Why Street Photography Is Hard, But Addictive...

[@coffeecuparcade]

I thought the blurred 1st "mistake photo" of the guy giving you the peace sign was epic. It shows motion and life moving, which is in context for where you are. The fact that a nice gesture is distorted in the image might align with the world as it is today. The image spoke to me, so it's not a fail at all, it's a massive success! I love your videos, I even learned about MPB from you and bought 5 cameras and a few lenses already from them, cheers for that as well!

[@TomCalton]

Ahhh thanks! I'm glad you liked the image anyway. I guess when you have an idea in your head and it isn't executed the way you want, it ultimately feels like a failure. But I suppose you're right, maybe this was a happy accident rather than a fail? Glad you like the videos and glad you've found MPB helpful! I use them all the time - such a great service!

[@coffeecuparcade]

@@TomCalton They really are. All of the gear has been exactly how they said it was. I'm very happy so thank you Tom. Also, I quite enjoyed all of the photos you shot that day. Well done!

[@Heart0rHead]

The guy giving the sign just auto censored himself. That's kind of him.

[@OnurCemAltun]

This is much better than gear reviews. Street photography seems easy but tricky to master.

[@TomCalton]

Thanks! It was a lot of fun to shoot too, so if everyone enjoys this type of content I'll certainly create more.

[@slowcyclist4324]

12:10 possibly my favourite image of the bunch. That strong contrast in colour and numbers really stood out

[@bubiorbi9818]

really awesome video concept. love hearing what different photographers think about when taking picutres and what they judge then on

[@TomCalton]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it. If more people enjoy this type of content I'd happily make more of it as I found it super fun to make. 😊

[@wwjjss33]

My top 10 favorites (with my names for them), in the order that they appeared are: 1) Bus Driver 2) Man In Tube Doorway 3) BMX 4) Prowl 5) Rent This Space 6) 180 Mirror Flip 7) The Girl In White 8) Carts & Chains 9) Kings Cross Face Time 10) Shaft Of Light Thank You for this video, Tom I consider that a great day! As a fellow street photographer you inspire me to just take a deep breath & try to make my own street montage to upload I love snapshot montage videos & I enjoyed yours immensely a) Because I ❤ London &, b) Because you explain your thought process, which is fascinating Be Well 🙏🏼 Keep Creating 👍

[@TomCalton]

Thanks for the comment! Interesting to see your own top 10 and I'm really glad you enjoyed the video. You should definitely have a go at making your own montage 💪🏻

[@BlueberryFennec]

This was interesting to watch, thanks for walking us through your thoughts as you took the shots and illustrating them with arrows.

[@TomCalton]

My pleasure! I'm really happy to hear you found it useful. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment, it really is appreciated

[@kwak_tissue]

7:13 Best portrait shot I've EVER seen 🔥🔥🔥

[@cdelrioc]

A day with a video from Tom is always a good day. You made me miss my M8 btw.

[@TomCalton]

You're too kind! Comments like this make my day too ☺️

[@neeravnaik]

Great shots! Nothing more satisfying than a full day of interesting street photography in the city. Moment like that with the bearded guy can make the whole day

[@TomCalton]

Thanks! And I couldn't agree more 👌🏻

[@benejpocock]

Great video Tom. Goes to show that street is trickier than a lot of people think. I also like your honesty in showing us the initial captures vs the cropped/edited finals, and also admitting that you were a bit meh with some of them. A lot of channels only show the best of the best and go on as if they went out for the day, shot 20 photos and they were all epic - it’s refreshing to see the whole picture (pun intended!).

[@TomCalton]

Thanks for the feedback - I'm really happy to hear that you found it enjoyable! Much appreciated 😊

[@kairoldancreations]

I loved the two men kissing and the photo before that juxtaposed against the women models. To me, it really speaks to society’s obsession with gender roles and expectations for men’s sexualities. I think those two photos are a pair and shouldn’t be separated because the message is more powerful together. I teared up that you shared it and the photo moved me.

