This is why I learned to shoot street photography from the hip...

In this week's video we take a look at one of Jeff's favourite images from a recent trip to Oxford and why shooting from the hip is so important to his style of street photography.
If you aren't familiar with the term, it's basically shooting without looking through the viewfinder, usually from a low camera angle. Some folks can get a little hot under the collar about the technique but Josef Koudelka, Fred Herzog, Raymond Depardon, Daniel Arnold, and many others have all used this way of shooting to great effect.
All of the images in the video were edited with Jeff's SilverChrome pack for Lightroom. Link below.
Thanks for watching and we will see you on the next one.
SilverChrome: jeffascough.com/silverchrome
Instagram: / walklikealice

[@fiizzy3884]

Catching the little girl tripping was an advert for shooting from the hip if ever there was one. Great shot.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you

[@tshering-2024]

I have always been scared to point and shoot at the subject directly and I think it’s best shoot from the hip level. Thanks for the idea.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

🙏

[@DevilishSevenNine]

Lovely shot of man and also the fast reaction you had capturing the girl. I've subscribed immediately!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you 🙏🙏

[@mikesmithwick1570]

Great video, shooting from the hip transformed my street photography when I first started using it years ago, and with practise and using modern tilting screens, framing becomes much easier too........my technique also includes having the camera resting on the top of my camera bag slung over my shoulder, and shooting from there, which could also be controversial but which improves my stealth capabilities enormously!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Not sure why it would be controversial. It sounds like a great idea.

[@JoeLopez]

Short sweet and to the point. We done.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you.

[@chrisfetto9400]

I use this method a lot at f4 on 50 and 35 mm lenses, but like any well used techniques you get tired of the same perspective if you don't mix it up.

[@user-wq5yh1vs5c]

Amazing how much difference, the angle made to the 2 images of the gentleman wearing the hat. The first image was fine but the second image worked beautifully.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you. Yes, angles make quite a bit of difference.

[@johnstarkey4959]

Hi Jeff , the subjectivity of all photography genres is a personal thing imo, personally I don’t take many street pics from behind as I think they can be a little boring and lack a story, when I listened to you break the image down it became a little clearer. I’m in lots of groups on facebook where mods have been asking that we need to stop posting images of people’s backs , all subjective imo, it’s all street photography, especially if someone has an interesting style, hat, clothing , body language. Enjoyed the video 🤝

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Photography is subjective and very personal. Nobody has the right to tell others how they should take photographs. Mods on Facebook groups need to take a look at Harry Gruyaert’s work and see how many incredible street images show the backs of people.

[@johnstarkey4959]

@@WalkLikeAlice Absolutely agree, I love Gruyaerts work .

[@brianhinesley]

i understand where they are coming from, i think a lot of people tend to be too timid to photograph the subject head on, but there are moments where seeing the subjects face is not crucial because there is so much more going on around the subject and their style could be the face in this instance :)

[@rolf_siggaard]

Nice one Jeff. Love your work and generous sharing of your approach and reflections. Cheers.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks Rolf

[@anthonymahieu8392]

Great photograph! Always fan of your work and of your videos ! I learned so much because of you! Congrats and thank you! 🙏👍☀️✌️

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks for watching. Really appreciate it 🙏

[@anthonymahieu8392]

@@WalkLikeAlice Look forward to the next one! 👍

[@wearetrackclub]

Really enjoyed hearing your process and reflections! Great shots 👏

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you 🙏

[@philipthomas5602]

Great advice! Beautiful shot.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you

[@martinjn2920]

Ah, Oxford, in my late teens early 20's I spent so many weekends in Oxford eating, drinking and listening to live music in the pubs and clubs, watching the world go by, such a great place to while away a few hours, not been home in many a year, need to revisit at some point. It is a great place to get candid shots and carry out street photography, such a wonderful mix of characters both young and old, and of course they come from all corners of the globe to that vibrant city. Lovely picture.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Great city. One of our favourites too.

