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Canon 1D Mark IV Sensor Analysis - Very Promising Test Results

This page shows an analysis of noise, dynamic range, and full well capacity of a Canon 1D Mark IV camera.

Procedures for performing this analysis are described in: Procedures for Evaluating Digital Camera Noise, Dynamic Range, and Full Well Capacities; Canon 1D Mark II Analysis

The lowest possible noise from a system detecting light is the noise due to Poisson statistics from the random rate of the arrival of photons. This is called photon statistics, or photon noise. Noise from the electronics will add to the photon noise. Noise in Canon 1D Mark IV images is limited by photon statistics at high signal levels and by electronic noise from reading the sensor (called readout noise) and noise from the downstream electronics at very low signal levels. In the case of high signal levels, a system that is photon statistics limited enables us to directly measure how many photons the sensor captures, and by increasing the exposure, we can determine how many photons are required to saturate the sensor. That is called the full well capacity, or simply, maximum signal capacity. With data on the lowest noise to the highest signal, we can then determine the dynamic range of the sensor.

The data and analysis results below show how the canon 1D Mark IV sensor performs. Table 1 shows the results and these results are shown on the graphs at Digital Sensor Performance summary for comparison with other cameras. The data show that the 1D4 is performing significantly above other sensors with similar sized pixels and even above some older cameras with larger pixels at the time of this writing. Canon in their white paper on the 1D4 ( PDF reference here) states they have made several improvements to the focal plane assembly, including higher transmission of the color Bayer filters over each pixel, better fill factor, and gapless micro lenses. These combine to deliver a high signal (collect more photons) in a given exposure, and the results below confirm Canon's claims.

The read noise, reaching a low 0f only 1.7 electrons at ISO 12,800 is the lowest I have yet measured and the lowest I have seen on any room-temperature sensor.

But even more impressive than the high signal and low read noise, is the far better control of fixed pattern noise. Figures 1 and 2 show histogram and a highly stretched image of the read noise at ISO 12,800. It is very difficult to see any fixed pattern noise. The control of fixed pattern noise and the very low read noise enables the best high ISO/low light performance I have seen. It will be interesting to see some astrophotos with this camera.

              Table 1  -------------------------------------------------  Maximum     Measured  ISO  Gain   Read Noise  signal    Dynamic range  e/DN  (electrons) (electrons)   stops    100  4.20     22.2     55600        11.3  200  2.10     11.5     27800        11.2  400  1.05      6.6     13900        11.0  800  0.52      4.0      6900        10.8  1600  0.26      2.9      3400        10.2  3200  0.13      2.3      1700         9.5  6400  0.066     1.9       860         8.8  12800  0.033     1.7       430         8.0  25600  0.016     1.7 e     215         7   e  51200  0.008     1.7 e     108         6   e  102400  0.004     1.7 e      54         5   e    e = estimated by extrapolation    Pixel pitch: 5.7 microns.  16.1 megapixels.  S/N on 18% gray card, ISO 100 = 100.  Sensor Full Well Capacity at lowest ISO: 55,600 electrons.  Sensor dynamic range = 55600/1.7 = 32,700 = 15.0 stops.  ISO at unity gain (scaled to 12 bit) = 1680 (14-bit unity gain = ISO 420).  Low Light sensitivity Factor: 988.   (=12-bit unity gain / read noise)  Full Sensor Apparent Image Quality, FS-AIQ = 80.5.   Focal Length Limited Apparent Image Quality, ISO 1600, Constant output Size, FLL-AIQ1600 = 60    

Values in the above table are described at Digital Sensor Performance summary.

