Feb 2021 Street Photography Q&A

[@shapedbywhatwelove8675]

Brian, I came to your workshop in Shoreditch On Saturday (Katie), I must say I've really enjoyed your recently discovered videos ! You have such an enthusiastic yet calming style . Keep up the fantastic work

[@StreetSnappers]

Thanks very much Katie!

[@iaincphotography6051]

Always good Brian, much enjoyed, and thank you.

[@StreetSnappers]

Thanks for your support as always, Iain :-)

[@john_murch]

You have a great "teachers" personality. Skill, knowledge and and encouraging positive manner. Also, as a film photographer, I like what you said about the process and challenges of shooting film. Thanks for the Q&A!

[@StreetSnappers]

That's too kind, John, thank you!

[@ivanosrin2126]

Good to see a practical useful no waffling informative street photography video again. I would find that a few more photos to illustrate some of the points and advice in the Q & A series for example would be additionally useful. The shot of Winogrand and discussion of eye contact was a good example .

[@StreetSnappers]

Thanks very much Ivan, good feedback. I will build more images into future videos!

[@wolfharley1]

Thanks your for your help I learn a lot for your porgrM

[@StreetSnappers]

My pleasure, Lee, thanks for tuning in :-)

[@Cava2907]

Hi Brian, Another useful Q&A video and thank you for answering my question. And by the way, you got my name pretty well. Thanks

[@StreetSnappers]

Cheers Piotr. Keep up the great work!

[@adamlawonphotography5219]

Hi Brian, Just seen your fantastic presentation at EKCC first class, Thank you so much for your time !! I really enjoyed it!!

[@StreetSnappers]

Thanks Adam - I enjoyed myself too, which is always a good sign! Lovely group of people :-)

[@aminmotin]

Some interesting questions there, Brian, and some interesting answers. I especially like the one about "best camera for street" - I guess everyone really wants a simple, definite answer to that one. I'm glad you didn't give the "the best camera is the one you have with you" reply :) As for film, I've only done one street shooting session with a film camera and I'm intending to do more when we're able to get out. What I found was that I had no excuses - I had to focus manually, meter the light and make decisions about which tones were of importance to me and then STILL have to think about framing etc. I used a single film with 36 exposures and the discipline really made me stop and think. That in itself is a pleasurable activity. Spray and pray is a term that some people use and it's pretty easy with digital, but with film and limited exposures there's a real difference in how you approach a day's shooting. One thing I'd add to that "5 qualities of a street photographer" list - making it 6! - is the need to know your camera inside out. I'm using lockdown to play with the camera indoors just shooting stuff in the house purely for developing muscle memory with my camera. Not having to think about which button to press to use exposure compensation, or how to change focus points etc. can make the difference between getting a shot and missing one. I know for myself that in the past I've rarely used any camera enough to become fluid with it. I want all my mental energy to be on the scene in front of me - not trying to remember which way to turn the compensation dial for a darker result!

[@StreetSnappers]

Thanks Amin - I agree with all of that! I like like the way you describe film as forcing you to stop and think, which usually a good think but don't 'over-think' it at the expense of missing the moment! Over time with film, you'll be thinking less and shooting more!

[@AlejandroGonzalez-AGS]

As always, very informative. Nicely done! Cheers and be careful...

[@StreetSnappers]

Thank you Alejandro! Good to have your support :-)

[@vincentbrooker3062]

Thanks for answering my question on the new Fuji 27mm lens. I never liked the idea of no aperture ring on the original but the new one I find very tempting. 😀

[@StreetSnappers]

Haven't got mine yet, Vince, but I really like the look of it!

[@HelmutMinten]

HOORAY! Good to see you again!!! - You got really interesting questions and I think you gave fruitful answers. To be honest I agree with you, that while we were all paralyzed by the first waves of Covid-19, now there is a chance of documentary reportage photography. Isn't it the moment for decisive moments?! I made the experience, that I even get pictures in my neighborhood, when I wait in front of a shop or see empty schoolyards. This will not come back! - Another thing is "Eye-Contact" I usually don't have in terms of what you said, but I want to challenge myself in the future, when I saw an interesting person, I want to approach him / her to ask for an "einviromental Portrait!...What do you think?! Best! Helmut

[@StreetSnappers]

Thanks for your comments, Helmut! I really enjoy taking street portraits and when I do, I usually do it with a theme, or project, in mind.

