View Full Version : David Solomons - street photographer - video
RollingBall
03-03-2011, 10:59
I haven't seen this video on here before, I'm sure it will be new to some people if it has been posted though.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cFY4kfqXl2Q&feature=email
enjoy
Don't get me totally wrong because I like some of this guys pictures, and I like that people post links to a lot of stuff here. But what is it with all these guys posting videos of themselves walking around taking photos? Am I the only one that thinks this is pretty weird?
Cheers,
Gary
Self promotion for his book I guess. Don't like his shots any of the shots he took while out, but some of his stuff is nice elsewhere. But yeah, don't see the point in this.
LOL good point... I guess many people are interested in videos of street shooters because they want to see how they do it in practice, if they shoot from the hip, the body language, how they manage to stay out of trouble etc.
duncanhill
03-03-2011, 17:34
It's interesting, the odd composition of his shots look like they are from the hip, but he is apparently looking through the viewfinder to frame what he's shooting. If I walked around photographing people that blatantly, I'd probably be hassled multiple times in a day. Haha.
He missed the shot of that guy blowing smoke at 3:40, only to take the photo of the woman photographer?! I personally don't get much, or like these kinds videos, but I can understand why some people are interested in them. I am more interested in hearing what they say about their work, not their technique. I frankly didn't find David's work all that interesting, but then I am only making my observation from this video.
It's interesting, the odd composition of his shots look like they are from the hip, but he is apparently looking through the viewfinder to frame what he's shooting. If I walked around photographing people that blatantly, I'd probably be hassled multiple times in a day. Haha.
Helps to have very busy streets with every type of human strolling, staggering, marching by all the time. He's so furtive and quick---just another strange person.
Shooting street stuff in a small town is a whole nuther story....
Gotta use that technique from the movie "Z"---motor drive, wide angle, camera held almost behind the hip, distract with eye contact
Funny thing is the people in the vid aren't even that distracted by the videographer.
Nikkor AIS
03-04-2011, 19:27
Thanks for the link. I am starting to think that having someone shooting the street photographer is a perfect ruse to distract/confuse the vigilant subject on the street :).
I personally find these videos of other street photographers really fascinating and it's so cool to see how other people work. Besides, I love the busy streets and watching them is like a first-person street photographer’s video game.
These types of videos are a great way to promote street photography/street photographers and I always appreciate when folks take the time to provide links to them.
If I did one, I would show all the shots I miss when loading/rewinding film :p. Or when I’ve got my head turned the wrong way or I’m using the wrong lens and all the out-of-focus shots and bad exposures ...OO.
It would also be really entertaining to see people's reaction to me, as I shoot the weird **** I like to photograph.
I’d like to see the contact sheets and the photographer going over the contact sheets and talking about the images taken during the video.
The other thing I can't help noticing is that sometimes, the video is better than the photos. I am not saying that this is the case in this instance but the man blowing smoke is a perfect example of the video guy getting it and the street shooter missing.
Don't get me wrong, I miss so many shots it's not even funny. But isn’t that the whole point? Street photography isn’t easy.
And where are the security guards telling you that you can't shoot? And how come no one ever asked "those photographers," Why are you taking my photo :p?
Another thing I would like to show is how different it is when it's freezing outside and the street is almost bare and the light is bad and the photographer is 6”3 and stands out like a sore thumb :).
juno_lau
03-09-2011, 17:45
what camera is that?
Hexar AF???
It's so hard to do street photography...
I just got my 1st RF kit recently and feel more comfortable to use than my F2 / F3 as it is quieter...
but then I am still afraid of taking picture of people as they realise I am shooting them!!!
How do you guys do it?
MinorTones
03-09-2011, 19:21
He didn't even look like he was trying, he was just shooting everything in sight. What was the point?
I think street shooting is about framing up a moment with some sort of visual interest. This guy was just lazy imo and photographing nonsense. There was no aesthetic in any of it, except maybe that shot with the elderly woman in blue.