                          Table 2:  ISO 100 Sensor Data and Analysis    Offset= 2047  Model gain = 4.2  e/DN  Model read noise = 22.2 electrons      Observed  signal - offset  --------------------------  min      max     mean     2-img std    noise     S/N      signal       ISO   relative    S/N     S/N      file   (DN)     (DN)     (DN)        (DN)       (DN)            (electrons)          exposure    model obs/model    _73C5280 13236.00 13237.00 13236.30     0.70     sensor saturated  _73C5281 13236.00 13237.00 13236.42     0.70     sensor saturated  _73C5282  9838.00 10783.00 10255.89    70.23      49.66    206.51    42645.9      100  0.650000    206.4     1.00  _73C5283  9813.00 10676.00 10256.78    70.23      49.66    206.53    42653.2      100  0.650000    206.4     1.00  _73C5284  6164.00  6786.00  6479.05    57.55      40.69    159.21    25348.6      100  0.384616    163.5     0.97  _73C5285  6158.00  6824.00  6531.78    57.55      40.69    160.51    25762.9      100  0.384616    164.2     0.97  _73C5286  3776.00  4192.00  3979.53    45.36      32.08    124.06    15390.7      100  0.250000    127.4     0.97  _73C5287  3794.00  4256.00  4031.59    45.36      32.08    125.68    15795.9      100  0.250000    128.3     0.97  _73C5288  2327.00  2630.00  2467.75    35.54      25.13     98.20     9643.2      100  0.161290     99.5     0.99  _73C5289  2281.00  2603.00  2434.49    35.54      25.13     96.88     9384.9      100  0.161290     98.8     0.99  _73C5290  1424.00  1648.00  1538.85    28.08      19.85     77.51     6008.0      100  0.096154     77.5     1.00  _73C5291  1432.00  1652.00  1536.87    28.08      19.85     77.41     5992.6      100  0.096154     77.4     1.00  _73C5292   869.00  1028.00   951.19    22.34      15.80     60.22     3626.3      100  0.062500     59.6     1.01  _73C5293   872.00  1032.00   953.63    22.34      15.80     60.37     3644.9      100  0.062500     59.7     1.01  _73C5294   537.00   662.00   598.09    18.13      12.82     46.65     2176.5      100  0.040651     45.8     1.02  _73C5295   531.00   661.00   594.71    18.13      12.82     46.39     2152.0      100  0.040651     45.7     1.02  _73C5296   327.00   425.00   375.24    15.02      10.62     35.34     1248.7      100  0.024154     34.6     1.02  _73C5297   324.00   418.00   374.13    15.02      10.62     35.23     1241.4      100  0.024154     34.6     1.02  _73C5298   195.00   275.00   233.72    12.71       8.98     26.01      676.8      100  0.015625     25.6     1.02  _73C5299   190.00   275.00   233.10    12.71       8.98     25.95      673.2      100  0.015625     25.5     1.02  _73C5300   112.00   183.00   149.07    11.01       7.78     19.15      366.9      100  0.010122     18.7     1.02  _73C5301   117.00   191.00   149.15    11.01       7.78     19.17      367.3      100  0.010122     18.7     1.02  _73C5302    68.00   124.00    94.63     9.86       6.98     13.57      184.0      100  0.006024     13.3     1.02  _73C5303    65.00   123.00    93.30     9.86       6.98     13.38      178.9      100  0.006024     13.2     1.03  _73C5304    32.00    84.00    57.75     8.99       6.36      9.08       82.4      100  0.003906      8.9     1.02  _73C5305    33.00    86.00    58.96     8.99       6.36      9.27       85.9      100  0.003906      9.1     1.00  _73C5306    15.00    62.00    37.23     8.48       6.00      6.21       38.5      100  0.002533      6.1     1.01  _73C5307    14.00    64.00    38.70     8.48       6.00      6.45       41.6      100  0.002533      6.3     0.98  _73C5308     2.00    48.00    24.12     8.11       5.74      4.20       17.7      100  0.001506      4.2     1.01  _73C5309     2.00    49.00    25.41     8.11       5.74      4.43       19.6      100  0.001506      4.4     0.96  _73C5310   -13.00    38.00    13.91     7.86       5.56      2.50        6.3      100  0.000976      2.5     1.01  _73C5311    -7.00    37.00    15.88     7.86       5.56      2.86        8.2      100  0.000976      2.8     0.89  _73C5312   -13.00    35.00    10.27     7.69       5.44      1.89        3.6      100  0.000633      1.9     1.01  _73C5313   -12.00    34.00     9.93     7.69       5.44      1.83        3.3      100  0.000633      1.8     1.05  _73C5314   -17.00    28.00     5.67     7.64       5.40      1.05        1.1      100  0.000376      1.0     1.00  _73C5315   -18.00    28.00     6.00     7.64       5.40      1.11        1.2      100  0.000376      1.1     0.95  _73C5316   -20.00    27.00     4.58     7.60       5.37      0.85        0.7      100  0.000244      0.8     1.00  _73C5317   -18.00    25.00     3.36     7.60       5.37      0.63        0.4      100  0.000244      0.6     1.36  _73C5318   -19.00    26.00     2.60     7.55       5.34      0.49        0.2      100  0.000158      0.5     1.00  _73C5319   -21.00    24.00     2.66     7.55       5.34      0.50        0.2      100  0.000158      0.5     0.98  _73C5320   -21.00    24.00     1.36     7.55       5.34      0.26        0.1      100  0.000094      0.3     1.00  _73C5321   -21.00    23.00     1.62     7.55       5.34      0.30        0.1      100  0.000094      0.3     0.84  _73C5322   -25.00    24.00     1.27     7.52       5.32      0.24        0.1      100  0.000061      0.2     1.00  _73C5323   -22.00    22.00     1.95     7.52       5.32      0.37        0.1      100  0.000061      0.4     0.65  

