Your browser does not support script Thorsten Overgaard's Leica Photography Pages - The Story Behind That Picture 32 - Accidental Photographs: Always remember to wear a camera
Thorsten von Overgaard's Photography Website
  Get Newsletter & Free eBook  

 
 
The Story Behind That Picture - 32
SIGN IN to Overgaard Academy on-line classes Subscribe for full access. It's free.           thorstenovergaard on Instagram Thosten von Overgaard on Facebook Thorsten von Overgaard on Twitter Thorsten von Overgaard on LinkedIn Thorsten von Overgaard on Flickr Thorsten Overgaard on YouTube Thorsten Overgaard video on Vimeo Thorsten von Overgaard on Leica Fotopark Thorsten von Overgaard on 500px  
leica.overgaard.dk    
 
   
 
   

The Story Behind That Picture: "Always Wear a Camera"

Accidental photographs

By: Thorsten Overgaard. October 7, 2010.

Add to Flipboard Magazine.

There is a whole subject known as "street photography" by which is usually understood photographing people in the streets. However, in my understanding "street photography" tend to be everything I photograph that I'm not commissioned for: Things that happen in front of my camera when I'm living life. Because I always wear a camera.

The point perhaps is: Wear a camera at all times, and have it ready. Which imply that it shouldn't be lying at home or in a parked car, it should be over your shoulder. And it should be ready, not turned off in a photo bag or with a lens cap on the lens.

Being a photographer simply means "one who make pictures using a camera" and if they're good pictures you can make a living of it. Being a photographer isn't a piece of paper saying you took an education.

Statistically speaking, there's a greater chance of being a photographer holding a camera than holding a degree.

Being very practical about it, you should wear a camera that is set to auto power-off in 1 or 5 minutes so you never have to turn it off. So when you press the shutter slightly, the camera will wake up and be ready in few seconds. If you do that, you will soon discover that you "see pictures" whereever you walk, and the next big step is to take them. The reason that is a big step is that it requires that you point the camera at strangers and take the photo. Or that you (feel that you) attract attention from bypassers when holding the camera to your eye at a train station, in a hotel lobby or in the street. Hence a small soundless camera can be an advantage over the big dSLR, not only for that reason, but also as you will be carrying it at all times.

If you build a relaxed style of moving around and holding the camera for a while, you will notice something strange: That people notice you and the camera, then they forget you again. It's like if you sit on a motorbike in the street. As long as you just sit there peacefully, people will notice you and forget you, and you are free to observe. But the moment you start the engine and drive around, people will keep and eye on you and stay out of the way. So in that spirit, that is how you use a camera in the street.

 

The New Thorsten Overgaard Photography Extension Course

 

Wearing a camera and using it, you will stumble over many interesting things, and you will also become known as the photographer amongst friends and coworkers. And so you will have a willing crowd to photograph, and it will all feel very natural. And as long as you treat others as you would like to be treated your self, and act respectfully, they will be happy that you capture their daily life.

That was all I had to say today. I hope it was useful and that you liked the examples. As always, feel free to e-mail me at thorsten@overgaard.dk for suggestions and qestions.

You can wear a camera as fashionable as Tue does in this picture. A small Leica M9 with a Leica 90mm Summarit-M f/2.5 lens.
You can wear a camera as fashionable as Tue Juelsbo does in this picture. A small Leica M9 with a Leica 90mm Summarit-M f/2.5 lens.

 

Two more from the same "photo session" as above:


The hustler picture

 


Hands up!

 

Related stories: "Do You Wear a Camera?" by Darren Rowse (Digital Photography School).


 

   
     
     
   
   
   

 

 
 

 

