Why You Shouldn't Use a Portrait Lens For Street Photography
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- Опубліковано 26 чер 2024
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Suggest me a good place to get Barnack Leica in Bangkok
...says we shouldn't use a portrait lens for street. Proceeds to shoot fabulous street images with portrait lens.
😂 Thanks mate! But I need to stop using it. Wider makes everything so much more dynamic!
@@FTrovatten I don't know, man. You're trading intimacy away for dynamics. I guess it's a matter of personal style.
One of the best things about street photography is that there are no rules. Do what suits you and your style. If you want to shoot with an 85mm or a 200mm, do what works best for you! Have fun with it and get out there and shoot!
Relax p Diddy 😂 you sound unhinged
100%
And Saul Leiter! 135mm and yes used in street photography. I supose your right the 28mm,35mm,50mm mostly used can give edgy images but if you look at Saul's images they are just as good they just have a different feel to them more laid back and almost like watching the world go by. Just a different perspective.
Saul Leiter used telephoto focal lengths up to 150mm. After shooting mainly primes, I’ve found the APS-C 18-50 zoom to be nearly perfect.
That is true! And his photographs are great. But I’d say it’s the exception and not the rule. Anyways, everyone should choose what they want - as long as they understand why they do so :)
Thank you for this video Frederick.
I have mixed feelings about your thesis. I live in the 35-50mm field of view for my street photography. Of course, these are two of the most popular street photography fields of view. Recently I have been experimenting using the 85mm lens for street photography.
As you point out, each focal length has different characteristics that produce a different look. By and large I will stick to the 35 & 50mm lenses. This is the way I see the world. I don’t like wide angle lenses because I have to get too close to my subject for them to stand out in the frame. I also have to be more aware of what is happening at the edge of the frame. I focus my attention on the subject and loose my focus on the edges. I do use the 28mm lenses when I go to parades.
The 85mm lens is excellent for isolation of my subject. This benefit is at the price of excluding the environment from the subject. It comes down to using the right tool for the right job. I have started doing candid portraits on the street. The 85mm lens is excellent for this purpose. This is a specialty lens. It forces me to see what is happening on the street in a particular way. I don’t see this lens becoming my primary street photography lens.
Mask On Nurse Marty (Ret)
Always so excited when I get a notification that you have released a video. Love your work.
I personally shoot with a 50 mm with a focal length of 1.8, I think it's very versitle and I love the range of aperture that it provides.
You can absolutely shoot street photography with a "portrait" lens, as you also gave us a lot of examples of. The key is not to use the "correct" lens but to understand the lens and knowing what you want with it.
You mentioned the small streets. Here it would perfect with a short telephoto lens to really emphasize the small streets by having the images compressed, strengthening the feeling of how small the streets are.
Really nice shots, Frederik! Insightful stuff 🙌
I find my self going back to 50mm in so many different situations for various reasons. Awesome vid man.
It is always fascinating how different people see the same scenes differently....I have just recently returned from Bangkok. Had a blast but came home with different photos. Great video, brings back good memories.
That’s the beauty of photography 🖤
I disagree. I never shoot with telephoto lenses on the street because I don't like feeling so constrained, butI know several people that can make them work. There are too many "rules" in street photography. Try out several things and find your style that makes you happy. Don't listen to others (not even this comment)
Funny that you mention the problem with the xh2s, i have exactly the opposite problem, i love that you can flip out the screen completely because this allows me to shoot street portraits vertically from the hip, which i cannot do with a screen that only flips out into one direction.
Oh that’s interesting! I’ll give that I try! Thanks :)
Great video Frederik, I have shot street with my X100f for years and just started using the new XT50 with 23mm, lovely camera. I used XT3's for my music photography but like smaller profile for street. Question: what black and white film sim are you using ? Looks like Ilford FP4 a great film in its day and a sim I have programmed into my camera. Thanks again 🙏
I am dreaming about a Fujifilm X-t3 (like yours) with the "pancake" lens 27mm,which corresponds to about 40mm full-frame. Should that not be the perfect focal distance for street photography?
I am in love with the camera you are using in this video, but really don't know why. It might be a call from the universe.
Thank you for your videos.
Great video Its Tru the 50mm is the great choice 80 and up is good for subject separation and more light..have you ever tried the 40mm or the Fuji 27mm
For photography the flip up screen is so much better than the articulated screen.
love your videos Fredrik, so keepupthegoodwork, i think its more about the eye that sees then the gear they just different, love my Canon 85/1.4 for its character and my Fuji 16/1.4 its guerilla attitude, peaceoutman
Glad to hear! Of course, I like the 56mm too but I need to lay it down for a bit and experiment with wider angle lenses :)
HCB used the lens he did because it came with the camera and he couldn't afford another lens at the time! I am a complete hooligan and use a 16/80, zoom with your feet I hear you say. However you can miss the shot, get runover etc. It works for me which makes me happy. Enjoyed your shots by the way.
