Practical Tips to Using a Telephoto in Street Photography

Telephoto lenses bring both a very unique look and shooting experience to street photography. They’ve become a fundamental part of my own process in creating the kind of style and aesthetic I have in my work. In today’s video I go over some practical advice on how anyone can start to use a telephoto lens in their street photography.
Checkout the LUMIX S5II and S 85mm F1.8 lens:
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Photos edited with my Analog 5.0 presets: faizalwestcott.com/store
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[@stephangauthier911]

For me, street photography has always been about shapes, colors, contrasts, abstract stuff, reflections. Some ppl say you need to have people in the frame, you need to be wide and close... I shoot with any lens. From a 16mm to a 70-200. Photography is art. It's the way YOU see the surroundings. It shouldnt have to fit in boxes.

[@ExecuteOrder.66]

Agreed. I prefer more range on the zoom-end than range on the wide-end of the spectrum. The limiting factors like weight, bulkiness and conspicuousness (?) are other more practical factors that make me opt out most of the time 😢. Edit: typo

[@stephangauthier911]

@@ExecuteOrder.66 yeah...cant shoot with that white 70-200 without being looked at. Haha. I'd love some of that tamron 24-200.

[@developingtank]

It always comes up as a “rule” for street photography to avoid long focal lengths, but people pedaling that bs are usually gatekeepers with boring work.

[@sinhlv4866]

85mm is always my favorite for street

[@legofanessex]

Finally, a balanced video that doesn't tell us telephoto are only for beginners. There is a lot of snobbery around using wide angles. This is a great video that shows there is room for all styles. Well done!

[@JustANormal-YTchannel]

I usually like night street photography because i feel much more comfortable and confident, but this is making me want to try day photography

[@lightscameranettie]

Thank you so much for this video! As a handicapped person, I have felt somewhat frustrated in my desire to do street photography, just because there's really no way I can go incognito. I have a sense of what I want to achieve, though, and have begun to see progress with my longer lenses. I especially appreciate your thoughts on framing - very helpful for my situation. :)

[@nickrivett7231]

Perfect timing on this video, the very day I got my first 85mm 🙌🏼

[@JosueMartinez-ww1vj]

Wonderfully amazing tips and book suggestion! Thanks!

[@stew_redman]

I've been using a 28-70 for street photography some time and have just started using a 24-105. It covers 99% of what I need for urban shooting

[@QKvox]

I love 100mm for street, Saul Leiter is a big influence for me and he uses telephoto lenses and creates masterpieces. Love this video.

[@kevvondragon]

I heard Jay Maisel talk about how some poeple see the world in wide angle and are able to frame with that kind of lens, and some (like him) see like a telephoto. That completely removed the stigma of using telephoto lenses in street photography for me and helped me improve my photography a lot. I'm always open to experiment and try wider lenses but there is nothing wrong in setting yourself up for succes using a focal lenght that complements your way of seeing.

[@j.zuberi]

So refreshing to see someone like me use a telephoto lens within street photography. I personally love not messing up the flow of life & people bc i see life in cinema scenes, the instant i disturb a person they are now out of their natural flow and that scene. That kind of invasive shooting just aint my vibe, it can be dope but i prefer the kind of look of never disturbing the way of life to capture it as it is. Props on speaking to that for us Tele users in the street. As always great scenes here as well dude. Besides any focal length for me is merely a tool for how to best tell the story i want.

[@ManuelMendes-rf6fw]

Your videos are super inspiring. Always learning from you!

[@iglolosa5196]

Hi Faizal. Your tips are most welcomed and your alternative views make you stand out from the rest

[@stevenanthony578]

I recently got back into street photography after not doing it for decades (did more landscape and portraits, then nothing for about 10 years). Bought a Sony a6600 with a 50mm, 35mm, 25mm and 18mm, and I'm having fun and success with all of the new gear. But I also have a Canon 85mm/1.8 and the 135/2.0 L. Your discussion of blocking has given me the biggest creative POV change maybe ever. Thought I'd just be using those (now super) long focal length lenses mostly for architectural detail shots. But now I can't wait for the morning to take the 135 out (which will be like a 200mm full-frame). Thanks!

[@jakubkkt]

Over the past 4 years ive been into photography I started realizing how my focal lenght is affected by my emotions and mood im in. I often find myself using longer focals when I feel my anxiety spiking up, in the other hand, 28-35mm has been my favourite because I tend to shoot at these lenghts when Im feeling good and relaxed, its more easier to me to just go closer to people. I saved enough money to be able to own 4 lenses to help to describe my feelings, 28mm, 35mm, 50mm and 65mm, and I always pick one of those, maybe 2 max when I go shoot. As anxiety is "thight" feeling, Im choosing thighter lenses, and the same other way around. Amazing video Faizal :)

[@johnwaine56]

Totally recognise this!