He missed the shot of that guy blowing smoke at 3:40, only to take the photo of the woman photographer?
Exactly what I saw! Could be his best picture of the day LOL.
Regards,
b.
LeicaFoReVer
03-14-2011, 17:14
He missed the shot of that guy blowing smoke at 3:40, only to take the photo of the woman photographer?! I personally don't get much, or like these kinds videos, but I can understand why some people are interested in them. I am more interested in hearing what they say about their work, not their technique. I frankly didn't find David's work all that interesting, but then I am only making my observation from this video.
I thought of that too as well, it was a brilliant moment he missed!
Nikkor AIS
03-14-2011, 19:35
http://rogaltacdesign.smugmug.com/Other/Early-Work/BBB9628/1209502527_cS8yM-L.jpg (http://rogaltacdesign.smugmug.com/Other/Early-Work/11862178_etGoA#1209502527_cS8yM-A-LB)
Smoke rings are cool :).
I still say getting the word out on street shooting with these kinds of videos is cool. I would love to see others make their own and do better.
I feel like this video is going to lower the value of his shots.
xayraa33
03-15-2011, 11:20
What if he was different and used a TLR on a tripod ?
What if he was different and used a TLR on a tripod ?
Then he'd get in to trouble for surveying without wearing a plastic helmet and an orange safety-vest . . . .
;)
xayraa33
03-15-2011, 12:19
Then he'd get in to trouble for surveying without wearing a plastic helmet and an orange safety-vest . . . .
;)
I think the safety vest would be yellow in the UK.
Dwayneb9584
05-11-2011, 20:48
It is one of the rules of being a street photographer.
You eventually have to make a book and then a video of yourself shooting. If you consider yourself a pro street photographer, you have to get your friend with a 5D Mark II, the best camera in the world, to shoot the video using shallow dof and other stuff like out of focus moments.
HAHAAH, really funny you mentioned this.
Yeah... some of the shots just looked like boring snapshots, or like someone has walked around all day with a DSLR on burst mode at their hip the whole time. A couple of the shots were ok though.
TLR on monopod, with hi-vis, NOBODY would suspect you! Great ideas :)
Dr Gaspar
05-18-2011, 05:49
Not interested by his ideas or style.
I like watching videos of street photography but I can't get passed first 30 sec of this video, and I have tried twice. Its just too painful to watch this guy, he looks very uncomfortable and like a fish out of water.
Just noticed he was shooting digital, then realised he's taking a ton of shots and getting 1 in 200 or something. I just bought the M6 to learn how to do the opposite.
I'm also curious to know what drives so many street photographers to come out with the video of them shooting in the street. Is it self promotion, a fashion, or a holy rule of street photography? I wonder if people are really that interested in that.
I can't help thinking that sometimes these videos are somewhat detrimental - think of Bruce Gilden - I don't really care how he gets his work done (btw I thoroughly enjoy it), but how much s**t did he gets from the videos that show his technique? There's a video of Joel Meyerowitz (whos work I also find great) shooting in the street that doesn't really give him justice, as he comes across as quite pedantic and pompous. So what do we do with all these street photographer videos? I also end up skipping them after about 1 minute.
HCB didn't want anybody photographing him, or when he was filmed, would prefer to stay in the shadows... so that nobody would recognise him on the street as that photographer guy ;) How the times have changed.
This video on the other hand is good to watch so you can learn from him how not to do certain things.
