London Street Photography: Changing How I Shoot
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- Опубліковано 16 вер 2023
- Changing up how you shoot street can be a great idea to inject new passion and motivation into your practice. In this video I hit up London to experiment with getting closer and capturing more people driven street photography - enjoy!
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Love the hands out for a handout of free ice cream! I also like that many of these photos have a timeless element to them - could have been made 10-50 years ago. They don’t rely on a style but lean in to noticing the human “truth” in the frame. Thanks for sharing!
Thanks Michael! Appreciate that mate 🙏🏻
Great shots in there! Enjoyed that, inspiring, thank you.
Thanks mate!
What a breath of fresh air as you didnt tell us why everyone should use the exact camera and lens that you do.
I have great respect for people who like taking photographs of random people in public like I do for those who find inspiration photographing landscapes.
For me I'd rather wear my insta360Go3 and get stills from it as I am tall and look like a plain clothed cop so people are wary or avoid me or get angry!
The secret seems to be try to blend in and be un-noticed ha ha
I liked your video very much. I think that enjoyed most a simplicity and directness that others don't have. Also the duration was just right.
Thank you! That’s very kind 🙏🏻
Thanks Tim yeah Zone focus is the best way forward. Manual focusing settings and aperture and shutter speed. As the moment unfolding can happen very quickly. Thanks for sharing 🙏👍
Thanks, Mark!
Shooting with a X-E4 also helps. It's such an awesome street photography camera with its less threatening size.
True! It’s a great little camera. Really want to pick up a Ricoh GRiii too
That shot at 5:33 is a very good photograph and has a lot of "symmetry" in it. Not just in the sense that they all have an ice cream but also that they are all in blue jeans, there's a tonne of red all around the photo which helps emphasise the red hat in the foreground a little more as well as the red dress in the background and then to top it off we have two ladies walking side by side on the left hand of the frame who have almost the exact same pattern of shirt on. The more that you study the photograph, the more it gives and that, for me at least, is the mark of a good shot and a great photographer!
Nice to see you switching things up as well and focusing more on close ups, Can be nerve racking at times but like you say, a smile goes a long way!
Thank you so much! Glad you appreciate that shot. I’m definitely looking to try including more in the frame without making messy shots, which is a challenge but a lot of fun!
Wonderful tips and great images! Thank you!
Hi Tim, I wanted to thank you for sharing such a wonderful video. The London vibes that you captured are simply amazing. As an introvert myself, I believe that people like us observe things differently from extroverts, and it's important to document our unique perspectives as well. Your portraits are truly stunning and I appreciate your efforts in creating such great content.
Thank you for such a lovely comment! I know what you mean, I’m quite introverted but really wanted to try this kind of street photography just to see if I could do it! Very much enjoying it so far, but it’s definitely not for everyone and there are many different approaches to street photography that lead to wonderful images! 🙏🏻
Thanks Tim, for some of the street photography tips. Getting closer to the subject gives it another twist altogether. Thanks & happy clicking.
Thank you! Yeah it’s certainly changed how I see the world and what I look to make photos of these days, but what I’m interested in changes all the time so we’ll see how the photos develop in the future!
Inspirational! just what I need --thank you
So happy to hear that! Happy shooting 📸
Love it 👏
Cheers dude!
I always love your London POV vids, mainly because im from here, today was no exception you have the balance right unlike some togs, the music overlay is perfectly soft as is you commentary it does not interfere with the shooting, a great video as always but never long enough for me :) looking forward to the next one.
Thank you! That makes me really happy! The videos often take a lot of work, so I’m glad to hear it’s appreciated 🤗
Great video, Tim.
I love the idea of getting closer and it's something that I'm trying to do more when I got out. I'm working on overcoming my anxiety and shyness about getting close, but on the occasions it works out, I do get a real buzz out of it.
Love to know more about how you use zone focusing, again something I dabbling with.
Love all the shots you shared.👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽
Thanks Ash! Yeah it’s definitely a challenge and requires a whole different way of looking/seeing but I’m learning a lot and starting to get a few images I’m really happy with. Might make a video on zone focusing! Also though it’s nerve-racking, the buzz from getting up close is awesome
Informative and entertaining!
Thank you!
Great video Tim! I recently made a photo walk in London and definitely getting closer always helps!
