Here's How To Shoot Better Black And White Street Photography
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- Опубліковано 30 вер 2024
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JP
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Hi James, is this a physical or digital book? Thanks
OMG finally - a street photographer that can take amazing pictures. I'm sick of watching street photographers blather on about their camera and film then flash up awful snapshots. Your shots are first rate!! Well done. I'll be watching more!
haha those youtube photographers who shoot cars with tele lens and got excited with the bokeh :)
Thank you so much my dude! Makes me proper happy to hear you say that. I know exactly what you mean about that type of content. I kinda started as a bit of an antithesis of that, I wanted to focus on photography rather than cameras (even if I have to include X100V in 90% of my titles ahaha) Thanks for the support my dude
Ahaha I wonder who you might be talking about 👀 👀👀 👀👀 👀👀 👀👀 👀
Agree entirely 👍
I hear you lol, i understand that everyone is at different levels and you dont need to be a pro to make youtube videos, but it is refreshing to see actually good shots in a video.
Brilliant video. It’s refreshing to find a UA-camr that actually takes great photos. Thanks for the hints and tips…. Spot on 👍
Thank you so much dude 🙌 glad you like my channel. Decided to make the slogan ‘the antithesis to boring street photography’ and focus on that. Thanks for leaving a comment and supporting the channel 🙌
Shooting in black and white definitely helps to simplify things, I used to do it all the time. You've inspired me to start doing it again! I look forward to your next video ✌️
It’s so much fun isn’t it! I feel like when I shoot B&W for a while I am much better with my camera! Love to hear this videos inspired you my dude 🙌🙌
@JamesParsons1 yeah I agree, I find it just makes things a bit easier and more simple which in turn can make it more enjoyable. Keep the bangers coming mate 🙌
The bit at 6:02 .... PREACH!!!!! People just visiting Lisbon are super amazed and happy how great the city is for street photography... I already took all the shots and am now I am scouring small neighborhoods to find anything new and exciting. :D
Couldn't agree more! It's a hard realisation, but an important one. Looking forward to seeing what you create around Lisbon
James, I am an old amateur photographer who watches a lot of the current UA-cam content for lots of good reasons: it's fun; there are things to be learned; etc. I have to say that you have one of the best eye's for black and white that I have seen in any of these photographer's presentations. Thank you for making content for us, and by all means carry on with your work. You have some serious talent.
Wow - Thank you so much dude. That genuinely means so much to me! Really appreciate the love. Glad I can play my part inspiring others to enjoy photography as much as I do! Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment
That was absolutely the best explanation of black and white photographic concepts I have ever heard. Thank you so much.😊
NOW THAT IS A COMPLIMENT - Thank you so much
This advice got me through a massive creative rut when the sun decided to disappear for six months here in LA. Really stunning shots, mate!
So glad I was able to help you out dude! LA needs to sort itself out and get it's Number 1 asset back in order ahah
Fantastic video. One thing that surprised me was how many shots of kids you took. Many street photographers are a bit afraid of children as subjects due to the risk of being challenged by parents and/or seen as a weirdo. Did you offer the parents any of these shots and did you have any interaction with parents ? I ask because some of the shots of kids show that they were aware you were taking pictures of them
Thank you dude
@@JamesParsons1 Thanks so much for taking the time to write that fascinating response. As a father of two teenagers myself I see this from both sides. I would be a bit concerned if someone was taking shots of my kids and I would want to know why. But of course as someone interested in street photography I also know that it is perfectly legal to do so in public. I think a video where you show some of the interactions, good or bad, you have with people before/after taking shots would be very interesting. To me seeing/hearing why some people say no is just as interesting as having people say yes. I do think some other street photogs steer clear of taking shots of kids in the US and UK (but bizarrely think it's more acceptable when overseas). I would definitely be interested in any more videos you care to produce about keeping the public on-side when you engage in street photography. BTW I also wanted to ask - have you considered running any street photography tutorials in London? Some other street photogs offer them and there may be a market for it - I would sign up !
Black and White cameras are not costly.
Man this video is mad! Awesome advice and well explained, plus great energy throughout - smashed it!