For one don't 'act' like you know what you're doing when you don't. People will sense that and then point at you and giggle.
anu L ogy
05-18-2011, 09:19
It all depends on the video - its not really fair to make a blanket statement about all street photographers. If every street photographer made a video, but they were all excellent quality, then I would be happy. Just look at Trent Parke's videos. To me, they are fascinating.
ackers8888
06-07-2011, 08:20
Some harsh comments. Anyone who shoots street knows that you aren't going to get a keeper of a shot every time you go outside. We shoot thousands of rolls and only a handful make it into the Portfolio. Therefore in the short space of time that David was filmed, it was unlikely that he was going to get a masterpiece! I think it is interesting to watch someone shooting street with no inhibition though. Especially when you think of all the people so scared of taking street photos. I would rather die than have someone filming me, but good for David. He is a nice guy.
jsrockit
06-07-2011, 08:43
Just noticed he was shooting digital, then realised he's taking a ton of shots and getting 1 in 200 or something. I just bought the M6 to learn how to do the opposite.
If you get one great photo (not just good, but great) in 200 you're doing well IMO. Are you sure it was digital? I thought it might be a Konica Hexar AF.
srtiwari
06-07-2011, 08:59
To my mind, this is a ridiculous video. Other than seeing a guy walking about "snapping" photos, what does it tell you ? There does not appear to be much planning, composing, or any other creative "process" involved. I can't see what there is to learn here. And the pictures themselves are, well...nothing.
Very true, one can't expect a masterpiece in few hours of street shooting. What I'm curious to know is the value of these street-photographer-in-action videos. I end up feeling that that it's a form of self promotion - it seems that every street photographer sooner or later ends up doing that! Nothing wrong with it, but if anything I'd rather see a photographer comment on a selection of his best work, how he got there, what made him select it afterwards.
As for the harsh comments, it's true, on the internet we might get a little carried away with non-constructive comments :angel:. But it's nothing personal, it's just chitchat.
Some harsh comments. Anyone who shoots street knows that you aren't going to get a keeper of a shot every time you go outside. We shoot thousands of rolls and only a handful make it into the Portfolio. Therefore in the short space of time that David was filmed, it was unlikely that he was going to get a masterpiece! I think it is interesting to watch someone shooting street with no inhibition though. Especially when you think of all the people so scared of taking street photos. I would rather die than have someone filming me, but good for David. He is a nice guy.
alistair.o
06-07-2011, 09:18
Just noticed he was shooting digital, then realised he's taking a ton of shots and getting 1 in 200 or something. I just bought the M6 to learn how to do the opposite.
I think your missing the point here; take Mr Winogrand, thousands and thousands of rolls of film and how many pictures do you know or how many books has he? Forget digital (X100 whatever) and think: I've just bought a camera, now I need to get out and learn in action (whether digital or film) Or of course there is the other route of what camera next? what lens next? whatever next - next-next-next. Take pictures now and loads of them.
Al
http://rogaltacdesign.smugmug.com/Other/Early-Work/BBB9628/1209502527_cS8yM-L.jpg (http://rogaltacdesign.smugmug.com/Other/Early-Work/11862178_etGoA#1209502527_cS8yM-A-LB)
Smoke rings are cool :).
I still say getting the word out on street shooting with these kinds of videos is cool. I would love to see others make their own and do better.
Do better? I don't think making videos of one's self doing street photography is a good idea at all. What would you come away with? Seeing how others do their work? You should do what you do and develop your own style. The point of being a good street photographer is remaining somewhat invisible and unobtrusive. The result is the images you produce.
I personally can't stand these videos. The worst of the bunch is Meyerowitz. It is all about photographer "grandstanding". I've never seen a good image come out of these.
jsrockit
06-07-2011, 09:40
To my mind, this is a ridiculous video. Other than seeing a guy walking about "snapping" photos, what does it tell you ? There does not appear to be much planning, composing, or any other creative "process" involved. I can't see what there is to learn here. And the pictures themselves are, well...nothing.
While I get what you are saying, we do not know who made the video and what its purpose is. He does talk in the video... so maybe it is video for fans. I'm pretty sure these videos aren't self-promotion (or they'd be better i.e. more planned out). They are most likely just a quick video for a website or blog by someone interested in his work.
