Video: How to Use a Leica M Camera for Street Photography with Craig Semetko

Check out this new helpful video by Craig Semetko (author of “Unposed“) on how to shoot street photography with a Leica M camera. Here are some of the tips he shares in the video:

  • Know the camera well enough to not think about it. Then pure seeing and personal vision takes over.
  • Study the masters, in photography and painting, movies, literature, etc. Looking at Cartier-Bresson’s work never hurt anybody.
  • Practice observing and spend a great deal of time roaming the street. You don’t need an assistant to start.
  • Every situation is different. Work fast. Act like you’re looking elsewhere and don’t know how to use the camera.
  • A sense of humor is fundamental to me, as I believe it is for most people. In my opinion, a story without humor is not being truthful–at any given moment, someone is laughing about something somewhere.
  • Do what you are passionate about. The rest takes care of itself.

 

Craig Semetko: Unposed at The Phil Stern Gallery

I recently had the wonderful opportunity to meet up with street photographer Craig Semetko in Los Angeles. I met up Craig at a quaint little Coffe Bean in Los Feliz and we had a great chat about street photography and his life story as well. It was fascinating for me to hear that Craig never touched a camera until he was around 40, and that he was a comedic actor and writer for 20 years prior. However one he picked up his Leica, he got obsessed with shooting street photography and has been shooting non-stop the last decade or so. Highly inspired by Henri Cartier-Bresson, craig recently released his new collection of his street photography titled: “Unposed” which is published by teNeues. Also if you happen to be in the Los Angeles area, he is having his opening exhibition at The Phil Stern Gallery Thursday, August 4 at 7pm-11pm.

Read more to see my favorite images from him as well as more information about his gallery!