Jip,

Great article! Short, to the point, and full of real wisdom and great advice.

I personally own five cameras, but only two different layouts. My digital M cameras operate identically and only differ in sensor (M-E and M Monochrom) and the M5 still uses the same lenses and basic operating method. For smaller cameras I like the Leica X series, and own both the X Vario for travel and the X (typ 113) for everyday carry.

With that outfit there is no learning curve when switching cameras. No strange buttons or controls to relearn. No complicated menus or settings. I’m either in my X zone or my M zone.

Less is more.

In reply to Gunston.

Hey Gunston,
Thanks for commenting!

It’s very hard to see the difference between the M9/M9-P/M-E and the M240/M240P the biggest difference is seen when making big enlargements or shooting at higher ISO ratings. The M240/M240P files however are more flat and have a lot more dynamic range compared to the M9/M9-P/M-E so the post processing work flow is a little different. For me the biggest advantage for the M240 over the M9-P are handling and everything that has to do with the camera but not the end result. The M240 is just a nicer camera use in my opinion.

Kind regards.

can’t tell the difference between M240 and M9-P.

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In reply to Paul Verrips.

Hey Paul,

Bedankt voor je berichtje, fijn dat je het leuk vind mijn artikels te lezen!

Jip

Hoi Jip, Waardevolle informatie en natuurlijk leuk om te lezen over andere Leica aficionados. Groet, Paul

In my first term at University studying Product design, i was told something by our head of department something that stuck with me

“There is no such thing as God-given talent. You can be good at anything you turn your hand to, if you are willing to try, practice, learn from your mistakes and not give up”

There may be those amongst us that have a natural flair for one thing or another, but for most people, and most things, practice makes perfect. You can practice photography of any kind, and if you reflect on your work, you can improve. Some people take more time and more reflection that others, and some hold themselves to higher standards than others.

It’s only a fool who says “I have nothing left to learn”.

And like every comment, made anywhere, this is my opinion. Just like Jip’s article and Ant’s comment, it’s up to the person reading it to decide if it hold resonance with them, or if it rings hollow.

In reply to Ant..

Hello Ant,

I think the 10.000 mark is very much true, if you can show me anyone who’s #1 image is as good as his 10.000+ images then please do so. Of course some people will never be good photographers, but as in most things in life practice makes perfect. So practicing a lot will get you to discover how to actually capture those moments. And yes missing a shot is part of the learning curve. Failing is part of life, and if you’re smart you learn from it.

I think you don’t clearly understand the meaning of ‘practice’. “Repeated exercise in or performance of an activity or skill so as to acquire or maintain proficiency in it.” practice means repeatedly doing photography and in this way learning something new. If you photograph every day but don’t grow, or learn something new it is by definition not practice.

As a matter of fact the topic, or title of this article is applicable otherwise I would not have chosen it. I don’t mean to say ‘How to make street photographs.’ because this is much wider than what I was writing about in this article. In this very article I wrote about how to photograph strangers. These strangers might be my photographic subjects, but that doesn’t make them any less stranger to me. Again I think you don’t understand the definition of stranger. “A person whom one does not know or with whom one is not familiar.” Being my subjects I still don’t know them. Unless I talk to them, and get to know them.

I think it is true, because I’m speaking from experience. I have noticed that people don’t like being photographed by my Canon EOS 1Ds, or by my Leica R8 with DM-R. They feel intimidated by the camera. Sure I can put on a 200MM lens and take a flat emotion less image from 20 meters. But this isn’t how I’d like to work.

I like to advice people while I’m still practicing photography myself, rather than afterwards when I’m retired. When I’m gonna be retired the world has changed so much that my advice won’t be of use anymore to people starting photography that day. I’m a consultant by profession, so you tell me basically. Stop working and start advising companies when you’re retired. Do you hear how stupid that sounds?

Thanks for your reply, do you have any evidence to support your conclusions? I sure do. Also this article is a reflection of my opinion. That is also how I have tried to write it down. If you disagree you’re in your right to do so.

Jip

The 10,000 isnt true there are heaps of us that have done it since pic #1 and many more that are still poor at 100,000. Also on the matter of practice, no, there is no practice. When a moment is gone it is gone, you do not practice on a moment. What you need to do is get the shot, be determined and be ready …this I suppose might come to some from practice but the reality of what we see online are photographers that take bad pics …and forever take bad pics and no amount of practice has done them any good so the advice needs to be something else. Instead of practice it is a matter of never making the same mistake twice. Photographing strangers, the topic is wrong …what you mean to say is ‘How to make street photographs.’ They are not strangers when you are a street photographer …they are subjects of street photographs.

Also this monster DSLR stuff is bunkum …some of us are ex-leica and can take your pic without you even knowing and we don’t shoot from the hip. Your advice doesn’t do any harm but it would be better if you gave advice in your retirement rather then when you are trying to work it out for yourself, leave that kind of wrong advice to Eric.

Nice article – If you want to get really bold, read GoingCandid by Daniel Hoffman – best street photo book I have read (and its free).

Since reading this, I want the subject to look at me, just as I shoot continuous. You get great surprised eyes from 1-2 meters and few complaints. Takes a bit of nerve at first.

Good stuff Jip, keep it up!
Oh and, nice pictures ;)

Nice article :) Handling most of the street photography topics. Keep going like this!