Thorsten von Overgaard
Thorsten Overgaard's Leica Reviews and Article Index
Leica M digital camera reviews:   Leica L digital cameras:
Leica M11    
Leica M11-D   Leica SL
Leica M11-P   Leica SL2
Leica M11 Monochrom   Leica SL2-S
Leica M10   Panasonic Lumix S5 II X
Leica M10-P   Panasonic Lumix S1R
Leica M10-R   Leica SL3
Leica M10-D   Leica TL2
Leica M10 Monochrom   Leica CL
Leica M9 and Leica M-E   Leica L-Mount lenses
Leica M9-P    
Leica M9 Monochrom   Leica R digital cameras:
Leica M240   Leica R8/R9/DMR
Leica M246 Monochrom    
Leica MD-262 and Leica M60   Small Leica mirrorless digital cameras:
    Leica Q3 43 APO
    Leica Q3
Leica M film cameras:   Leica Q2 / Leica Q2 Monochrom
Leica M6   Leica Q (model 116)
Leica M4   Leica V-Lux
Leica CL /Minota CLE (1973)   Leica C-Lux
    Leica D-Lux 8
    Leica D-Lux
Leica M lenses:   Leica Digilux 3
Leica 21mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4   Leica Digilux 2
Leica 21mm Leica Super-Elmar-M ASPH f/3.4   Leica Digilux 1
Leica 21mm Super-Angulon-M f/3.4   Leica Digilux
Leica 28mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4   Leica R film cameras:
Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH FLE f/1.4 and f/1.4 AA   Leica R8 / R9
Leica 35mm Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0   Leica R4
Leica 35mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0   Leica R3 electronic
Leica 50mm ELCAN f/2.0   Leicaflex SL / SLmot
Leica 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95 FLE   Leica compact film cameras:
Leica 50mm Noctilux-M f/1.0   Leica Minilux 35mm film camera
Leica 50mm Noctilux-M f/1.2   Leica CM 35mm film camera
7artisans 50mm f/1.1   Leica R lenses:
Leica 50mm Summilux-M ASPH f//1.4   Leica 19mm Elmarit-R f/2.8
Leica 50mm Summicron-M f/2.0 "rigid" Series II   Leica 35mm Elmarit-R f/2.8
Leica 50mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0   Leica 50mm Summicron-R f/2.0
Leica 50mm Elmar-M f/2.8 collapsible   Leica 60mm Macro-Elmarit f/2.8
Leica 75mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/1.25   Leica 80mm Summilux-R f/1.4
7artisans 75mm f/1.25   Leica 90mm Summicron-R f/2.0
Leica 75mm Summilux-M f/1.4   Leica 180mm R lenses
Leica 90mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.5   Leica 250mm Telyt-R f/4.0
Leica 90mm APO-Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0   Leica 400mm Telyt-R f/6.8
Leica 90mm Summarit-M f/2.5   Leica 35-70mm Vario-Elmarit-R f/2.8
Leica 90mm Elmarit f/2.8   Leica 35-70mm Vario-Elmarit-R f/4.0
Leitz 90mm Thambar f/2.2    
    Medium format:
Leitz Cine lenses:   Hasselblad 907x CFV 100c
Leica Cine lenses from Leitz Cine Wetzlar   Leica S1 digital scan camera
    Leica S medium format cameras
   
    Sony mirrorless digital cameras:
History and overview:   Sony A7
Leica History and Heritage  
Famous Leica Usears   Fujifilm mirorrless digital cameras:
Leica Definitions   Fujifilm X-Pro 2
Leica Lens Compendium    
Leica Camera Compendium   "Magic of Light" 4K Television Channel
The Solms factory and Leica Wetzlar Campus   Thorsten von Overgaard YouTube Channel
     
Photography Knowledge   Thorsten Overgaard books and education:
Calibrating computer screen for photographers   Thorsten Overgaard Masterclasses & Workshops
Which Computer for Photographers?   Lightroom Survival Kit
What is Copyright? Advice for Photogarphers   Lightroom Presets by Overgaard
Synchronizing Large Photo Archive with iPhone   Lightroom Brushes by Overgaard
Quality of Light   Capture One Survival Kit
Lightmeters   Capture One Styles
Color meters for accurate colors (White Balance)   "The Photographers Workflow Masterclass"
White Balance & WhiBal   "Finding the Magic of Light" eBook (English)
Film in Digital Age   "Die Magie des Lichts Finden" eBook (German)
Dodge and Burn   "The Moment of Emotional Impact in Photography"
All You Need is Love   "Freedom of Photographic Expression" eBook
How to shoot Rock'n'Roll   "Composition in Photography" eBook
X-Rite   "The Portrait Book" eBook
The Origin of Photography   "A Little Book on Photography" eBook
Hasselblad/Imacon Flextight 35mm and 6x6 scanner   "After the Tsunami" Free eBook
    "Why do I Photograph?" eBook
The Science of Colors:   "The Artist's Guide to the Galaxy" eBook
Chart of all Leica camera's Kelvin Color Performance   "The Leica M11 Know-All eBook"
Chart of Hasselbad camera's Kelvin Color Performance   "The Leica Q Know-All eBook"
    "The Leica Q2 Know-All eBook"
    "The Leica Q3 Know-All eBook"
    "The Leica M240 Know-All eBook"
    "The Leica SL3 Know-All eBook"
    The Digital Photographers Extension Course
    The Overgaard New Inspiration Extension Course I
   