[@TomCalton]

I didn't actually think of them as a pair of images, but now you've mentioned it, I think you're absolutely right. Thanks for the thought provoking comment and I'm glad you liked the images 😊

[@ling2186]

I gasped when he showed that photo. I wasn't expecting that at all. From their appearance I thought they were just biker friends or something but damn. Love comes in all shapes and sizes it seems.

[@WimRijksen]

Definitely the lady in the white dress! I like this, it gave me some more insight into street photography which is completely new to me.

[@TomCalton]

Thanks for your comment and glad you found the video interesting 😊

[@Heart0rHead]

Wonder if you managed to bring down the shutter speed as she was standing motionless I hope, the crowd would come out little blurry as wave on the sea.

[@jamesloop]

Wow this was such a great video. Love the analysis. Very inspiring.

[@TomCalton]

Thank you, good you enjoyed it! Thanks for the comment 🙂

[@discolegend2000]

Really refreshing video, enjoyed seeing your creative process at work. Nice one.

[@TomCalton]

Thank you for the feedback! Glad you enjoyed it 😁

[@MovieM8ker]

I liked the partially closed subway door framed man, and the rent this space the most. I really enjoy the moments of opportunity that convey a broader idea, ie the homelessness in front of available real estate. And I really enjoyed the spontaneity and composition of the subway shot. Your video was great as well. Not allot of fluff, strait to the photos with thought out reasons and explanations of what you were going for. And embracing your wins and losses. Good job.

[@TomCalton]

Thank you! Appreciate the feedback and glad you enjoyed the video ☺️

[@shyamalganguly3598]

Your commentary says it all and I liked the jap horror movie replication the most because of the framing of the lone figure against a backdrop of walking people beyond frame which the girl was engaged in with her phone! The contrast in the mood of the two men and the the two women mocking the men are excellent and not to talk about the rare composition of two females having their food sitting on the road with the fence at their back, incredible! Most incredible is the performance of the lens you generated by a slow lens!

[@TomCalton]

Thank you - I'm really glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for the comment!

[@conororeilly1908]

Thanks for taking the time to post this - it was excellent.

[@TomCalton]

Thank you for taking the time to comment! It's very much appreciated😊

[@Meowwentthedino]

Love the first one on the escalator, same with the two you chose, that woman outside the exit was perfect timing, and the face on the advert was super dope, it's a juxtaposition that speaks to me like everyone's ignoring advertising but advertising is alwasy focused on you! But odly enough I do really like the last b&w pic you took outside the station it's got a charm to it!

[@TomCalton]

Thanks! Always interesting to hear which shots other people like the most 😊

[@bempartington4299]

Long live Tom Calton!

[@TomCalton]

Did my mother put you up to this?

[@tdliskey4688]

Street photography serendipity is the best

[@TomCalton]

Agreed!

[@aguifoto]

Nice video, I like how you explain your intentions in your photos. Greetings from Barcelona

[@TomCalton]

Hola amigo 👋🏻 Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video 😊

[@yogasukmap]

crazy to think Tom feel need to introduce Mr. Bean.. :D

[@TomCalton]

I mean, I never like to assume everyone understands these kinds of references as I have people watching from all over the globe 😊

[@ChrisBrogan]

Oh, those two guys kissing was so unexpected! How fun. I didn't expect that, with their faces in the first pic of them. And you "no cropping" rulebreaker, you.

[@TomCalton]

Took me by surprise too! And yes, I know, bad Tom 😅

[@loti4343]

This video is so much fun would love to see more of this from you! Just going around city taking pictures is really fun, shame that my countries is not very friendly for walking haha so I can't take pictures freely

[@TomCalton]

Thanks! I definitely want to make more of this type of video. Hopefully the views will get better as this one didn't perform too well, which is a shame.

