, to stay out of your way and free you up to think about your photography. I volunteer!!!! Just need to get me to Finland! :-)
@@mattisulanto -- Just joking about that part! But definitely you shouldn't have your mind on the video on top of the photography. So wait until there is an opportunity for someone to pitch in a do the video part for you -- leaving you free to concentrate on your photography -- and then you can share with us more of your inspiration and insights.
Good idea: I shoot with a wide range of cameras, approximately 15 plus, mostly B&W my two favourite cameras Pentax k1, shoot always raw and turn to B&W in post but the Fuji XT3 I shoot in acros mode both give good results
Thank you Matti for a very good video. I like the idea of printing more and just wondered if you printed at home or not? If you print at home, what type of printer are you using as well as what type of paper did you use for the prints shown. I appreciate your time and insights.
Thanks! I print at home and I have the Epson P800. I had a sample pack of Epson fine art papers that I used for this. One of my favorite papers is Hahnemühle Photo Rag.
@@mattisulanto thanks again for the info. I'm in the market for a printer, but not quite ready to spend as much as the P800 goes for. I was looking at the Epson XP-15000 since it is more in my price range. Thoughts?
@@ebowden53 I don't know that printer, but here's what I think. It most likely makes very nice prints. However, if you'd like to use some fine art papers, there may not be printer profiles available. Also, many smaller (and cheaper) printers have small ink cartridges. That is an A3 size printer and I suspect if you print a lot A3 size, you'll have to change inks often. But if you mainly print A4 or smaller, it's probably fine.
Equally spaced people, very Finnish :) Nice photos and B&W is most likely best choice. But, do you think that color is ok on a rainy and grey day like on that day? And is there a special way to process pictures?
The ladies on the tram...my eye goes to the tops of the windows. Cut off? Is that a metaphor? A circle interrupted, perhaps? Life...interrupted? And, oh, if you like the music track used here, check out a song titled Hymm, by Duncan Sheik (album: White Limousine); you might like it. As always, great food for thought. Thanks.
Great video Matti. When I do B&W I always set my camera to JPG + RAW and the mode to monochrome like you did. Also sometimes when I don’t know if I want colour or B&W I set the camera to monochrome because I find that the monochrome view makes composing the photo easier without distracting colours.
Lumix camera shoot normal gray scale just fine -- I just adjust the mono setting first. This being said, when shooting street, it is not such a bad idea, IMHO, to just shoot in color, and those which when modified to B&W look better, change them to such. There are times when color separation is king, and you never know when the moment pops-up on the street, so why not do it in color. I like the wet newspaper -- you may consider backing away the camera and getting more context the second time around -- a little more wet and hopefully shiny rain sheen of some sort. The paper wet is cool. As for blurry stuff, it is like blurry waterfalls, some like it -- its an acquired taste, no doubt. The people in wait of the rail, is cool - very nice. This last year and now into this year, I am shooting thousands of local photos, and doing a lot of walking the downtowns -- with San Luis Obispo downtown being my local. All my lastest are within the county area of my local. lorenschwiderski.smugmug.com/ -Loren
Thanks for your comment. You can choose to have a color VF image of course and I don't always use B&W preview either. I like to view these photos as a series, a story, not so much as individual photos, but I guess it's only human to pick "the best"😀
Hi there, i have a question. Where do uou print ur BW work/, for me its hard to get authentic BW print in normal lab shop or on inkjet printer, always have some tint to it, never 100% good enought.Do you recomend some online photo printing sites?
I started photography in the early 70s using film and very often positve film. When using film thete is nothing to preview in the camera. One just have to visualise the photo in B&W before shooting. After all those years of shooting, I just shoot in colour and convert to B&W when I need them in B&W. In the digital era, most people are very spoiled nowadays. They need to preview in B&W on the camera screen before shooting. Scenes with graphic and textured content often look better in B&W.
I also started in the 1970s, so I know all about shooting film. However, I don't see why we should not use all our camera's features. I'm sure if there was a way to see in grayscale in 1975, everyone would have used it when shooting B&W. I'm also sure that a photographer from 1925 would have thought that photographers in 1975 were spoilt.