Thanks Nelson! Appreciate that mate 🙏🏻
Agree that it's a difficult type of photography... for many reasons. Enjoyed the humble style you deliver.👍👍👍
Thanks a lot! Glad you appreciated the video :)
Great video as always! Always helpful to try new things!
I will admit as a viewer I prefer the “old style” but also I think it’s worth exploring whatever you feel keeps you excited and creative.
Thank you, Ryan! I hear ya, gotta keep it fresh and try new things or else I get bored, will still be making work and videos on more abstract/fine art street photography style though :)
That shot with the hands reaching in Chinatown really stood out to me, great job getting close to the action!
Thanks a lot! 🙏🏻
Nice video - well documented both visually and narratively. New follower :)
I especially like the free hand out photos as their is a social commentary discussion from these shots.
Also for cool subject, light and composition i really like the lady at the table and the gent reading the paper. Keep shooting :)
I wonder what yr doing settings wise to enable the richness of colour whether facing into or away from the light? Close up and down at a subjects kuran or up at the gents clapping. Most of your shots exposure comp seem on point - are you tweaking it as you go or using your other dials to to dial it in the can?
All the best :)
Thanks Adam! I’m definitely focusing more on documenting rather than aesthetics in my street photography at the moment, so I’m happy to hear you think it works!
I shoot full manual and currently mostly zone focus, so I change settings on the fly depending on the weather conditions to get the exposure I want :)
Great video. Gopro tip...remove battery and plug a power bank in and power through that. You can go all day long
🤔 might try that!
Love the out stretched hands for the free ice cream. Says a lot about humanity indeed.
Thank you! I appreciate that 🙏🏻
Super cool video, Tim - been really looking forward to this one!
Thanks Courts! Glad you enjoyed it! Was so bummed I forgot my GoPro the following weekend as I got some shots then that I really like, but that’s the way it goes sometimes! 🙏🏻
Ahh still great to see those shots! I really enjoyed the closer pics in this video. It highly caught pure human emotion imo, and being in London I think really complimented your style with these - as just so much happening!
Great video, love the format of the go pro footage contrasted with the shots, makes it seem much more accessible.
Thank you!
Thanks Tim, you've given me some good ideas to improve my street photography. I'm yet to find my "style" or genre but seeing videos like yours is helping.
My pleasure! Really happy to hear that 🙏🏻
Another great video Tim, always enjoy your thought process and how you're trying new stuff.
It really resonates as I do struggle with the more up close approach, but have been getting much more confident this summer... 99.9% of all interactions I have are super positive and go exactly like yours - a smile, a compliment and generally being flattered I wanted to take their pic.
Sadly someone took real offence to me taking their photo at Barbican a few weeks ago and no amount of apology/deletion of the pic could diffuse it. Ultimately I got smacked a couple of times and they tried to break my camera. Think I was just v unlucky with someone having a bad day, but definitely makes me think twice before deciding who to capture and if in any doubt at all i'll just leave it.
Thank you, David! Much appreciated. Damn mate I’m really sorry to hear that, definitely something that is bang out of order and knocks the confidence. You were definitely unlucky there :(
That was a really cool video presentation 😊
Cheers!
Hi Tim - Your channel popped up on my feed a few days ago. I've enjoyed a few of your video since. Nice work
Thanks Andrew, glad to hear that 😊
Well done!
Cheers!
Just found your channel. The first shot of the hands reaching for ice cream was my favourite of the video, although there were many others I liked as well. Very high quality work.
Thank you, Bob! I appreciate that 🙏🏻
Nice video and photos, as always. Keep shooting Tim. Love your artistic creations. I usually like to use a 50mm focal length, which allows me to be neither too close nor too far away. Sometimes I can really consider trying other focal lengths, such as 24mm or 28mm, so that I can get closer and feel it personally.
Cheers! Yeah 50mm is a great focal length, that’s what used to live on my camera 99% of the time. Really enjoying using the 35 for a bit though, intrigued by 28 too, so maybe I’ll try even wider soon 😅
Some really nice images - you are too hard on yourself - they'e good!
Thank you! That’s very kind 🙏🏻
Great shots as always. I looked up the flag from that demonstration and that’s the flag of Syrian Opposition, and was the flag of Syria prior to 1963.