Love all your shots! by the way, whats your insight about xf56mm / xf56mm APD :)?
I think I probably shoot most with my 35/2, but I’ve got a darkhorse pick for a Fuji portrait lens: 60/2.4. If you think about it as a compact portrait lens, Fuji’s version of a Leica 90/4 on M mount, I think it makes a lot of sense. Enough subject separation for portrait when you need it, but the close focus allows lots of photography of fine details. Since I probably shoot a half dozen or dozen flowers for each portrait, it works out well for me. While the field of view is narrow, the 0.5x macro adds back a lot of versatility-there are shots this can get which a 50/2 or 56/1.2 or Viltrox 75/1.2 just can’t.
Haven't seen you in a while bro, nice to see you again.
Great video with some excellent points. I’m just getting into street photography, and have tried 35mm, 85mm, and even my 100-400mm. I agree that longer focal lengths are often a way of keeping one’s distance when we want to be invisible, so I need to work on being more comfortable with shorter focal lengths. One thing I really like about telephoto, though, is the compression in the image. It can really add to the chaotic feeling of a busy street scene. BTW, thank you for highlighting the “35mm equivalent” focal length of your lenses. It’s frustrating to watch videos where I’m not sure if the photographer is using a crop sensor camera and if the focal length they’re talking about is really the number they give.
I believe that 85mm is the limit for taking street photography - especially those featuring people - without looking like a paparazzo or a stalker. Many "shy" photographers start with a short-tele lens and then discover the advantage of moving to 50mm or 35mm. Great video and beautiful photos, by the way.
Great video 🙏
In my experience, the concept of a 'portrait lens' is somewhat misleading, particularly in street photography. Whether shooting with a 50mm, 85mm, or 135mm lens, what truly matters is the photographer's ability to extract something extraordinary from the ordinary. It's about capturing compelling moments and narratives, regardless of the specific focal length. The lens may capture the image, but it's the photographer's eye that reveals the essence within."
Great video Frederik and you captured some really strong images, very nice. Were you just shooting Acros + red, maybe?, or a recipe?....Anyway, I totally agree regarding flip-out screens, I can't stand them. They really are for video/content creators and are not photo-centric at all, imo...I much prefer a tilt-screen, which ensures you are looking through the line/centre of your camera/lens = much more natural/intuitive.....I really enjoy my Fuji X-t30ii, with the 18-55 kit, for street = I can shoot 18, 28, 35, 50 and 80. Ok, I know it's not fixed aperture, nor weather sealed, but it's still a great lens and allows me to travel light and have most bases covered. One camera, one lens.....If I could only pick one focal length / have one prime for street, I would choose 35mm, although I do also really like 50...If you could only shoot one focal length Frederik, which one would you choose?......Ok, I watched again and you did say your favourite focal length was 50mm (full frame)..👍
Great video, nice photos and gorgeous country. Thanks
Appreciate it!
35mm on the street mostly to capture close and still get a sense of contextuality, you can go wider but it makes the game more difficult. I dont dislike 50mm but myself usually prefer again the wider 40mm to gain just the flatness and at the same time still be able to gather a bit of spatial information
It really depends how it’s used. Saul Leiter was famously loyal to long focal lengths and he’s created lots of incredible work. I normally shoot with 40mm because thats just how I see the world but I like to change it up occasionally and use 100mm and I often get some of my favourite photos with that focal length. Telephoto lenses just aren’t for some people though which is completely reasonable
ahhhh a cup of coffee and a Trovatten video, niceness!
Hi all! What do you think about a 24-70mm f/2.8 for general photography, and a Venus Laowa Argus 33mm f/0.95 CF APO manual focus lens for out of this world bokeh effect, including portrait?
I think if there is a rule, is more related with some other aspects of this genre more than the focal length: speaking from myself, I tend to use a wider lens (28 ff equiv) because I’m always on the move and sometimes I shoot from the hip or I don’t take the camera up so being wide is like a safety net for someone who doesn’t always frame. This genre comes from manual focus lenses and in spite of me having good AF lenses, I get the most fun with a TTArtisan 17mm f/1.4 using zone focusing at f/5.6. That sort of technique makes no sense with a 56mm or 90mm lens. Also coming from this approach, street photography, normally, is about with imagens with a lot of depth of field (exactly from closed apertures between f/5.6 to f/8). I can do imagens with bokeh, sure but if I’m with a manual focus lens, that’s not my priority. Most of the time even if can can do it, I have no time for that. I do own a Mitakon 35mm f/0.95 but is useless wide open with this technique. My favorite lens is a SMC Takumar 24mm f/3.5 but at the end I do agree that there are no rules for street even if I understand from where some thoughts come from.
