Enjoyed the video Gary👍 Three variable you could try! 1. Sometimes you can point the camera at a subject, take the photo you wanted but if you are noticed; lower the camera and keep looking in that same direction and when your subject moves past you, re-compose the frame in that same direction as though you had been waiting for them to move out of the way!….it confuses your subject and their puzzled reaction is amusing😂 2. My second tip is to carry a small compact camera in one hand and your main DSLR in the other (shooting) hand! Aim the DSLR covertly at your subject whilst holding the compact camera to your eye and look in a totally different direction to allay any suspicions! 3. If your camera has a wi-if connection and your phone as a “live view app” (e.g. Ricoh GR) you can point the camera (accurately) at your subject without looking in their direction by focusing through the live view on your mobile phone! This works well if you are sat down having a cup of coffee at an outside venue….most people assume you are checking your phone like everyone else!!
I'm new to street photography and this was SO helpful. I love being unorthodox, but had never considered applying that concept to photography. Thank you!!
The photos have so many stories in them, I love your work! Thank you for doing this video :) So many useful tips, I'll have to get out and try them out 😍
Hey! I find a tilt screen can help a great deal but it can make you look a bit more conspicuous. As for using a phone as a remote control? It’s not something I’ve tried because I feel it’s a bit too convoluted
Thank you, great video. I am looking at this style of photography. I was thinking about using a neck strap, keeping the camera steady with my left hand and using a remote to take the shot with my right hand - probably from the inside a jacket pocket.
A few people have mentioned using a remote or an app to trigger the shot. It’s not something I would do but see what works for you. Hope you get some good shots!
I only do street photography one or two times a year and being quite confident I often ask people if I can take their photo. People are so used to selfies, its not often an issue. I also look out for those candid moments and quickly bring up the camera and just take the shot. On those confrontational moments I just apologise, point out that they are in a public place and if they are still irritated, I delete the shot and prove it to them. During the small talk that occurs at that time, I have even had people change their mind and let me take another. I must give your system a go next time. I assume you find the hyperfocal setting for the camera/lens combo. I have recently bought a Sony A7 Cii and I have a Tamron 20 - 40 lens for it. I have a small chart on my phone with the hyperfocal settings for architectural photography, so I will use those. Have you considered a cable release instead of your thumb?
You’re a brave man haha I’m building up my confidence to ask people and have been happily accepted 2 out of 3 times. The 3rd time he politely declined. Yeah and sometimes I just have the focal peaking on the display and pre focus on a set distance so I can see what range is in focus… hopefully that makes sense!
I've been doing this for a while and it's not that difficult but it does help shooting with a 60 Mp camera as you have lots of ability to crop. You can get really close to your subject and get very powerful pics.
For me, I find it tricky to consistently get good framing. But it’s different for everyone. You can definitely get powerfully shots, especially love it combined with low sun lighting
I just started using this technique this past year. I've had both success and failure. I don't always get the singer in YNt frame they way they need to be and some times I nail it. I just need more practice. Zone focusing works fairly well most of the time. You definitely need a wide angle lens for this. It's far more forgiving. There's many ways to hold the camera and be discreet. You can cross your arms and hold the lens in the bend of the elbow of your support arm. Just turn your body the way you need to shoot. If you use a neck strap you can take the extra slack up so that the camera is higher on your chest. I've also held the camera in portrait view with the camera down by my leg. You need a good grip on your camera to do this. The flat front camera would be harder to hold onto even with a wrist strap. You can always use reflections in windows. People usually don't know you're taking a photo of them. They just think you're some weirdo taking a picture of something in the store or business.
Nice contribution. I wish somebody would post a video on "how to hold and work a camera in stealth mode" Your way to press the shutter with your thumb sounds interesting but for me - impossible. I am unable to twist my hand in such an angle as needed to turn the camera at a 90-degree angle or even steeper. I am presently trying to find a "wireless" trigger mode to solve that issue.
Thanks, glad you liked it. If your camera can be connected to a phone app, that might be an option. There’s a few other things you can do to be discreet: using a silent shutter mode; don’t make eye contact with the subject; after taking the photo, keep looking past them as if you were taking a photo of something else; find a nice composition and wait for someone to walk into it. Hope these help, I am planning to make a video about the topic, so let me know if there’s other particular areas you struggle with
Thank you, I'm interested in street photography but I'm really afraid of people scolding me for taking pictures without their permission. But with your video I want to try taking photos from the waist. Thank you for this moving video . Please forgive this Google Translate translation
I love the technique. It’s the way I shoot nearly all my street photos and yes the hit rate is low 😂 but it’s worth it for the keepers. As you said the low angle is very effective. If you never actually look at the subject they are never aware. I can go shoot 300 shots and I swear no one is suspicious. Keep rate varies but I will usually get a handful that I am really delighted with.
Enjoyed the video Gary👍 Three variable you could try! 1. Sometimes you can point the camera at a
subject, take the photo you wanted but if you are noticed; lower the camera and keep looking in that same direction and when your subject moves past you, re-compose the frame in that same direction as though you had been waiting for them to move out of the way!….it confuses your subject and their puzzled reaction is amusing😂 2. My second tip is to carry a small compact camera in one hand and your main DSLR in the other (shooting) hand! Aim the DSLR covertly at your subject whilst holding the compact camera to your eye and look in a totally different direction to allay any suspicions! 3. If your camera has a wi-if connection and your phone as a “live view app” (e.g. Ricoh GR) you can point the camera (accurately) at your subject without looking in their direction by focusing through the live view on your mobile phone! This works well if you are sat down having a cup of coffee at an outside venue….most people assume you are checking your phone like everyone else!!