[@jeffreyolson2139]

Great shot(s), excellent tips!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you 😊

[@brentmiller3250]

Great shot. I hit subscribe after seeing it, and your short and to-the-point comments. Keep up the great work!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you so much 🙏

[@myoung48281]

Great photos.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you 🙏

[@StarrysLostandFound]

Awesome image!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you!!

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

Cracking photo. To be fair standing at a lofty 5'6" when I shoot from the hip I generally get their ankles. I was shooting photos for a video today of a group of orchard workers some I shot at eye level, some I shot low down, those low shots certainly have more Impact.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

I’m 5’8 and Sarah 5’6. We know your pain 😂

[@paultaylorphotography9499]

haha easier to go unnoticed mate@@WalkLikeAlice

[@phillipgoldsworthy8531]

Superb BW work and use the same approach and techniques myself 👌

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you. Glad you liked it.

[@LASHMAR]

To the point, great little video mate and made me rethink a little the whole shooting from the hip thing. I tend not to do that. The final frame also is a cracker. Bold and confident!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Cheers Gary. BALD and confident is more accurate!!

[@LASHMAR]

@@WalkLikeAlice ha hAAAAAA! 😂

[@patrickjclarke]

Lovely image and because of it, I slapped my 24mm on my OM4 for dinner and a walk and had a blast shooting some tri-x basically at f/8, 3feet and shoot from the hip. Not quite as quiet as my M240, but I do love my Olys.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Good stuff. The OM4 was one of the cameras I learned on at college. Those Olympus film cameras are lovely. I always thought they were better than Nikon.

[@stratocactus]

24mm on my OM-2 is a beast combo :) I started shooting film 2 years ago and already have 5 olys ahahah (I love Maitani designs).

[@patrickjclarke]

@@WalkLikeAlice my first camera in high school was an Olympus my Dad bought me in 1986 or so and I’ve been hooked ever since! I do love my Leica, but my OM’s are right up there!

[@kennyiklei]

Wonderful work! Thank you for sharing. I'm new to photography. Were you using prime lens with zone focusing or pre focus?

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you. Prime with zone focusing for much of what I do.

[@deanbrand3638]

What camera setup and settings focus settings for shooting from the hip to obtain the sharp images and when moving you get here, i have X-E2 with XF27mm, any advice from anyone as well will be great. Great vid by the way.

[@ThePensionerAdventurer]

Hello Jeff, Who on earth would ask if you have a plan when on the streets - lol. Interesting about shooting from the hip. Thank you Take care Paul,,

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks Paul. I think some folks like to have some structure when shooting rather than just winging it like we do.

[@patthompson1253]

Two quick questions. (1) Do you use the tilt screen? Or do you wing it (with your experience of course) (2) Is 16M too wide? I just happen to have one:) Love the VID's and yes I subscribed. Pat

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you. My cameras don’t have tilt screens and as they are CCD cameras, you can’t use the screen to shoot with. 16mm is ok. Think of all those James Nachtwey images from the 90s. You will get a lot of distortion though.

[@ArtMalefactor]

Nice one. Is 1/500 always enough for such a rapid shooting style?

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Depends on a couple of things. The main one being focal length. For a 21/28, 500th sec is fine. However, if you have a large MP sensor, then I would recommend maybe 1000th just to be sure.

[@RogerKeith74]

Since it appears that you do not stop walking, you are in motion, what shutter speed do you use to stop the action and acquire a sharp image? thanks

[@sexysilversurfer]

1/500th

[@WalkLikeAlice]

I had this question come up earlier in the comments. 500th sec.

[@RogerKeith74]

1/500 seems reasonable but at the speed you are walking I was guessing 1/1000 PS i love your work. Both of you. :)@@sexysilversurfer

[@stanb.5261]

You're extremely competent at shooting from the hip, able to create very dynamic images full of energy and compositional elements- and yet choose your most static, low energy, non happening shot as your image of the week. You also could have taken your time on this one to further compose/work as you'd like, and chose not to- not that I think it would've done better. Just my 2 FWIW; do enjoy your work... Best.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

I like it. There is something very English about this image and if you have ever been to Oxford, you will see scenes like this everyday. For me, street photography has to be about the place, the people and the mood. Not just about energy and composition. This shot sums up the mood of the day in this part of the city. Which is why I like it. As for taking my time. As I explained in the video, that’s not how I shoot. I’m reactive. I don’t stand still. That’s my style. But regardless of that, there were people walking behind me and coming towards me so it’s debatable if I could have spent any time on the shot, and if indeed the shot would have been any better. 🙂

[@BSF111]

Looks like he stuck his head in a hole in the wall. Love your videos....straight to the point!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thank you.

