Eric Kim attached his phone to the M9 viewfinder and started video recording his street shooting session in Santa Monica. As you can see from the video, a smile with few innocent words is all you need to get away with shooting strangers at close range on the street:
Hi jhun, You’re right, taking street pictures in the UK can be dangerous. Street photography isn’t my normal type of photography but it’s something I’ve been doing more of, one thing I’m finding useful is to look through or past whoever you’re photographing as if they’re not there…talking to an imaginary friend also seems to help as people think you’re nuts so tend not to confront you lol.
I guess this is HIS style of street photography; its NOT INTERESTING AT ALL. Quite boring actually. A street photographer should be discreet (especially with the M9 which he has) and blend with his or her environment.
I am sure most of his images will come out with weird facial expression- something which I and most people don’t find pleasant.
Completely disagree- there isn’t anything inherently more or less ‘dangerous’ about photographing people on the street in the UK. It’s not about ‘stealth’; it’s just about body language, personality etc etc. It’s got nothing to do with the camera, either.
In Italy if you shot on the streets and you haven’t a written permission of the person who you shot you can’t make public the pic…you can just keep it in yours home’s album! /
Street photography varies per location. i.e. More touristy areas I don’t think its such an issue because they are on vacation/holiday and they are generally happy. Fashion type locations are also easier but then you get those stuck-up persons that don’t want to be bother. The list goes on and on – but I’ll try this sooner or later. I’m from NYC
I wonder if anyone who has written ‘you’d get punched’/beaten-up for doing this in their home town/country/place has actually tried or knows a photographer who has been beaten up for doing this. There are quite a few good in-your-face street photographers in England and no doubt other places. To get the photos they do, they walk the streets, day after day, week after week, year after year, shooting like this, and the vast majority of the time (if not all of the time) they are fine. If anywhere, I guess I’d be most worried about places where taking photos on the street without permission is *illegal*, as in various places in the Middle East.
Def agree with you here Gerard. Bruce Gilden, for all of his lack of charm, has been punched once. His approach is much more in your face.
To keep the video in context, Eric just spent the week with Bruce in Paris and I think we are seeing is “Gilden Excitement” coming through here. Its certainly not a perfect video by any means, but I give him credit for trying to show us a through the finder view. I think the filming was an experiment.
Having worked in England and Italy, I can say that if you look like a paparazzo, people will get angry. And there are some people in England that clearly did not want their pictures taken. Its cool. No fights ensued. But the vast majority of people did not mind. It all depends on the approach of the photographer.
The think I’m most unsure about is the attitude. Like the idea that you need to lie or do tricks to “get the shot”. Like saying “I’m a tourist”. Guilden would not say that. Wether you like Guilden’s style or approach, at least he’s upfront and honest about it.
There was another incident where a comment was made about the food, as if he was going to buy, and then said something like “oh, I don’t have any money” and moved on. It kinda strikes me as an really detached and insincere, as if the photographer is not one of the people, but is instead taking “shots” and “studies” of specimens in a jar…. and that leaves me with this cold detached feeling.. and I don’t know if that comes through in the photos…. that’s another whole subject of discussion.
So I admire Eric’s efforts to try and get a video of the experience of street photography… and who knows, maybe he’s different when he just shoots, and isn’t worried about getting a video… but something feels “off” about it.
@PETER, I cant agree with you more. Ericks style of street photography is different and more “IN YOUR FACE” kind. It’s definitely NOT for me. Truth is, people in the streets don’t have weird face expressions which where, is caused by some unknown person taking their picture.
I’ve seen his street portfolio and most of the images feel FORCED and not “right.”
That’s the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Right next to the ocean. Everybody has fun there. Plus there are a lot of tourists who are experiencing the laid back attitude of Southern California for the first time. It’s always like that. And Venice Beach is right down the street where all sorts of crazy and wacky stuff goes on in plain view. This isn’t like the rest of the world, it’s more like Disneyland.
Check this out: Iphone on top of my M7 Video Actual photographs dropped into video Just a first time try of my iPhone attachment but interesting and different style of shooting to Eric
Supports my theory… just go to a busy street and randomly shoot and you’re bound to end up with a few shots that, when presented in isolation with the “right” attitude, will make you look like some artistic superhuman street-photography god.
I agree with Eric. I live in London, UK. With the right attitude, there is absolutely no problem to photograph people in the streets of London. You can easily get away with a smile, nice word and the right positive attitude. You may sometime have to stop and explain why you shot the people, being flattering and charming can take you a long way.
Interesting video, its cool that he took the effort of filming his shooting style – as it can be seen from the comments here, that leaves him exposed to all kind of opinions. I’m not sure thats my style, but to each his own I guess.
I’d like seeing the outcome of his shooting session, though, it seemed a bit random and gunshot like – clack, clack, clack…Doom 4 style, like someone said here…I wonder how people are portrayed when approached like that…and there’s the question…what’s the value of this kind of photography? Doesn’t look like its sincerely documenting life, people, a particular mood, idea, time or place, so, again, i wonder the “what for?”.