I’ve done points 1 & 2 before. It’s also useful not to immediately check the back of the camera. Thanks for the advice!
Great video! I was practicing this just this past weekend, so much fun! I got a couple of good images too! 😊👍🏾
Excellent, I’d love to see them! Do you have an instagram?
I'm new to street photography and this was SO helpful. I love being unorthodox, but had never considered applying that concept to photography. Thank you!!
I’m glad you liked it! Have a read through some of the comments on this video as well, there’s been some great suggestions
Great tips, I'll have a go at this technique.
I've added your channel, it's always good to connect with other photography creators.
Glad you liked it and thanks for subscribing!
Thank you for the tips! Very informative and I'll definitely try it too with your suggestions! (Btw loved the blurry ones too 😃)
Glad you like it, let me know how it goes!
The photos have so many stories in them, I love your work! Thank you for doing this video :) So many useful tips, I'll have to get out and try them out 😍
You’re welcome. Looking forward to seeing what photos you make!
Zone focus is my favorite either from the hip or chest. Without making eye contact
No eye contact is key to being discreet, especially if you continue to look past the subject like you’ve spotted something
I wonder if having a tilt screen or a camera you can control from your phone would be helpful
Hey! I find a tilt screen can help a great deal but it can make you look a bit more conspicuous. As for using a phone as a remote control? It’s not something I’ve tried because I feel it’s a bit too convoluted
Thank you, great video. I am looking at this style of photography. I was thinking about using a neck strap, keeping the camera steady with my left hand and using a remote to take the shot with my right hand - probably from the inside a jacket pocket.
A few people have mentioned using a remote or an app to trigger the shot. It’s not something I would do but see what works for you. Hope you get some good shots!
I only do street photography one or two times a year and being quite confident I often ask people if I can take their photo. People are so used to selfies, its not often an issue. I also look out for those candid moments and quickly bring up the camera and just take the shot. On those confrontational moments I just apologise, point out that they are in a public place and if they are still irritated, I delete the shot and prove it to them. During the small talk that occurs at that time, I have even had people change their mind and let me take another. I must give your system a go next time. I assume you find the hyperfocal setting for the camera/lens combo. I have recently bought a Sony A7 Cii and I have a Tamron 20 - 40 lens for it. I have a small chart on my phone with the hyperfocal settings for architectural photography, so I will use those. Have you considered a cable release instead of your thumb?
You’re a brave man haha I’m building up my confidence to ask people and have been happily accepted 2 out of 3 times. The 3rd time he politely declined. Yeah and sometimes I just have the focal peaking on the display and pre focus on a set distance so I can see what range is in focus… hopefully that makes sense!
I've been doing this for a while and it's not that difficult but it does help shooting with a 60 Mp camera as you have lots of ability to crop. You can get really close to your subject and get very powerful pics.
For me, I find it tricky to consistently get good framing. But it’s different for everyone. You can definitely get powerfully shots, especially love it combined with low sun lighting
I just started using this technique this past year. I've had both success and failure. I don't always get the singer in YNt frame they way they need to be and some times I nail it. I just need more practice. Zone focusing works fairly well most of the time. You definitely need a wide angle lens for this. It's far more forgiving. There's many ways to hold the camera and be discreet. You can cross your arms and hold the lens in the bend of the elbow of your support arm. Just turn your body the way you need to shoot. If you use a neck strap you can take the extra slack up so that the camera is higher on your chest. I've also held the camera in portrait view with the camera down by my leg. You need a good grip on your camera to do this. The flat front camera would be harder to hold onto even with a wrist strap. You can always use reflections in windows. People usually don't know you're taking a photo of them. They just think you're some weirdo taking a picture of something in the store or business.
That’s some great advice!
Nice contribution. I wish somebody would post a video on "how to hold and work a camera in stealth mode" Your way to press the shutter with your thumb sounds interesting but for me - impossible. I am unable to twist my hand in such an angle as needed to turn the camera at a 90-degree angle or even steeper. I am presently trying to find a "wireless" trigger mode to solve that issue.
Thanks, glad you liked it. If your camera can be connected to a phone app, that might be an option. There’s a few other things you can do to be discreet: using a silent shutter mode; don’t make eye contact with the subject; after taking the photo, keep looking past them as if you were taking a photo of something else; find a nice composition and wait for someone to walk into it. Hope these help, I am planning to make a video about the topic, so let me know if there’s other particular areas you struggle with
Thank you, I'm interested in street photography but I'm really afraid of people scolding me for taking pictures without their permission. But with your video I want to try taking photos from the waist. Thank you for this moving video . Please forgive this Google Translate translation
Hey, I’m really glad you found it helpful. You might also want to check out my video about street photography ethics
i always have my camera on silent mode
Same! Great way to be sneaky 👀 haha
What do you think of this technique? Is it something you have/would use?
Are there any other tips you can share?
I love the technique. It’s the way I shoot nearly all my street photos and yes the hit rate is low 😂 but it’s worth it for the keepers. As you said the low angle is very effective. If you never actually look at the subject they are never aware. I can go shoot 300 shots and I swear no one is suspicious. Keep rate varies but I will usually get a handful that I am really delighted with.
Rule no1 .. don’t use a camera with the damned side hinged, flippy flappy, conspicuous rear screen.
😂