                                 Table 3: Read Noise Data and Analysis    Apparent  Read Noise   Gain  file     min     max     mean     2-img std    noise           (electrons)  (e/DN)    ISO  _73C5408  2025.00  2068.00  2047.24     7.48       5.29               22.215    4.200    100  _73C5409  2025.00  2068.00  2047.19     7.48       5.29               22.215    4.200    100  _73C5412  2022.00  2074.00  2046.93     7.72       5.46               11.466    2.100    200  _73C5413  2022.00  2068.00  2047.01     7.72       5.46               11.466    2.100    200  _73C5416  2009.00  2087.00  2046.85     8.91       6.30                6.615    1.050    400  _73C5417  2011.00  2103.00  2046.88     8.91       6.30                6.615    1.050    400  _73C5422  1985.00  2127.00  2047.00    10.90       7.71                4.045    0.525    800  _73C5423  1978.00  2106.00  2047.00    10.90       7.71                4.045    0.525    800  _73C5428  1912.00  2197.00  2047.15    15.81      11.18                2.906    0.260    1600  _73C5429  1942.00  2208.00  2047.06    15.81      11.18                2.906    0.260    1600  _73C5434  1795.00  2330.00  2045.84    25.20      17.82                2.334    0.131    3200  _73C5435  1796.00  2320.00  2046.29    25.20      17.82                2.334    0.131    3200  _73C5440  1619.00  2553.00  2046.14    40.92      28.94                1.910    0.066    6400  _73C5441  1520.00  2546.00  2046.15    40.92      28.94                1.910    0.066    6400  _73C5446  1529.00  2583.00  2043.83    74.45      52.64                1.737    0.033    12800  _73C5447  1487.00  2750.00  2043.78    74.45      52.64                1.737    0.033    12800      Data acquired by Peter A. Hawrylyshyn, M.D.  February, 2010  Analysis by R. N. Clark February 13. 2010    

Figure 1. Histogram showing the noise distribution if the read noise in a Canon 1D mark IV camera. Histogram limits are 0 to 1024 out of 0 to 16383 original camera levels (DN). The image of this stretched histogram, indicated by the 3 tick marks below the histogram, whose limits are 432 to 644 original camera DN, are shown in Figure 2. The data range is 0 to 33.8 electrons from the left to right limits of the graph. The scale below the three marks shows the range in electrons. The histogram vertical scale is logarithmic in A, and linear in B (Photoshop). The electron scale only aplies the histogram A; the horizontal scale in B is not linear.

