Photography Street Photography 1 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The concept of the 'decisive moment' in street photography was famously described by which photographer?
- Ansel Adams
- Henri Cartier-Bresson (Correct answer)
- Dorothea Lange
- Diane Arbus
Correct answer: Henri Cartier-Bresson
Henri Cartier-Bresson coined 'the decisive moment' to describe capturing the peak instant where action, geometry, and emotion align perfectly.
Question 2: Which type of camera is most favored by street photographers for its discreetness and quiet operation?
- Large format view camera
- DSLR with battery grip
- Mirrorless or rangefinder camera (Correct answer)
- Medium format film camera
Correct answer: Mirrorless or rangefinder camera
Mirrorless and rangefinder cameras are smaller, quieter, and less intimidating, making them ideal for unobtrusive street photography.
Question 3: What focal length range is most commonly recommended for street photography to produce natural-looking perspectives?
- 14mm ultra-wide angle
- 35mm or 50mm (Correct answer)
- 200mm telephoto
- 85–135mm portrait range
Correct answer: 35mm or 50mm
35mm and 50mm lenses closely approximate the human eye's field of view, producing natural-looking images without distortion.
Question 4: In street photography, 'zone focusing' refers to:
- Photographing only within a designated public zone
- Pre-setting focus to a specific distance range so the camera is always ready to shoot (Correct answer)
- Using a zoom lens to change focal lengths quickly
- Focusing on zones of contrasting light and shadow
Correct answer: Pre-setting focus to a specific distance range so the camera is always ready to shoot
Zone focusing involves pre-setting the focus distance and using a small aperture for deep depth of field, eliminating focus delay during spontaneous shooting.
Question 5: In the United States, street photography in public spaces is generally protected under which legal principle?
- First Amendment right to freedom of expression (Correct answer)
- Fourth Amendment protection from unreasonable searches
- Creative Commons public domain licensing
- The Berne Convention for the arts
Correct answer: First Amendment right to freedom of expression
The First Amendment protects the right to photograph in public spaces where there is no reasonable expectation of privacy.
Question 6: For zone focusing on the street, which aperture setting provides the deepest depth of field?
- f/1.4
- f/2.8
- f/8 or f/11 (Correct answer)
- f/22 in total darkness only
Correct answer: f/8 or f/11
Apertures like f/8 or f/11 create a large depth of field, meaning subjects at varying distances remain in focus without readjusting the lens.
Question 7: What is the 'hyperfocal distance' and why is it useful in street photography?
- The maximum zoom distance on a telephoto lens
- The focus distance that maximizes depth of field from half that distance to infinity (Correct answer)
- The minimum distance a macro lens can focus
- The distance at which background bokeh appears most pleasing
Correct answer: The focus distance that maximizes depth of field from half that distance to infinity
Focusing at the hyperfocal distance ensures everything from half that distance to infinity is acceptably sharp, ideal for fast-paced street shooting.
Photography Street Photography 1
The concept of the 'decisive moment' in street photography was famously described by which photographer?