Archived posting to the Leica Users Group, 1997/12/02
[Author Prev] [Author Next] [Thread Prev] [Thread Next] [Author Index] [Topic Index] [Home] [Search]> Somehow I think the Leica--or at least my M3--is a sort of Tarnhelm. I >think carrying it makes the user invisible. I've definitely found that >people >act as if they don't see me when I photograph them with the Leica. Even when >they are staring directly at me, there's no sign at all that they notice >what's happening. So I think the Leica is a good part of HCB's legendary >invisibility. Being invisible as a photographer is more a state of mind than the camera you are using. If you are self conscious about being there shooting photos your sense of discomfort will be apparent to the subject and they will be uncomfortable with you taking their photo. I know I have been "invisible" when shooting with things like a 24 2.8 right in front of the subject of the photo. Yes the people see you, but if you act as though it is perfectly natural for you to be shooting the photos then most of the time they will ignore you. Patience is more important than many people think when shooting things as they are happening. Waiting for the right moment is the hardest thing for people to learn. Sometimes you can wait for an hour for elements to come together and the moment is there for only 1/1000 of a second, so you better be ready. Harrison McClary http://people.delphi.com/hmphoto