Thank you! Oh yes, that makes sense then!
Quality vid and pics, Tim. Voice over, ambient sound and closer work well. Good advice about challenges of getting closer and keeping expectations realistic. Faves include the second proximity image (poster w/outstretched hand) - eyes poster likely needed more patience and time to capture the right combo - and Melona free handouts (human condition). Getting the flag ID for demonstration would have helped (Middle East nation, likely). Phone texture pic a good example of Wabi-Sabi esthetic. Cheers!
Thanks mate!
A great video and a good approach. I envy you for being able to follow this approach in London. In Germany, I wouldn't dare to get so close to people even though I basically shoot with the same camera as you do, an X-E3. When I was in Edinburgh and Glasgow last year, I found this to be much more feasible.
Thank you! Yeah I’ve heard that you can’t really take photos of people up close in Germany due to privacy laws? Such a shame
You have an eye for street photography, seeing moments or shapes or lighting. I'm afraid my years as a Navy sailor ruined me for street photography. I get too easily distracted by a pretty face, a short skirt or a nice shape. I'd miss all the true artistic moments. 😉
😂
5:40 Ahhh free ice cream !!!! 😂😅
Which by extension, I think 6:05 is my favourite snap.
😂
@@CourtneyG.the crowd really wanted that ice cream haha
I am a man of the people, and must endorse this love of ice cream 😂. I must say more seriously with 6:05, the extended hands in unison coming together over ice cream was so nice. It seems with London, but arguably wider society, there is a conception we are disconnected as people. Yet mutually coming together over something as simple as ice cream. Priceless.
@@CourtneyG.I love that! You always put a positive spin on things - I’m more cynical and thought it highlighted human greed 🤭
Can you show us how you set up zone focusing on your fuji with the lens you have? thanks
I just set up the distance guides on the screen and ovf, there are tutorials for that online, then I just zone focus :)
Very clear video & good photos. Notice you shoot with the Fujifilm X-E4. Can it cope in the rain?
Much appreciated! I use my X-T2 when it’s raining as the X-E4 isn’t weather sealed :)
Those are a bunch of cool photos. I like them.
I'm new to street photography, I don't think I have a style yet. There's no way I'm getting that close to people. Not gonna happen.
I wanted to go out this week but the hours I had for it we had thunderstorms and I'm not going out with lightning in the area.
Thanks Scott! It can take a long time to develop a style, just photograph things you like and you’ll progress over time :)
couldn't agree more i usually try to get close by moving more and keep my eyes keen.. its a hard pursuit but fun.. l love street especially close up candid is the best, Paulie b is the man self he has lots of awesome street photographers..i really have to visit the UK for street. have an awesome day Tim.Btw was this a 35mm focal length you shot on?
Thanks man! Yeah Paulie B’s walkie talkie series is the bomb. 35mm equivalent yeah :)
The girls with the 🎉 superb
Thanks!
Inspiring video. One note, i dont know how tall you are, but a lot of you photos is having a slight tilt downward, so you get more of the head, then the face. Might be a good idea to try have the camera level with the subjects eyes 👀. It will give more connection. Unless it is on purpose 😁.
Glad you found the video inspiring! Haha I’m 6ft 2 so it’s not always possible to get on eye level with most folks or I miss the shot haha 🤷🏻♂️ thanks for your feedback though :)
What settings and distance do you use for zone focusing?
Thanks in advance
I have the zone guide set up on my Fuji ( I’m sure other cameras have similar) then I aim to always above f8 and adjust the shutter speed/iso to compensate for exposure. Might do a video on it, but there are some great ones out on YT already!
Is there a way to get fujifilm prime lenses for a cheap price? I spend €500 for a XT1 + 35mm prime lens (and i love it). Now after a while i would like to try and get closer. So my eyes are on the 23mm f2. But im a student and dont have that much to spare for something thats a fun hobby i do from time to time. The lenses on the 2nd-hand markets are still so expensive. Is there an other way or tactic to get those lenses for cheaper? Or do i just have to save money over a longer period of time?
Fuji lenses are quite expensive, I usually buy second hand. But there are third party lenses you can get that are cheaper - worth having a shop around online.
