Mike Liu wrote:
Michael, great shots with the 24G. I really like your documentary style. Quick question for you. When you shoot from the hip so to speak, what's your autofocus technique since you're not using the viewfinder? Especially at wider apertures.
Thanks Michael,
before I left to Italy, once a week I would stroll the streets of downtown Miami practicing shooting from the hip. After a while it becomes second nature (as far as composition goes).
For focusing I use the focus button instead of the shutter release method. Non of the shots were taken at anything over F2, most were between 1.6-1.8 and for the most part I would nail the focus everytime.
These are incredible photos. My only complaint is that, Damn, they make me want to go back! I wonder how many folks know that the fellow in your "Vendor" image is selling counterfeit knock-offs. It is both illegal for these guys to sell and for people to buy items from them--both can be arrested. These sellers scurry away as soon as they see any police around.
What camera was your 24mm mounted on? All are fabulous shots. I wouldn't want to be forced to pick a favorite, but I especially like the artist and the church interior with its low-to-the-floor perspective.
Mike Liu wrote:
very cool and impressive. do you use single focus point even for shooting from the hip?
Thanks Mike
When shooting from the hip I have gotten better results using the center focus point with dynamic 9 points continuous
What a great testament to the philosophy of controlling your "palette" by utilizing one great lens for so many intriguing and memorable shots! I remember years ago in college, a great art professor stressed to me the importance of not loading two many colors onto my palette... it would confuse the creative process, while mixing with fewer primary colors would free up the process.
One question about some of the subjects with whom you were able to approach so closely; did you need to ask permission for those shots, or were you sometimes able to get them surreptitiously? That is something that keeps me from getting some desirable shots at times.
Birdbrooks wrote:
What a great testament to the philosophy of controlling your "palette" by utilizing one great lens for so many intriguing and memorable shots! I remember years ago in college, a great art professor stressed to me the importance of not loading two many colors onto my palette... it would confuse the creative process, while mixing with fewer primary colors would free up the process.
One question about some of the subjects with whom you were able to approach so closely; did you need to ask permission for those shots, or were you sometimes able to get them surreptitiously? That is something that keeps me from getting some desirable shots at times....Show more →
Birdbrooks, for the subjects that are in the pics, I never asked I pretty much shot from the hip. This way their attention is never taken away from their activity and the shot looks natural.
hope that made sense.
Oh, and I agree about having too many colors on the palette. I took 3 lenses but early on the trip I decided to concentrate on just shooting with the 24 and believe it or not it was the most fun I've had shooting on a trip.