[@markwalch702]

Yeah I shoot from my chest and turn the camera to the subject as I am 6'4 also I find this way of shooting most people don't think I am taking the images. Zone focus or hypfocus work for me. I relate to your photography cheers 🎈📷

[@brianhinesley]

while i do hate shooting from the hip, i can understand the merits of it. I agree that it is a much better shot then the first :) I will say that unless i have the viewfinder to my eye or pretty damn close the subject will react/change what they are doing hence ruining the shot. that is the beauty now days though of the Eletronic screen so you can have a in between of the hip and the eye, kind of a perfect medium :)

[@ninodjuras]

Do you ever use electronic shutter or only mechanical?

[@WalkLikeAlice]

The Leica only has a mechanical shutter.

[@ninodjuras]

@@WalkLikeAlice aha, got it, thank you 😉

[@WalkLikeAlice]

@@ninodjuras no problem.

[@iaincphotography6051]

You mentioned your Knees, when you fasten your shoe laces do you also think what else can I do whilst down here? I am with you on shooting from the hip, it's good fun, and you got some great shots doing it.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Haha. Sometimes I struggle to bend them enough to be able to tie my shoe laces.

[@bujins123]

The crack is you have no problem bending doon if you drop a £1😅 always look for your videos ,great work great photos.Have a great weekend

[@andrecsaddict]

Hi from Greece.. Rodos Island.. u said July??? Omg ... I see people warm clothed..

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Yeah we had our summer in June!!

[@NatanaelGarcia]

This is RAW Tallent! Lol 😅

[@WalkLikeAlice]

I don’t understand your comment.

[@NatanaelGarcia]

@@WalkLikeAlice you know, raw? Jpeg? Raw also means that something is pure, from nature, without being touched, and shooting from the hip cannot be taught, its a raw Tallent!

[@WalkLikeAlice]

@@NatanaelGarcia thank you

[@roymichaeldeanable]

Leica M Monochrom £3k Plus second-hand Think I will just go my own way

[@WalkLikeAlice]

I’m not sure what your point is. 🤷‍♂️

[@Paul_anderson_creative]

Or.. like me.. use a 7.5mm fisheye on an Olympus..😉

[@jimmason8502]

Shooting from the hip is easier with a camera that has a flip down rear screen. XPro3 rules the streets.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

That’s not what I consider to be shooting from the hip though. You are composing from a low angle and using the screen like a videographer. It’s a valid way of shooting but not for me. I find it just too slow and conspicuous.

[@mp_martin]

Just not a fan of wide angle distortion. I prefer the focal length not be the primary visual characteristic of a shot - long or short.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Personally, I like the lens to add something to a shot. Like Lubeski when he was shooting The Revenant. Jeanloup Sieff when he was shooting fashion. The street photos of Klein, Depardon, Moriyama. The conflict photographs of McCullin, Nachtwey, Pellegrin, Kratochvil. But you know what they say about opinions…😉

[@LASHMAR]

Right … and? Sorry I was reading this comment and I’m confused. What is your point?

[@alistaircruickshank7282]

It's a little difficult to work out why you chose this particular photo as your best for the week. In reality, it's a picture of the back of a boring bloke in drab clothes in an unknown place, slightly mitigate by the oddities of a short focal length lens. I thought all the others in the series were of greater merit. On the other hand I sold my Leica in 1958. It used to go off like a cannon to the alarm of the natives making your style of steet work almost impossible.

[@WalkLikeAlice]

Thanks for your comment. I don’t know why you felt compelled to make it. But there you go.