Archive for the ‘Focal length’ Tag

Focus in candid street photography   4 comments

If you are interested in the street photography you already know basic techniques of focusing

  • Hyperfocal distance
  • Zone focusing
  • Autofocus

There is no reason for me to explain concepts of Depth of Field (DOF) and hyperfocal distance in this topic. Internet and many books have plenty of useful information in any level of details.

When I use my Point&Shoot camera (Canon S90) most of the time there is no need to be concerned about focusing.  This camera has such deep DOF that only very special circumstances make me think about changing my focus settings. Effectively, Point&Shoot always has hyperfocal distance or very close to it.

I don’t use hyperfocal distance with my DSLR camera unless my composition demands focus to infinity. Control of DOF with  selective focusing is the basic method in the photography to direct viewer attention. As another big bonus, large aperture allows using fast shutter.

I use combination of zone focusing and autofocus. Before I make the shot, camera is always prefocused for predicted distance.  If I decide to use viewfinder there is always option to use autofocus (with separate AF button). Modern lenses with quick shift make this mode of operation very convenient. My older favorites don’t have quick shift so I prefocus them pointing to some boring object. To use autofocus photographer has to understand its intricacies and limitations.  Don’t focus by pointing to the smooth wall and, probably, forget about autofocus when it is dark or other special conditions.  Many photographic sights are the great source of information about autofocus.

Don’t settle on one-fits-all rule. Find your own style to take your best pictures.

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Candid street photography in Morocco with Pentax K-5 and 21mm f/3.2

Pentax 70 mm f/2.4 DA Limited for Candid Street Photography

Pentax 14mm f/2.8 for Candid Street Photography

Canon S90 for Candid Street Photography

Why is the candid photography unique?

Posted May 15, 2011 by candidstreetphoto in Candid photography techniques

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Rules and Myths of Candid Photography: Wide angle or telephoto lenses   4 comments

Many bloggers and experts like to say that you should use wide angle lenses because they require being close to the subject. This makes street shooting a “fair” game. It seems dishonest to use a telephoto by hiding from a distance.

Hunters have the same debate when choosing a weapon.  They will argue that it is valiant to select a tool that will give their victim a chance to escape.

However, we are photographers and our goal is to make great images. We are not in a contest with people on the street or with each other. The choice of lenses is governed by artistic considerations, feasibility, or convenience, not by some superficial notion of machismo.

Often I use lenses from wide to short telephoto, including small zoom. On occasion I have fun with my old long telephoto 60-300.

I don’t toggle lenses during shooting. My choice is based mostly on my current mood and situation. If I am in doubt I use a “normal” 31 mm (with 1.5x crop factor).

I don’t use a long telephoto because being far from the object (using small view angle) makes the depth of perspective compressed. But sometimes this compression is an important part of the composition.

Wide angle lenses allow the photographer to be very close to the person. Photographers can invade the personal space of the subject before getting a chance to use the camera’s viewfinder. This may require shooting from the hip or belly.  Do not frame tightly in order to have latitude for rotation and cropping.

Use any lenses that you think are most appropriate for your situation.  Don’t concern yourself with artificial rules that many candid street photography experts try to push.

Related topics

Pentax 14mm f/2.8 for Candid Street Photography

Pentax 70 mm f/2.4 DA Limited for Candid Street Photography

Posted November 19, 2010 by candidstreetphoto in Candid photography techniques, Genre of candid photography of strangers

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