Why I Love 35mm for Street Photography (and Photobooks: Joel Meyerowitz, Matt Stuart & Alex Webb)

Josh talks about using a 35mm lens for street photography and looks at some photobooks for inspiration from Joel Meyerowitz, Alex Webb and Matt Stuart
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#StreetPhotography #35mm #LeicaM10

[@albertsmith9315]

One neat trick with 35mm, that aids in quick from the hip compositions... The distance from the subject is equal to the edge-to-edge capture on the long side of the frame when holding camera horizontal (landscape). If you are 10 feet from a wall, you will capture 10 feet of that wall. Once you learn this, you can walk around and estimate the framing pretty accurately before you lift the camera to your eye... or without bringing it up to view at all with a zone focused lens. FWIW... the 24mm behaves exactly the same when holding camera vertically (portrait mode). I like the 24mm in crowds and generally shoot close in vertically.

[@westontennyson8520]

This is legitimately the most helpful comment I’ve ever seen.

[@catmonkey6826]

@@westontennyson8520 Gotta agree man

[@blubblab4238]

@@westontennyson8520 yep, thanks albert

[@StuartWeir]

What an incredible comment.

[@roshclicks1565]

🤯

[@Thunderbolts81]

Really like the mixture of you talking about the lens followed by a look at some photography books that demonstrate examples.

[@frame-lines]

Glad to hear it, thanks for watching 🙌

[@thaisonhorn]

Just as you like to watch Joel’s videos, I find myself watching your videos before going out too. Thanks for putting yourself out there, I appreciate it very much.

[@Liverpoolinfo]

Hi Josh, thank you so much for heads up about Matt's book, I also found another book I've been looking for years coming out

[@iihciw4814]

Thank you! This is amazing and inspiring video.

[@Chapter6]

Amazing shots! love it

[@rashikgmc9141]

Splendid video! 🙌🏼 Totally agree on Joel Meyerowitz, I watch his interviews and videos whenever I feel the lack of motivation and creativity, he is just so inspiring. Indeed 35mm is a good starting point especially for learning.

[@frame-lines]

Nice one - glad to hear, thank you very much for watching

[@snapsbyfox]

always love these uploads 👌

[@frame-lines]

Nice one Roman

[@gerryphilpott9766]

Great video, glad I found you guys. I was convinced I needed the 50mm after Shane (I'm from U.S. from Irish descent so I was partial of course), but then I saw this one and I think it put me over the top. I can only afford one lens with the M11 I ordered and I believe this will be it. I also really appreciate the discussions on why the 35 works and Shane's 50, but when you add the segment about the photographers and the books that influenced you rounds it all out and makes it more accessible. Not just a talking head promoting gear in the links below. Prime Time - love it. Thanks!!

[@lloydhunt8343]

Great video again, thank you. Im just starting out on the street with 35mm (xf23mmf2) and love it, lots to see and learn.

[@frame-lines]

Nice one Lloyd - thank you for watching

[@sandroenriquez]

You are a very good photographer!!! Most of the YT street photographers I watch just make pictures of a street with some people walking there, but most of them are senseless, showing no emotion, contrasting tones, geometrical lines like all of HCB pictures. Regards from Peru.

[@islandbyfilm]

Such a great video. So inspirational

[@frame-lines]

Nice one thanks ❤️😬

[@missionstudios7296]

Very informative as always!

[@frame-lines]

Much appreciated ❤️

[@abchappell01]

This was quite a refreshing presentation!

[@frame-lines]

Cheers !

[@3jukensei595]

i'm japanese high school student. I found you on Instagram. I like your photo very much!!

[@scopicdrive3942]

Really like this kind of video! Really interesting and inspiring! Good job 👏

[@frame-lines]

really great to hear, thank you for watching

[@JoeLopez]

Great video! Thank you for sharing

[@frame-lines]

Cheers for watching Joe ❤️🙌

[@catmonkey6826]

Ahh man, love this. A British channel that feels right. Great pointers.

[@frame-lines]

Ha cheers !

[@KirilVarbanov]

I'm certainly going to try the 35mm soon, even though I come from 50mm, which is a bit easier if you want to be away from the subject and good for details. But the 35mm gives a natural look, as you said, that's almost the focal length of human eyes, so love it.

[@azchamone]

Lovely stuff Josh. Found myself defaulting to 35mm over 50mm recently, definitely becoming a favourite

[@frame-lines]

Nice one Az - thanks for watching

[@mrlingzf]

Yeah, it's so amazing by 35mm lens.

[@setantabooks3629]

Brilliant video, brilliant books!📚

[@frame-lines]

Cheers!!

[@RYANPARKPHOTOGRAPHY]

Thanks for another video. this is my weekly inspiration as street photo newbie!

[@frame-lines]

So nice to hear thanks Ryan

[@RYANPARKPHOTOGRAPHY]

@@frame-lines thanks for the great inspiration again!

[@milesmatic2872]

Awesome stuff, learning a lot from you!

