Leica Q2 - Black and white street photography

#streetphotography #leicaq2
If you want to buy me a coffee or a waffle :) en.tipeee.com/octaviancarare/
Black and white street photography with the Leica Q2 in Brussels and Gent. ‪@LeicaCameraGlobal‬
Follow me on Instagram ✪: / octaviancarare
Where do I get my music from ? soundstripe.com?fpr=octavian - :) Sound Stripe (use the coupon code "STREET10" for 10% off a yearly or monthly subscription!) *3rd track is from KZbin audio library
Would love to have your feedback about the pictures in the comments. Thank you ! Or let me know if there is one picture that stands out for you.

[@eborgesrey]

Fantastic episode, Octavian! Absolutely loved all of the shots!

[@OctavianCarare]

Glad you enjoyed it Eddy ! Thanks a lot !:) Keep up the good work ! :)

[@Passingmomentsvideo]

You’ve got some crazy good shots here! Good work man.

[@OctavianCarare]

Appreciate it! Thanks for watching ! :)

[@user-ls6us4jb9p]

Потрясающие находки СИЛУЭТОВ, порой там, где и не ожидаешь! Bravo, Maestro 👍

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you !

[@lvminh]

I like your creativity which is something I have been practising...

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you Maxwell ! :)

[@jimshaw5450]

Two thumbs" UP" a great presentation. Jim

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you Jim ! :)

[@marvidviducich5878]

after having looked at a lot of folks posting videos with less than stellar photography skills, it was refreshing to see your work.

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks a lot mate! Glad you liked it 😁

[@maikelmaes6130]

Amazing episode! Only discovered your channel today, but already hooked.

[@OctavianCarare]

Awesome, thank you very much Maikel ! :)

[@manostroulinos1726]

Beautiful, a nice change from colour Octavian. I love how you drop the shadows (also in your colour work) and don't try to raise them up for that overused high dynamic look. Your photos look very classic instead, really enjoyed this. Also I like how you shoot into the light, the Q2 seems to be handling these conditions really well.

[@OctavianCarare]

Iasas Manos ! Thank you and I am glad you enjoyed it :). I underexpose my shots in the camera to get that deep blacks :). Thanks again for your visit and for your kind words !

[@RalphJacob]

This year, I plan on making black and white street photography my major focus in improving my overall skills with a camera. This video has already given me a bit more inspiration.

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi Ralph ! I am glad to hear that. BW photography helps you to improve your composition and work more with shapes and forms :). I am glad it helped !

[@claesjonsson6021]

Many good punchy photos, 7:24 man turning in shop to you favorit, your timing is excellent in the photos, I thing you take single shoots.

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you very much Claes !

[@WatchHobbyist]

Epic shots as always, and great that you included the rapper’s details

[@OctavianCarare]

Appreciate it! Glad you liked it ! :)

[@TheI1i1i1i1i1]

another great video, Octavian. really like the dynamic of it and the process behind the captures lead us not only for the final result (the pics) but for the story that you are telling. Like a lot the 3.18, 10.55, 14.10 pics and for the message that reminds me Obama slogan (yes we) you can pic :) all the best

[@OctavianCarare]

Glad you enjoyed it Isaque ! Thank you for watching and for your kind words ! Appreciate it :)

[@maaglo1]

Simple & brilliant

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks

[@gregstevenson7401]

Outstanding.

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks Greg ! :)

[@albertopaz84]

You have an incredible eye for street photography, loved all your pictures! 🙌🙌

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks ! It means a lot 😁

[@cheevisuals]

Great shots! Love the deep black in your images!👍🏼

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks a lot Chee ! Appreciate it ! :)

[@clintwoosley9512]

I’m inspired to go take pictures of a “nasty bus”! (Really) That was fantastic. Quite a character. Another killer video! Thanks for doing this work!

[@OctavianCarare]

Hahaha Thanks a lot Clint ! Yeah, the guy is a legend ! :)Hope he will make it as a rapper one day :)

[@tonyallen9047]

Great video mate. As you know I love high contrast and these were excellent. I love the guy in the hat. The shot you wasn’t too pleased with, I thought was outstanding. Loved the composition on that one. Also the girl and the bike going through the tunnel/underpass. Fantastic shots. Loved the portraits of the rapper too. Keep them coming 👍🏻

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks a lot mate ! I am glad that you enjoyed it :). I will ! Hope you will like the next one :)

[@azimutclubphoto4334]

Je suis toujours aussi fan de tes images, du format des vidéos et à chaque fois j'apprends tellement de choses ! Merci pour tes partages !