Figure 2. Stretched read noise from the Canon 1D Mark IV at ISO 12,800. Note that pattern noise is barely perceptible. The histogram of this image is in Figure X. Minimum in this image = 432 and max = 644 in original camera DN, out of 0 to 16383 (14-bits). That is a range of 7 electrons from black to white in the image. This image is direct from a single raw file, with no demosaicking (from dcraw). Note the black and white pixels are due to clipping the levels, and are not hot or dead pixels.

Conclusions

The Canon 1D Mark IV sensor sets new performance standards, including higher sensitivity per pixel (a combination of filter transmittance times effective fill factor times quantum efficiency), lower read noise, and lower fixed pattern noise. Hopefully the new technology that went into this sensor will makes its way into other cameras as well. That will enable a new era in performance, especially for high ISO / low light photography.

Dynamic range is still limited to a little over 11-stops, apparently by downstream electronics that must process the data extremely fast (at 10 frames per second; that is over 160 megapixels/second). I would like to see a camera option that used a slow 16-bit A/D converter and low noise amplifiers to deliver data with the full capability of the sensor, which is 15 stops. Even if it took 10 seconds to read out the sensor (longer readout times are used in scientific applications), there are situations where high dynamic range imaging would benefit.

via clarkvision.com

Although I can't afford the Canon 1D IV, I have owned the mark II & III versions and was impressed with both, especially the mark III. Came across this noise analysis of the IV and from all appearances it looks like an insanely capable camera. I want one!

Posted via web from Rick Bucich's Posterous

Hard drive evolution could hit Microsoft XP computers c/o BBC News

By Mark Ward technology correspondent, BBC News

Windows 7 is one of few operating systems that are "4K aware"

Hard drives are about to undergo one of the biggest format shifts in 30 years.

By early 2011 all hard drives will use an "advanced format" that changes how they go about saving the data people store on them.

The move to the advanced format will make it easier for hard drive makers to produce bigger drives that use less power and are more reliable.

However, it might mean problems for Windows XP users who swap an old drive for one using the changed format.

Error codes

Since the days of the venerable DOS operating system, the space on a hard drive has been formatted into blocks 512 bytes in size.

The 512 byte sector became standardised thanks to IBM which used it on floppy disks.

While 512 bytes was useful when hard drives were only a few megabytes in size, it makes less sense when drives can hold a terabyte (1000 gigabytes), or more of data.

The 512 byte format dates from the days of the floppy

"The technology has changed but that fundamental building block of formatting has not," said David Burks, a product marketing manager for storage firm Seagate.

This fine resolution on hard drives is causing a problem, he said, because of the wasted space associated with each tiny block.

Each 512 byte sector has a marker showing where it begins and an area dedicated to storing error correction codes. In addition a tiny gap has to be left between each sector. In large drives this wasted space where data cannot be stored can take up a significant proportion of the drive.

Moving to an advanced format of 4K sectors means about eight times less wasted space but will allow drives to devote twice as much space per block to error correction.

"You can get yourself into a corner where you cannot squeeze much more onto the disk," said Steve Perkins, a technical consultant for Western Digital.

This shift also allows manufacturers to make more efficient use of the real estate on a hard drive.

"We can put more data on the disk," he said. "It's about 7-11% more efficient as a format."

Slow down

Through the International Disk Drive Equipment and Materials Association (Idema) all hard drive makers have committed to adopting the 4K advanced format by the end of January 2011.

Hard drive makers have begun an education and awareness campaign to let people know about the advanced format and to warn about the problems it could inflict on users of older operating systems such as Windows XP.