On other channels they use video from the the camera, explaining "now I look at that, set that..." and finally a picture.That works for stills and architecture and what not. That does not help with street photography if you define it with real time random people. I think street photography is very difficult. People are always moving and you need to catch the moment exactly.
Do you ever use the Lumix 14mm -- at under $200 US it seems like it might be a great little lens for the street. I do like the 12-32mm kit however. It is possibly the best kit lens on the market. Just seems fairly sharp across, and enough color, pop, and clarity to get it done, yet so cheap. I am thinking the 14mm prime, at f2.5 is a tad more light, and being fast on focusing, a good little close-up shooter on the street. Hope I don't get too close to danger some day ? :o
Well I use it. With an Olympus EP5. And a vented hood. It is a combination made for the street. The jpegs that come out of this lens are beautiful and organic.
I don't have that lens, but I have used it. Great little wide angle and well suited for street. I have a street video where I shoot on the 12-32mm, a lens that I also like a lot.
I'm not switching to anything. I have both MFT and FF, and I use them both about 50/50. You can do this kind photos on your G9 as well. I recommend you try it for yourself😀
@@mattisulanto Hi from the Republic of Ireland, love taking B and White photos I shoot from a Nikon 5300, if I may ask a question, I am thinking of buying ''G9'' what lens would you recommend, ''like one does all'' cost wise limited resources, love you videos came across you just recently, if you would please your advice would be very much appreciated, not a ''pro'' love taking photos will be 66 in march, O, A, P, one of many in europe, in advance thank you. Also recommend a cheap photographic not rip off shops or online companies??
@@poo2764 Thanks! I can recommend the Leica 12-60mm F2.8-4 that is also sold as kit with the G9. My own preferred lens would be the Leica 15mm F1.7, but that's not everyone's favorite, because it's a prime lens.
Hi Matti, i like monochrome a lot. I photograph People. That's my Thing. Using my GX 80 fr that. My Settings are L-Monochrome, Contrast +2, Sharpness +5, NR 0, Colors - 3, GN green! You can look on my Instagram @frankgohdephotography The last three Pictures. Greetings Frank!
Why not, it's great that at least one manufacturer keeps a niche camera like that alive. Although, I didn't know of the new Monochrom when I was filming this video😀
ah I see, really like your videos but up until you said full frame? I was again watching thinking right I have sold my Canon kit lets go for four thirds .....and well everyone is all in love with full frame again... bloody tony and chelsea all over again? ,,, ah well never mind.. I had olympus film cameras in the 80s I will just use my own gut feeling, always had a good eye for a photographic composure..
I completely agree about avoiding the harsh contrast. I think folks sometimes feel that's more "real" for street photography, but I too am partial to smooth gray scale. Mostly.
And yes, I need the B&W preview in the finder to see the lights and darks, the shapes and balances.
Thanks.
to get inspiration from a rainy day, that's great, I really love your approach. I liked your second photo most, the door with the window!
Thanks so much! 😊
Thank you, Sultan! On last Sunday, I found your channel and ended up watching this video. It was the first time I heard of Pentti Sammallahti so I googled it. Then I got to know his first ever exhibition here in Japan has been held since April. But it was the last day of exhibition and already closed a couple of hours ago. I mourned my misfortune. But shortly I found "the exhibition has been prolonged due to popular demand" on venue's website. Probably I am the luckiest person in the world! Today I went to Kyoto to see the exhibition and it was (long sigh) amazing. Usuallly I don't buy the catalog at museum, but this time was exceptional. Now I am planning to go somewhere overseas this summer for taking pictures. There are many things to do, but first of all, I have to buy a camera! I'm considering Ricoh GR or Lumix with a prime lens. My life is getting illuminated all of a sudden. I owe you a lot, Sultan!
Thank you for watching. Sammallahti is an amazing photographer indeed and you had some luck with the exhibition too😀
This is what I used to do often when I was learning photographing. Hmm, maybe have to go back to these roots to found my lost inspiration. Thanks a lot!
Thanks!
Interesting to hear how you think about and feel the images you took. Good stuff!
Thanks, Peter.
I like the idea of an assignment for creating a story and Robins 'shutter therapy'. I loved the time limit to push the agenda and the feedback on the image, why you liked it and setting strategy. I didn't know the EVF would change to
B/W preview. Good tip! Thanks. More like this please it's inspiring.
