Flash for street photos frowned upon !

jonbeeza

jonbeeza

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I am just wondering why is flash frowned upon for street photos? Where I live there are a lot of old fashioned streets and alleyways, these look very eerie at night. I often go down these streets late at night with my dog, ( her late night walk before bed ) the alleyways are cobbled with dark looming old buildings.

Being as it is late at night, I cant hang about in a dark alleyway waiting for a long shutter option. So I was wondering to just use flash instead, I know it may cause problems... flashing in an alley late at night could cause problems.

Yes I know there is a little joke in there, but just trying to figure out the best option really.
 
I have to say that if I were walking along a dark alley at night and someone fired a flash off at me, I'd be frightened and then very angry.
 
When I say an alley, more of a walk way really, a good few were I live. No I would never take photos of people in such a close area, just trying to light up the area and show up the stones and brickwork :)
 
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Cant see much of a problem if people aren't involved...maybe the flash would make the light too harsh?
:thinking:
 
I have seen that a lot of photographers, even street photographers "disapprove" the use of flash for "street photography" in the traditional sense of capturing candid scenes of strangers. (eg Bruce Gilden, Mark Cohen, Charlie Kirk, Eric Kim etc)

I doubt however that many people would disapprove of using flash to light an empty alleyway ;)
 
boliston said:
I doubt however that many people would disapprove of using flash to light an empty alleyway ;)
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So it for the reason of annoying people and being discreet, rather than image results? makes sense, so flash it is then ;)
 
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jonbeeza said:
So it for the reason of annoying people and being discreet, rather than image results? makes sense, so flash it is then ;)
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Well.. you're talking about an urban/street nightscape.. whereas "street photography" is generally only applied to photographing people as they go about their daily lives on the street.

I think there might be a terminology error here that's not helping.. I think your intention is closer to light painting than street.
 
Alastair said:
Well.. you're talking about an urban/street nightscape.. whereas "street photography" is generally only applied to photographing people as they go about their daily lives on the street.

I think there might be a terminology error here that's not helping.. I think your intention is closer to light painting than street.
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ahhh yes I see what you are saying, I do see the difference now, I was just thinking street photography, but just done at night. I do apologise for the confusion ;)
 
Thanks for posting the video clips, just watched them. You could certainly not do that where I live, you would probably get the camera taken off you, and get a thump for your trouble. Snapping right in peoples faces seems a little extreme, shows you what you can get away with, well some places at least ;)
 
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Hmmmmm, Bruce in America sums it up when he says " ethics? I have no ethics"
Brutal in your face photography isn't for me
Should a photographer influence live street shots (shocked, dazed, scared expressions) like that?
Much as I love street shots, this is far too invasive for me personally
 
BruceMo said:
Hmmmmm, Bruce in America sums it up when he says " ethics? I have no ethics"
Brutal in your face photography isn't for me
Should a photographer influence live street shots (shocked, dazed, scared expressions) like that?
Much as I love street shots, this is far too invasive for me personally
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The style came over as very arrogant and rude, I do not like his style. I would certainly not like anyone shoving a camera in my face like that. It would be ok from a little distance, maybe doing a shot as though people were a part of it, rather than the main subject.
 
far too much to be honest and the young guy in the 3rd video was just trying too hard i thought. Quite right of the guy to call him back and ask him to delete it. Hey ho though has to be said he is quite brave lol.
 
jonbeeza said:
So it for the reason of annoying people and being discreet, rather than image results? makes sense, so flash it is then ;)
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No problems using flash but if you are talking about on camera flash to light the street up, it will most likely look rubbish.
 
EOS_JD said:
No problems using flash but if you are talking about on camera flash to light the street up, it will most likely look rubbish.
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Well I was thinking of on camera flash, with a diffuser card draped over. But I am looking at other altenatives, off camera flash :)
 
Off camera is really the ONLY alternative for shots like this - It's about the direction of the light
 
Why not go a bit earlier without the dog, and try the long shutter option? The results might please you :)
 
How about a monopod and shoot at a high ISO? You might find its less than 1 sec and thats easy to take with a monopod.

A tripod and a few secs would get much better results though, and by not using a flash you aren't creating any new shadows, or attracting attention to yourself.
 
dave_bass5 said:
How about a monopod and shoot at a high ISO? You might find its less than 1 sec and thats easy to take with a monopod.

A tripod and a few secs would get much better results though, and by not using a flash you aren't creating any new shadows, or attracting attention to yourself.
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Sometimes shadows (inc flash shadows) can be very interesting. Getting the light in the right position is important to do that though.

A monopod is fine for maybe two or three stops of exposure....
 
If you take a look at any of the Urban explorer websites (like 28dayslater.co.uk) you will see they take a lot of photographs in dark places and use off camera flash or a big torch.

The idea is to put the camera on a tripod with a long exposure (say 1 minute, iso 100, F16) and then paint in light by either walking around and popping off a flash or using a large torch. This can look fantastic if done right.
 
EOS_JD said:
Sometimes shadows (inc flash shadows) can be very interesting. Getting the light in the right position is important to do that though.

A monopod is fine for maybe two or three stops of exposure....
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Yes but the way I read it the OP doesn't want to spend time setting gear up etc.
Nothing wrong with using flash and I agree you can get some fantastic images using them but not if you want to just shoot and get out quickly.

That's my thinking anyway.

Two or three stops might be enough.
 
dave_bass5 said:
Yes but the way I read it the OP doesn't want to spend time setting gear up etc.
Nothing wrong with using flash and I agree you can get some fantastic images using them but not if you want to just shoot and get out quickly.

That's my thinking anyway.

Two or three stops might be enough.
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Yes I agree - It's a tough one and down to the knowledge of the photographer.

Either way might look good or might not. :) We can only really give opinions and neither are really wrong.

Best thing to do is practice.
 
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