I often receive emails with questions about my street photography, so I decided to create this little compendium with answers to the most common ones. Hope you will find it useful. If you can’t find the answer to your question, feel free to contact me.
How long have you been shooting street photography?
20 years.
What camera do you use for your street photography?
I normally work with a Leica M11P or a Leica Q3. Here you can read my Leica Q Review.
Do you have a favourite lens?
I love to work with lenses between 21mm and 28mm. If I have to shoot a street photography portrait I may switch to a 35mm or a 50mm lens.
Which camera and lenses do you own?
Check my photography equipment list.
Do you shoot film?
I've been shooting film for many years. Now I'm 100% into digital.
Do you shoot JPEG or RAW files?
Why shoot only JPEG? My camera is set on RAW + low-resolution JPEG. I develop the RAW files and use the JPEGs only for a faster preview on my computer.
How many pictures do you shoot in a normal street photography session?
It depends on my mood and the opportunities I encounter. From a few to hundreds. Sometimes more, much more.
Do you digitally manipulate your photographs?
No. I use Photoshop just as a digital darkroom for adjustments such as dodging, burning, cropping and straightening.
Should street photography be only in black and white?
Absolutely not. I choose black and white because I love its aesthetic, but there are many exceptional street photographers who capture incredible images in color. As a commercial and advertising photographer, I usually shoot my ads in color, so street photography allows me the opportunity to explore and enjoy monochrome imagery. If you're interested in more detailed information on this topic, check out my blog post about my approach to Black and White street photography.
How do you convert your raw files into black and white?
I use basic Photoshop tools along with some personally developed techniques to convert them to black and white. Finally, I apply some basic dodge and burn adjustments to enhance the final image.
Do you stage your photographs?
Most of the time, no. But if needed when I'm shooting a street portrait I may ask my subject to make some adjustments in orientation or pose to improve the lighting and composition.
Who are your photographic influences?
Joel Meyerowitz, Lee Friedlander, Robert Frank, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Vivian Maier and Fan Ho.
Did you learn photography at college or at a private school?
No, I’m a self-taught photographer.
Did you ever assist a professional photographer?
I assisted Steve McCurry in the field for many years. I also assisted Elliott Erwitt, James Nachtwey and Eugene Richards.
Do you sell fine art prints?
Yes I do, Custom Limited Editionsprinted on exhibition grade fiber paper, numbered and signed. Email me for costs and availability.
Do you run workshops?
Yes I do. I give street photography workshops with the Leica Akademie. Visit the Workshops page for more information about my street photography courses.
Do you give private lessons?
Yes I do, please email me for costs and availability. I run street photography city walks in Rome, NaplesandOnline one-on-one Workshops.
Which cities have you photographed?
Mostly Rome but also Naples, Milan, Palermo, Catania, Turin, Florence, Tokyo, Havana, Budapest, Mumbai, Beijing, Berlin, Paris, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Essaouira, Malta, Hong Kong.
Where would you like to shoot next?
Seoul, London, New York, Istanbul, Porto, Shanghai... the list is very long.
Is photography your job?
Yes I'm an advertising and portrait photographer. This is my commercial photography website: www.eoloperfido.com
What camera do you use in your studio commercial assignments?
Leica SL3P and Leica SL3-S are my studio photography cameras.
Have you ever shot street photography with the Leica SL3P family cameras?
Yes, several times. Using M lenses with the M lenses adaptor. It’s a real pleasure to view the world through an electronic viewfinder and an M lens. After all the SL3P camera in this particular configuration is not much heavier than an M camera.
Do you have an Instagram feed?
Yes — you can find me at @TheWalkingPhotographer.