Thank you my dude 🙌 Means a lot to hear you say that ❤️ big love
Hi James, banging video, with some great advice and some excellent exploratory images. Thanks mate. (Hv Sub’d)
YES WILL! Thank you so much, glad you like the content so much
I really enjoy shooting B&W with my X100V. Despite loading several popular film sims that feature more or less filmic grain, I find myself going back to Acros. It’s all good and ta very much for another fine video! 📷🙂
ACROS IS THE ONE! I love it so much ahaha. I wish I could use Acros on my Sony Kit :(
Excellent video on street photography in black and white 🔥 ... I would like to know if you use a simulation setting for the X100V because I really like the rendering of your photos. 🙏🏽🙏🏽
Thank you so much dude! I use the Acros filter in camera but edit all of my images in lightroom. I've got a free pre-set at the buymeacoffee.com link you can download and mess around with if you are interested :)
Another great video James, loaded with great images and advice. I’m supposed to be working and then your link to the video appeared on FB so I thought what’s more important ? Work or cheeky video to watch… now it’s back to work!
Ahaha thank you my dude! How did it appear on Facebook? ahaha Glad you found the time to watch the video my dude ;)
just came across your channel thanks to the algorithm, banger shots in the vid. subscribed!
Welcome to the Gang my dude! Glad you enjoyed the video & images so much. Big up to the algorithm for being sound ahaha
BIGGGG FACTS ON NOT TAKING JUST "ONE" PICTURE! GREAT SHOTS AND VIDEO MAN!!!!💯🤘🏾🤘🏾🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥🔥
100000% thank you man! I always prompt people to look at the book 'Contact Sheets' where as the name suggests, its the contact sheets from famous photos and you can see the process of the photographer working the scene
JP dude love this style of videos, great advice and energy - keep m coming!
YESSS - Thank you very much my dude. I really enjoyed shooting this one
now this is a true street photographer, will definitely follow you on instagram
Myyy dude
Do you use the EVF for your shots or do you put the camera on the "Meßsucher"?
EVF GAAAAANG. It's so helpful being able to see Black and White through your EVF and make creative decisions accordingly. Plus it helps me 'see' light better which is super helpful
great video. Are you shooting in color or using black and white setting directly on the camera? OR are you making it BW in post editing?
I was under the impression that in the UK there are laws against snapping photos of kids in public. Did you have to ask their parents for permission?
You are the no bs photographer I look up to! Glad you popped on my recommendations JP.
Yoooo thank you man - This is exactly the vibe I want to create with my content. Big love and thank you for leaving a comment and supporting the channel!
Great video ,and the area your in was where i was today shooting in B&W for my street photography along the South Bank and Borough market area , and always enjoy your videos because you do not get too technical 😊
I bet you got some lovely moody B&W pics yesterday! Yeah NGL, the videos that get too technical are missing the point lol. It's my goal to share the framework with how I think about things, so people can apply that information to their work. Thank you so much for being a big support of the channel , I really appreciate it
Cleveland hat and a Carhartt vest jacket -- love the Midwest vibes 😄
I have a new calling to drive trucks 😎 thank you for the support my dude 🙌
Excellent video! Were the example photos straight out of camera or did you do something in post? Love the tones and contrast.
Thank you so much - Glad you liked the video. All of these images are edited RAW using the free presets you can download at the Buymeacoffee.com link in bio. Feel free to DL them without getting me a coffee if you wanna have a play with them
Thank you for helping me think about B/W photography in a different way.
Very inspiring.
Buzzing to hear it's had an impact on you! Thank you so much for leaving a comment and supporting the channel
Nice photos! What film recipe are you using?
"You need to through the kitchen sink at it"? Through rhymes with "blew"!!
Excellent video, great approach, fantastic pics. Well done!
Myyyy man
Great video full of great info and great images. I'm a big fan of BnW images and often set the camera to display that way.
Glad you enjoyed it so much my dude
Awesome video dude going to try some black and white! 🙏🏾
Great presentation. Fantastic. What backpack do you use please?
Thank you dude 🙌 I use the Peter McKinnon Everyday rucksack and the Bellroy 10L sling for when I'm shooting street ❤️ thanks for commenting
@@JamesParsons1 Thank you! Unlike many YT photographers, you actually have good photos and give valuable advice!
ahaha my man
Love the tips! Do you have a monochrome recipe you use? Or can recommend?
Does your camera have built in ND filters?
Is there a B&W recipe you use or is everything shot in manual?
leica video when
Leica video sooooooooooon (currently trying to get the photobook going lol)
So, what settings did you use? I keed, I keed. 😉
Nice video. I really enjoyed it and look forward to checking out more of your stuff.
Thank you man! So glad you enjoyed it
I stumbled on your channel and loving the content, so useful. Can I please just check, are you shooting in raw and then editing or actually shooting in black and white? Thanks
So I am going to say what everyone else isn't going to say. As a Cleveland Ohio resident, way to represent with the Cleveland Guardians Hat! Great video, nice work.