I totally respect his way of working, but *for me* it feels a bit void.
When my ex was in art school, her photography teacher taught that photography was largely about confronting the subject and what this person is doing is totally consistent with that. That school of thought says that if you’re “hiding” by shooting far away with a telephoto lens, that you’re copping out and a photography “coward”. That photography is all about the interaction between the photographer and the subject.
And remember, this is Santa Monica, not far from Hollywood. Everyone there is either a tourist or an actor/actress wanna-be. So they don’t mind being on camera. And I think people in the sunnier parts of California are a bit less paranoid than the rest of us.
However, what was the point with the lens visible in so much of the frame? There were no aesthetics and he was moving so quickly, there was no time for the subjects to provide any kind of meaningful responses. So I think this was very poor art and it was also a very poor documentary.
I do almost this kind of photography (only rarely looking into the viewfinder) in San Francisco for ears already, and so far no one tried to hit me.
It is legal to take pictures on a public street in the United States, but illegal to punch people or even talk about such plans. It’s called assault and battery, and although the threat of violence is usually treated as misdemeanor, if unhappy “model” will actually touch the photographer, it’ll become battery (felony), and could easily put too aggressive person behind the bars.
The states can get a little A retentive about its assault laws. A couple of years ago an Australian woman sitting in a cinema said “shhh” to another american woman sitting next to her talking during the movie to her companion. The Australian woman made the error of gently touching the arm of the woman as she did… Which in tactile friendly Australia is actually a friendly gesture. Result? Oh, arrest, charges, incarceration, deportation. I suppose yelling “Shut the F@#%k up B*!&%h” into her ear would have been less offensive not to mention far more satisfying…
I’m sure he was shooting monochrome too. What is it that makes Leica users think this type of photography is remotely interesting? Buy M9 – check. Set to monochrome – check. Hit the streets snapping randomly and obnoxiously – check.
32 Comments
Unfortunately, if you try this here in Dublin, Ireland or in England, you get punch in your face for sure.
Agreed. I think it’s something to do with the lack of sunshine.
Hi jhun,
You’re right, taking street pictures in the UK can be dangerous.
Street photography isn’t my normal type of photography but it’s something I’ve been doing more of, one thing I’m finding useful is to look through or past whoever you’re photographing as if they’re not there…talking to an imaginary friend also seems to help as people think you’re nuts so tend not to confront you lol.
I guess this is HIS style of street photography; its NOT INTERESTING AT ALL. Quite boring actually.
A street photographer should be discreet (especially with the M9 which he has) and blend with his or her environment.
I am sure most of his images will come out with weird facial expression- something which I and most people don’t find pleasant.
Completely disagree- there isn’t anything inherently more or less ‘dangerous’ about photographing people on the street in the UK. It’s not about ‘stealth’; it’s just about body language, personality etc etc. It’s got nothing to do with the camera, either.
In Italy if you shot on the streets and you haven’t a written permission of the person who you shot you can’t make public the pic…you can just keep it in yours home’s album!
/
Is it Doom 4 ?
Nice video but this guy would have gotten beaten up here in Finland doing that. Unfortunately.
Hmm, he missed some photo opportunities, eg the man in the wheelchair (at 1:03).
Too busy with I and myself?
Street photography varies per location. i.e. More touristy areas I don’t think its such an issue because they are on vacation/holiday and they are generally happy. Fashion type locations are also easier but then you get those stuck-up persons that don’t want to be bother. The list goes on and on – but I’ll try this sooner or later. I’m from NYC
That’s a little too “in your face” for me.
exactly. about 90% of those pictures would be people with ugly expression thinking “WHAT THE FUCK!- GET OUT OF MY FACE”
that is NOT street photography for me.
Sorry, but this type of “walk by” street shooting is asinine. He should get punched in the face.
i dont think he would have a camera like this for a long time in prague
I wonder if anyone who has written ‘you’d get punched’/beaten-up for doing this in their home town/country/place has actually tried or knows a photographer who has been beaten up for doing this. There are quite a few good in-your-face street photographers in England and no doubt other places. To get the photos they do, they walk the streets, day after day, week after week, year after year, shooting like this, and the vast majority of the time (if not all of the time) they are fine. If anywhere, I guess I’d be most worried about places where taking photos on the street without permission is *illegal*, as in various places in the Middle East.
Def agree with you here Gerard. Bruce Gilden, for all of his lack of charm, has been punched once. His approach is much more in your face.
To keep the video in context, Eric just spent the week with Bruce in Paris and I think we are seeing is “Gilden Excitement” coming through here. Its certainly not a perfect video by any means, but I give him credit for trying to show us a through the finder view. I think the filming was an experiment.
Having worked in England and Italy, I can say that if you look like a paparazzo, people will get angry. And there are some people in England that clearly did not want their pictures taken. Its cool. No fights ensued. But the vast majority of people did not mind. It all depends on the approach of the photographer.