That XF56 is a sweeeeeet lens! When I'm shooting walk around I like to use the XF18-55 but set it at just one focal length. I also will use one of my vintage lenses. Either a Canon FD28mm f2.8 or a Pentax-M 50mm f1.7. My camera is also the X-T3. I really love it. Thanks for taking us along on your walk!
Excellent video 😊!
Appreciate it!
Still trying to figure it out. Definitely 28, 35 or 50 as my main focal length (not sure which I prefer most), but I sometimes add a small MFT camera with the tiny Olympus 45mm lens (equivalent 90mm) for a quick portrait or detail shot.
Great vid! I gotta say that portraiture lenses work extremely well (if not great) for street photography. I believe it's all about composition. I do agree that you can't beat the infamous trio-28, 35 and 50mm- lenses when it comes to street photography, and the overall creative look each lens gives a composition.
I like shooting with my X-T20 (small body) and the 18-55mm "kit" lens. I want the flexibility that I get with the zoom. If I know ahead of time that I'm shooting mostly street portraits, I would go with the fuji 35mm F2.0.
Nice video BTW.
I think the image, the atmosphere and/or the feeling of the image is more important than which lens was used.
Hey cracking video! I am hoping to be in Bangkok later this year and plan on bringing my 27 / 35 / 75 which I think will be a great trilogy. Love your images
As for daytime street photography: perhaps short zoom like 18-55mm would be a solution? You don't need 1,2 for daytime - and having that range you could keep flexibility.
I enjoy street photography and have sent many hours in Bangkok wondering the neighborhoods. I agree that a portrait lens is difficult to use on the street and prefer a 35mm. I have both 35 and 50mm equivalent lenses for my Fuji. The 23mm prime (35mm equivalent), for me, provides greater options. It is a personal choice and each photographer needs to find the one lens that works best for their style of photography. Always enjoy your videos.
Cool video. The photo at 5:23 is one that maybe benefits from the slight chaos of being a bit out of focus. Yet, interestingly, if you posted it in a forum people would usually just say "it's a shame it wasn't in focus". Box-ticking.
If you had to choose one fixed-focus lens, what would it be?
For street photography, I have used normal lenses and wide-angle lenses in one-lens/one-body situations. I have never used only a telephoto lens.
However, my favorite two-lens kit is a slight wide-angle with a slight telephoto. For a full-frame camera, that would be a 35mm with an 85 or 90mm.
35 and 50 are enough for me. I’m just starting to experiment with 28 but three focal lengths is a lot. If only one then 35mm for me
I think 28 has some aberration, 35mm is a little boring and 50 a little too telephoto for most tight, crowded streets so I use 27mm APS-c on Fuji and 40mm on full frame, ie 40mm. 40 just seems to be a carry all day, shoot everything lens. Great for portraits when you take time and plenty wide for street. Landscape is no problem with 40 and some tall buildings can fit on 40. Seems I could travel the world with a full frame 40mm, a 15-18mm, and a 75-90mm.
Nikon Z 5 or Z 8 with my 40mm/f2 are my favourits.
Yes! The 40mm is lovely in use. One of my favorites now!
The portrait lens is mentioned many times (not knowing which focal length!).. Or did I miss something?
He's using a 56mm lens on an APS-C sensor camera, so it would be the equivalent of an 85mm on full frame.
Interesting video you did here. Personally, I'm not a 'people person', I never cared for asking people to pose for me. When did street photography, I used 28-85mm, 80-200mm and 135mm 3.5 lenses. Those lenses help developed my muscles. Although photojournalist Steve McCurry often carried such lenses as 28mm, 35mm, 50mm, it was his 105mm 2.5 ai lens that captured the legendary Afghan girl portrait. Guess those lenses helped developed his muscles. By the way, the young ladies who posed for at 9:28, hoped you asked them to sign a model release. Because no matter how good those photos are, if you don't have a model release. You're up the creek without a paddle.
I loved the pictures with the four young ladies, how on Earth did you manage to focus like that? I can never hit focus with only one person walking towards me. Best from Jake E.
Most of my favourite photos of yours were shot on the 56mm, so I think you definitely should keep using it for street photography haha!
Well, I like to be different and I look thigh tee shots with more bokeh, so the 56mm on my Fujifilm works great. It’s also a lot more challenging, which I like.
