[Leica] Street Shooting In London, D.C., and Biltmore City

[Bill Caldwell <sneeker@erols.com>]

Rene, Johnny and Others,

I recently spent four shooting days in London (Great Britain), with two
M6s mounted with a f/1.4 35 mm Summilux-M ASPH and a f/2.8 135 mm
Elmarit-M with goggles (not a low light, hand hold special, and you
crank forever in focusing).  In shooting 21 rolls of 36 exposures of
Fuji NHGII 800 on the street, in pubs, in museums, in the Tube, and in
the parks, including Speaker's Corner in the particular speaker's sphere
of influence,on Sunday morning, I did not get challenged by anyone.  Of
course, if a museum exhibit has signs, "No photographs,"  or a person
says, "No photographs please," I honor that signage or request. 
Harrods' security asks that you bag cameras; they had to give me two
plastic bags for the Leicas as I don't normally carry a case. The
British Museum and our museum guide there did not object to photographs.
(M6 without flash, great photos of antiquities and people.) I also have
alot of great pub shots, including the bar keeps and close ups of the
beer pulls and patrons.  Disclaimer here, I am not shooting "Human
Traffic" or people in the quantity numbers that Johnny is.

In Washington, D.C., over the same period and from experience, I would
have been challenged, at some point, at least on the street.  I would
have smiled, waved, or if necessary given my first name and quickly
explained that I was shooting scenes of D.C. for my own use.  If it
seemed warranted (I was really tight with the 35 mm lens or we had a
face off at six feet with the 90 mm lens) I would offer to send the
person a copy of the photograph (be sure you do if they give you their
address).

Never take a photo of a street cop in a major US city, without first
asking permission -- the officer (he/they) will be in your face.
Shooting in bars and micro-breweries has not been a problem in the D.C.
area, especially if you use the bar keep for your first subject (the
f/1.4 Summilux-M ASPH with 800 film come into their own in these
lighting conditions). People seem to watch the bar keep and if it is
alright with him/her for some photographs, it is alright with them at
that point. 

Baltimore City, Maryland, is an easier place to shoot in as opposed to
Washington, D.C.  The Inner Harbor, the Fells Point Historic Area (try
shooting in the Wharf Rat Bar, it will challenge your hand holding
abilities), Canton (Mama's -- Natty Bo is the beer -- and the very nice
wine bar across the street) in Baltimore City all offer good outdoor
backgrounds and a lot of people activity on the street.  

Of course, off the street, I do not just walk into an establishment and
start wacking the shutter.  At the wine bar, I shot several frames of
the owner (great guy), after introducing myself and ordering a glass of
his featured red wine.  Talk and shoot.  Next time up to Baltimore City,
I will take several photos along in an envelope and give to the owner,
or leave the photos with the manager, if he is not there.  I will also
take some more photos with the M, the Rs are too "clamorous," if I like
what I see.

Best of Light,

Bill Caldwell
Northern Virginia

SNIP --

Rene wrote:
....
But having said that, I wonder if Johnny would have the same
laisser-faire reaction from his subjects here in Canada or the USA.  I
believe people might be more confrontational on this
side of the pond.  Speculation on my part. Maybe some of the Luggers can
relate their experience in street photography in the USA and Canada.

SNIP --