Reader's Comments - Index of - Free

Street Photography
clearly NOT careful, but clumsey and very full on. Perfect balance of interior exterior levels reduces the
sense of divide, it looks unnatural.
'Street photography' is not my thing, I agree completely with the sentiments expressed that it can be very
intrusive and unwelcome without obtaining permission from the subjects. Law is not the issue here, its
just basic manners.
-- Tony Brown, June 21, 2004
Speaking of equipment. I am a bit surprised nobody mentioned Digicams with swivel LCD viewfinders -
Canon Gs and the likes. They make nearly perfect weapons for street shooting. You just keep your
camera at the waist level and frame your shot without even looking in your subjects direction. In most
cases you can stay next to your "victim" without drawing attention to what you are doing. Here is a few
candids I shot this way to kill lunch time http://www.pbase.com/tratov/strangers
-- Alex Tratov, October 8, 2004
The most enjoyable lens I own is my 12mm-24mm Aspherical. This is a non distorting fish-eye that
allows me to get in close---up close and personal - for real! - If I shoot even three feet away from the
subject, the punch is gone. Standing about 12 inches from this London lady added to the personal
contact feeling for both of us. She enjoyed the attention and conversation as much as me. I did ask first
if may shoot. I usually do. Her sincerity and comfort was easy to capture this way. But, would have
never been possible with a long lens. I suggest a short lens and a large smile to shoot with on the street
whenever possible. I would also recommend aiming for cohesive messages if only simple ones to
illustrate emotions or a state of being like; joy, despair, courage, love, humor, etc. See: blind leading the
blind, for example. I find that a smile and a clear heart goes a long way to get invitations into other
peoples lives. Even if only for a few moments in the continuing 'special world' of travel.
- Cheers and good luck on the street - Lee McLaughlin
Image:blind leading.jpg
-- Lee McLaughlin, October 29, 2004
Here is a sample of the close-up London Lady. Taken with 12mm lens in London August 2004. - Lee
Mclaughlin
Image:london grin.jpg
-- Lee McLaughlin, October 29, 2004
I have read all the comments re - street photography. Some were quite harsh, while others were
http://www.photo.net/photo/street-photography (23 of 31)7/3/2005 2:18:44 AM