I get some great shots with a portrait lens. Ok some situations where it’s a bit tight but there are work arounds
I do enjoy street but I do not like to get up close. I’m very much an introvert so I like some distance. I will use a 50 or even 90 on my Leica iiiF.
Any lens is good for street photography, depending on your skills, preferences and the place you are in. The classical 24-28-35 is fine for crowded areas, such as Manhattan or Bangkok, but good luck using that somewhere in a "bedroom area" in my city. The distances here will make even 50 mm too short; when you notice something interesting and decide to come closer, the scene will change a dozen times when you arrive there. And when you are there, people will definitely notice you... in short, your shot is gone.
Im right now working in Taiwan, and been living in Philippins for 6 mdr. I Challenge my self to shoot only with my Sigma FP and 35mm 2.0 sigma lens, it’s become my EDC camera so easy to bring, and I love the 35mm
Hi Federik.. always loved your work. However.. I don't agree with you on this one. I've just picked up a Leica DG 42.5 (85) for street in Japan and its working out awesome. I was using my Leica DG 35-100 at 42mm (84), it worked so I invested in the prime. Actually the issue is the shallow DOF and working it in a street universe. Not easy.
Great shot of the older gentleman!
Also, top shot of that guy with a Thai tattoo in the pool! GM
lol!
Could not agree more. But, i do think many photographers actually have their own “natural” focal length. I spent almost three weeks in Japan, shooting mostly street and architecture photis. Just brought one lens, 28mm on a Fuji X-T5.
100% of that’s a dream of mine. And great setup!
@ 4.39 the guy smoking with flat cap, I have the exact same shot from May this year. also same guy in background too. so funny I had to double check my pics as I thought omg he has stolen my photo... goes to show time youve thought about it, its already been done
missed the street videos
Cartier Bresson did not just use a 5cm lens. He certainly used a 3.5cm and towards the end of his life, he was seen with a Minilux 40mm f/2.4.
On balance, I like 40mm, 50mm but I also like 85mm. I don’t get all of the shots but I get enough.
Nice shots.
Sigma 24mm 3.5. with some filters.
On the street like the Nikon z6ii (just cos its the camera I own) with the 40mm f 2 muffin lens. Very easy.
3:58 3:59 yeah those moment scare the shit out of me. 😂
Why ??
@@windstorm894 man just feel like some instant jump scare like horror movie you know , since they're wearing hijab all black like that too.
I kind of disagree. I made some of my best and most dynamic street photos with 80 and 136 mm (ekv.), as well as 35 mm. It’s just different dynamics. It’s fine to point out what you cannot do with longer focal lengths, but might be fair also to point what you can (if you know).
Sorry, I would have to respectfully disagree. Many times my street photography lens is my 24 - 200 zoom, espcially when I shoot street at festivals. As we know, many times we have only an instant to capture a shot. And half the time I'm at a distance when I see the shot. My trusty zoom lets me get the shot versus zooming with my feet which by the time I get there, the shot is gone. My other lenses if I want to go light is my 35 or my 24 - 90.
The point here is it's not about the lens. It's about the composition and story. You pick the tool that best allows you to get the tell that story. All lenses if you master your craft will allow you to tell a great story.
For me a 35 gives me more included than a 50. A 50 feels cramped. But if I want a tight shot from a distance, I like the 85. I wouldn't use a 180 because it makes me feel like a perv. Was shooting with a guy last month with a 100-300 mm zoom photoing little girls at a distance. I told him not to do that when I was standing next to him, I don't want to be shot. I like using a waist level finder on my medium format cameras as it is less threatening to folks.
Your work is great , im a fan !
Thank you!
50mm f2.0 on X-T3
My favorite lens is 24mm, get in there and join the action in the crowd 😜
Your talking nonsense lad of course portrait lenses can be used for street photography what you talking about , I use a 70-200mm f2.8 gm Sony for street photography and a 135mm f1.8 , I hate using wide angle lenses which result in unflattering images
How would you take a documentary style street-shot, for example, with context and 'getting everything in', in a relatively tight space, say a busy market place, using a minimum 70mm focal length?, where you have little room to manoeuvre physically?
Use whatever works for you.
You leave me and my niffty out of this!
Sorry 💔
@@FTrovatten ❤️ off out with a 35mm manual focus 1.4f today, why? this video of course.
Love your videos Frederick
Keep on shooting on !
Peace ✌️
Tommy
That cat photo @10:57, just wow! And I don't even like cat photos haha, but that one is a great one, those eyes just melted me!
I never understood why some people box them selfs in with self made rules or what other tells them to what do and not do.