Thanks!
Matti, next to your series about traveling around the world shooting with a single lens, this teaching was quite inspirational, it taught me too slow down and enjoy the ride. With 5 plus patents and a pile of other inventions under my belt, the message to me was slow down and find contentment, in this case - in photography and videography. Thank you, there maybe other talented people out there but you have the gift of teaching, teaching an art, which has more value to us than your perceived lack of ability, which is not at all lacking..
Thanks for those kind words.
Inspirational video - thank you. I do a lot of B&W with my Fuji X-T3 and will set it so that I see the results in the viewfinder, using one of Fuji's excellent recipes (Across).
The queue at the tram stop picture was the best. Thanks for this video. I don't often shoot b&w but when I do, I change the colour profile, that changes my viewfinder/screen view to monochrome or L.monochrome. I don't use the special setting to change my view.
Thanks! I'm happy you like that photo. I like to view it as a story and not so much as a which is the best photo. But I guess we always like one photo more than others😀
That shirt!!!🙌🏻
It's great to hear your thoughts and feelings from when you took your favorite (and not) shots and how you narrowed them down -- that's a great insight. Thank you!!!
Wonderful video! Thanks a lot, Matti!
Thanks.
Thanks much for the suggestions and inspiration. I will be setting my camera to monochrome and wandering about downtown this week.
Thanks! Hope you get some great B&W.
Your video has inspired me a lot. Thank you very much！
Awesome, so happy to hear that.
Such good advice, particularly at this time of year in the northern hemisphere when there isn't enough sunshine and when it's mostly monochromatic outside. I like the idea of giving myself an assignment - like cleaning the house (as I just did) before the wife comes home from work :) Thanks for posting that.
Thanks, Marko!
Thank you for yet another inspiring video, Matti. I enjoy shooting in black and white, too. I especially like the Lumix L Monochrome D setting; it reminds me of the high contrast Tri-X film used back in the 1970s.
Thanks!
Well in this time of Covid 19, what could be better than trying out my GH5 in the b/w mode in my snowy woods. Thank you for the inspiration that you have given me.
Joan
My pleasure, thanks!
Loved to see those prints on fine art papers! Inspirational video, thanks ton. Love your channel.
Thanks, Mahesh!
I have an over-years-challange a 15 minutes walk (without photographing) that I do at least once a month around my home. Making similar as well as completely different pictures with different cameras and lenses, filters, different weather, light ... So I am focused to the pictures as well as to myself. Observing me, how I think and feel while taking pictures - developing new Ideas new perspectives and coming back to certain perspectives and planning new photography events by understanding how I feel in the moment. So the next bigger photo event will fit much better to my mood. Sometimes I like to flow along with the technology, new stuff, in most cases I reduce myself to a prime lens. The last chance to make an amazing picture (full moon, a lot of humidity in the air so expecting a really red Super moon) I decided not to take along any camera because I was not in the mood to play with my camera, make an extraordinary picture - I just wanted to enjoy the moment. And it was perfect!
This video may help to find out what is really next in the line. 👍
Thanks for sharing. I agree so much, sometimes you just have enjoy the moment and not take any photos. The moment is more important than the photos of the moment.
Very inspiring. Thanks a lot.
Caula
Thank you.
Real inspiration! I like the recommendation to document the neighborhood.
Thanks!
Hi Matti, after seeing you on the live show with Rob, Robin, Peter and Jimmy, I gave your channel a look and have enjoyed the content. I use Olympus gear but much of your content is inspiring for any camera user; this video being an example of that. Many thanks.
Thanks for those kind words. Much of my content is for Lumix users, but I also try to serve everyone interested in photography.
Hi there, I just wanted to thank you for this video, it was very interesting to find out that it was not just me the one who loses his motivation to go out and take pictures from time to time. Also, thank you for the remedy to this situation, I just did it today! I went out to a open air street market on an assignment! 😃
Thanks for your comment.
Perfect little vlog Matti thank you. I have just recently started experimenting with B&W & you’re advice here was very welcome. I don’t see it as an issue that you were unable to video the work outside, quite the contrary in fact. Sometimes its just not necessary & with a time limit of 1 hour you would be very pushed to have achieve anything whereas you were able to concentrate & put together some very nice shots. Well done.
