I live in San Francisco and enjoy street photography. On weekdays, when I'm out and about, I'm often also walking my dog—no time for separate photo walks and dog walks. The trouble is that my favorite street lenses are manual. I find it tough to manage the leash and MF lenses at the same time! I wonder if any members are in a similar situation and have tips to share?
The best strategy for me so far has been to focus to 2-3m at f/8, and try to time subjects entering the frame at that distance. I find I can make adjustments with my pinky on some lenses.
I've tried a couple "hands-free" leashes, but my pup is 65 lbs and needs a hand on the leash to prevent her absentmindedly running into people, spotting a chicken bone on the sidewalk, etc. I suppose one answer to my question could be to invest a lot more energy in training!
andymatuschak wrote:
I find it tough to manage the leash and MF lenses at the same time! I wonder if any members are in a similar situation and have tips to share?
1. Thanks for being one of the considerate dog owners keeping things on a leash!
2. A bit part of street photography is pre-focusing, so I think you've got the right idea to set things at f/8 and hyperfocus at ~2m. If you anticipate a closer photo, then you can set the focus closer by bringing the leash hand to the camera for brief moment, no? Of course GAS solution though would be to pick up a Ricoh GR because that camera was designed for one-handed operation.
Ah, your second point is helpful! Now that you point it out I realize: there's often not enough slack in the leash to bring my leash hand to my eye—i.e. if I wait to focus until I raise the camera. But there's always enough slack if I adjust focus with the camera at my waist—i.e. pre-focusing. And that's arguably better for street anyway. I'll practice that…
If the lens is tabbed lens, you can remember two focus location, 3m and 1m at f8. If it is 28mm, it will cover most of your case. Rest is just practice such as seeing and before even raise the camera, you have focus ring set ready. If you are talking about 50mm lens. Then it will be tougher but it is also doable for 3m-infinity. At close distance require a lot practices but it is doable. For wide aperture shooting, single hand will be challenge.
jcolwell wrote:
You could attach the leash to a carabiner on your belt. Lots of people do hands-free dog walking.
Depending on the size, weight, and energy of the dog, that could be a disaster in the making. Not something I'd recommend for younger large breeds, anyway. My thirteen year-old 50lb mutt would be fine with it, but he'll also sit and stay when I tell him, so it's not something I've had to do with him.