[@konstantinevlr5851]

Started following you a day ago after already seen 2 of your videos. Fantastic subjects. Could you help me to one question please. I m keen on street photography but to a budget of up to 500pounds camera. Any suggestion? Thank you 😊

[@StreetSnappers]

Thanks for your feedback! I would buy a used camera - maybe a Fujifilm X100F which is perfect for street & travel photography.

[@Karakth]

Thanks for the video! I have a question please. How do you know if the photos you're taking are any good, and whether you're improving as a photographer?

[@bfs5113]

"What is a good photograph: It begins with, do I want to look at this photograph twice, 3 times, for 20 minutes or have this photograph?" (Francine Prose, author).

[@StreetSnappers]

Seek out the company of other photographers - not family or friends - and try to get honest, constructive opinion. I'll use your question in my next Q&A video!

[@carpelucemphotography5467]

nce to see you again, greetings from Austria!

[@StreetSnappers]

Thanks again - good to have a follower in lovely Austria!

[@Francesca48]

You mention filters in your "About" section of web site. When and what filters do you use in your street photography, please?

[@StreetSnappers]

Most of the time it's just a UK filter. Occasionally I'll use an ND filter but that's about all for street photography. I may use them more for travel photography though - but only really NDs and occasionally grads.

[@Guitarmfig]

What is the best camera to use? "The one you have with you at the time" Jay Maisel

[@StreetSnappers]

Yes, he's right there! (a great photographer btw)

[@bcegerton]

I actually won the course by Joel Meyorwitz, I’ve not really started it even though it was last year sometime when I won it. It was just a “Masters Of Photography” competition on Instagram, not even a photo one either. I haven’t got round to it due to a number of reasons, mainly health but it’s not like I’ve not got the time, not only being in Lockdown but I’m Shielding too, and only living in a really quiet place it’s killing my Street Photography, plus I’ve got a new XT3 to get used to.

[@StreetSnappers]

Do try to get round to doing the course Brian - it really is very good :-)

[@bcegerton]

@@StreetSnappers I definitely will, I had it in my head to start last week but my body had other ideas. Story of my life but what can we do? Carry on regardless. Stay Well Brian

[@richardmorrison04]

Also a good spot Brian✌️

[@StreetSnappers]

Thanks again :-)

[@canturgan]

That Winogrand picture works because of the girl on the left. I personally think Joel Meyerovitz is a bit of a chancer.

[@StreetSnappers]

Yes, I agree about the girl on the left. I do like JM though and like his street philosophy. But like many of the 'greats' he's taken relatively few 'great' pics.

[@MyHumanWreckage]

One thing I love doing is Carnival Photography. No one talks about this type of photography. Do you consider it Street Photography?

[@cameraman655]

That’s something that I have pondered over for some time. I suppose it is how one defines “carnival”. As an American, we tend to see carnivals a bit differently than much of the world. We see carnivals as venues such as a state or county fair, or a roadside attraction with rides and games of chance, which can be a bit shady. Shooting these venues I might call “street-styled photography” as people casually walk in, play games, ride the rides, etc...like street photography, most carnival-goers are not expecting or wanting to be photographed, trust me, I have had my share altercations with employees and others. Now “carnivals” in the context of say, an event where people (both event organizers and the public) are dressed in costumes or period outfits and ARE expecting to be photographed by visitors, then no, I would not consider that to be street photography, again, just a personal opinion.

[@MyHumanWreckage]

@@cameraman655 Thanks for your reply. I mean carnival as the North American sense. I love the colours and the emotion and passion in people’s faces, especially as most are distracted and don’t even see the camera. Luckily, I haven’t had any altercations with employees yet.

[@StreetSnappers]

Yes, I think it can be street photography (although often it's not!). I prefer to seek out the interesting moments that go one around the fringes, which to me is more intersting than taking pictures of the main players.

[@NeilGraham]

👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

[@StreetSnappers]

Thanks Neil :-)