[@frame-lines]

Hugely appreciated - thanks for watching

[@hertsman5]

I use a Nikon 24mm F2.8 ai-s on my Nikon D7000 and so it gives me 36mm - I really like this focal length for street photography....

[@wylie_photo]

35mm is my go to lens nowadays, I used to use 50mm a lot but the ability to layer and create a sense of space between elements in the scene - as opposed to compression - is one of the things that draws me to this focal length. Like you, I also like 28mm - particularly in London - but I sadly I sold that one a little while ago.

[@frame-lines]

Nice one Mark, yes my 28mm isn’t getting a huge amount of use these days ..! Thanks for watching

[@AntMcLean]

Joel is a great inspiration, nice video really enjoyed this

[@frame-lines]

Nice one Ant - thanks for watching

[@indrakarma]

thanks for making me craving on those books, hahaha...

[@gerikmd]

great content

[@Stacedelinc]

Hey guys. Just getting into street photography and was recommended this channel by a friend. Really enjoy what you are doing. You've probably had this question before (I didn't have time to scroll through 92 comments haha) but wondered if either of you shoot 85mm and whether there will be a video on this particular lens at all. Sorry if I'm making you repeat yourself 🤦🏻‍♂️🤦🏻‍♂️

[@ginaherold]

Great video! I feel the same way about Alex Webb’s work. Simultaneously inspired, but also wanting to throw my camera out the window :)

[@frame-lines]

Aha exactly ! Cheers Gina 🙌

[@konmorse]

Great video Josh. I'm also a 35mm shooter but have recently started exploring 28mm and 50mm. Would to see a video on how you do zone focusing using the 28mm and 35mm.

[@frame-lines]

nice one Ken, something I can definitely look at making for sure!

[@Tudor_Mateescu]

Really loved your 35mm photos! I think that are quite better then the zoom ones or 28mm. I don't know but it feels that you've worked the composition very seriously. Congratulations for the video and arguments for the 35mm. Totally agree. You've opened my appetite for 35mm !

[@frame-lines]

Nice one ! Thanks for watching

[@josephmontez879]

Great video dude

[@frame-lines]

Cheers ❤️🙌

[@trevinblount7746]

I just got your book delivered today, Josh! I was surprised that Setanta got it sent to Taiwan in a week.

[@frame-lines]

Aha amazing thank you so much ! Hope you like it ❤️🙌

[@timothychan7419]

Awesome video. Would love more content on 50mm lens. Maybe making the most of a 50mm lens?

[@frame-lines]

Yes we can do a more in depth video on 50mm for sure..!

[@checkmybadself]

Yes more prime time please! The “trifecta” I’m a bit more familiar with but how about something …. Wider? Like a 24mm? 21mm? I’m not sure how wide Gilden shoots at but I think the more recent Suzanne Stein uses 24mm equiv. Must have to get so close!

[@frame-lines]

Oh yes love the idea of 24mm. We will definitely make one on 85mm also, probably talking about Frank Horvat. Cheers pal

[@alwinbenjamin]

👏🏻

[@vanzetti7]

Thanks man, I love 85mm and zoom lenses. I'm trying to get more into understanding how to use wider lenses and this was very helpful. Orson Welles said the worse you are as a filmmaker the closer you get to the actor. 'It's the long shots that seperate the men from the boys' and then proceeded to talk about how John Ford would only go close if he had too.

[@frame-lines]

A disgruntled film crew member once asked John Ford 'What is there to shoot out here in the desert but sand and rocks?!' Ford replied: ‘What can we shoot? The most interesting and exciting thing in the whole world. The human face.’” -Shane

[@vanzetti7]

@@frame-lines the audio commentary for The Searchers and the Man Who Shot Liberty Valance by Peter Bogdanovich is really good. He talks about how John Ford would only shoot what was needed so the studio couldn’t edit it another way. There’s a good doco that’s hard to find by Peter Bogdanovich on Ford featuring Spielberg, Lucas and Eastwood etc talking about his really precise staging and composition. But yeah he was from the silent era and would only ever use a close up to emphasize something otherwise he would hold a scene for as long as possible in a long shot or medium long shot.

[@WesleyVerhoevePhotography]

Fantastic video as always! Up next 85mm pls. Very much agreed with the 35mm preference (though I love 50 too). The entirety of Notice was shot with 35mm or 35mm equivalent lenses.

[@frame-lines]

Nice one Wesley, thank you as always 🙌

[@kingbalou5731]

how do we get this old school/ documentary photo effect ?

[@craigcompoliphotography1235]

Great video. I really love the colors in your photos. Just brilliant. Please do a video on your editing style!

[@frame-lines]

Cheers Craig, I run editing workshops - they are sold out for now but I’m adding more dates soon.

[@beatleswerecrap]

Definitely interested in some thoughts about longer tele lenses for the sort of work you guys do. Do love a 35mm tho!