Kai over at Digitalrev with a Leica M9-P Un-boxing http://www.youtube.com/user/DigitalRevCom#p/u/1/34tuUgoUmkE
Maybe it was the cell phone interfering, but . . . Doesn’t this guy ever shoot verticals?
The think I’m most unsure about is the attitude. Like the idea that you need to lie or do tricks to “get the shot”. Like saying “I’m a tourist”. Guilden would not say that. Wether you like Guilden’s style or approach, at least he’s upfront and honest about it.
There was another incident where a comment was made about the food, as if he was going to buy, and then said something like “oh, I don’t have any money” and moved on. It kinda strikes me as an really detached and insincere, as if the photographer is not one of the people, but is instead taking “shots” and “studies” of specimens in a jar…. and that leaves me with this cold detached feeling.. and I don’t know if that comes through in the photos…. that’s another whole subject of discussion.
So I admire Eric’s efforts to try and get a video of the experience of street photography… and who knows, maybe he’s different when he just shoots, and isn’t worried about getting a video… but something feels “off” about it.
@PETER,
I cant agree with you more. Ericks style of street photography is different and more “IN YOUR FACE” kind.
It’s definitely NOT for me.
Truth is, people in the streets don’t have weird face expressions which where, is caused by some unknown person taking their picture.
I’ve seen his street portfolio and most of the images feel FORCED and not “right.”
That’s the 3rd Street Promenade in Santa Monica. Right next to the ocean. Everybody has fun there. Plus there are a lot of tourists who are experiencing the laid back attitude of Southern California for the first time. It’s always like that. And Venice Beach is right down the street where all sorts of crazy and wacky stuff goes on in plain view. This isn’t like the rest of the world, it’s more like Disneyland.
Try that in Nth Korea, next thing you know some black and white van pull up next to you and you went missing since.
Check this out:
Iphone on top of my M7
Video
Actual photographs dropped into video
Just a first time try of my iPhone attachment but interesting and different style of shooting to Eric
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cPWaPsTpUNc&feature=mfu_in_order&list=UL
what a great idea!! It made me lost my fear
Supports my theory… just go to a busy street and randomly shoot and you’re bound to end up with a few shots that, when presented in isolation with the “right” attitude, will make you look like some artistic superhuman street-photography god.
I agree with Eric.
I live in London, UK. With the right attitude, there is absolutely no problem to photograph people in the streets of London. You can easily get away with a smile, nice word and the right positive attitude. You may sometime have to stop and explain why you shot the people, being flattering and charming can take you a long way.
Interesting video, its cool that he took the effort of filming his shooting style – as it can be seen from the comments here, that leaves him exposed to all kind of opinions. I’m not sure thats my style, but to each his own I guess.
I’d like seeing the outcome of his shooting session, though, it seemed a bit random and gunshot like – clack, clack, clack…Doom 4 style, like someone said here…I wonder how people are portrayed when approached like that…and there’s the question…what’s the value of this kind of photography? Doesn’t look like its sincerely documenting life, people, a particular mood, idea, time or place, so, again, i wonder the “what for?”.
I totally respect his way of working, but *for me* it feels a bit void.
When my ex was in art school, her photography teacher taught that photography was largely about confronting the subject and what this person is doing is totally consistent with that. That school of thought says that if you’re “hiding” by shooting far away with a telephoto lens, that you’re copping out and a photography “coward”. That photography is all about the interaction between the photographer and the subject.
And remember, this is Santa Monica, not far from Hollywood. Everyone there is either a tourist or an actor/actress wanna-be. So they don’t mind being on camera. And I think people in the sunnier parts of California are a bit less paranoid than the rest of us.
However, what was the point with the lens visible in so much of the frame? There were no aesthetics and he was moving so quickly, there was no time for the subjects to provide any kind of meaningful responses. So I think this was very poor art and it was also a very poor documentary.
I do almost this kind of photography (only rarely looking into the viewfinder) in San Francisco for ears already, and so far no one tried to hit me.
It is legal to take pictures on a public street in the United States, but illegal to punch people or even talk about such plans. It’s called assault and battery, and although the threat of violence is usually treated as misdemeanor, if unhappy “model” will actually touch the photographer, it’ll become battery (felony), and could easily put too aggressive person behind the bars.
for years, obviously
The states can get a little A retentive about its assault laws. A couple of years ago an Australian woman sitting in a cinema said “shhh” to another american woman sitting next to her talking during the movie to her companion. The Australian woman made the error of gently touching the arm of the woman as she did… Which in tactile friendly Australia is actually a friendly gesture. Result? Oh, arrest, charges, incarceration, deportation. I suppose yelling “Shut the F@#%k up B*!&%h” into her ear would have been less offensive not to mention far more satisfying…
I’m sure he was shooting monochrome too. What is it that makes Leica users think this type of photography is remotely interesting? Buy M9 – check. Set to monochrome – check. Hit the streets snapping randomly and obnoxiously – check.
Now I’m Lartigue or Capa!