This is because Windows XP was released before the 4K format was decided upon.

"The 512 byte sector assumption is ensconced into a lot of the aspects of computer architecture," said Mr Burks from Seagate.

By contrast, Windows 7, Vista, OS X Tiger, Leopard, Snow Leopard and versions of the Linux kernel released after September 2009 are all 4K aware.

To help Windows XP cope, advanced format drives will be able to pretend they still use sectors 512 bytes in size.

When reading data from a drive this emulation will go unnoticed. However, said Mr Burks, in some situations writing data could hit performance.

In some cases the drive will take two steps to write data rather than one and introduce a delay of about 5 milliseconds.

"All other things being equal you will have a noticeable hard drive reduction in performance," said Mr Burks, adding that, in some circumstances, it could make a drive 10% slower.

In a bid to limit the misalignment, hard drive makers are producing software that ensures 512 sectors line up with 4K ones.

Those most likely to see the performance problems are those building their own computers or swapping out an old drive for one that uses the new format.

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via news.bbc.co.uk

Looking forward to the advance in technology. Given the current shelf life of PCs most running XP will be end-of-life by 2011 anyway.

Posted via web from Rick Bucich's Posterous

Psychic Cleaners - "We know where the stains are"

I drive by this place in Mountain View all the time, finally took the time to snap a picture.

The pen says Google Map

My 3 year old son explaining that Google Map written on his pen, he had it half right.

Beautiful Architectural Photography Showcase

Architecture is probably one of the most complex forms of art. Not only should it be beautiful, but it must also be functional. The same thing can be said about other forms of art like web design, but architecture takes place in the real world with real materials, and on a much larger scale.

Since we are most often surrounded by architecture in our daily lives, it’s to be expected that architecture is a popular subject for photographers. In this article, we are presenting a showcase of beautiful architectural photography. In these photos you’ll notice a strong focus on composition and lighting. As well, many are shot from angles that reveal beauty in the structures that probably goes unnoticed by passers-by.

Make sure you click on each photo to see a larger version and learn more about each of the talented photographers behind the cameras.

via webdesignledger.com

Some beautiful examples of architecture photography. Be sure to click through to the original post to see all of the photographs.

Posted via web from Rick Bucich's Posterous

Canon 70-200 L Lens Coffee Mug

Canon was handing out coffee mugs that look like the Canon 70-200mm L series lens at the Vancouver Olympic games. Josh Weisberg, director of the Microsoft Rich Media Group, got one at the Olympic Press Center, and sent the above photograph of it to PDNPulse.

If only Canon would start selling these things to the general public. I’d buy at least one.

Image credit: Photograph by Josh Weisberg and via PDNPulse

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via petapixel.com

What I want to know is whether this thing has IS so I don't spill my coffee after my hands shake from too much caffeine.

Posted via web from Rick Bucich's Posterous

Running Contests & Promotions on Facebook

6 Tips for Running Promotions Within Facebook%u2019s Guidelines

February 23rd, 2010

By Sara In�s Calder�n </td>

5 Comments �

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Promotions are an increasingly popular way for marketers to reach Facebook%u2019s 400 million monthly active users. After all, if you see an item in your news feed about a friend getting a free burger, or entering to win an Xbox, you%u2019re quite likely to check out how you can get the same thing.

But promotions are legally regulated through the United States and the rest of the world, prompted by countless fake giveaways, confusing prize terms, etc. For this reason, Facebook takes a number of precautions to protect users and itself from bad characters.

The company has been developing a set of official promotional guidelines beyond the general terms of service that all users, developers and advertisers also must agree to. The document has seen significant revisions over the past year or so, to try to explain what is or isn%u2019t okay for the thousands of marketers that have recently become active on Facebook. The guidelines govern the publicizing and administering of any sweepstakes, contests, competitions or other promotions on Facebook and may change at any time without notification.