[@frame-lines]

Tele videos on the way !❤️🙌

[@orsinijeanjerome854]

Very good 😊👌🫶

[@user-lp9dc8cx6o]

Thank u for video. Nice shirt! What the brand is it?

[@gurugamer8632]

Hi, hope you can give me some help please. I have brand new films not expired all 35mm - Portra 400, Portra 160 and Fujicolour Pro 400H, Kodak Tri-X 400 - which ISO gives the most pleasing results for each of these films? Will be using with Leica M6.

[@baladino]

Thank you for this video. In the midst of blazing pandemic losses where I’m at this was wonderful. May I ask Josh which Leica 35mm lens is in this video ? The Summicron Asph 35mm ? Is that an M6 ? Thanks for squeezing in mini book reviews too !

[@ethanp600]

Leica M10 with Summicron 35 F2 probably mark iv

[@frame-lines]

Mark vi or vii I think , not entirely sure 🤷🏻‍♂️

[@jasongold6751]

I use the 35mm a lot! I prefer look of 50mm, but there are a lotmore people than when HCB was jauntily snapping! Get closer! Showing a lens and body that's so expensive, is not fair. I defy anyone to see the differences in a cheap SLR with 35mm! Pentax, Minolta, Canon are all OK. Many great photos, more than Leica done ,with those! A RF might be worst sytem to choose! If you fit, Yay! Otherwise a phone is better! Enjoy what you do. Great video, lots to take in. Go see some of those links. Bravo.

[@XavierMinguellaPhotography]

My favourite lenses are 28mm and 50mm, why? Because I was using most of the time a 35mm, because I needed a little bit more wide and a little bit more tele. I know the 35mm it is between both but it is not enough, if I would like a perfect lens I would change the 35mm and the 50mm for a 40mm, so a 28mm + 40mm it could be the perfect combo.

[@stephenericwalsh]

Are you shooting 35mm on the d850? What's your thoughts on the AFD f2 if you have any? Great stuff as always.

[@frame-lines]

I don't have a 35mm for the Nikon but would probably go for that lens, I haven't tried it though.. Cheers Steve

[@stephenericwalsh]

@@frame-lines Many thanks.

[@TomFreer87]

Do you use zone focus with your Leica?

[@frame-lines]

I do indeed! Super straightforward with a 35mm lens.

[@philt_uk]

What about a 40mm? The Goldilocks lens! I’ve been shooting recently with the Fujifilm 27mm (40mm eq) and it’s fantastic. Has barely come off my camera.

[@frame-lines]

Never really got on with 40mm but keen to give it a try! Cheers Phil

[@sandroenriquez]

I also had the same question. I have the same lens and it's great. You can keep your camera in your pocket anywhere and shoot from your hip. I am trying the same with a roll film Olympus 35 RC 42 mm. The film B/W tones, grain, texture and contrasts cannot be reproduced in a digital camera.

[@photodan88]

I didn’t quite see which camera you was using there, could you go back and do some close ups 😂 Only messing Josh, Great video mate! Those three are huge influences on my work also, particularly Webb for layering.

[@frame-lines]

Aha cheers Dan, it’s a Leica M10? Someone told me you used one but I said no I don’t think so, Dan has never mentioned it before 😉

[@photodan88]

@@frame-lines 🤷🏼‍♂️😂

[@captaindebug]

I know that red bridge - it must be Shugborough! - I may sound over excited but I've never seen some where I know in a youtube vid before - unless it was a famous landmark.

[@frame-lines]

Aha good spot Roger ❤️🙌

[@RandomWalker1995]

Now seeing ur leica again , i must say you probably shouldnt sell it to only have d850! keep them both , you are a pro street photographer , and perform on a great level, and the m10 suits you

[@frame-lines]

I can’t afford any other lenses for the m10 so I like having both , primarily for changing up focal lengths ..! ❤️🙌

[@morna45]

I'm really very confused. Sorry, Josh. Do you mean the 23-23mm lens which converts to a 35mm lens or do you mean a 35mm lens which turns into a 50-55mm lens?

[@frame-lines]

Hi Cat, I’m talking about the 35mm focal length ; so a 35mm lens on a full frame camera or a 23mm lens on an APSC camera like Fujifilm. Cheers, Josh

[@obzockyphotography7682]

I prefer 35 prime ….it teaches distance and observation and able to work street portraits and landscapes for me….one camera one lens

[@marconataloni9485]

Next video 85mm?

[@frame-lines]

At some point for sure!

[@wildechap]

Here i thought the 35mm in the title was for 35mm film lol

[@zakahossain7147]

Ngl I thought 35mm film at first 😅

[@simossosias3727]

The 35 is for beginners who are not experienced enough to deal with the 28 and 50, the only lenses worth having for documentary photography.

[@robertbosson5223]

Meyerowitz has always underwhelmed me imho he used his connections to get noticed and is very eloquent but he attempts to intellectualise street above its station.

[@tonycook1532]

His connections didn’t take the photos