p.1 #1 · Running around the City with a big white lens...
Heya,
I'm sure as you all know, Canon's white lenses in particular tend to get people's attention.
When you are out an about in the city (as tourists/ or for candids etc) do you guys take any precautions/ have any tips with respect to:
- Subtlety, how to minimise people realising that you are taking a photo of them and because of which they pose and subsequently disturb the scene?
- Safety, has anyone been mugged/ threatened because of the fact that people realised they were carrying valuble photographic equipment around? How risky is this outside the main touristic centres?
p.1 #2 · Running around the City with a big white lens...
First thing I do is to look around for nice shooting opportunities with the camera in the bag or pointed down. When I spot such a shooting opportunity I pull it out quickly (if it was in the bag), make the all the necessary arrangements (e.g. pre-selecting focal length [if it is a zoom], AF point, aperture, metering mode, EC, FEC [if I am using a flash] etc.) with my back to the subject and only when all is set I turn around and shoot.
Obviously, I rarely need to make all those arrangements. In most situations most are already where I want them to be so the whole sequence takes just a few seconds.
There's also a lens coat but as I noticed the amount of attention I get from the 200/2.8 (the longest black lens) is about the same as with my 70-200/2.8 IS I never bothered to purchase one. I guess that for average Joe everything which is not a small P&S is a pro gear worth staring at.
p.1 #5 · Running around the City with a big white lens...
I conceal carry when I am shooting in the city. And I still don't feel completly safe. The only thing you can do is to be aware of your surroundings. Consider using a hand strap or wrapping your neck strap around your hand, and not around your neck. This will help prevent someone from snatching it off your shoulder. I personally only bring my 135L when I'm shooting discretly on the street. That mounted on the 5D isn't the MOST noticable combo. My main street set up is non-gripped 5d with 35L.
p.1 #7 · Running around the City with a big white lens...
Well, first we need to decide what is that "big white lens".
For example, on the POTN forum people talk of the 70-200 f/4 as a "big white".
On the Naturescapes forum that adjective is reserved for the 500 f/4 and better.
Either way, the supertelephotos are awkward to use for walk-around street photography because of their weight and size. The visual impact of those can be somewhat diminished by not mounting the hood.
On rare occasions I have used hoodless 200 f/1.8 and 300 f/2.8 for some casual street picture taking. However, there are street events like parades, rallies and such where one can see a number of supertelephotos being used by professional and amateur photographers alike.
p.1 #13 · Running around the City with a big white lens...
Yakim Peled wrote:
But when you get involved they notice you.....
Happy shooting,
Yakim.
Then hang out for a bit so they get used to you & start to ignore you. I don't do much street shooting, and that little bit is mostly at some kind of event (county fair for example). I usually use the 24-70 and have the gear hanging--no hiding what I'm up to. I'll get the occasional reaction to the brick, but usually can get my shot.
p.1 #16 · Running around the City with a big white lens...
I live in South Africa, a high-crime country. I work for a newspaper that employs many photographers and fits them out with the latest gear.
Of the four in my office, none has ever been mugged, to my knowledge. And I think I would have heard of muggings among the eight or so photographers at head office, but I haven't.
p.1 #17 · Running around the City with a big white lens...
Depends what city and country. In any city/town I've visited in Australia, it's never been an issue, so I walk around with the lens out. And it's much more common to see BWL on cameras these days.
p.1 #18 · Running around the City with a big white lens...
Hi everyone.
I met someone, who made a stupid mistake. He photographed the automobile races at Phoenix international Raceway-using a Pentax 645, with a 600 F5.6, great white lens. His buddy was using a Nikon system. After the race was over, they put the equipment into a locked car trunk, and went for a beer! Well , you can guess the rest of the story. Someone had spotted the big Pentax lens, and helped himself to it, living the 35MM cameras and lenses behind. I lived in Phoenix for 28 years, and yes it is a high crime aera.
Cheers
Harry
p.1 #19 · Running around the City with a big white lens...
I've been all over with the 70-200/2.8 and a 1DMkII over my shoulder and never had a problem. I guess that might be a different story with a 400/2.8 or 600/4 but then I don't tend to run around cities with either of those lenses. In fact, I don't run far with either if those - they're both just too heavy
p.1 #20 · Running around the City with a big white lens...
WilsonImages wrote:
use a shorter lens...get involved in the picture instead of sniping...
todd
Todd is absolutely right. For most street photography you're better off with a smaller lens. With wider angles, people often don't even realize they're in the shot.
Most good street photography is done with standard or moderately-wide lenses anyway.
This guy just looks creepy:
Now there are plenty of good uses for a longer lens in the city, but I think candid street shots with long lenses is just lame / cowardly.
