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• coney island.

  

  

  

  One of a few posts I set up in my queue. I will be without interwebs for a few weeks. Play nice everybody.

• Shoot the photographer.

  

  Coney Island. LegacyPro 400/R4A/35mm Nokton classic.

  How i do enjoy catching these guys off guard. You know, that guy who camps out in a public area with his big ol’ rig and some 200mm tele taking nice candid portraits of the pretty ladies.

  Of course I am generalizing and I have no idea what his intent was, but he had a long lens and he was shooting at people. Meanwhile my longest lens is a 35mm and I get close and face deal with nasty looks or verbal threats. I think shooting so far off with a big lens takes you out of the situation and gives you no breathing room when it comes to framing.. but what the hell do i know. Maybe he has it right and I have it wrong, he probably gets no evil stares or hostility from that distance.

  I think anyone who enjoys photography should go out there and take pictures of people. Not just because I am tired of your macro shot of some gummy bears or a that boring image detailing the trails of the whip cream in your coffee. It is gratifying to freeze a compelling moment in time. Some pointers that apply in any situation:

  1. If you see your subject coming at you, frame the person and compose but do not look at him/her, make like you are shooting whatever is behind him. 90 percent of the time they wont be sure if you shot him/her or the background.

  2. Be subtle but not sneaky, move gracefully and stay out of the way. Our minds are wired to pay attention to fast moving objects. 

  4. No shots of peoples backs!

  3. If you get caught, its not the end of the world. Smile.

  In my experience 9 out 10 people will shrug and keep it moving while others will stop,engage, and ask questions about your camera - especially if you are shooting film, people are amazed by all the dials and buttons of an old timey looking Mamiya or Voigtlander. 

  If you want to know more about my methods in avoiding getting punched in the head while shooting on the street or anything else - Mustache me a question here.