Shooting with 2 cameras and 2 primes: Kelby Scott Photowalk

After last year's nice experience that was the Kelby Scott Photowalk (you can check that post here), I was looking forward to the new edition, which was going to take place on October 11th in Rattanakosin area, central Bangkok. The weather was sunny and bright, the group of photographers promised to be bigger than ever, and we were going to explore some very interesting quarters and landmarks of old Bangkok, so all pointed to another enjoyable walk. As it was, indeed.

A piece of sky, GM1 + Panasonic Leica 15mm

The back side, GM1 + Panasonic Leica 15mm

Before I left the room, I decided I would try a slightly new approach to my walk that day: instead of using my zoom lens as I normally do in these circumstances, since it's the most flexible combo and it covers most situations without compromises, my romance with the Nocticrom was still blooming and I didn't want to leave it at home, so I attached it to my GH3 and hung it from my neck. But I knew that a wider lens would be very useful in the places we were going to visit and I didn't want to miss any opportunities that might arise, so I grabbed my GM1 with the 15mm lens, and I carried it in a small bag attached to my belt. Two cameras, two primes: I was ready to go!

Floral arrangement, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Shadows and textures, GM1 + Panasonic Leica 15mm

The snake, GM1 + Panasonic Leica 15mm

Usually, a wide lens is most suitable for street, landscape and urban shooting, while a short telephoto is generally more comfortable with portraiture and more detailed photography; however, it's not as simple as defining the suitability of a lens/focal length according to themes or subjects: it's all a question of perspective and emphasis. Ultimately, it's a conscious choice made by the photographer to emphasize one element of a capture above others. A scene might ask for a general, comprehensive treatment, thus needing a wide view, or it could have a particular element that the photographer would like to point out, thus requiring a telephoto for more isolation. It's a question of focus, not subject.

The giant swing, GM1 + Panasonic Leica 15mm

Roof scaffolding, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Cat's escape, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Another area that can dictate or suggest what focal length to use is the dichotomy between inclusion vs. exclusion. If a scene contains a few elements with an appealing interaction between them and, therefore, the interest lies in the combination of them all, a wide angle would be the logical choice to include it all. However, if the physical distance between the photographer and the scene is big enough, a telephoto would be equally suitable but one should be more careful to keep all the focal points in focus though, at the same time, it has more control over depth of field and can play with it more creatively.

Locomotion, GM1 + Panasonic Leica 15mm

The crew, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Refreshment at the bridge, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Orthodox street photography generally recommends the photographer to use a wide angle lens and to get physically closer to the objects/people being photographed. But this sometimes can be a bit intimidating and, though it can be trained, not everybody feels comfortable getting that close to people to get a picture. In this regard, a short telephoto lens allows you to be at a safe distance, yet close enough to be able to engage with the subject, which is very important.

Uncovering mysteries, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

In transit, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Siesta, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Anxious wheels, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Carving, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Load and unload, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Cohabitation, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Could I have captured all those places and faces using a zoom, instead? Surely. Would the pictures be any different from the ones I got? Most probably. But not because the lenses can or can't record the same scenes, but because the attitude and approach of the photographer varies depending on the tools he or she is using. I can peel a potato with a knife or with a peeler, but the process will be slightly different in order to reach the same goal. It's the same with photography. In the end, it all comes down to knowing yourself, what interests you, and what tools you have at your disposal, and putting them to the best use possible.

Temple relax, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

The end of the working day, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Fell at home, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

More thoughts (and images) with the Nocticron

[Continued from the last introductory post about this lens, found here].
A short telephoto lens such as the Panasonic Leica DG Nocticrom 42.5mm seems best suited to portrait photography, since this is the focal length that most photographers use for such a purpose (it is the equivalent to a 85mm field of view in full frame terms); however, I don't shoot close portraits often, firstly because I enjoy environmental portraiture better, and also because I don't feel that comfortable getting so close to strangers in the streets. Hence, my purpose was to see how it felt walking the streets only with this lens, and no other, to see how versatile this lens could be as a general walk-around lens instead of a zoom or a wider prime as it's usually the norm.

Metallic light, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Calm backside, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Agitated backside, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Doom of the colors, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

For urbanscapes and architecture the lens performed admirably, since it has almost zero distortion and it's as sharp as it gets in the format; however, the long focal length can be a bit challenging in tighter spaces so positioning and framing become even more important, and it's recommended to look for smaller areas and details rather than trying to fit wide expanses of scenery, since that is not what suits this lens better. Now, when we talk about shooting people, things get more interesting.

The sentry and the governess, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Waiting for the train, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Improvised picture frame, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Lifesavers, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Study on orange, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Recess, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Disguised loo, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

You don't need to come too close to people in order to shoot them, therefore being less intimidating, and this distance lets you be somehow les intrusive and more neutral, if that is ever possible. At the same time, the wide maximum aperture lets you play with depth of field even at moderate distances, which is a great plus to isolate subjects and create stronger images of people.

Yellow and red, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

A smoking break, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

The decisive moment, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

A throne above the waters I,  GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

A throne above the waters II, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Before the impact, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

After the impact, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

If you are more into environmental portraiture and street life photography, then this lens is a great choice, since it has enough reach to get you close to somehow distant people yet still being able to catch the context around them, giving more background information about the subject, which helps enhancing or deepening the stories told. The wide aperture, coupled with the stabilization, is also very helpful to shoot in low light situations, keeping the ISO at reasonable levels.

Unperturbed, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Homescape, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Street links, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Invasion, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

The bird awaits, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

The sky backs off, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

The pier, GH3 + Panasonic Leica 42.5mm

Finally, and as punchy and accurate as colors are rendered by this glass, the Nocticron is also a great lens for monochrome photography, since it delivers images full of detail and contrast. Now I only have to take the first chance I get and shoot some real portraits, as well!