Honestly though... did you expect a class from him in this video? He did compose...just did it quickly. That is his creative process whether you agree or not. He's doing better than most RFF members with his process.
If someone went out to shoot a video of you for the day, can you guarantee great photos (not directed to you srtiwari, but everyone) or would you end up with "nothing?"
back alley
06-07-2011, 11:07
i find it surprising (still) what folks get riled up about here at the ol' rff.
'every' street shooter is making videos? not really!
'self promotion'...so what? is that bad?
i like watching them...never know what i might learn and if i learn nothing...big deal.
raytoei@gmail.com
06-07-2011, 11:50
thanks for sharing. as a student of photography, i think we can always learn by watching other people. i wouldn't want to pass judgment on David's style of photography from just one video, especially from the videographer's POV.
I personally gain plenty from watching others shoot street. I first discovered this when I first had a photowalk with a very talented street photographer from Vancouver. Watching his approach, how he reads the light and just plainly sees things that I would not have noticed... all valuable. I enjoy these videos the same way I enjoy a good photowalk... lots to learn from just watching somebody do their thing.
will-i_am
06-07-2011, 23:43
i love watching these type of videos maybe not this one in particular but they motivate me to get out and shoot. Theres a good one of Daido Moriyama cruising around shinjuku with a point and shoot and just taking hip shots and stuff like that really cool to watch and then he goes into the darkroom and prints one off its just nice to see into his world.
sleepyhead
06-08-2011, 00:21
If you get one great photo (not just good, but great) in 200 you're doing well IMO. Are you sure it was digital? I thought it might be a Konica Hexar AF.
It is a Hexar AF.
sleepyhead
06-08-2011, 00:28
It's interesting, the odd composition of his shots look like they are from the hip, but he is apparently looking through the viewfinder to frame what he's shooting. If I walked around photographing people that blatantly, I'd probably be hassled multiple times in a day. Haha.
One way to avoid getting hassled or beat up while doing Street Photography is to walk around with a mate carrying a video camera.
a) you have a companion to help defend you
b) the fact that someone is following you around and filming your every instructive move, as well as recording all your inciteful wisdom of the Street, must mean you are either a Celeb or a true Artiste (and therefore you become the spectacle rather than the everyday man or woman on the street
;)
jsrockit
06-08-2011, 04:31
One way to avoid getting hassled or beat up while doing Street Photography is to walk around with a mate carrying a video camera.
a) you have a companion to help defend you
b) the fact that someone is following you around and filming your every instructive move, as well as recording all your inciteful wisdom of the Street, must mean you are either a Celeb or a true Artiste (and therefore you become the spectacle rather than the everyday man or woman on the street
;)
Haha, funny...and probably true.
I would love for him to go out and only have one frame left in his camera...it would force him to visualize the shot in his head instead of his viewfinder.
Also, if he would try using the DOF scale, prefocus, and shoot without raising his camera to his eye each time. This would make shooting much fasterand way less of a pretentious production. Random shots of people walking on the street are not so interesting IMHO. Some of his other work is nice.
ianstamatic
06-09-2011, 16:26
Personally i liked it. Thanks for posting.
i can understand its not evryone's cup of tea but really why the negativity ??
jsrockit
06-10-2011, 04:38
I would love for him to go out and only have one frame left in his camera...it would force him to visualize the shot in his head instead of his viewfinder.
Come on, there's more than one way to work in Photography. Everyone visualizes in their head or they would just shoot at random without looking through a viewfinder 100% of the time... you always have to decide when to bring the camera up to your eye and then shoot i.e. see something worth photographing.
mclucas08
06-27-2011, 07:43
I do not see what's wrong with these videos. I think what attracts people, what we most like about them is how they behave photographers whom we admire about his work, but making pictures on the street, doing the type of photography we like to do, see how they behave on the street to the target audience. Of course that seems more inetesante to know what camera you use, although it might be interested in what focal used.
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