   
Leica Photographers:   Famous Leica Photographers
Henri Cartier-Bresson   Riccis Valladares
Rodney Smith   Christoåpher Tribble
Birgit Krippner   Martin Munkácsi
John Botte   Jose Galhoz
 
Douglas Herr   Milan Swolf
Vivian Maier   Jan Grarup
Morten Albek    
Byron Prukston   Richard Avedon
     
The Story Behind That Picture:   Learn with Thorsten Overgaard:
More than 250 articles by Thorsten Overgaard   Leica M9 Masterclass (video course)
Thorsten Overgaard Workshop Schedule   Leica M10 Masterclass (video course)
    Leica M240 Masterclass (video course)
Leica Forums and Blogs:   Leica M11 Masterclass (video course)
Leica M11 / M240 / M10 User Forum on Facebook   Leica Q Masterclass (video course)
Jono Slack   Leica Q2 Masterclass (video course)
Sean Reid Review (reviews)   Leica Q3 Masterclass (video course)
Heinz Richter's Leica Barnack Berek Blog   Leica SL2 Masterclass (video course)
    Leica SL3 Masterclass (video course)
Connect with Thorsten Overgaard:   Leica TL2 Quick Start (video course)
Thorsten Overgaard on Instagram   Camera Excellence (video course)
Thorsten Overgaard on Threads   A Fly on the Wall (video course)
Thorsten Overgaard on YouTube   Mastering the Noctilux (video course)
Join the Thorsten Overgaard Mailing List   The Leica 50mm Lens Class (video course)
Thorsten Overgaard on Facebook   Street Photography Masterclass (video course)
    Adobe Photoshop Editing Masterclass
    The Photoraphers Workflow Masterclass
    Adobe Lightroom Survival Kit
    Capture One Survival Kit
    Overgaard Workshops & Masterclasses
    Overgaard One-on-One Training
    Thorsten Overgaard Archive Licencing
    Commision Thorsten Overgaard
 
The Von Overgaard Gallery Store:   Von Overgaard Ventilated lens shades:
Ventilated Shades "Always Wear A Camera"   Ventilated Shade for Current 35mm Summilux FLE
Camera Straps "Always Wear A Camera"   Ventilated Shade E46 for old Leica 35mm/1.4 lens
The Von Camera Bag   Ventilated Shade for Leica 50mm Summilux-M ASPH
The Von Mini Messenger Walkabout Camera Bag   Ventilated Shade E43 for older 50mm Summilux
Desk Blotters 'Always Wear A Camera"   Ventilated Shade for 35mm Summicron-M ASPH
Sterling Silver Leica Necklace   Ventilated Shade for older 35mm/f2 lenses
Software for Photography   Ventilated Shade E39 for 50mm Summicron lenses
Signed Thorsten Overgaard Gallery Prints   Ventilated Shade for Leica 28mm Summilux
Video Masterclasses   Ventilated Shade for current 28mm Elmarit-M
Photography Books by Thorsten Overgaard   Ventilated Shade for older 28mm Elmarti-M
Home School Photography Extension Courses   Ventilated Shade E49 for 75mm Summicron
    ventilated Shade E55 for 90mm Summicron
    Ventilated Shade for 28mm Summaron
    Ventilated Shade for 24mm Elmarit
    Ventilated Shade E60 for 50mm Noctilux and 75/1.4
Gallery Store Specials   Ventilated Shade for Leica Q, Leica Q2 and Leica Q3
 

 

Friends as models: Austrian GT2 race car driver Niki Lanik and Swiss photo student Sofia acts as models just for the fun of it. Long story short, we were swimming in Geneva and thought "let's do some photos" and this was one of them. Leica M9 with Leica 50mm Summicron-M f/2.0 II. © 2010-2016 Thorsten Overgaard.

