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Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/2000 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
So Close
Most “street photography” photos I see make me wonder how they survived the cutting room floor, much less were actually chosen for presentation, so it's an understatement to say that I don't really care for it. But, today I found myself in the Roppongi area of Tokyo, and so I spent a while wandering around with the camera taking pictures in isolation, without any connecting story, so I guess today's post is my version of “street photography”.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/3200 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Traffic Control
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 220 — map & image data — nearby photos
Required
apparently, all “street photography” must contain a shot like this
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 450 — map & image data — nearby photos
Walking Miss Poh-Poh
( I don't really know the name of the dog )
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/8000 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
This Is Not Strange
in Tokyo
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 280 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Urgently Move It, Please”
( that's what the pink tag says )
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/2000 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Stroll With Papa
park behind “Tokyo Midtown”
Like I said, the whole “street photography” thing doesn't really do it for me, so I found myself gravitating to a small park behind the Tokyo Midtown shopping center in Roppongi, the site of the really Really REALLY blue light display from several years ago, which is the last time I was there.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/2000 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Six Months Old
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Say “Cheese”
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
Nice Couple
we chatted about cameras for a while
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/5000 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
“My Time”
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/6400 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Book Photography in the Park?
These ladies kept taking turns photographing each other holding books. I have no idea why, but when they're that photogenic, I can't really say that I care. The red shoes in the grass are just a bonus.
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/4000 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Upscale Afternoon
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 400 — map & image data — nearby photos
Five Months Old
just woke up from a nap
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/3200 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Commuting by Bike
you're doing it wrong
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/2500 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
“Come to Mama!!”
he did, and won an energetic, enveloping hug
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Aftermath
of a mass pigeon attack, fended off with a single sock
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/8000 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Crow
a particularly boring shot, but this was manual focus, handheld
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 280 — map & image data — nearby photos
Pretty White Flower Blossomy Thing
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/1600 sec, f/2, ISO 320 — map & image data — nearby photos
Gardener
Nikon D700 + Nikkor 300mm f/2 — 1/2000 sec, f/2, ISO 200 — map & image data — nearby photos
Some People Have No Sense of Humor
when I see the dog's coat, I feel I must be one of them
Awesome. Awesome. Awesome. The isolation effects of that lens are just…awesome.
(from San Diego):
I’m always trying to balance the distance required for candid photography (don’t let them know you’re taking a picture, or they stiffen up invisibly) with the need to NOT look like a stalker and generally fail. Kirk Tuck (http://visualsciencelab.blogspot.com) is someone who’s able to put people at ease and take good candid shots at a normal to short tele range, but I do like these as well.
The Nikkor 300/2 handheld? Have you been working out much then? 😎
Considering the lens and that I had a huge amount of luggage strapped to me, I was much more worried about looking like the idiot I was than a stalker. The lens is the opposite of “for candid use”… it invites smiles and conversation. Yesterday was my workout. —Jeffrey
Hi Jeffrey! Really great shots, I especially like the first one, “so close”, really well done. It’s a compelling, fun, happy image!
If I am correct, isn’t that a heavy lens (~7 kg) to use for “street” photography?
John
In the understatement of the year, I’ll answer “yes”. —Jeffrey
300mm f/2? That sounds like a monster lens!
You have some nice shots here. I particularly like seeing people against those green tones (as in “Gardener” and “Walking Miss Poh-Poh”). I don’t get into street photography much, myself, although every now and then I give it a try. I like what can result from it, but I just feel too self-conscious doing it.
That said, using a D700 and a… 300mm f/2?! There’s a photographer/artist in Japan named Glen (originally from Australia, I think) who’s big on street photography, and he does it with a D700 and a 85mm f/1.4. Not sure if you’re familiar with him – here’s his Flickr photostream: http://www.flickr.com/photos/glenn-in-japan/
Even the D700 + 85mm f/1.4 seems like it’d be pretty big for street photography, but I looked up images of your 300mm f/2 and the thing is huge! I admire your courage for pointing that thing at people on the street (and if you weren’t using a monopod, for your arm strength)!
They were all handheld, except for #2-#4, for which I used a monopod. Not sure which I prefer, so I’ll have to practice both ways. —Jeffrey
Very natural and appealing set of photographs here but, for the record, I think we really need a shot of you in action the street, wielding this amazing lens ! Your manual-focus skills are enviable, mine are hopefully improving…
Here’s a photo a friend took of me with it in the street, although a street in the remote countryside of Wakayama Prefecture, on Saturday. —Jeffrey
Wow! The mythical 300 f/2! I’ve seen it only in the Internet…
It should be a nightmare to focus it manually (if I remember correctly, you have a Katzeye…)
Yes, the KatzEye is absolutely invaluable, and makes MF a true pleasure. —Jeffrey
I love the flowering Cornus kousa (Kousa Dogwood Tree), its simply beautiful! Great shoot!:):)
You rent this or is it yours? Know a couple of places in town that rent it. Awesome piece of glass. I’d be down to Ginza on the weekend if I had use of this. The depth of the street would. I think, give it even more of a workout.
I doubt anyone rents it, it’s extremely rare. But if you’re ever in Kyoto, you can give it a go. (I’ve followed your photoblog for years, so if you break it, I know where to find you 🙂 ) Wish you would write more about each photo, such as why you’re doing B&W in camera these days. Just for the challenge? —Jeffrey
Hi, I’m Pascal from France, and I like so much all your pictures – Amazing and impressive photo work !! Really nice – Best regard – Pascal