Facebook also makes clear that it can disable the Page and/or account of anyone who violates its terms of service and guidelines.

Because the rules are complex, we thought it%u2019d be helpful to compile a list of tips for Facebook promotions, based on the guidelines last updated on December 22, 2009. Some recommendations are pretty common-sense while others are quite nuanced, and are the result of conversations we%u2019ve had with Facebook and marketers over the past months and years.

Note that the guidelines are updated often; a more detailed explanation is available within Inside Facebook%u2019s Marketing Bible. Also, to be clear, the promotions you see screenshots of in this article are all considered appropriate by Facebook.

1. Read All the Promotions Guidelines

This sounds obvious but Facebook has continued to expand the document, so make sure you are up-to-date with all changes. The guidelines currently include information on what Facebook%u2019s definition of a promotion is (including %u201Csweepstakes,%u201D %u201Ccontests%u201D and %u201Ccompetitions%u201D), as well as general terms that apply, aspects of promotions that are specifically prohibited, specific ways campaigns need to be administered and publicized, and Facebook%u2019s legal protection and rights. And, as part of a big update last fall, it added a list of specific types of actions that promotions can or can%u2019t include.

Between the terms and the examples provided, the guidelines should give most marketers a pretty good idea about how appropriate their promotion is for Facebook.

2. Clear the Promotion With Facebook First

Anyone who wants to run a promotion on Facebook first needs to get approval from an account representative at the company. In order to access a representative, though, one first needs to spend around $10,000 in Facebook advertising.

A main reason, according to Facebook, is that it needs to manually approve all promotions to ensure that each one is legal. If you%u2019re with a small business or other organization with a limited advertising budget, a Facebook promotion is probably not for you. In this case, however, we suggest you experiment with a small amount of Facebook advertising targeted at the sorts of users you hope to reach. If those efforts are successful, more ad spending %u2014 and a promotion %u2014 may very well be worth the expense.

Obviously, anyone who seeks approval for a promotion from Facebook should first follow step 1.  If, however, you%u2019re promoting a contest that involves Facebook (via Facebook Connect) that takes place %u201Ccompletely%u201D elsewhere, on your own web site for example, you don%u2019t need prior written approval. But you still have to stick to Facebook%u2019s basic terms regarding Connect.

3. Don%u2019t Call Facebook Your %u2018Partner%u2019

Facebook%u2019s promotions guidelines state repeatedly that you can%u2019t say that you%u2019re partnering with Facebook, to quote, %u201CYou will not directly or indirectly indicate that Facebook is a sponsor or administrator of the promotion or mention Facebook in any way in the rules or materials relating to the promotion.%u201D

We%u2019re highlighting this guideline in particular because we still see some companies make this mistake. For example, you can%u2019t say %u201CWe%u2019re launching with Facebook today%u201D in a press release if all you%u2019re doing is launching a Facebook Page. Instead, you should say something like %u201Cwe%u2019re launching on Facebook today.%u201D

As part of this guideline, you should also make sure to not use Facebook%u2019s %u201Cname, trademarks, trade names, copyrights or any other%u2026intellectual property%u201D unless the company has given you prior consent.

4. Understand Local Rules, and How They Affect Your Facebook Promotion

Due to decades if not centuries or millenia of shady promotions around the world, a host of country and state-specific laws create certain restrictions on Facebook.

For anyone looking to run a promotion outside the US, note that all %u201Csweepstakes%u201D %u2014 or a promotion where prizes or winners are based on chance %u2014 are not allowed in Belgium, Norway, Sweden, or India. Make sure Facebook users from those countries will not be able to participate.