How do you do to shoot in f/8 + and still have no motion blur, lots of light and no iso noise at all in a cloudy day?? 😮
I do usually have to boost the iso quite high if it’s dark, but on most days f8, 125 and then play with the iso until the exposure is right works for me!
Lone woman at the table was standout for me... just needs some PP.. imho... expected you to wait and make uae of the Chinese Restaurant 'halos'... i shoot 10-20k street a year and use an EM53 and Panasonic 14-140ii AF means I get a 99% hit rate..😊
Glad you like the shot of the woman at the table :)
How could you have missed the chance to have the yellow pole fixture in your composition of the person wearing yellow at 1:11??
Because I wanted a close candid portrait of the person and didn’t care about the yellow pole fixture. This video is all about getting closer to people, not about hiding behind poles :)
Цвет фотографий очень хорош!
Sorry I can’t understand what you wrote but I’m sure it was nice haha
@@timjamiesonphotos I wrote that the photos have a nice color
I cannot get the courage to shoot people anymore, so I am going to concentrate on abstract architecture and street dog photography. It seems people will always smile when you ask if you can take a photo of their pooch.
Hey Ric! Sorry to hear that, anything specific knock your confidence? Nothing wrong with other styles of street photography though! 🙏🏻
@@timjamiesonphotos yup, personal issue totally wrecked my confidence. Haven’t even been able to get out the front door with the camera but I’m thinking of travelling to London for a couple of days, in a totally alien environment for me, and see if that can kick start me lifting the camera to my eye. The belief being that no one is gonna take any notice of whatever you do. An expensive experiment but I have to get over my fear somehow.
Same here. I do my street photography in the same places as featured here (great video by the way!). I haven’t yet been confident enough to do candid pictures of people. Instead I just ask people if I can take their portrait. Even that took some courage but it helped when most people agree. Maybe try that first?
@@ianforber I am literally on the verge of panicking. Booked hotel in London for 12/13th October so there’s no getting out of facing my fear now. Having a camera that I can use the tilt and touch screen means I can shoot from waist high and take the shots by just pressing the screen. If I can get my courage to go that far ( taking candids)then happy days. If not, I’m getting some business type cards with the aim of asking if I can photograph owners dogs and give them a card to contact me if they want copies of the files for themselves.
@@Ricalex67 a business card is a good idea. I made a website with Slickpic (other brands are available but Slickpic is free and looks ok) and then had business cards made up with a QR code to link directly to my website. I’ve only been asked a couple of times by people who want to see the final product so it’s more for my own peace of mind. There’s still time to do that before you visit.
Was this in the Middle East somewhere?
You know it was in London, and what makes London and Great Britain so great is its ethnic diversity which is one of the reasons I love photographing there so much.
@@timjamiesonphotos lol
Now use a flash 😂
😝🤔
Hi, Tim. I find if you lean up against a wall, find your interesting scene that just needs an interesting character(s) , then you melt into the background and get good shots. Definately patience. I don't worry I have a DSLR with a 100-300. for the Jesus shot, I would have propped against a wall, got the framing right, and just waited for the right man with long hair and beard to go by. Or try again the next day, he will be there to try again. The long lens really let's you get away with people shots,as you are far enough away, they have no idea. Also use a 17-70, just shoot away. Hardly ever get challenged. If I am in doubt, I ask some interesting people to "pose". If they say no, just smile and move on. The guy in the yellow checked suit is practically wearing a sign... please photograph me. No issue with that guy at all.
Thanks for the comment David. In this video I’m looking to get closer, I don’t want to shoot with a long lens as, personally, I don’t like that kind of street photography unless using it in a more abstract way. It compresses the scene and to me as the viewer you feel far away from the image and disengaged compared to a wider angle where as the viewer you feel like you are there right in front of the action. I also much prefer hunting rather than fishing, looking for moments rather than waiting in a location for something to happen, just my preference at the moment!
@@timjamiesonphotos most of the long lens shots are at about 100,, so not too compressed.
you couldn't identify a palestine solidarity protest when in front of it, despite the flags? 😅
Well that’s embarrassing for you as you clearly don’t know what the Palestine flag looks like - the gathering in this video are Syrians waving the Syrian flag and I found out later they were there in protest of the Syrian government.
@@timjamiesonphotos ah fair enough, i was deceived