Shooting streets
It seems there is a light at the end of the tunnel. Infection rate and Covid related deaths are in downward trajectory, and now more often than not you know people who got vaccinated. Still there is a lot of work ahead for all of us Panamanians, yet I am hopeful better days are coming.
The past few months have been a time for a lot of photography self examination. I am taking notes of where I am in my journey, where my style of photography is heading, and exactly what tools would become important to me in the road ahead.
Shooting streets, now busy, crowded at times, streets of my city has given me so much to learn. To be honest, nowadays, I am not interested in the latest or greatest camera gear. I am more interested in other things: how does holding the camera makes me feel? how does people react when they see the camera I bring? how quickly I can change settings to adjust to coming photo opportunities? how the sensor renders colors considering our harsh sunlight? how does it handle high ISO pictures? Is it quick to focus? Does it have focus peaking for a more manual lenses experience? can it handle bad weather, because it rains a lot where I live? and few more…
So, a few weeks ago I went out to the streets near midday, sun up high, in company with the Nikon D700. It is an old camera, but it checks well so many of the previous questions, but some others not that well. Being a BIG camera, people tend to guard themselves when they see it. The shutter releases with a loud, commanding sound (which I personally love) that let people know you are coming. But it is excellent for those low light moments, photos retain so much details about ISO 3200, and the file sizes are so small and easy to work with. Below a few of recent pictures shot with the Nikon D700 and the 50mm 1.4g.
Then along came the Pentax K-5iis and the impressive DA* 16-50mm 2.8 lens, with a much quieter shutter, the strong grip that perfectly suits my big hands, and those Pentax colors. I walked along some of the most popular streets of Panama down in Calidonia, and I could tell the crowd noticed my camera. Bringing it to eye level was very often met with a look of rejection. Understandable. Plus, I have to admit I have been seduced by the ease the see the picture before you shoot experience of my mirrorless Fujifilm cameras. Walking and shooting with the K-5iis didn't help with the flow of things, I was feeling uneasy too. Even though this is an old heavy camera, I felt it brought the wrong kind of attention. I wasn't shooting comfortably, I should have brought some company. The K-5iis is a great camera, and you can shoot streets with it very well, just no in every street. Below some pictures from a recent walk.
So today I decided to go back to a camera I believe is great for street photography, the small, light, packed with advanced features Fujifilm X-T20. What a difference, I walked the same streets with so little concern whatsoever, people didn't mind the little camera, and it shoots and shoots and shoots flawlessly. Carried both the XF 35mm 1.4 an th XF 18mm 2, and in terms of the street experience, you could say it is spot on. Some time ago, I wrote a blog on this camera, that you can review here: https://www.eddieruizphotography.com/blog/2019/6/22/the-fuji-x-t20-great-for-street-photography
This little Fuji X-T20 camera checked many of the boxes I now look for street photography. But there is something missing, and it took me a while to figure it out…. yes the buttons and dials are too small for my hands, yes shooting was too easy, yes the threat of cloud and rain worried me a bit, but none of that reveals what is wrong with me and this camera. I am missing the feeling I have when holding the D700, or the K5iis, or the X-Pro2, a feeling of shooting with purpose, a feeling of inspiration. The X-T20 is a great camera for travel, for those family and friends reunions, for lazy walks on the streets, but I am not sure it is a camera to get inspired when shooting streets.
It is important to understand that these are opinions born on where I am in my learning process about street photography, less interested in megapixels, or focus points, but more interested about the shooting experience, the flow of things and whether or not I can find or construct a good picture. Moving on, then which tool should be coming with me and for the road ahead? Believe it or not, it is not X-Pro2, I am sorry, but that's a fancy camera, priceless, and more of a professional tool, or something I'd carry around if I have plenty of company, or if I am give an commission for a specific assignment.
I think I am going back in time, something old, something simple, something that just performs at a bargain price, and that might be the Fujifilm X-Pro1, I understand with the latest firmware upgrades it is pretty good. What do you think? Would you recommend a different camera? I am still on the fences, I'd love to hear from you.
Hope everyone is OK and healthy.