A number of other rules are based out of US state and national law, and influence what Facebook does not allow anywhere. Prohibited promotions include those that market to people under 18, to countries embargoed by the U.S. or require the %u201Cpurchase of a product, completion of lengthy task or other such considerations.%u201D

Any prize that promotes %u201Cgambling, tobacco, firearms, prescription drugs, or gasoline %u201D is not allowed on Facebook. The prize itself cannot include %u201Calcohol, tobacco, dairy, firearms, or prescription drugs%u201D %u2014 so its okay to promote alcohol as long as you don%u2019t award it or break any related laws. The surprise in this latter category is that you may not administer a promotion on Facebook if any dairy products are part of the prize %u2014 this is due to some US state laws, and Facebook has previously said that it is working on allowing dairy-based prizes.

5. Heed Facebook%u2019s Formatting Requirements

Facebook has a very specific way in which promotions may interact with their platform, again, a good idea to read these before designing your contest.

You can only administer a promotion through an application on the Facebook Platform and you can only have users enter the promotion in specific locations on your Page. Either the canvas Page of an app or an application box in a tab on your Page may be used for entry into your promotion on Facebook.

Also, Facebook has some very specific language you need to include in your promotion that essentially notes that it is in no way sponsoring your promotion. It reads as follows: %u201CThis promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. You understand that you are providing your information to [recipient(s) of information] and not to Facebook. The information you provide will only be used for [disclose any way that you plan to use the user's information].%u201D

And, you have to designate someone as the primary contact person for communication associated with the promotion.

6. Don%u2019t Require Facebook Actions

You basically cannot require users to do anything on Facebook as a condition of a promotion other than becoming a fan of your Page.

There are a lot of %u201Cdon%u2019ts%u201D in this category. The exact language: %u201C[Y]ou will not condition entry to the promotion upon taking any action on Facebook, for example, updating a status, posting on a profile or Page, or uploading a photo.  You may, however, condition entry to the promotion upon becoming a fan of a Page.%u201D

The guidelines offer examples of what this means in specific terms. For example, you cannot require users to post a photo or status comment as a condition of entry, but you can use a third-party application to do this.

You can%u2019t automatically enter users who become a fan of your Page, but you can allow new fans to access a third-party app to do so. You can%u2019t notify promotion winners via Facebook with messages or profile posts, but you can get their email or use an app.

Most especially you can%u2019t require people to sign up for a Facebook account before entering a promotion.

Check out The Facebook Marketing Bible: 50 Ways to Market Your Brand, Company, Product, or Service Inside Facebook.

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Tips For Street Or Candid Photography in a Post-Sept 11 World – PictureCorrect

Public perception of any person with a camera in their hand in and around public landmarks, was forever changed as a result of Sept 11, 2001.

It didn’t help that the paparazzi contributed to Princess Diana’s death.

"back home" captured by zeynep arkok (Click Image to Find Photographer)

The hordes of paparazzi through their dogged pursuit of their quarry, contributed to her untimely demise and in the end, they lost a source of income.

Still, if you’re a people watcher like I am, those changes in attitudes shouldn’t dissuade you from pursuing street or candid photography of people.

Psychology 101

1. To ask or not to ask.

Most folks in public places don’t mind being photographed if you ask.

But sometimes asking first, ruins the moment, especially if that something they’re doing is spur of the moment.

Shooting your pictures first and asking for forgiveness afterwards is my advice if that’s the case.

"spotted" captured by Rich S (Click Image to Find Photographer)

But under no circumstances should you run off when discovered as if you’ve done something wrong. My years as a newspaper photographer has taught me no 2 situations are alike.

You probably don’t want to read that, I know. But it’s true.

Here’s why. If you ask first and they say no, then you risk tipping them off.

Then they’ll either be hamming it intentionally for you, or they’ll stop and growl at you.

2. Be a good sport

Just remember if they’re not happy with your presence with the camera, be a good sport and move on.

Most times if you remain calm, smile and explain yourself, saying something like , “I took your picture because that looked like such a special moment between your wife/girlfriend and you.”

Photo captured by Christopher Rye (Click Image to Find Photographer)

I would have asked before hand but I didn’t want to interrupt your spontaneous display of affection.

