02 03 25

Let’s talk about this selection

5D and 50mm. This street setup increases the level of difficulty in a way. And, inevitably, forces you to do a different type of photography.

Different in aesthetics and approach.

So I found myself thinking and operating differently. The advantages are that you find yourself with a lens that is ideal for portraits. But for that more immediate and instinctive photography I don't feel like recommending this focal length. As a Bressonian, I really don't know, even watching some rare footage of Henri Cartier-Bresson in action, how he managed to work at such close distances and take the kind of photos he did.

With that said, this lens is still the one with which I made two journalistic coverages published (one published, the other upcoming soon) in a international magazine. But on sunday I did have confirmation that for street photography, my street photography, I prefer another lens. I think 40mm is the maximum to consider for my approach.

I missed a bunch of shots. An outrageous number for my standards of achievement. I have to say that I worked outside of my comfort zone, going out on the street in aperture priority. I honestly prefer to go full manual to have full creative control. Don't think of it as Talibanism. Good for you that you succeed in aperture priority. For me it's not a thing, it doesn't work. It is the way that I work that makes that choice not the best choice: it is the way I walk and suddenly I raise up the camera, framing and shooting. It is maybe also how I breathe, the abrupt movements. Working with the stream of consciousness I need to arrive to my shots, and that is made through a particular mindset and a way of work that can be defined anxious.

The auto ISO on my 5D M2 is stuck on 400 when I shoot in manual. That means I have to shoot full manual with this camera. But, sincerely, I prefer this way than going on aperture or shutter speed priority. A lesson for the future in any case.