Creativity is all about thinking ”outside the box” and try new things. To break the rules and do what you want to do and feel free to be creative.
And then some people in photography try so hard to box them self in with do’s and don’t. Why?
I think a good photographer don’t go by any rules and would be able to take photos with any camera or lens.
And nothing against you Fredrik, but I never thought you were ”one of those” youtubers who would do a video like this. Click baity and the ”don’t do this blabla” video to get views.
To 'think outside the box', first you have to understand what is inside the box. These 'rules' are the fundamentals, the basics of photography. They are not boxes, rather they are well established and accepted parameters/settings/techniques to use, in order to be able to get the specific desired result you are after. It isn't random. Of course, there will always be a degree of subjectivity, with all aspects of photography, but the basics are pretty much a standard to learn and work from, a foundation, if you will.
I don't think knowing which focal lengths work especially well for specific scenarios and scenes, is boxing oneself in. For example, 28mm, for an immersive image, 35mm a great documentary focal length, allowing you to focus more on the overall scene, but still clearly see what the subject is, 50mm, a classic focal length for street-photographers who are subject-driven. 80mm plus is all about the details, isolation, and starts to introduce compression...etc, etc.
Knowing these things and using them accordingly isn't restrictive. Contrary to that, once you have that down, you can then use them to suit, and then start experimenting accordingly. If anything, knowing and using these 'rules', really opens things up for a photographer.
Seems it's all just your opinion. It depends on HOW you like to shoot street photography. You do you, let other people shoot the way they like.
Your rules are your rules remember that
Horrible Advice. Use that ever lens you want people.
50 is still too tight! You look out of touch. Yes, I feel like a lot of beginner photographers are obsessed with wide open, isolating one subject and having lots of bokeh. You have to be at at least 35. Anyway, so glad that you are in Bangkok! I have started going there a few times a year and feel like there is a reel arts vibe blooming. Good work!
To explore your own creativity get rid of people and rules like this telling you what you can do and can't do
Nonsense, I get so fed up with people making up “rules” about what is and isn’t the “right” way to take photos. The correct lens to use in any given scenario is the lens that gives YOU the image YOU want to produce, not a lens someone else thinks is “correct” one to use. Surely the main thing is the photographer’s vision of the world and that vision may be wide-angle, standard or telephoto. It could be taken on a point and shoot, a Polaroid, a Leica, a Box Brownie or even a view camera. It could be black and white, it could be colour… who cares. To Hell with rules, get out and take photographs in YOUR style, the way YOU want to take them, on equipment that enables you to achieve YOUR vision. PS Although I disagree about lenses, I love your work… there are some absolutely cracking images in the video!
Why you shouldn’t listen to what you shouldn’t do :P
Alright, I won't use my 56mm. I'll switch to my trusty, lightweight 9mm.
I reckons people should just go back to calling them candids (or randoms) --- by calling it street photography, people just sorta opened the door to being categorized by the internet commies. Cos all they ever do is categorize and then shoehorn power from stuff.
Otherwise, hmm, interesting images - though I wonder what and how said images would change if you lived there a long time and it was all native to you. You know, the language, writing, places, etc., I wonder how you would image it all then?
gonna use a 135mm just to spite you
Ridiculous
Go look at Saul Leiters work
Is your work at MOMA?
Nah?
Use whatever focal length you wish. Heck I’d even use a 180
I can’t stand the term street photography neither could Gary Winogrand. I think I’ll go shoot photos with an 70-200 today 😂
But anyway ok fine use a 35 or whatever
Censoring
Breaking News: There is no such thing as "a portrait lens."
Another photography gatekeeper. How about more rules? You shouldn’t shoot street photography with a digital camera. You should only shoot street photography using film, You shouldn’t shoot street photography with an SLR. You should only shoot street photography with a rangefinder. You should only shoot street photography with a Leica. You should only shoot street photography only with a Leica and a 28mm Leica lens.
How do these Europeans just travel year to year ? where does all of that money come from ???
Travel takes up 99% of my budget 😬 Also, Vietnam and Thailand are super cheap once you get here.
Lost me at AI 💩
It’s a rough one, I know. Don’t just you for the emoji haha.. good news it their AI or algorithm if you will, actually does a great job when I tested it. But I hear you. AI is a tough one to swallow these days.
there is no such thing as a portrait lens. Lens is a lens - period. you chose what fits your style and what makes you comfortable making photos. Stop creating nonsense and absurd content.
Best camera and lens is the one you have.
how you can talking about street photography when you haven’t yet understood that choosing a lens is a narrative choice? please do something else…
Thanks for this instants 📷👍🌎✈️🫴😊