Place yourself in their shoes for a moment and see if you wouldn’t want a great picture of you and the love of your life smooching against a wonderful setting. Take no for an answer unless you’re a paparazzi-in-training.

Never be so insistent on photographing someone to the point they consider you a stalker.

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Even if the law says no one should expect privacy in a public places, that doesn’t give you any special right to literally point a camera in a person’s face.

3. Be sure to smile and appear friendly.

When you’re walking around with your camera and that long lens, acting aloof, distant and avoiding eye contact or sneaking around is bad body language. It suggests you’re hiding what you’re doing, so that is a no-no.

"walking home" captured by andre stoeriko (Click Image to Find Photographer)

You are engaging in a fun activity which is not illegal.

Do I need to elaborate about your attire as well? So if your wardrobe is just a trenchcoats, sunglasses and large hats because you’re sensitive to the sun, you might consider a different kind of photography.

With those caveats out of the way, here’s some suggestions on equipment and technique.

EQUIPMENT

A telephoto lens and a wide angle.

A telephoto lens is a necessity, something in the range of 80 mm to 200 mm works well.

The lens even with the lens hood doesn’t look that imposing.

Longer focal lengths like a 300 mm or longer are of course better, but you will surely stick out like a sore thumb.

Another lens of necessity is a wide angle something like a 15 mm or 16 mm if your camera has a magnification factor and doesn’t have a full-size sensor.

Photo captured by Mike's Photography (Click Image to Find Photographer)

When you’re in a crowd and you can’t possibly move back, the wide angle lens is more versatile and easier to work, especially if it’s a zoom.

Wide angles also allow you to shoot from the hip without raising the camera to your eye for true clandestine work.

Digital SLRs work better than point and shoot cameras. But if a point and shoot is all you have, shoot at your longest focal length and at a quality to give you the largest file size. Don’t use the digital zoom.

You want to use your maximum optical zoom and also your quality or lowest compression giving you the largest file size.

TECHNIQUE

Set your exposure for the lighting conditions beforehand.

This is all part of being ready. When shooting in the streets, you have little or no time to be fiddling with aperture and shutter speeds.

"s i n g m e a s a d s o n g" captured by Federico (Click Image to Find Photographer)

Most people think you don’t need to do this with today’s cameras because of all the automatic modes and autofocusing.

I recommend you set the exposure manually then all your camera needs to do is focus when press the shutter speeding up the process.

If you set the camera on automatic, the camera has one more operation, deciding what combination of shutter speed and aperture to set while trying to focus on your subject. And that slows it down.

Since you already know you want to emphasize your person and what they’re doing, you’ll be using your widest aperture to blur out the distractions in the background and foreground.

"subway hands" captured by andre stoeriko (Click Image to Find Photographer)

Remember not be too pushy when taking pictures of people in public.

The law says no one should expect privacy in a public places. But when a worried mother flags down a cop because you’re taking pictures of her and her child in the public park, it is more than likely you’ll be asked to stop or leave.

The First Amendment protects free speech, which means that no law enforcement official can prevent the photography or filming on the street or anywhere else that is considered public property.

In practice we all know some cops can get overzealous and heavy-handed just because they are the ones with the guns and handcuffs.

Read an illustrated version of this article by Riverside freelance photographer Peter Phun. Peter teaches photography at Riverside City College. He does portraits, weddings and editorial work. He writes about photography, Macs and the internet. He also designs websites and is a stay-at-home dad.

Previously, Peter worked as a staff photographer for 18 years at The Press-Enterprise, Southern California’s 4th largest daily newspaper. He is the webmaster for the Mac user group in the Inland Empire. For more information about this Riverside based photographer, visit http://www.peterphun.com

via picturecorrect.com

A great article on street photography - especially relevant post Sept 11 but good practical advice all the time.

Posted via web from Rick Bucich's Posterous