Thank you so much! i've had loads of people stop me and say something that only a Cleveland local would understand ahaha. Later when I explained I just liked they had they were slightly disappointed ahaha
Love your photographs and I agree with sugestions. I also love B&W too, esp with street photography, just wish my pics were half as good.
Thank you so much dude! Glad you agree with them. Black and white just takes a lot of practice, and thankfully i've been able to spend a lot of time practicing :)
If I get 1 picture in a 1000, I'm happy, ish.
Another great video! I'm now a Subscriber to your channel because you have a skill and a contageous work ethic which I would like to learn for my photography. Nicely done!
Thank you so much! so glad you enjoy the content. Welcome to the gang!!
Really great pictures James. Which film recipe did you use, Acros or Monochrome?
Thank you so much dude! I use Acros and the preset in my buymeacoffee.com link! Feel free to download it for free, no need to pay for it. Let me know how you get on with it :)
Been waiting for this one! Dope video bro ❤
Wooiii here he is. SHOUT OUT TO BIG DOG FOR HELPING ME CREATE THIS VIDEO. Can't believe its taken me so long to get round to editing it ahaha
Photographing strange children is a risky practice, unfortunately. One can get pegged as some sort of garden-variety creep or pedo. It's a shame, but that's the society we find ourselves in today. I absolutely will not do it, under any circumstances.
Anyone else have thoughts on this?
And by the way, the shots are uniformly superb.
Thanks for saying the images are superb! It's all about your intentions IMO and how you hold yourself. I am confident that what I do never ventures towards that area, and so if I get confronted I can easily explain what I am doing and why I took the photo, even showing them the photo as proof I don't have ill intentions. People only give off shifty vibes, if they are feeling shifty/ nervous about what they do, so its a bit of a chicken/ egg scenario when it comes to confidence.
Great photos! Very good video, a pleasure to discover your channel, I subscribed!
Thank you so much! So glad you've found my channel and more importantly, like it 🙌 thanks for leaving a comment and supporting the channel ❤️
So glad I stumbled on this video!
Me too my dude! Thank you for leaving a comment and supporting the channel
Great photos and content keep it up.
Much appreciated! Big love for supporting the channel and leaving a comment
Very good video , Thank you 🙏🏻
Can we have the BW recipe?
Thank you so much Caroline! Appreciate it :) I don't use a recipe, rather I use a preset that you can download for free at the www.buymeacoffee.com link in the description 🙌
I honestly think you take too many trash photos because you waste your time on trying to take a good foto verses on thinking about the shot that you want and if it happens and you catch it then you are lucky. If you keep snapping foto after foto and hoping for that shot then you are wasting your time and your talent. If you want to truly figure it out and understand, then use film cameras. When you realize the cost vs. time effect, you will value your fotos more and you will think them out more. It has nothing to do with gatekeeping.
I strongly disagree. Legends like Matt Stuart say the exact opposite, take more photos.
I agree with the sentiment that film makes you intentional, but who says I can't be intentional and fast? It's more than possible to iterate quickly, and get the reps in using digital
This was so much more helpful to me that so many other videos I've seen, thank you!
So glad you found it useful! Many more similar videos in the pipeline. Thanks for supporting the channel by leaving a comment
Great points, great video.
Glad you enjoyed it! Thank you for supporting the channel
Amazing work !
Glad you think so! Thanks for leaving a comment and supporting the channel
The shot at #2:42 is a banger
Do you change your film sim to bw while shooting?
Thank you dude - Gotta love images with weird angles and perspectives. Yep, I LOVE having Acros in my view finder and live view screen. It helps me really see what light is actually doing, as opposed to my brains interpretation/ calculations of how things are. Does that make sense?
what is that camera you are wearing on your jacket? Thanks for the Great Video!
Glad you enjoyed the video! The camera on my jacket is a GoPro that I clipped to the shoulder strap of my rucksack, it’s an awful set up and I wouldn’t recommend it ahah
Thanks for the video. Did you use ACROS st mode?
Thank you for watching dude! I use Acros film simulation and then use my free preset at the buymeacoffee.com link :) No need to get me a coffee, just DL it :)
Finally a good street photographer giving great advices, thank you so much! Street photography tutorials in UA-cam are like "sure only grab your a7riv and your 200-600mm and shoot the Empire State or that cute Lamborghini, don't forget buying my presets pack".
That was great thanks
Glad you liked it! Pleasure making it for you
I love B&W vids
Me too! B&W hits different
Shout out for Brandon! Always good to have a friend along!
Biiiig love to Brandon! He is a wonderful mate supporting the channel 🙌
I guess you have to take care/seek permission if you shoot kids?