[@loti4343]

@@TomCalton man thats such a shame but yeah maybe abit of suggestions try more of a vlogging format? maybe people will like it more than the voice over stuff

[@pietro-viecelli]

The guy in the tube as the door is shutting was my favourite

[@TomCalton]

Thanks! What makes it your favourite out of interest?

[@pietro-viecelli]

There's an interesting mood to it, reminds me of a scene of a movie.. Like there's a story about to be told

[@nickwilson2318]

fun vid. Love analysis vids

[@nickwilson2318]

a few good ones in there too!

[@nickwilson2318]

your favs were also my faves. Not just being a copy cat, I think they're clearly the strongest. Strong subject, eye catching, good light, sharp, etc

[@TomCalton]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed the video!

[@eortizfoto]

Lovely video!!! You’re one of the few YTers I actually enjoy watching gear reviews. As advice, I think you’re jumping from bnw to colour without a proper idea. I suggest you to either chose one, or leave the photos in the scheme you took them from their inception. This will help you to either “think” in colour or bnw respectively instead of just randomly chose on editing.

[@TomCalton]

Thanks, I appreciate the comment.

[@eortizfoto]

@@TomCalton sure, keep the great content coming

[@larryryan6003]

Thanks for sharing!

[@TomCalton]

Thanks for watching and commenting 🙂

[@TheNewArtSchool]

This is a great video with some impressive photos. Why did you take such a lens? Really limiting. There are also signs of some terrible distortion from that lens.

[@TomCalton]

Thank you! I picked that lens precisely because of the limitations. Plus it's small, lightweight (kinda) and I'm a big fan of the 35mm focal length, which is what this roughly equates to on the Leica M8's APS-H sized sensor. Hope this helps!

[@doeBree]

big up prowler

[@TomCalton]

🐶woof

[@patrick8035]

Capturing centaurs *sigh* so cliche 🤣 😝 glad you broke the no cropping rule…rules are good for improving, but in the end it’s better to do what you need to for the photos to really shine. Found your channel for the gear reviews, but cool that you’re doing street POVs too - hope you keep it going !

[@TomCalton]

Haha, thanks! I think you're right. Nothing wrong with breaking the rules now and then if it means the end result is better for it 😊

[@GamachePhoto]

Nice video, interesting shots! Can I ask what lens hood you have on the 28mm f5.6 ?

[@TomCalton]

Thank you, appreciate you taking the time to leave a nice comment! It's just the hood that comes with it in the box funnily enough 😊

[@GamachePhoto]

Oh really, thanks for the info. I have the silver version and mine only had the huge rectangular brass hood.

[@snappy8k]

Do you use any neck or wrist wraps?

[@TomCalton]

I have a vintage-looking wrist strap which was a cheap Amazon purchase and that lives full time on my Leica M8. But for all my other cameras I use the PGYTECH wrist and shoulder straps with the quick release system. I absolutely love them!

[@at-tn]

i am looking to buy an a6700 with the viltrox 56 mm f1.7 or canon r8 with canon 50mm f1.8 which one would you reccomend

[@Heart0rHead]

For RF you have a pancake 28 f2.8 but that's a wide view.

[@MandrakeCigars]

IMO, The original photos of the images you cropped are better than the cropped version. Street photography is much more than getting a specific type of composition. Stick to your own rule of no cropping. Of course if you can find a way to get closer than do so.

[@cryptobyt2403]

Street very difficult if there is no hobby events. So difficult that most of my street are using fm2n/fg with milvus 35

[@TomCalton]

You're absolutely right. It's a subject that seems simple, but can be hard to execute. I've not been shooting street for long so I'm still learning. But I find it super fun

[@cryptobyt2403]

@@TomCalton for me i still cant use my nikon z6-2 for street. Expensive duh.