[@OctavianCarare]

Un grand merci Luc ! A bientôt pour un petit streetwalk cette année en Suisse :)

[@martinrumfeld8593]

Amazing shots ! Just got a Leica QP myself. Will Start some shooting once travelling becomes possible again. Live in Zermatt in Switzerland and there are not really “streets here” 😅. Just beautiful Mountains but After 3 years hiking here with every possible camera Iam quite bored of landscapes. Keep up the wonderful work ! Thanks :)

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks a lot Martin ! I actually I am planning to travel to Switzerland this summer (if we are allowed to travel freely again) but I am not coming to the mountains :). I went couple of years ago to Geneve and loved it. Thank you for your kind words ! :)

[@tombrewton7823]

Great eye! And your use of contrast and negative space is fabulous. Thanks!

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you Tom ! Glad you liked it :) New video coming soon :)

[@briankennedy3180]

Awesome job! Staying tuned for the settings video

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks Brian ! Appreciate it ! :)

[@MrBeatHopper]

i love your pictures .... really !!!!

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks a lot Niklas ! :)

[@tibodesaegher8753]

always nice to see people fishing at your local ponds! Very nice shots man!

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks a lot TIbo ! :) The place to be in Gent :D

[@imAnsar]

Intro was epic. Thoroughly enjoyed the bnw photos

[@OctavianCarare]

Glad you liked it ! Thanks and hope to meet soon in Leuven ! :) Take care !

[@imAnsar]

@@OctavianCarare sure 👍🏻👍🏻

[@philippellob]

Un régal 🙌😍

[@OctavianCarare]

Merci Philippe!

[@patrickdumont7302]

Good evening Octavian, really a great compilation of shots, I like the vibe of the flow in which you work. All of them are really worthy. For some reason the first few of architecture in the fog (especially the one 3:07) do resonate with me. Not really street photography per se but an excellent evocation of human presence . I find it so interesting that you manage to have a great eye for both colour and BW. enjoy the w.e. Patrick

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi Patrick ! Glad you are back to the channel :). I hope everything is fine ! Thanks a lot for your kind words. The architecture ones look pretty good in colour as well to be honest and I was a bit hesitant if I should convert them in BW but finally they have a nice 'mood' in BW. Have a great weekend !

[@cameronstacy8785]

lovely pictures as always

[@OctavianCarare]

Glad you like them! Thanks Cameron !

[@yhp143feelingshot]

I like your photos, thanks

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks a lot mate !

[@fredericvasquez316]

Great video again.

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks again!

[@stephensears7483]

A very well done video. Thank you, from a new subscriber.

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks Stephen! Welcome aboard ! Hope you will like the new videos !

[@DonFather]

I really like the shot of the skateboarder. Great job!

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks a lot mate ! I love that everyone has different tastes and favorites different shots. Glad you liked it :)

[@alexandruflorea8772]

Well...another great one. I feel that there is something special about a black and white image that colors can't express. Beautiful shots. I like everything about them. And it seems that you make friends easily :) Well done

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you Alexandru ! I am a friendly guy even with a camera in one hand and a gopro to my chest. Thanks a lot again for watching. Hope you liked the music as well :)

[@alexandruflorea8772]

@@OctavianCarare Of course, music is always a perfect match to the images in your videos. No doubt about it. I guess being an easy to like person is super important in street photography. I imagine people getting shy and reserved when seeing the camera and especially to the go pro on the chest :)

[@StephenCoyle96]

Lovely captures, keep it up! Also, you have a very cool first name haha

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks Stephen ! Hahah well u are the first to tell me that in the history of this youtube channel. Appreciate it ! My mum thanks you as well :))

[@giuseppabelle2134]

Bravo !!

[@OctavianCarare]

grazie mille ! :)

[@GregX999]

Around 4:05, I knew you were waiting for someone to walk by, but I was surprised when the photo only had the person's shadow in it, and not the person. Very cool tactic. I would have waited for the actual person to be in the frame, but just having the shadow is much more interesting - more mysterious maybe. I'm learning a lot of neat tricks from your videos. 👍🏻

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi Greg ! Thanks for watching :). Actually I have the shot with the person in the frame as well but it looks less mysterious and more evident to me. Just a matter of taste a I guess :). I am glad to hear that, it means a lot to me to be honest! Thanks again :)

[@4WHEELBIKER]

Cyclist in the shadows was my fav but they were all great pics !

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks a lot ! Appreciate it ! :)

[@banjo5835]

Nice video I really liked the results

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you!

[@rishikeshsshinde]

Thanks!

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you for watching ! :)

[@user-vb7wr4ye9d]

Amazing street photography. I think you made the q2 a better camera 👍

[@OctavianCarare]

Hahah thanks a lot mate ! :) Appreciate it :)

[@imAnsar]

The portrait of the rapper were 💯💯💪🏻

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you ! :)

[@straatmoment]

Nice portrait of the rapper on 09.10 and also a good one is the biker on 12.52 ! You are so different from me but I really like your style as mentioned earlier !

