Waist-Level Shooting VS. Eye-Level

<p>Do you get a sense <a></a>of discreetness when you shoot from the hip as opposed to eye-level when, say, shooting a "street scene"(or any other subject)? Is a waist-Level finder a worthwhile investment? </p>

<p>Definitely, I do it at family gatherings when I want a shot where people are not expecting me to take one.</p>

<p>I do what I refer to as a spray and pray (and FPS gamer will know what I am talking about).</p>

<p>Just point the lens in the general direction, hit the shutter and let the camera do it's thing, and hope I get a good shot. I have a Black Rapid R-Strap so it's really easy since the camera is already on my hip.</p>

<p>I took a lot of portraits in rural areas of China, where people tend to be camera shy. I had much better results with a waist level finder. It makes a world of difference in my opinion. They still know I am taking a picture, but they don't seem to be as concerned about it.</p>

<p>If the waist-level view is right way round, it's a lot easier. On the old waist-level reflex finders, things were reversed right to left, so following action took a special knack, if you didn't just give up and use the sports finder, as it was called.<br>

It definitely gives a different- not always better - perspective.</p>

<p>I kneel and sit a lot.</p>

<p>I can't use a waist level finder, even one that is right way around. I have a hard time seeing the screen well enough outdoors to see what I'm getting, and I can't keep it level. If you can use one, it has its advantages for shooting candid.</p>

<p>since modern cameras, excepting the film cameras with removanle prosms,<br>

dont have a w/l filer.<br>

but some digital have a pivoting lcd so you can look one was and take photos in another direction.<br>

I just tried it with a Canon Power Shot G2.<br>

Very interesting and tricky.</p>

<p>I do it often. Just go wide enough, center subject to reduce distortion, then crop later. </p>

<p>A WLF will allow you to get shots that you may be hesitant to do at eye-level. I wouldn't have dared to shoot eye level for this pic.</p>

<p>Here it is.</p>

<p>I shoot stuff like that all the time at eye level. Do it right and nobody notices.</p>

I tend to crouch down when shooting full length shots of people close up. The body is more proportionally correct when doing that, having the camera aimed straight at the person's midsection. A waist level finder makes that easier or more automatic.

<p>I despise shooting with a w/l finder though I have one as part of the system. Focusing sucks. I still am required to have my eye next to the magnifier so the camera is nowhere near my waist and looking down at my feet when the subject is out in front of me is illogical. </p>

<p>Discreet for me equals being fast and wearing clothing that blends in. A 5'9" 190# weightlifter with a 67 camera never disappears.</p>

<p>I've used TLRs and eye-level cameras ranging from tiny to large and can't say I feel any more or less discrete with any of 'em.</p>

<p>On the one hand, with the TLR folks seem less likely to stare directly at the camera lens. On the other hand, TLRs are often regarding as quaint and I've had people ask me to photograph them without any expectation that they'll ever see the photos. Same thing happens with my old Agfa Isolette folder.</p>

<p>I rarely take unaimed photos with eye-level-finder cameras at the hip. I think everyone goes through that phase and most of us end up getting over the notion that it's more discrete (if we're shy) or that it's more hip to shoot from the hip. I do occasionally take unaimed shots from overhead or with the camera at chest or chin level but without peering through the finder. The latter is occasionally helpful if I'm snapping while moving through crowds and don't want to bump into anyone. But I'm obviously taking photos so it's not more discrete. Just more polite than running into folks.</p>

<p>Short version: I dunno.</p>

<p>I've used a right-angle finder on 35mm when I wanted to take a discreet shot: camera resting on my lap, me facing one direction and the lens another, and much of the camera covered by my arms as I bend over to look through the right-angle finder. That worked very well. Similarly, I feel in my mind that I'm being less obtrusive if I don't have something at eye level that I'm "aiming" at the subject. Perhaps that different mental attitude on my part helps me to make a shot that I would otherwise hesitate to attempt.</p>

<p>For years I've made sure to have an Olympus XA2 in my pocket at any wedding or other event. You can shoot from the hip, overhead, one-handed, etc. and it's nearly silent. Lots of misses, but some good hits make it often worthwhile.</p>

<p> "Focusing sucks"<br>

In my opinion, with the magnifier up, there's no more accurate way to focus an image. It's bigger and brighter than any prism.</p>

<p>I really do enjoy using a waist level finder. Without even trying to do anything differently, you get a shift in perspective that you normally wouldn't go for using an SLR style eye level prism.</p>

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<p>It is also easier to photograph people when there is no camera between your face and theirs. People look at you, not your camera lens. They stay natural.</p>

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<p>A waist level perspective also does well when your goal is to create a mood, or to give someone an authoritative persona:</p>

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<p>You are correct in your thinking. A TLR or an SLR with a WLF is very discrete. People are programmed to ignore someone fiddling with a camera held about their mid section. But raise it to your eye, and everyone notices. Between the Speed Graflex era (1930-1940's), and the 35MM SLR revolution (1960's) was the (Rollei) TLR era of photojournalism. Remember also that a TLR can be shot held above one's head while maintaining use of the WLF.</p>

<p>Yeh John, those biker dudes are looking straight at you! I'm assuming they know you or you got guts! Anyhow,I've shot mobs of pedestrians crossing city streets hand-held(Kodachrome-tear) at 15th sec. hand-held. That ever-so-slight blur you get from 15th sec. is quite a study in human mobility, and sometimes behavior as well, for some scowel immediately if they notice a camera, and others simply don't. Maybe it's just me. So, waist-level-finder to the rescue?</p>

<blockquote>

<p>individually separate and distinct</p>

</blockquote>

 

<blockquote>

<p>careful and circumspect in one's speech or actions, esp. in order to avoid causing offense or to gain an advantage</p>

</blockquote>

<p>NTIM</p>

<p>Of course, here is another solution to the "sneak a shot, whether they like it or not" problem.<br /> Many of them for sale on eBay and elsewhere.</p>

<p>My word, I've just had an epiphany! I suddenly realize that the suffix <em>tach</em> in this and in Stereotach, is pronounced soft like 'attach' not hard as in tachometer! Of course, you all knew that already, didn't you. </p><div></div>

<p>That Spiratone Mirrotach would be a natural for those Spiratone "Girl Watcher" lenses. Put it on a Miranda Sensorex with the prism removed for waist level viewing, and ya got the ultimate in sneak-geek.</p>

<p>Several very famous photographers have used right-angle finders on their Leicas to great advantage. Ben Shahn and Helen Levitt, to name two. I use W.L. finders for the change in perspective from eye level. The ability to shoot from a POV almost 8 feet high to ground level -- and be able to frame accurately -- has its charms.</p>

<p>DF,</p>

<p>Hehe.. I have found bikers to be some of the friendliest people I've ever met. Most of the old-school bikers are mechanics / gear heads themselves. When they see the Yashica TLR they get kind of excited by it. (Lots of chrome and little knobs and wheels that do stuff, LOL.) This photo sparked a conversation about my camera, of all things. </p>

<p>The blond lady in this picture spotted my TLR and asked me to take this picture. They all wanted to pose, I didn't tell them to.</p>

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