Stop Using Your Eyes In Street Photography

[@tedbrown7908]

I just watched a David Yarrow interview and one of the points he made was, you may not know what will happen at any particular event but you can preplan to be there and as they events unfold, photograph away with known settings on your camera.

[@BethBuelow]

Action-Reaction - brilliant! Thank you for that reminder. I always try to look in all directions but can sometimes develop tunnel vision, which limits possibilities. Your point about listening for the photo is also helpful. I know you're talking about it in less controlled environments, but it brings to mind times when I photograph musicians, and in particular, orchestras and conductors. Because I have a strong music background and often know the piece that's being played, I can anticipate when something is going to happen - a dramatic moment, when certain instruments will be featured, when the conductor will turn to cue someone, etc. Even if I'm not familiar with the music, I know enough about how to listen to predict potential photographic moments. It makes my brain super happy to be in those situations, combining sight and sound to create an interesting image. All that to say that it was obvious to me in that context how listening and photography intersected, but I'd not thought about how to apply that outside the concert hall. Now I'm excited to try it out in the wild! Thank you thank you!

[@DebiSenGupta]

You are a fantastic teacher. The concepts come alive when you explain things.

[@abinavonfilm]

I think your videos always come at the right time for me. This is exactly the thing that I had to see right now as I'm getting into street photography and starting to find out that the patient approach of waiting for the right moment is the thing for me.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad you found it helpful :D

[@teacherdude]

Absolutely agree with this, especially with any kind of demo. You need to listen to tune in and focus on where the sound is coming from.

[@willstith1]

This is really great advice. I've found my ears have brought me to so many pics on the street. I will admit that sometimes I do want to throw my ear buds in and listen to a podcast as well. Especially when it's a very slow day.

[@cameronmajed9455]

Thanks for all these great videos you upload. Appreciate a lot all those inspiring pictures you pick and showcase. Really really good Job..

[@wolfgangtoeglhofer1710]

Your KZbin videos re photography are really the best in terms of topic, conveying the messages, timeliness and professionalism. 🙏

[@tduke91]

Great video and advice as always. Keep up the good work

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Glad your enjoying it.

[@GeorgeENorkus]

When you mentioned "listening" while photographing, that reminded me of a day in Portugal when I was on shore leave in the US Navy around 1975. A few children were chanting while jumping rope in the town. That drew my attention where I was fortunate to get a nice shot.

[@johnman5537]

The way you convey your videos, choosing the right words that fit the scenario your describing - you do it so well - thanks for this insightful video. Do you think you would ever do a photo walk and explain some ideas behind your videos? ; )

[@simonclivehughes4240]

Alex, I really enjoyed seeing so much of your photography in this episode! Especially the Apartheid images which powerfully show the bravery and humanity during this shameful period. Please show more of your portfolio from this era! Cheers!

[@drakeb6168]

Admittedly I have fallen to circumstance in missing shots as well due to just not listening. Thank you for the reminder.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

The more I photograph, the more I realise the photography I do involves waiting, not chasing. Landscapes, street, wildlife (not that I do much of that).

[@thomaslee1988]

I've finally seen your wedding pics. They're great, Alex! You give the lie to GBS's famous saying, "those who can, do; those who can't, teach."

[@tedbrown7908]

Just watched an insight into Robert Frank. His wife described him as a Picky Observationist. He observes then picks the subject of his photo out of the mass. This follows my new concept of isolationism. He did it well before my time.

[@Rob.1340]

Thank you. All the best. 👍📷😎

[@rabbidguarddog]

this is an amazing lesson for street photographers and i absolutely loved it, i feel the title of the video betrays the message of the video though. I am a little curious how the title would improve if you said "Stop Using JUST Your Eyes In Street Photography," I only say this because as photographers we frame the world how we see it and our vision is and interpretation of that vision is often unique to only the photographer. Either way thank you so much for this valuable lesson Alex!

[@sharonhaasbroek7464]

Lived in Centurion, near Pretoria at the time. We watched the events at the Union Buildings on tv. On another note, I bought a 50mm 1.8 lens on Sunday and walked the streets of Sydney looking for some street shots. It's true, better to stand in one place and wait for opportunities.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Before I moved to PTA in 3rd year I was living in Randjesfontein. So not far from you

[@doughaug]

Situational awareness may also help prevent being mugged or caught up in any other dangerous postition.

[@daletaylor406]

Alex, I am struck by how basic this is IF you are a decent woodsman. However, even many who spend a lot of time in the woods are not really that good at it. Awareness (both listening and situational), hunting skills (whether with a weapon or a camera) are what you are talking about. Just goes to show how far most of us are from our roots. The lesson might be that spending some time chasing wildlife (without a tour guide) might be an excellent busman's holiday for street photographers.

[@caryrules]

Right on! Don't forget your ears will also keep you out of trouble if you're in a crowded rally or protest. Follow your gut!

[@benjones8977]

You should check out this guy named Jon Leach in Seattle at flickr. He’s knocking it out of the park!

[@user-kj3ch3ke8m]

An ignorant question: how would Titarenk have captured that astonishing image at 6.15? The ghostly crowds using that stairway - is that multiple exposure, time lapse? Love to know if anyone can tell me!

[@juliusbergh]

It reminds me of the idea that when a beautiful girl gets on a bus, everyone looks at her but the keen eye looks at everybody.

[@oneeyedphotographer]

I went down to the beach yesterday, Surfer's Point in particular. My idea was to try my S1R's high resolution mode shooting water. I hoped for blue skies, turquoise water. Travel sort of landscapes. Instead I had a very dim looking cloud-covered sky, so I pointed my camera in the general direction of Africa, concentrated on getting the technical stuff right, and click clicked away. I was so busy clicking away that it wasn't until I got back to Tin Can and spots of rain started landing on me that I realised I was photographing a rain cloud. The results were epic, at 3:30 I even had a touch of colour in the shots. I did a bit of ICM too, for good measure. I knocked off soon after, it was getting gloomy and I no longer drive at night.

[@fredericofrancisco]

Can please someone tell me what is it that he’s says right at the beginning? This is like the 10th video I watch and I can’t understand.

[@ThePhotographicEye]

Howzit Howzit 😉

[@arnojunior1948]

Noise (on the street) is in my unconscious. Even if I don't have a camera with me.

[@ekevanderzee9538]

Luck favours the prepared. F4 and be there.

[@thokozanihlatshwayo5328]

Lol, a crowd of warriors... i tink it was ordinary guys dressed in zulu traditional attire, we would call them amabutho, which is basically zulu soldiers...