 

 

Yours truly captured in the middle of nowhere with a small Leica M9. Photo by Birgit Krippner.  Thorsten Overgaard
Yours truly captured in the middle of nowhere with a small Leica M9. Photo by Birgit Krippner.



 


Also visit:

Overgaard Photography Workshops
Books by Thorsten Overgaard
Street Photography Masterclass Video
Adobe Photoshop Editing Masterclass
Adobe Lightroom Survival Kit
Lightroom Presets by Overgaard
Lightroom Brushes by Overgaard
Capture One Survival Kit
Capture One Styles by Overgaard
Photographer's Workflow Masterclass
Signed Original Prints by Overgaard

Von Overgaard Gallery Store
Ventilated Shades by Overgaaard
Leather Camera Straps
Camea Bags
Leather Writing Pads
Sterling Silver Camera Necklace

Leica Definitions
Leica History
Leica Lens Compendium
Leica Camera Compendium
Leica 21mm Super-Elmar-M ASPH f/3.4
Leica 21mm Super-Angulon f/3.4
Leica 28mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4
Leica 35mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4
Leica 35mm Summicron-M ASPH f/2.0
Leica 35mm APO-Summicron-M f/2.0
Leica 40mm Summicron-C f/2.0
Leica 50mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/0.95
Leica 50mm APO-Summicron-M f/2.0
Leica 50mm Summicron-M f/2.0
Leica 50mm Summicron-SL f/2.0
ELCAN 50mm f/2.0
Leica 50mm Summilux-M ASPH f/1.4
7artisans 50mm f/1.1
Leica 75mm Summilux-M f/1.4
Leica 75mm Noctilux-M ASPH f/1.25
7artisans 75mm f/1.25
Leica 80mm Summilux-R f/1.4
Leica 90mm APO-Summicron-M f/2.0
Leica 90mm Summilux-M f/1.5
Leica 35-70mm Vario-Elmarit-R f/2.8
Leitz Cine lenses
Leica L lenses

Leica M6
Leica M11-D
Leica M11-P
Leica M11
Leica M11 Monochrom
Leica M10
Leica M10-P
Leica M10-R
Leica M10-D
Leica M10 Monochrom
Leica M9, M9-P and Leica ME
Leica M9 Monochrom
Leica M 240
Leica M 240 for video
Leica M 262
Leica M-D 262
Leica M 246 Monochrom
Leica SL 601
Leica SL2
Lecia SL3
Panasonic Lumix S1R
Hasselblad 907X
Hasselblad CFV 100C digital back
Hasselblad XPan
Leica R9 dSLR
Leica / Kodak/ Imacon DMR digital back
Leica Q
Leica Q2
Leica Q2 Monochrom
Leica Q3
Leica Q3 43 APO
Leica D-Lux 8
Leica CL
Leica TL2
Leica Sofort
Leica S medium format
Leica X
Leica D-Lux
Leica C-Lux
Leica V-Lux>
Leica Digilux
Leica Digilux 1
Leica Digilux Zoom
Leica Digilux 2
Leica Digilux 4.3
Leica Digilux 3
Leica Digilux 1

Light metering
White Balance for More Beauty
Color Meters
Screen Calibration
Which computer to get
Sync'ing photo archive to iPhone
The Story Behind That Picture
"On The Road With von Overgaard"

Von Overgaard Masterclasses:
M11
/ M10 / M9 / M240 / Q / Q2 / Q3 / SL2 / SL3 /TL2 /

 

 


 

 

Thorsten Overgaard
Thorsten von Overgaard is a Danish writer and photographer, specializing in portrait photography and documentary photography, known for writings about photography and as an educator. Some photos are available as signed editions via galleries or online. For specific photography needs, contact Thorsten Overgaard via e-mail.

 

 

Thorsten Overgaard photo workshops and masterclasses for Leica photographers and digital photographers

 


 
           
  · © Copyright 1996-2024 · Thorsten von Overgaard


 

© 1996 - 2024 Thorsten Overgaard. All rights reserved.

 

Web Analytics