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you so much 😀 Different style, different approach and different results but that's the beauty of street photography :). Keep up the good work ! :)

[@technoalah]

Awesome

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks mate !

[@ttunali]

My top 3 images: 3:20 back light creates a 3D deeper effect. Also love the composition 6:10 the highlights on the building glass (top half of the image ) and deep shadows on the street (bottom half of the image) create a balance 12:16 same logic, right portion with darks, left with highlights and keeping only shadow of the subject shows your ability to think outside the box. Again many thanks for this inspirational video Octavian 👏

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you ! Appreciate your feedback and that you pointed out your top three images :). Again, thank you for watching the videos and maybe see you soon in Antwerpen or Amsterdam :)

[@ttunali]

@@OctavianCarare very much looking forward to it Octavian!

[@samdee7104]

Really like your style and I want Leica q2 😁

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks a lot Sam! Glad you like the videos 😊

[@johncolquhoun6416]

Some fine shots Liked the rapper waiting on a bus and stalking the hat man.

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks John! Appreciate it !

[@isholin]

I love the GoPro action showing exactly what you’re doing and how you’re focusing. Really helpful. Could you share with us how are you program the q2 for B&H pls, Including the black and white view in the viewfinder

[@anyskmaria2500]

Pentru mine devine din ce in ce mai greu sa iti comentez "lucrarile", raman fara cuvinte. De la inceput pana la final ma uit cu drag la tot ce pozezi. Sunt dati cand ma apuca un ras de m-ai putea auzi :))). In acest caz personajul tau ce consider ca a fumat ceva :)), il ador. pozele mele preferate sunt : 5:43, 7:04, 7:25, 11:30. Felicitari, te asteptam in Romania pentru a te tunde :)) :*

[@OctavianCarare]

hahah tu de fapt razi de mine, nu ? :( Multumesc pentru share si pentru ca ai vizionat clipul (cam lung ce-i drept de asta data). Personajul, Olivier, e de nota 10, toata stima pentru el :). Mda, trebuie musai sa ma tund :))

[@Fotografomatrimonio]

complimenti ottimo lavoro 🙏

[@OctavianCarare]

Grazie mille Antonio ! :)

[@Peter-df1br]

Great videos! Perhaps in the future you could make a video of your processing technique for a few your colour & B&W images. Even though you under expose to obtain more contrast, there must be a bit of PP involved for your final images.

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi Peter! Thanks a lot! Yes I am planning to do a video of my editing workflow :). I use lightroom to edit the pictures. Thanks again :)

[@gageanuionut9908]

Superbe!

[@OctavianCarare]

Multumesc !

[@GeoffGrant2010]

I appreciate it and I think you got some really good shots! I would like a little more narration about working with the Q2 and how it helps you artistically, or not. Advantages-disadvantages. I'm following you in part because of the camera and I'm trying to learn more about it! Thanks- Geoff

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi Geoff ! Thanks a lot. Actually I am planning to do a video '6 months with the Leica Q2' (very soon) and I will talk more about the camera, what I like, what I dislike, why did I bought it and if I have any other regrets. But I think it deserves the topic of a separate video. Meanwhile, if you have any questions I will gladly help. Thanks again ! :)

[@GeoffGrant2010]

@@OctavianCarare Thanks for taking the time. I have a Fuji XT3 with several lenses, which I still do a lot of shooting with, including landscapes, but the Q2 seems like a great everyday full frame camera to get lots of definition in both color and B&W. I don't want a big kit, that's why I went with Fuji. I look forward to your video on the Q2, but would you recommend it for what I have in mind? Thanks again.

[@sc0ttmagoon]

Great pictures and video. I enjoyed it. I am curious how you made some of these pictures. Specifically the back of the man behind the glass in the bus stop. That seems like it could be difficult (do us, reflections, etc.). Maybe not, but it might be an idea for a future video: “How I got this shot”.

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi Scott and thanks a lot ! Actually in the shot u mentiond the sun (it was a bit cloudy) was behind me and I saw that mean sitting in half of a heart and it seemed like an interesting shot. I like your ideea and title: 'How I got this shot". Seems like a good topic for some videos :). Thanks again.

[@user-ez6qf3mf9c]

太棒了！！！

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you !

[@dereklee4178]

The hat man is really poped out!

[@OctavianCarare]

Thank you Derek !

[@I0nutB]

hahaha ce freza ai wa pap :)) ( poza de la 6:36 e decenta pentru mizeria asta )

[@OctavianCarare]

Razi tu dar nu avem voie sa ne tundem aici, amenda 750 de coco :D

[@redkangaroo5306]

Amazing video i was just wondering how is the battery performance on this camera thanks!