[@mauricio.montoya]

I loved the way you describe your emotions with your focal length, I do the same and sometimes I get back to my kit lens (20-60mm LUMIX S) when I’m stressed out because I don’t know how to feel in certain situations and my camera becomes my fidget spinner just to play around and leave the stress behind by pressing the shutter button and pause the world just a fraction of a second.

[@lebleusbl]

That's crazy I'm feeling the same. But I never realized why I'm choosing telephoto or a 24-35mm

[@haeskenhoff]

Great take. Photography is all about documenting emotions.

[@arturgajewski2267]

I am pretty amazed with your photos lately and i love your editing style. I really see how much progress you made in last few months. This is so noticable! Keep it going!

[@sirab3ee198]

I started doing street photography with my phone and was using the "Saul Leiter" technic without knowing anything bout photography. Even now when I finally bought a camera I still love doing it, composing frames with as many foreground elements and subjects as possible. I started reading a lot about the history of street photography and it is beautiful. Thank you for your video, helped a lot specially now that I bought a 85mm f1.8 lens.

[@jesusescudero9721]

This is a good one Faizal.

[@henrybobb]

Hey Faizal lately you’re rolling out videos that speak directly to me … ❤. Thanks for everything you’re sharing.

[@stevepalmerphotoart]

Great stuff! I love the details. So often the magic is found there. Well done!

[@mmn910]

Best video yet!

[@seamanjive]

I recently visited a Sau Leiter show here in England...seeing his work "in the flesh" really brought home the compositional aspect of his photography. I'd read that he used telephoto lenses but couldn't figure how he was working them. Your video has opened my eyes...thx for posting this, time to get out and start shooting!

[@rogercaughell4282]

Excellent examples - you stated your case well! Wide angle or telephoto? The answer is "Yes!"

[@oakandiron_]

I have few and selective sources of inspiration… your work is definitely one of them. Thank you for always sharing. For real. Peace be with you.

[@eddie_g]

I was browsing through my 50mm street photos last night and fell in love with the difference. The abstract the slowness. I had soo many more keepers. Definitely gonna lean on that direction for a bit.

[@michaelajoseph6856]

Very helpful tips. I needed the inspiration. Stunning photos. Thank you!

[@cxcfilms3]

Nice Work !

[@UlyssesAokiPhoto]

loved the vid!

[@RolandKaufmann]

Heck yes! I’ve taken some of my favourite street photos at 85+ mm. It takes practice, but you can absolutely still get a lot of elements in the frame with a tele lens.

[@romulocuy4061]

Great video Faizal! I used to hang out in Chinatown back in college (in the 80s) and your video brings back many memories. I do agree with you that 85mm is a comfortable focal length these days not only during COVD and post COVID but also from a safety point of view these days especially in NYC and in many big cities. I really like how you transitioned to the discuss Saul Leiter's work as an inspiration bringing in the 'greats' really keep us forever students to keep learning. Keep up the good work!

[@whospanda1836]

Accidentally clicked the notification as it popped up and now I'm first, might aswell watch

[@raylam8907]

super dope ❤

[@TheUrbandilema]

Iove this tutorial I always wanted to tighten this with my 80mm...Saul lighter work is awesome..thanks again faiz and happy Easter to u

[@haithamalmuzayan3050]

Thank you Faisal, i’ve been experimenting with 85 mm focal point for quite some time on streets photography, and what you just post give me a confirmation that I’m not alone, actually I came up with some good results, so thank you 🙏🏽 keep it going pls

[@PatrickGregoryDaniels]

Great video bro!! The ambient music in background suits well! Great voice to bro

[@lighter_snaps]

Great video as always. I want to get your physical photo book someday in the future.

[@habanerosky000]

Loved this video, especially the section about the predictability of human behaviors, being more observant is key to capturing relatable and interesting moments. Good one Faizal, really eye opening and inspiring as always 👌

[@jamesfkey]

Well done. Thank you.

[@headphoneboy]

This video got me browsing Adorama for a new telephoto lens. Great vid Faizal 👏

[@Meandmypc12]

Interesting video to watch after the one about street photography with the bigma

[@garymc8956]

Very compelling.

[@KillerTacos54]

Excellent

[@DmitryEljuseev]

Thanks for a video. A good motivation to try again :) The biggest disadvantage of a telephoto lens for me - it's impossible to shoot from a hip, and when you point a telelens to someone, it's quite noticeable. But in the open spaces or touristic places where there are a lot of people with cameras, it's a great tool indeed.

[@stefbacum4454]

Im a MFT user so every lens i use is doubled in FF terms. So a 25 is a 50 in FF. I ve used anything from 28 to 270 ff equiv(i adapted an old 135mm ff lens) and found that if the environment isnt exactly what you want it to be in terms of backgrounds, light, etc, a telephoto lens is preferred because it makes it easier to balance the elements in the shot ( i just made the "teles are for beginners" arguement didnt it). It also makes for cleaner shots because it forces you to slow down or stop and you cant really shoot if "from the hip". Ever since i got my 85mm equiv i just enjoyed myself so much while shooting, i just cant return to wider lenses for now.

