With Detroit Revived released, I’ve started on a new photo essay eBook called Broken City, Big Hearts. It will be shot over the winter months in Detroit and will revolve around a few low key charities that help people survive year around, but particularly in winter. Detroit winters are deadly, especially to the poor and homeless.
I’ve created a page called Winter in Detroit on this site and have started shooting around Capitol Park on the outskirts of downtown Detroit. I haven’t carried a big DSLR since I want to be as inconspicuous as possible. I’ve been shooting with my old Nikon Coolpix 3100 which I love, but two flaws make it difficult to use. For one, the cycle time is slow and has caused me to miss some good shots. For two, the zoom doesn’t focus well, or at all. I had something to do with that. When we were in Mexico a couple of years ago the lens wouldn’t retract and I used a butter knife to break it free. The 3100 still works great for non-zoom shots, though, and I’ll keep that camera forever. The shot below was taken with the 3100 and processed in Lightroom 5.
I wanted something with more sophisticated controls than a simple point and shoot. I needed a small camera where I could easily control exposure, ISO, white balance and other familiar DSLR functions. I saw a used Canon G12 at B&H for $259 and bought it. It retails at $749 new so I got a decent deal, and have never gone wrong buying used equipment from B&H. The G12 came yesterday. It came just in time, since I’m leaving for San Francisco and Palo Alto on Monday for two days and I’m taking it with me as my one and only camera. If I’m lucky I’ll have some time to get some shots in SF.
First, the G12 is not a DSLR and at first feels like a toy, which it definitely is not. It’s a solid, serious camera. It’s weighty for its size, and I like that. My photographic experience falls on the extreme end points, either with a full blown DSLR with a wide variety of lenses or a dinky point and shoot (the 3100) so the G12 feels comfortable.
The LCD display is on a swivel, and it’s useful. I have a T2i which I bought before the T3i came out, and I now see how useful the articulated display is, especially in movie mode. The G12 also has a front dial to easily change F-stops and an exposure compensation dial up top. I’ve already used this dial a lot. ISO also has a dedicated dial, which is handy.
The shots below were taken with the G12 this morning.
The G12 offers controls that a DSLR user will want and expect. Some of the controls are more direct and accessible in the G12. There’s a mode dial that Canon DSLR users will be familiar with. Experienced users will deal with five out of the six modes (excluding movie mode). I’ll be using Av (aperture priority) and M (manual) modes primarily.
I’m impressed with the information available on the LCD display. There’s a live histogram, front dial that changes aperture value (in Av mode), shutter speed (in Tv mode) and an electronic level.
I own a Canon T2i, 10D and 30D and have gravitated to the 30D as my go to camera (even thought it’s only 8 megapixels), but I’m really attracted to the G12, which is 10 megapixel. It reminds me of the old 35mm rangefinder cameras that I’ve always liked and used in the past. The G12 will take a little getting used to, but its destined to be my main street photography camera.
Speaking of street photography….
Here’s what I’ve learned, shooting around the outskirts of downtown. Always keep moving. Keep your camera in your pocket (preferable a coat or jacket) and keep it on, ready to shoot. Continuously be aware of your surroundings and continuously look for shots. When you see one, take it, but take it fast and keep moving. All of the shots below were taken with the Nikon Coolpix 3100 and processed in Lightroom 5.
I was eyeballed by some dudes on an isolated street corner (not the guys in the above photo) and I wanted to get a shot. One of them kept his eyes on me, so I took the safe route and kept on moving. One missed shot is not worth losing my camera, wallet or worse.
That’s the bad, but there’s a lot of good. I’ve found that a little kindness, respect and communication goes a long way. There’s a dude who plays saxophone outside the Millender Center, spring, summer, fall and winter. I see him every day when I walk and hear him every day in the parking structure. The guy is really, really good and should be playing in a band. He’s producing art in thin, indifferent Detroit air. I approached him, offered him a couple of bucks out of respect and asked if I could take his picture for this blog. He smiled and said, “Knock yourself out, man.” He was friendly, gentle and articulate.
Everyone is not like this, of course. Street photography is a learning and growth experience for me. It’s not easy approaching people and asking to photograph them. I’ll be doing this throughout the winter and documenting what I can. I’ve leaned something else in the last week or so. What’s the difference between a dull street photograph and a good one? People.
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