Stealth is a Myth
- Thread starter artspraken
- Start date
Could not agree more on the racist bit. But aside that, there is some truth to that (in the terms of),... it is not the camera, but it is the photographer that makes the pictures.
It really doesn't matter what the photographer users, it's the photographer action that attracts attention. A skilled photographer will just blend with the surrounding unnoticed. Contrary, if you are worried that you will be noticed, you will definitely be noticed. James Nachtwey used canon SLR in the documentary War Photographer and he blended like wall paper.
Thedraperyfalls
New Member
Going in the same grain, black cameras are actually the oddity now.
To quote the ever eloquent Dante Stella:
Some people think tha having a black camera makes it more unobtrusive.
Arguably, this is false; people are least freaked-out by camera phones and silver point-and-shoots.
A black camera signifies professional (or spy). And you lose any element of surprise when you actually try to shoot with anything.
Sometimes you never had an element of surprise.
To put it in a crude and potentially politically incorrect way, a western tourist in Bangkok shooting is still a western tourist- regardless of whether the camera he holds is black or silver.
As the reply above astutely points out, the photographer matters too.
When I was in NS, we had to do regular monitoring sweeps in high-end hotels.
The main thing was to be stealthy and blend in - but yet they made us wear the same suits/outfit over a period of three days.
Walking the same routes at the same time of day.
It wasn't until we pointed out that it was ridiculous that we received an expansion to our 'civilian' wardrobe.
If you're going to dress like a tourist in a foreign land, you'd hard to miss - regardless of what camera you use.
If you're going to dress loudly and exude a body language that is both conspicuous and overt, you'd be noticed no matter where you are.
To quote the ever eloquent Dante Stella:
Some people think tha having a black camera makes it more unobtrusive.
Arguably, this is false; people are least freaked-out by camera phones and silver point-and-shoots.
A black camera signifies professional (or spy). And you lose any element of surprise when you actually try to shoot with anything.
Sometimes you never had an element of surprise.
To put it in a crude and potentially politically incorrect way, a western tourist in Bangkok shooting is still a western tourist- regardless of whether the camera he holds is black or silver.
As the reply above astutely points out, the photographer matters too.
When I was in NS, we had to do regular monitoring sweeps in high-end hotels.
The main thing was to be stealthy and blend in - but yet they made us wear the same suits/outfit over a period of three days.
Walking the same routes at the same time of day.
It wasn't until we pointed out that it was ridiculous that we received an expansion to our 'civilian' wardrobe.
If you're going to dress like a tourist in a foreign land, you'd hard to miss - regardless of what camera you use.
If you're going to dress loudly and exude a body language that is both conspicuous and overt, you'd be noticed no matter where you are.
artspraken
New Member
The color of the camera affects stealth depending on the clothes you wear.
Joel Meyerowitz wore a grey shirt when he used his steel grey M9. In another video, he wore a black top with his black paint M9.
(the point above is meant to be sarcastic if you read between the lines. The example is true. The videos are on youtube)
Joel Meyerowitz wore a grey shirt when he used his steel grey M9. In another video, he wore a black top with his black paint M9.
(the point above is meant to be sarcastic if you read between the lines. The example is true. The videos are on youtube)
The Dry Box
Senior Member
Words
Unless it's a rolleiflex. I cannot recall how many times I got stopped in the middle of the street because people are curious about tlr.
I used to be very in your face with a dslr armed with 25mm... with a leica, I shot from the hip more. Not because leica gets too much attention... I just got lazier. It's all about the photographer's attitude in the end.
It's also less obvious that I were taking other picture when I was closer. Having a 28mm really helps.
There are people who are more sensitive towards cameras than others, you can't be invisible to this character.
Agree with Artspraken. Stealthy Leica are things of the past. HCB's era maybe. But now its shines like luxury handbag.
Nobody farking care about me when I shoot on the street with my big dslr rig with big lens big flash, ttl cord and batt packs.
But I attract the most attention when I shoot Hasselblad, Rolleiflex, and my Zorki and FEDs because they all look old school.
I imagine Leica going to attract even more attention coz its now a 'celebrity' camera (remember the funny photo of supersmart paris hilton shooting with lens cap on) and raffles hotel also got Leica showroom.
The most stealthy camera is my iphone.
Nobody farking care about me when I shoot on the street with my big dslr rig with big lens big flash, ttl cord and batt packs.
But I attract the most attention when I shoot Hasselblad, Rolleiflex, and my Zorki and FEDs because they all look old school.
I imagine Leica going to attract even more attention coz its now a 'celebrity' camera (remember the funny photo of supersmart paris hilton shooting with lens cap on) and raffles hotel also got Leica showroom.
The most stealthy camera is my iphone.
virtualme78
Senior Member
Ahhh.... now i see.... didn't know that was from a HK forum... :embrass:
Royale With Cheese
Senior Member
I totally agree. If we want to get 'sneaky shots', we have to take risks. The risk is to be honest and be turned away.
Absolutely.
I would feel so sad for my Leica to be called a Lomo....
virtualme78
Senior Member
the VF for avenon does looks a bit lomo-ish... lol
The other time while walking, some guy said my sexy chrome is holga
jyasin
Deregistered
A recent trip to Japan proved that stealthiness is definitely a myth, for me at least. Even without dressing up loudly or behaving in a conspicuous and overtly manner, it's next to impossible for me to blend in. There were several instances where I realised that people were actually taking photos of me taking photos!
You can gaffer tape a red dot, but how to gaffer my tanned skin and curly hair ;p
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Royale With Cheese
Senior Member
They never see SEA orang miyah before la :bsmilie:
jyasin
Deregistered
HAHAHAHAHAHAH, I KNEW YOU WERE GOING TO SAY THAT!!!
It's ok, one man's orang minyak is another man's 'cinnamon tan':sticktong
The other time while walking, some guy said my sexy chrome is holga
Maybe the snake skin is the reason why. LOL!
http://cloud.lomography.com/576/432/ce/61baaf785213f24f5bfb4162ad66190a560803.jpg
Need not be overly conscientious of being stealthy. That’s too much hype about RF equals stealth, For usual street shoots, every now and then it is us who are distracted while noticing whether others take notice of our "Pride-cameras" (Pride need not be expensive), I think it’s a hobbyists’ habit. I say we just shoot. OT, i am a sucker for leica chrome gears.
Then again, my 'just shoot' got me into trouble a couple of times. Just make sure u got a "exit plan".
Then again, my 'just shoot' got me into trouble a couple of times. Just make sure u got a "exit plan".
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Well said! I think an exit plan is a must here in SG.
PapaLi
New Member
The other time while walking, some guy said my sexy chrome is holga
Yup, a photographer i knew saw me with my leica and said"..ah i knoe this camera, lomo...my fren oso got use"
and i go like
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