Thank you!
I always like it when you flip the lens cap cover off.
Excellent! Thanks for all these sharing and opening up with so much details. Really great. Very inspiring. Great refreshment from Craig Robert e6 vlogs and Thomas Heaton ;-)
Thank you!
Using a GX8 I always use monochrome, as it allows me to focus on the contrast, also the tone curves works well also as it mimics zone curves for the final print, or so it seems. Thanks for explaining the zebra function, I should read the manuals.
Thank you. Reading the manual is a good idea😀
Thank You for this god tips.
You are so welcome!
Very nice video.
Thank you very much!
Great video, Matti. Really like the idea of a theme for shooting. You got some great pictures there that tell the story of a dreary, rainy day.
I stopped shooting raw, as I am not a pro and jpegs are good enough for Flickr. So yes, I often set my Oly cams to monochrome for street photography and quite often my b/w’s are my best shots. I find it to be less distracting than colour if you want to tell a story, especially on a dreary day.
Thanks!
Limited time? Yes, of course if pro works have to be ready within the agreed time. Or as a test of your capability. A long time ago a Swedish pro photographer said, “when you find a good view/composition, “be patient and wait for something to happen”. I think that was a good advice. Patience is a tool you need as a photographer.
Sure thing, there are many ways to do things in photography, no right or wrong.
Thanks for this inspiration, Matti.
In the Olympus Super Control Panel top right I choose Monotone, (What you see is what you get) but as the file format, bottom left I choose RAW.
In the viewfinder I see B&W, but I can convert the colour RAW file on the computer to B&W, which gives me great choice in the grayscales, based on the colours in the file.
I hope this description makes sense.
Thanks! Yes, it makes sense and it's exactly how I do it too😀
Very inspiring video, thank you!
Thank you!
Hey Matti... How about a photo walk with a friend... One person is like a "sniper" and and the other is his "spotter"... So you as the "sniper" will see and take the photos and your "spotter" will film you... Then afterwards you both can enjoy a coffee or icecream together... Maybe Peter would be up for this kind of fun day...
Thanks! That could work, but the real problem is that the photo moment can happen very quickly or I may not get any photos at all. So the amount of video footage can be many hours and only me walking down the street😀 I'm working hard to find a good solution.
I have my camera set to FINE+RAW and the Photo Style set to mono. I like B&W in the viewfinder when composing, especially in street photography. I also get b&w jpegs as previews in Lightroom to help me decide what to do with the RAW images - do I keep the colour image or convert to monochrome. Best of both worlds. Thanks for another interesting video.
Thanks for sharing!
Great video! I only shoot in color but sometimes I change the pictures to black and white if I feel like they will tell a better story in bnw.
Thank you!
Merci pour cette vidéo très inspirante!
Thank you!
It is useful to hear how professionals approach each photo. I like your talking us through your thinking of some of the best pictures. I like the image of the row of women at the tram-stop! What printer do you use?
Thank you! I have the Epson SureColor P800.
Great example of an easy to grasp but challenging assignment to accomplish! I also find it a bit weird when shooting RAW with monochrome settings that you have to simulate the style in Lightroom or trust jpeg to get the same results.
You can, of course, set different limits or another assignment for yourself, this is only an example. The Monochrome photo style is to be able to see in grayscale when shooting and the RAW is for post processing flexibility. You could, of course, shoot in color and then use the same post processing, but why not use the B&W preview, if you can.
Hi Matti, this was really motivating for me. Regarding the tip how to make a footage of you making some street photography... I honestly doubt that there is any other way to do it right other than make someone to film you. I came across a very interesting channel here on youtube - Analog Insights. Maybe you will find some inspiration how to make a footage from a shoot there...
Thank you! I know Analog Insights😀 It would be nice to have a cameraman, but not possible right now.
great video. great pics and inspiration guide. i am Panasonic Lumix user since 2010. i love Panasonic. they re top quality company and not commercial and marketing oriented. i like to shoot long exposures AND street photo.either color or monochrome. it is pure happines to me. i only want to ask you,how to cope with street photography when there re people on it. i mean,can i post on line photos with people who dont know that? is it legal? thats my eternal fear and agony and i have never found the answer yet. i currently use lumix G90 with leica 15mm 1.7 and sigma 56mm 1,4. thanks and congratulations for your effords.
