Shooting street performers

[pasoviennese]

I was walking around the city this evening with my camera, planning to catch some cityscape shots just as the sun sets. However this street perfomer (guitarist + vocalist) really caught my attention, and the attention of 50+ other people. Everyone was snapping away with their compact camera, but I feel a bit shy about pointing my 300mm lens at her. Eventually I did take a few shots, and they turned out to be alright. I found her fan site on Facebook and uploaded some photos. She's the administrater, and soon or later she'll see those photos. I was happy with the shots, hope she will be too.

So the question is, what is your take on pointing your dSLR and telephoto lens at street performers.

[Preacherman]

There's no shot on your post. Could you retry? Sounds like a fascinating shot.

[kencaleno]

Sorry but big dslr and 300mm lens, a "no-no" for street photography-a 50mm (max) lens will put you in the picture,as you need to get close for intimate shots-a long telephoto zoom,will compact elements of the image and will be too noticeable(People will avoid you, like the plague)- For street photography I use a simple point and shoot.Ken

[BryanC]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

Sorry but big dslr and 300mm lens, a "no-no" for street photography-a 50mm (max) lens will put you in the picture,as you need to get close for intimate shots-a long telephoto zoom,will compact elements of the image and will be too noticeable(People will avoid you, like the plague)- For street photography I use a simple point and shoot.Ken

It very well may be your experience, but not for others. Great results can happen all different ways. Sometimes you're more noticeable if you have to get up close with a 50mm, potentially ruining a candid shot. A lot of it has to do with the way you carry yourself and act, not the camera you're using. A big dslr and 300mm is by no means a firm "no-no".

[kencaleno]

It is if you're a purist street shooter, but then you would use a Leica and Tri-X film-I'm no purist but I have been shooting street for 50 plus years,and never had any problems by using 35mm-50mm lenses for candid shots. Ken

[pasoviennese]

Originally Posted by Preacherman

There's no shot on your post. Could you retry? Sounds like a fascinating shot.

I didn't intend to include any shots in the post. It was more of a question on the acceptability on taking photos of street performs as you see them. Sometimes it's inappropriate to talk to them and ask for permssion (imagine if they were trying to play a mute ). But more often it's about capturing the moment.

But I'll post some photos later.

[pasoviennese]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

It is if you're a purist street shooter, but then you would use a Leica and Tri-X film-I'm no purist but I have been shooting street for 50 plus years,and never had any problems by using 35mm-50mm lenses for candid shots. Ken

I like to shoot a bit of everything, from landscape to sports (especially dancesport, it's my industrty too), people, photojournalism. Hence I have a lens that does the lot (until I have enough money to upgrade). I use my Canon 30D with Tamron 18-270mm exlusively. So It's not like I use the 270mm end everytime I shoot, and it's not that big a lens. Surely it's very noticable when I point the 270mm end at someone, but is it a bad thing? I mean the street performers are there to be looked at right, they want attention.

[pasoviennese]

This is where the 270mm of end of the lens comes in handy.

[BryanC]

Originally Posted by kencaleno

It is if you're a purist street shooter, but then you would use a Leica and Tri-X film-I'm no purist but I have been shooting street for 50 plus years,and never had any problems by using 35mm-50mm lenses for candid shots. Ken

I'll agree, it is. But, it wasn't the discussion. "Purist street shooters" have their own artificial guidelines that they prefer to follow when doing street photography. These can differ and cause debate from one 'purist' to the next. There's nothing wrong with that. But it isn't a 'rule' and it wasn't my point. Definitions of 'Street Photography' rarely, if at all, include what type of camera and lens are to be used. It's a style of photography, left up to the individual to achieve it however they see fit. There is no wrong, that was my point. From P&S's to Full Frames, from 35mm to whatever length. The results are what count. I don't think it's wrong that you only use a certain camera and only 35mm or 50mm lenses for your street photography. But, you are wrong in suggesting everyone who doesn't do as you do is wrong. As you haven't had problems by using 35mm-50mm lenses for candids, I haven't when using a zoom. I did, however, bet myself and won, that you would work the 50 years schtick into the conversation. I would have thought after all of that time you would be less narrow-minded.

[BryanC]

Originally Posted by pasoviennese

So the question is, what is your take on pointing your dSLR and telephoto lens at street performers.

I think that you got some great results...nice work. I especially like the second shot. I would be interested to know the feedback that you get from the performer.

I thought I would throw one of mine in...



Taken at a parade. I got her, whoever she is, at 210mm. So, there's at least 3 of us in the world who have used a zoom on the street...