[@Burrgundy]

6:05 TAYLOR MERCH

[@deanisplemoni]

I feel like the lens is just way too wide for most of the reasons you were struggling. You want to isolate subjects. You want to capture off cuff moments from a distance without startling the wildlife. Sigma 200-500mm 2.8 it is!

[@TomCalton]

I was struggling mainly due to low confidence. It takes time to get warmed up and have the balls to shoot up close to people. Personally, I prefer the more candid look a 35mm equivalent gives. Longer lenses tend to make the photo about an individual and not the scene as a whole. But of course, it's very much each to their own and dependent on the style you're looking to capture, right? 😊

[@deanisplemoni]

@@TomCalton 100% agree! More just joking with your previous 200-500mm 2.8 video But agree with other comments. More of this content would be amazing to see! Love the escalator shot!

[@sphaera3809]

Ditch the old Leica, that camera design doesn’t work well anymore. The world is much faster now. What you want is a small full frame camera with a fast AF. So all you need to do is look for that moment. Shoot without looking in the viewfinder and get closer to your subjects.

[@TomCalton]

I chose to shoot with the M8 for exactly the reasons you highlighted. I didn't want the experience to be as easy as possible - I wanted it to be a challenge so that I can force myself out of my comfort zone and hopefully improve my confidence and technical ability, rather than hiding behind the camera. I own plenty of cameras that have lightning fast AF and flip out screens, but going back to basics with this M8 is what I find most fun (for me personally), and I think that's what matters the most.

[@yeohi]

I always advise painters to paint blindfolded. Leica street shooters like to use MF.

[@m3photo726]

12:32

[@Invincibleagent]

Er... you sure he was giving you a peace sign m8? Haha Also, damn, I'd forgotten how dirty some bits of London are

[@TomCalton]

Haha! When he raised his hand, I did think for a second it might have been a different hand gesture 😅

[@johnyoung1606]

TOM :) ThankYou for telling Me what to look at n why the photos had (even a minute bit of) Merit !!!!! WTF!!!!! "DO NOT QUIT, YOUR DAY JOB" This is the most LAME "STREET PHOTOS" EVER :( :( :( I Normally Really Enjoy Your Vids ,,,, Luv ya man (Not like the 2 bearded Guys) :) :) :)

[@yeohi]

It's not realistic for any photographer to expect to get a great shot on a single day's stroll around the streets. Here, I don't know how your best shots of this day compare with your past shots. I think you maybe tried too hard to find a reason to judge a photo as a success -- reaching (at a stretch) for juxtapositions that are really not strong or interesting. So I would agree with the poster who says they are boring. I hope you are more fortunate on other days to come across more interesting scenes and are able to compose the shot with good lighting and capture a compelling moment.

[@harryp6312]

Trying not to be a troll but. I would have formatted that card mate.

[@TomCalton]

If you "don't want to be a troll", why not offer some creative criticism? Rather than just a throw away negative comment? If you hate all the images I took, that's absolutely fine, but it would genuinely be interesting to hear why you don't like them. That could be beneficial, not only to myself but others too. Or even provide links to your own work so we can see how you like to shoot?

[@harryp6312]

@@TomCalton Ohh Touchy. Boo hoo. To Clarify then. Tiny tears they were all amateurish and boring. My advice stick to gear reviews. Also if you can't take critique perhaps having a channel isn't the right avenue for you?

[@TomCalton]

​​@@harryp6312Re-read my reply bud. All I suggested was that you try offering a constructive response. Weird you've gotten so triggered by such a tame response. And I'M the touchy one, eh? 🤣 So, what do you say? Are we going to see some of your own photos now or not?

[@harryp6312]

@@TomCalton Three weeks after the mildest of criticism And emigrating to Canada you are still crying salty tears. This says rather a lot about your Ego and Emotional maturity young man. Move on, let it go. Grow up, enjoy your new start in life with your family and try your hardest not to act like a cry baby in public. It will diminish you in the eyes of your loved ones. Now please drop the issue and go away.

[@lem_]

12:24