You have to take care, but anyone in public has the same rights. I never photograph anyone (especially children) who might be in vulnerable situations/ positions. Never want to get involved with that sort of stuff
Another great vid mate. This channel deserves to be on more subs!
Thank you so much dude 🙌 The subscribers will come with time - I am sure. Got to produce a few more great videos and I reckon it'll start happening. Thanks for leaving a comment and supporting the channel ❤️
Loved it.. Thanks. ❤❤
Glad you liked it! Big love dude
Nice to see your work today- I love Bw it kind of speaks a different language, much more atmosphere than colour.
Hope you are well James you look it I loved the cap by the way.
Keep well. As you can see I am still here treatment going well
Michael x
So glad treatment is going well Michael! Agree that B&W just hits different. To me it just focusses the story so much more
@@JamesParsons1 thank you James nice to hear from you. 👍 x
Great shots 👍learned so much while enjoying your photographs. Appreciate the honesty of letting us know that 95% of your shots are not seen, thank you for sharing your expertise and knowledge 🙏
You deserve more subscribers because your work is so interesting 😄
Thank you so much dude - The subscribers will come! Feel free to share the video with some of your friends to help the subscribers grow ;) Big love dude
Thank you. Great! Many pictures are super!
Thank you so much! Glad you enjoyed the video and the pictures. Thanks for taking the time to leave a comment and support the channel :)
I was enjoying your video, until I saw this: "You need to through the kitchen sink at it." and was jarred out of my immersion. I don't know if the fault lies with you or Matt, but the proper word here is "throw"! Still a good video otherwise.
I think that was UA-cam auto captions rather than the video itself- glad you enjoyed the rest of the video dude 🙌
@@JamesParsons1 Nope. It was definitely not a caption as the quote was not actually in the audio and it had the credit line under it saying "Matt Stuart - Photography workshop Lisbon May 2023". Those two lines were also in different font sizes...
I enjoyed this so much. Subscribed ❤️
WELCOME TO THE GANG! Glad you are enjoying the content and thank you for leaving a comment and supporting the channel
I have really enjoyed this and not only have I learnt a lot, I’ve discovered a new favourite photographer. I love your photos, very inspiring.
Great Shots - Terrible Music!
I love the music
I am going to be a colour thing tomorrow thanks to you! Loving the content!
DO IT MY DUDE - Let me know how it goes. Can't wait to hear
Very interesting and very inspiring movie .📷
Thank you very much dude 🙌 glad you enjoyed it (plus love that you called it a movie)
I liked his carefree demeanor 😊
Thank you! Glad you liked the videos and thank you for taking time to leave a comment
How people react when you shoot them? Especially kids, in my country parents would definitely come up and ask wtf are you doing.
I often get 0 response from people ahaha. In LDN there are so many cameras, most people don't pay any attention to you :) Where are you based?
@@JamesParsons1 I am based in Lithuania. Street photography is not popular in here. You would rarely see a camera.
Ahhh yeah I think it would be much harder to shoot up-close over there. That having been said, many photographers were taking great photos before cameras were really a thing :) Worth keeping in mind
Love your photography!
Thanks so much! Glad you like it :) Thanks for leaving a comment and supporting the channel
All dark all time not suprise
Try make bright photos in London when it’s cloudy lol
May i know which metering mode do you use? Can you make a video about it 😊❤
Hey dude - I don't use metering modes as I shoot everything fully manual. That having been said for the Leica M11, I use the multi-field metering mode and hope for the best ahah. I'll keep on glancing at my rear LCD and see if it looks over// under exposed and will spin the exposure comp in the appropriate way. Does that make sense? Thanks dude
@@JamesParsons1 thank you so so much for noticing ! Your work is amazing! Time to get out of Aperture Priority 🙈🙈
No worries dude! We are all on our journey and I am just doing my bit sharing what i've learnt :)
Excellent work
Thank you so much Sarah! Glad you liked it
hey James I dig the vibe and the way you approach photography it really shows that you really enjoy the process hence the awesome results , I do have one question i hope you and other views might pitch in on the best way to go about it which is just like this photo 3:50 its about photographing kids! i can't for the love of god even attempt to do so the idea itself is so scary seeing that am nothing but a stranger and how it would be perceived! i do enjoy street photography and have stumbled upon so many kids doing some random photogenic stuff but since they're kids i see it very taboo to even think about raising my camera . so how do you guys go about it , do you ask the parents for permission do you just make it appear spontaneous or how?
Thank you dude - Glad you like the videos and great question.
I treat photographing kids as the same as photographing anyone else. There is no reasonable expectation of privacy when in public. That being said, I never photograph anyone that is in a compromised position, such as being homeless or unintentionally nude.