Thanks! It depends on the legislation in each country, but in general in most countries it's legal to photograph in public places and publish the photos as "art". But it's not legal to use those photos in commercial purposes. However, I'm not a lawyer, so take this only as general advice, nothing more.
I seldom shoot in monochrome. I tend to just reduce saturation close to zero whenever I need some B&W. This is a nice way of getting just a touch of selenium or sepia onto an image that would otherwise be a boring grayscale. Something like Jock Sturges pictures.
That's one way to do it and I'm sure you get great results also like that.
Yeah, I agree. I don't know how Rob Trek does his photo walks and video record it. My two assignments I may do is the 9mm body cap and adapting my dad's Pentax lenses to my Olympus. Now that he just retired, he might not let me borrow the lens because he was talking about buying a few rolls of film to shoot with his old camera. We shall see.
Rod can multitask better😀
I tried shooting my G85 once in Mono (I think the L.Mono profile -- wanted contrasty photos) -- even used the digital "color filter" settings to emulate using color filters on the lens (makes a great impact on the tonality of BW film). And it was interesting -- but even with B&W film photography you don't see the image in B&W -- so that sort of "spoiled it" for me -- I like trying to determine how the image will look even though I cannot see that when I take the shot (B&W film photography with color filters) -- where I make specific choices on the type of film, which filters to use, what colors will be dominant in the composition. And then have to wait for the film to be developed, printed/scanned to see if I captured what I was hoping for. In fact my B&W photography now with digital tends to be shot in color and then converted to B&W in post -- pulling the colors out, but also emulating specific color filters -- it's neat to get one color photo and then produce different final B&W versions as if I had used different color filters on the lens. But I get your idea also -- see what you want to capture in that "gloomy" black-and-whitish setting.
There's no right or wrong and you do what works for you. Some enjoy seeing in color and visualizing in grayscale. I also sometimes convert a color photo later to B&W.
@@mattisulanto -- Yup. And in the film days (wait, I still shoot film too!) a photographer could shoot color film and then in the darkroom take it to B&W by using specific paper to print on -- and, as much as it might sound limiting, going from a color negative to a B&W print -- it actually adds lots of options at that stage, lots of "post" creativity. But just keep on doing what you do and sharing it with us! I definitely appreciate it!
I have to get my hands on Pentti Sammallahti's book. Unavailable right now where I am. Thanks for the tip.
That book is awesome! I hope you can get it sooner or later.
Hi there, thanks for your series on the G9 which I am just getting used to. I took your B&W settings and found them interesting, However I must be doing something wrong as when I shoot I view the pic in mono on the camera but when I open them on my computer they reverty to colour.... is there any setting to fix them in mono please.
If you have customized photo style in camera and you shoot RAW, your RAW app doesn't understand the custom settings and will revert to a default color photo. You have to shoot jpeg to preserve the in camera settings.
I LIKE YOUR VIDEO......but i find your scuter speed a Little too slow.......at that speed i am tempted to use a tripod.......did you use it ?????
Thanks for your comment.
I explain how I made the pictures in the video and I don't use a tripod in street photography.
We all have our own way to take pictures and my way may not please you and vice versa.
However, I think it's only good. It would be quite boring if we all took similar pictures and we all liked each others pictures.
Getting video of you out taking photos -- you really need a second person to shoot the video, unobtrusively, to stay out of your way and free you up to think about your photography. I volunteer!!!! Just need to get me to Finland! :-)
Thanks for the offer again, but I'll first try something else😀
@@mattisulanto -- Just joking about that part! But definitely you shouldn't have your mind on the video on top of the photography. So wait until there is an opportunity for someone to pitch in a do the video part for you -- leaving you free to concentrate on your photography -- and then you can share with us more of your inspiration and insights.
Good idea: I shoot with a wide range of cameras, approximately 15 plus, mostly B&W my two favourite cameras Pentax k1, shoot always raw and turn to B&W in post but the Fuji XT3 I shoot in acros mode both give good results
Thanks!