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi there ! It’s pretty good! I would say around 250 photos per charge. I have two of them but personally I would get through the day with one :)

[@siky1986]

Great video and enjoy watching it! Did you take any photos at 35mm or all the photos at 28mm? I found the skateboard photo is a really great one. Other photos the subject is slightly smaller.

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi Sikai ! Thanks a lot :) The photos were taken at 28 mm and some of them are slightly cropped :)

[@AnthonyPalazzo51]

Great shots. What are you doing with that right thumb wheel?

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi Anthony ! Thank you ! That is my exposure compensation wheel so I was underexposing to get that black deep shadows.

[@chrishewson40]

Fantastic picture's, what setting are you using please?

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi Chris ! I made a video with my settings, very basic: aperture priorty, iso auto, shutter speed mininum 200. underexposing my shots a bit :)

[@kimycosch]

I would like to buy a camera, for a beginner like me, what do you suggesst? Thanks. Love your shots. Getting addicted watching your vids.

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi Kim ! Well it depends on your budget and the use of the camera. Leica is pretty expensive but you have many alternatives nowadays of extremely good cameras :)

[@edgardsoquenne9361]

A beautifull street photography lesson ! I’m fan !!! The position color on Q2 is full B&W ? Do you push -1 or -2IL during shooting time ? I know, I’m curious but I love the deep darkness into your pictures. Many congratulations.

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks a lot Edgard :) Yeah it was full BW. I underexposed the shots one or even two stops indeed, especially in bright sun :)

[@edgardsoquenne9361]

@@OctavianCarare Thanks for you return. Have a nice shooting and it will pleasant to follow you again.

[@OctavianCarare]

@@edgardsoquenne9361 thank you!

[@genobambino]

Nice stuff. So you never use the viewfinder?

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks mate ! I used it yes, but for the purpose of these videos (POV) I use the screen :)

[@liviubistricianu5767]

Nice. Preferata mea este 03:21.

[@OctavianCarare]

Multumesc mult Liviu :)

[@GeoffreyEduard]

The nasty bus 😂

[@OctavianCarare]

Man is a legend !

[@justmeinit]

What is the battery life like on the Q2

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi there ! When it's not cold, one battery for me it's enough for the day. However when it's cold I need two. I would say about 200 shots with the screen (as I do in my videos).

[@justmeinit]

@@OctavianCarare thanks for the reply. Really enjoy your channel. I am considering purchasing a Q2 in the spring.

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks ! Try to borrow one for a day and see how it works for you. If you use the viewfinder I guess you can take about 350 shots (probably will get you through the day). I never shoot more than 100/day I guess

[@justmeinit]

@@OctavianCarare good idea, I may do that. I usually shoot between 100 and 200 when I go out shooting street so one battery might be enough for me.

[@mrbrakelol]

Great shots. GOod to see you got a Waffle as well :D .... Did that guy ever end up sending you music? Would be cool if you used his song in this (or a future) video haha. Good to hear you'll be doing editing and settings videos later too, I've wondered about your focusing, you seem to use centerpoint auto focus and recompose a lot and wondered about your aperture while doing this. Do you ever zone focus? I generally zone focus with my fuji X70 all the time, but seeing your videos I might try using autofocus more, I'm just worried I won't have enough depth of field to get what I want with moving subjects, like that tat shot in this video at 12:31 - which aperture did you use? Seems like you used centerpoint AF recompose there but as she's running towards you

[@OctavianCarare]

Thanks a lot ! I love waffles :D. Yes, sent me some tracks, guy is a legend :) I have sent him the pictures as well :). Yes, I use AF centerpoint and recompose (I got used from my DSLRs like this). I mainly shoot at around 6.3 but depends a bit on what I am shooting. I don't use zone focus. The shot was taken at 1/400, f5, iso 100. The subject has little bit of motion blur as she was running.

[@mrbrakelol]

@@OctavianCarare THanks

[@rjacob06]

So I was taking street shots last weekend and some security guard told me to stop. I guess that's all part of the game.

[@OctavianCarare]

Hi Rae ! Where do you live ? Was it private property ? Maybe it's not legal :) Or maybe the guard wasn't right :)

[@rjacob06]

@@OctavianCarare I live in Miami and I was taking shots of the Brickell City Center, a place known for interesting architecture. I have taken photos of the place before and yet last weekend was the first time that I was told that photography is not allowed.

[@walterlopez1924]

After seeing these photos... there is no need to buy the Q2 Monochrome...

[@OctavianCarare]

True but with the Monochrome you don't have a the choice of going colour... and that's a good thing :D

[@supersonico9364]

They say a camera doesn’t make u a good photographer well I beg to disagree because if the camera is a Leica it makes you wanna be a better photographer.

[@OctavianCarare]

true ! :)