When photographing kids, in my opinion, there is no reason to not photograph them. If the story is there, the story is there. Kids are always the ones doing weird things that make a photo interesting ahah. I never ask to take a photo, but you can tell who doesn't want to be photographed.
*That having been said, if they are doing something that COULD be seen as being sexualised, like lifting up their tops, I would not photograph it or would delete it. I ain't about that life.*
When I was confronted, I told the parents I'm a London documentary photographer it's a really interesting scene because of XYZ. Often they are like oh that's cool and go on with their day. I've never had a particularly confrontational experience, probably because I'm 6'3 and athletic and don't look like a predator.
Does that make sense?
@@JamesParsons1 Here in KwaZuluNatal the kids almost bruise the scene by jumping in front of the camera shouting "Shoota-Shoota" (Zulu slang for "take a picture") so stealth is often necessary to get the right shot. I took my daughter to an informal settlement this weekend and she was mobbed by the kids because she had a camera around her neck and she was possibly the first "white girl" to visit their home.
@@GavinThomas-pix South Africa is so different to the UK in that sense, we're the opposite! What stealthy techniques did you implement?
@@JamesParsons1 Durban has several diverse cultural, religious and ethnic influences and each must be treated differently. I will respond in respect of the Zulu as they are by far the largest population component. The average Zulu is extremely engaging, has an amazing sense of humour and quite easy going and gregarious. Their love of engagement makes it easy to take a spontaneous pic and if eye contact is met they want to see the image on the camera, have a laugh and joke and then move on. I am an Orlando Pirates soccer supporter and often wear a Pirates shirt, when I go into the informal areas (no "white person" ever goes there) they will shout from far "Yebo Paka-Paka" (pronounced Pagapaga) and the ice is broken. Stealth is sometimes needed with other cultures but never the Zulu! I think my best stuff is taken in the dusty tribal regions of KZN!
So many opportunities with B&W Love it! @wb2pics
cool video, good for motivation! :) thank you
An interesting episode James along with some good shots too.
This channel is criminally under rated.
Great pictures! I love B&W as well.
back in the day with film shooting b&w was a mindset and you really had to "think in black and white" since your camera's viewfinder still saw the world in color
Back in the time when there was only optical view finders? Do you think you would have benefited from having a black and white EVF?
nice video!
Thank you! Cheers! Appreciate you leaving a comment and supporting the channel!
Love your videos!
Glad you like them! Mean a lot to get comments like that. Thanks for supporting the channel
I'm just wondering why someone would photograph boring people in boring places? Otherwise good video
What do you mean?
@@JamesParsons1 no offence intended, I just don't understand the concept of streetphotography :-)
Interesting! I find that street is the most enjoyable way for me to practice for my client work, as for me the goal is to capture stories and to make them look interesting. Technically, you are so right, they are boring, but being able to appreciate these moments of the human experience and to walk around trying to see beauty everywhere just feels great ahah. Plus in 50 years these photos will be able to tell the story of what it was like to live in 2023
@@JamesParsons1 good point about the documentary aspect. Also from what I have seen in the video, you try to add some artistic (composition) vibe which is great
Thank you dude
awesome shots! 💙
2 videos in the span of a week ?? dayum
And by the way, do you think by any chance that you could adapt your presets to Capture One ? If not, no worries love u still
Ahaha working hard over here ;) thank you for the support my dude
I can’t say I’ve ever opened Capture One ahaha, I’d have no idea where to start making one over there. Sorry my dude ❤️
@@JamesParsons1 Ahha no worries, but if you ever want to i’d consider trying it especially if the raw is from a fuji, idk how to explain but it seems to be better at handling them
I've heard that from many different sources ahah. Maybe one day, I feel like I have too many videos in my head I need to get out before learning a different software ahah. I'll bear that in mind though when I eventually make an editing video!
What film simulation did you use?
Good question - it’s my own preset that you can download for free at the buymeacoffee.com link 🙌
@@JamesParsons1 Great work, very inspiring ! Thank you for sharing. Any chance you have a recipe for non LR user who shoot SOOC ?
I'm sorry my man! I've never shot SOOC (being a pro I am used to editing raws) so I've never even used a recipe (Fuji users hate that I say that ahaha). That having been said, maybe there is someone in the community who might have made a recipe?
Anyone pleaaassseeee ???
@@grosmauvais Fuji X Weekly has recipes for pretty much all the X-Trans sensors. Good place to start.
What I have learned is that even in my crap images, there are cropped components of it that do work.
Exactly that ahaha. Find what works and hope for the best ❤️