Thank you Matti for a very good video. I like the idea of printing more and just wondered if you printed at home or not? If you print at home, what type of printer are you using as well as what type of paper did you use for the prints shown. I appreciate your time and insights.
Thanks! I print at home and I have the Epson P800. I had a sample pack of Epson fine art papers that I used for this. One of my favorite papers is Hahnemühle Photo Rag.
@@mattisulanto thanks again for the info. I'm in the market for a printer, but not quite ready to spend as much as the P800 goes for. I was looking at the Epson XP-15000 since it is more in my price range. Thoughts?
@@ebowden53 I don't know that printer, but here's what I think. It most likely makes very nice prints. However, if you'd like to use some fine art papers, there may not be printer profiles available. Also, many smaller (and cheaper) printers have small ink cartridges. That is an A3 size printer and I suspect if you print a lot A3 size, you'll have to change inks often. But if you mainly print A4 or smaller, it's probably fine.
Equally spaced people, very Finnish :) Nice photos and B&W is most likely best choice. But, do you think that color is ok on a rainy and grey day like on that day? And is there a special way to process pictures?
That is very Finnish😅
The ladies on the tram...my eye goes to the tops of the windows. Cut off? Is that a metaphor? A circle interrupted, perhaps? Life...interrupted? And, oh, if you like the music track used here, check out a song titled Hymm, by Duncan Sheik (album: White Limousine); you might like it. As always, great food for thought. Thanks.
Great video Matti. When I do B&W I always set my camera to JPG + RAW and the mode to monochrome like you did. Also sometimes when I don’t know if I want colour or B&W I set the camera to monochrome because I find that the monochrome view makes composing the photo easier without distracting colours.
Thanks for sharing. I agree, it's easier to shoot B&W if the VF is also B&W.
Lumix camera shoot normal gray scale just fine -- I just adjust the mono setting first. This being said, when shooting street, it is not such a bad idea, IMHO, to just shoot in color, and those which when modified to B&W look better, change them to such. There are times when color separation is king, and you never know when the moment pops-up on the street, so why not do it in color. I like the wet newspaper -- you may consider backing away the camera and getting more context the second time around -- a little more wet and hopefully shiny rain sheen of some sort. The paper wet is cool. As for blurry stuff, it is like blurry waterfalls, some like it -- its an acquired taste, no doubt. The people in wait of the rail, is cool - very nice. This last year and now into this year, I am shooting thousands of local photos, and doing a lot of walking the downtowns -- with San Luis Obispo downtown being my local. All my lastest are within the county area of my local. lorenschwiderski.smugmug.com/ -Loren
Thanks for your comment. You can choose to have a color VF image of course and I don't always use B&W preview either. I like to view these photos as a series, a story, not so much as individual photos, but I guess it's only human to pick "the best"😀
Hi there, i have a question. Where do uou print ur BW work/, for me its hard to get authentic BW print in normal lab shop or on inkjet printer, always have some tint to it, never 100% good enought.Do you recomend some online photo printing sites?
I print at home with my Epson P800, because only that is good enough😀
I started photography in the early 70s using film and very often positve film. When using film thete is nothing to preview in the camera. One just have to visualise the photo in B&W before shooting. After all those years of shooting, I just shoot in colour and convert to B&W when I need them in B&W.
In the digital era, most people are very spoiled nowadays. They need to preview in B&W on the camera screen before shooting. Scenes with graphic and textured content often look better in B&W.
I also started in the 1970s, so I know all about shooting film. However, I don't see why we should not use all our camera's features. I'm sure if there was a way to see in grayscale in 1975, everyone would have used it when shooting B&W. I'm also sure that a photographer from 1925 would have thought that photographers in 1975 were spoilt.
On other channels they use video from the the camera, explaining "now I look at that, set that..." and finally a picture.That works for stills and architecture and what not. That does not help with street photography if you define it with real time random people.
I think street photography is very difficult. People are always moving and you need to catch the moment exactly.
