Why I Prefer Using an LCD Screen for Street Photography
For street photography, I’ve come to rely on the LCD screen over a viewfinder. It offers flexibility, keeps me stealthy, and allows me to capture moments from fresh angles and perspectives. The viewfinder, in my opinion, is one of the most overrated pieces of camera technology. You simply don’t need it. All you need is an LCD screen to see the scene unfold and frame the shot.
“If you’re seasoned enough, you can just point the camera and know what’s going to be in the frame.”
See from a New Perspective
The LCD screen unlocks new perspectives and angles that can change how you photograph. When you shoot through a viewfinder, you’re often limited to eye-level shots. While you can adjust your body, using an LCD screen is far more liberating. I can place the camera at high angles, low angles, or even shoot from the hip without feeling restricted.
“When I photograph using an LCD screen, I can place the camera at a very high angle or a very low angle with ease.”
These added angles create more nuanced and dramatic compositions. It’s about breaking free from the eye-level frame and giving yourself permission to explore new ways of seeing. I sometimes even use a technique where I pretend to adjust my sleeve while holding the camera in one hand, allowing me to shoot from above. The LCD screen makes it simple to glance and check the composition from any angle.
Blend in Like a Tourist
Street photography is often about blending in and staying stealthy. With an LCD screen, you look less like a “serious photographer” and more like a tourist snapping casual shots. People tend to assume you’re just another person using their phone or a point-and-shoot camera. This works to your advantage — people aren’t as aware of you, letting you capture more candid, authentic moments.
“When you see somebody walking around with the LCD screen in front of their face, it seems as if they don’t actually know how to operate a camera.”
By blending in, you can get closer to people without making them feel self-conscious. The LCD screen allows you to work unnoticed and stay in the flow of the environment.
The Limitations of the Viewfinder
To me, the viewfinder limits composition by boxing you into that single, eye-level perspective. You can always crouch or go prone, but that approach can be cumbersome and unnatural, especially in spontaneous street photography. With an LCD screen, you’re free to move, create dynamic compositions, and adjust on the fly.
“When you use an LCD screen, you can place the camera at high or low angles, adding nuance and drama to your compositions.”
While glare can sometimes make the LCD tricky to use, its flexibility far outweighs this minor inconvenience. Once I started using the LCD screen on my Ricoh and X-Pro 3, I found it trumps the viewfinder in almost every way, especially with tilt screens or fixed LCDs. It’s a more intuitive, natural way to photograph.
Embracing a New Approach to Street Photography
In street photography, you don’t need to follow old-school conventions. The viewfinder often represents a traditional notion of how “serious” photographers shoot. But we’re evolving, and so are our tools.
“Stop following these old-school notions of what a photographer does or how a photographer operates.”
Using the LCD screen is about seeing the world in a new way, with freedom, flexibility, and creativity. Embrace this “new school” approach, and let the LCD screen become your window to fresh perspectives on the streets.