[@SolidGray_]

Nice

[@joafeijoo]

NICE!

[@q3813]

I'm using 300mm, 250mm, 180mm, 160mm, 140mm, 125mm, 100mm & 85mm with my Fujifilm GFX 50s regularly for Street Photography.

[@mobrown5670]

The color tone when your are face to the camera is perfect, love it 🫶🏼 is it from your presets ?

[@youphototube]

If you have a Nikon Z8 and 85mm you can be reactive and nail the focus. It focuses almost instantly. Also, if you shoot in mono raw the file will be imported into Lightroom in mono raw. I think your Fuji will import in jpeg. Think street think full frame Nikon for best colour science and lenses.

[@xTwistedFleshX]

"Chinatown...some people might say it's the easy way out." All of NYC is the easy way out for street photography lol. You should visit Miami and do some street down here. Lots of fun. Great vid btw I just started shooting with a 90mm summicron in the street inspired by Saul Leiter so this video is perfect timing for me!

[@Jermzybarra]

Dude those glasses suit you so well! Are they new?

[@Topher_wigums]

I don't know what it is about the shot at 10:09 but I had a physical and audible reaction to it. the mystery the tones and colors. I just recently have found comfort in shooting at 35mm in my own street photos and this is making me want to experiment with longer focal lengths. I know for a fact it would force me to slow down and I think that could be a good thing.

[@628DirtRooster]

Heck, I use a long zoom lens quite often. If I were to try and get close on all my subjects, I'd have to be an Olympic distance runner. We don't all live in cramped crowded cities. Shooting wide is great but when a lot your subjects can be a hundred feet or more away it's just not practical to shoot that 28mm sometimes.

[@xNucleoWAR]

Your color grading is gorgeous, what software/LUT/powergrade do you use ? :))

[@kennethakennetha]

iim eyeing on the xf 90 mm f2 lens

[@andrewcribbin656]

Interesting video. I have thought about trying this. Do you ever still shoot 35mm with your x100v?

[@DoctuhJ]

Love to see Saul Leiter here. You should watch the documentary about him if you haven't yet

[@StephanSchramm8771]

Danke!

[@rhyno23rjr]

🔥

[@Daniel00772]

in Ny specially people can be confrontational when u get on their face to snap a moment, having a telephoto allows you to camp out and snipe your subjects (70-300 mm)

[@nikolasdeco1321]

Hey Faizal, what kind of telephoto lens would you recommend for a fujifilm x-e4? I feel it is difficult to use one with this camera as it doesnt have stabilization

[@AaronAnalog1]

I think I only see KZbinrs shitting on using a medium telephoto lens. Do what you want people! I personally like a 28mm and 75mm combo. I know others using a 35mm and 85mm combo. However, you won't see me with a 70-200 lens on the streets though, too big. Those 75 and 85 lenses are still really small and light in most cases.

[@developingtank]

Saul Leiter is always referenced as the long focal length guy in street photography. I’ve found it very hard to find others. Does anyone know any other highly regarded street photographers who also heavily relied on long focal lengths? side note: not knocking you for referencing him as well

[@abdullahsayham9905]

W

[@alex4247]

hi

[@Billkwando]

After you have developed the elevated perceptions of a seasoned street photographer, you will become aware that shopkeepers and customers exchange money. Practice long enough, and you'll learn that traffic lights turn from green to red. One day, you can make a KZbin video about it, in your living room, and deliver this wisdom in a grating faux whisper.

[@FaizalWestcott]

this is gold. thanks for the laugh 🤣

[@Billkwando]

@@FaizalWestcott My pleasure. 🤪

[@kunhwi]

im thinking about buying 85 1.8 or 100 macro. what would you buy? for portrait and snap photo

[@Izzet99]

what doors for philosphies are being opened exactly?

[@colin_____]

Mike Chudley won't like this one

[@villegas24]

But no one likes Mike chudley tho

[@DirkMenker]

I do like his Fotography a lot, actually. Be nice!

[@mishkathlay]

Saul Leiter would be proud. You’re a genius on the streets!!!!! So inspired.

[@rkmh65]

The photos Faizal shoots with a telephoto are not the same as the easy, repeatable ones you often see on TikTok (photos of someone walking down the street taken with a 150mm lens at f2.8). The work of Leitner, Haas or others that shot street photography with a telephoto lens might not be your cup of tea, but there’s artistic value in those. The TikTok photos I mentioned, not so much, IMO.

[@colin_____]

@@villegas24 haha true

[@alexalexis7899]

There is, indeed, a particular beauty associated with telephoto lenses, but it is also true that they exponentially reduce the amount of variables you have to juggle and pay attention to, while giving you much more control over your frame. You are using bits and pieces of reality and have very distinctive focal plains to play with. Beginners tend to hide behind telephotos because the ratio of photos that will look good is much higher compared to the ratio of photos taken with a wide lens. The most expensive shots in filmmaking are wides exactly because of the amount of elements you have to control to compose the frame you want.