Thanks for your input. Exactly, landscape, architecture etc. is much easier to get BTS footage than street, but I'll figure out something😀
Do you ever use the Lumix 14mm -- at under $200 US it seems like it might be a great little lens for the street. I do like the 12-32mm kit however. It is possibly the best kit lens on the market. Just seems fairly sharp across, and enough color, pop, and clarity to get it done, yet so cheap. I am thinking the 14mm prime, at f2.5 is a tad more light, and being fast on focusing, a good little close-up shooter on the street. Hope I don't get too close to danger some day ? :o
Well I use it. With an Olympus EP5. And a vented hood. It is a combination made for the street. The jpegs that come out of this lens are beautiful and organic.
@@MilFalcon Using JJC hoods?
Loren Schwiderski yes. It makes me feel I’m holding a Leica or something
I don't have that lens, but I have used it. Great little wide angle and well suited for street. I have a street video where I shoot on the 12-32mm, a lens that I also like a lot.
Hi .. are you switching to full frame camera , can the same B&W images taken by Lumix G9 camera system also
I'm not switching to anything. I have both MFT and FF, and I use them both about 50/50. You can do this kind photos on your G9 as well. I recommend you try it for yourself😀
is there a link to the book that you were showing?
Unfortunately I don't have a link, but I'm sure google will guide you to the right place😀
Let med mention Kåre Kivijärvi
no.wikipedia.org/wiki/K%C3%A5re_Kivij%C3%A4rvi
His work as a photograph was first recognized as art in Finland.
By the way, have you heard about Anders Petersen
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anders_Petersen_(photographer)
He used Contax T3
Yes, I know his production quite well. His workshops are excellent, I hear, but I have no personal experience.
Check out James Popsys latest street shooting video.
I've seen it and some other similar. That's why I'm thinking about the Gopro.
@@mattisulanto Hi from the Republic of Ireland, love taking B and White photos I shoot from a Nikon 5300, if I may ask a question, I am thinking of buying ''G9'' what lens would you recommend, ''like one does all'' cost wise limited resources, love you videos came across you just recently, if you would please your advice would be very much appreciated, not a ''pro'' love taking photos will be 66 in march, O, A, P, one of many in europe, in advance thank you. Also recommend a cheap photographic not rip off shops or online companies??
@@poo2764 Thanks! I can recommend the Leica 12-60mm F2.8-4 that is also sold as kit with the G9. My own preferred lens would be the Leica 15mm F1.7, but that's not everyone's favorite, because it's a prime lens.
@@mattisulanto Thank you
I fully support Matti. Leica 12-60 and Leica 15 made me to sell my Olympus EM5-II and switch to G9. The colors really pop out!
GX8 let’s me shoot monochrome and color simultaneously. Awesome feature.
That is nice, you can decide later which one you like better.
How do you do this simultaneously?
@@janwedek Check out my latest video and you'll see😀
Jan Wedekind Camera icon - Filter Settings - Filter select - monochrome (or Dynamic monochrome) - then simultaneous record w/o filter
@@howardchud9097 Ah ok, so it only works via Filters, not via Picture settings. Thanks!
Merci !
Thank you!
100% B/W. All monochrome settings, JPEG! / Ulf
Thanks.
Hi Matti, i like monochrome a lot. I photograph People. That's my Thing. Using my GX 80 fr that. My Settings are L-Monochrome, Contrast +2, Sharpness +5, NR 0, Colors - 3, GN green! You can look on my Instagram @frankgohdephotography The last three Pictures. Greetings Frank!
Thanks! Nice to hear about your set-up. You have some good looking B&W on your Insta.
I don't know who needs to hear this but instant ramen can repair household appliances
Inspired by the new Monochrom M, perhaps...?
Why not, it's great that at least one manufacturer keeps a niche camera like that alive. Although, I didn't know of the new Monochrom when I was filming this video😀
@@mattisulanto The X Pro 3 is close enough for the rest of us (sheesh, (9k$ w/out a lens...). No thanks.
@@augustuswright8541 It's kind of pricey😀
ah I see, really like your videos but up until you said full frame? I was again watching thinking right I have sold my Canon kit lets go for four thirds .....and well everyone is all in love with full frame again... bloody tony and chelsea all over again? ,,, ah well never mind.. I had olympus film cameras in the 80s I will just use my own gut feeling, always had a good eye for a photographic composure..
It's all photography after all, no matter which camera you use. I'm using MFT and FF about half and half.
I hope you picked up and threw the news paper and the plastic bag in the garbage bin.:
It went to recycle bin😀