My first go at Street Photography

07/25/2005 03:27:02 PM · #1

I decided to try out this type of photography driving around on a Saturday afternoon with not much happening.
At one of the intersections, the compulsory street begger came to my window for what I could spare. I found a parking far enough away from him not to be interrupted and watched him for a while. Got these with the 70-300. I personaly like the implied messages. The 20 000 000 Guaranteed sign and the "broken Halo" while he's counting his money.

What do you make of them ? Be harsh, I've got good therapy :)

edit: Do'h! Photography with a P

Message edited by author 2005-07-25 15:30:05.

fauxreal

Canon EOS-40D

Canon EF 50mm f/1.8 II

07/25/2005 09:55:08 PM · #2

i like them. i want to get into this kind of photography as well.im a big fan of candid photography. keep up the good work.

saintaugust

Canon EOS-550D Rebel T2i

07/25/2005 09:58:16 PM · #3

very cool shots. i did a shoot one time and actually approached the street people, offered them a small amount of money for a good pose. got some good stuff.. unfortunately never downloaded from the school computer.

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/26/2005 02:09:25 AM · #4

Thanks. Next stop is the jmsetzler Human Scavenger Hunt.
Anyone else ?

I'm really looking for critique here so I can get better at this type of photography.
One thing I could have tried is more motion blur in his enviroment as life passes him by. Especially in the sitting despondamtly shot.

brownt

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

07/26/2005 05:01:01 AM · #5

I think the greyscale ones look better, makes the images look sadder (if you see what I mean?)

Maybe even a selective desaturation, make him and some of the background grey, but keep the poster in colour?

Or, for the latest challenge, a long exposure of him sitting watching the world go by?

Pushes my own shot here :-)

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/26/2005 05:10:12 AM · #6

Yes, that seems to illustrate the point beautifully. I will definately visit him or others like him soon to try longer exposures. Thanks. Nice shot btw :), I wonder what his face (eyes) looks like.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

07/26/2005 07:23:44 AM · #7

i can't say enough about setz's human scavenger hunt challenge; that exercise really gave me the impetus to quit fooling around and just go for it.

these are my candids, shot for the hunt.

here's a really good site where the street photographer not only shows his stuff, but explains how to overcome the anxiety of doing it. click here.

brownt

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

07/26/2005 07:35:14 AM · #8

Originally posted by BlackDot:

Yes, that seems to illustrate the point beautifully. I will definately visit him or others like him soon to try longer exposures. Thanks. Nice shot btw :), I wonder what his face (eyes) looks like.

I spoke with him (Simon) for a while before I took the shots. He asked me what it was for, said that he'd prefer his face not being in it and I showed him the pictures that I took once I'd finished.

I went back a week later to tell him how his photo had done, my highest score and he was really pleased. I printed the picture out for him, thanked him for his help and again gave something for his time.

Skip

Canon EOS-1D X

Canon EF 300mm f/2.8L IS USM

07/26/2005 07:39:40 AM · #9

Originally posted by brownt:

excellent work! i have found that i get my best candids not by being seruptitious (sp), but by establishing comfortable, trusting relationships with my subjects. after a while, they seem to forget that i have a camera...

edit: used the WRONG word

Message edited by author 2005-07-26 07:40:33.

07/26/2005 01:37:11 PM · #10

(In best redneck accent:) Phewee! That Skippy dun sure knows dem big werds! Now go on an' pass that moonshine..

Problem is I've gotten used to eating, so I can only do this on weekends, but my wife says she's spotted him on the same spot, so I'll definitaly speak to him, and others.

Thanks mr Rowland for the advice. I'll definately be following it and showing some stuff very soon.

sabphoto

Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

07/26/2005 01:52:51 PM · #11

I like the b/w also, adds to it. Reminds me of one of my favorites from Marget Bourke-White //www.masters-of-photography.com/B/bourke-white/b-w_living_full.html

hopper

Canon EOS-80D

Canon EF 35mm f/2 IS USM

07/26/2005 01:54:39 PM · #12

Please take this as an opinion ... and not a personal shot, but I'm pretty sure a street photographer wouldn't call these shots "street photography" - more like "sniper shots".

I once had an opportunity to spend the day with a street photographer named Grant Lamos IV in New York City. It was a great experience. Anyway, they generally like to use lenses in 35mm range, and they generally frown upon anything over say 50mm. The difference being that you aren't really a part of this experience, rather just watching it from far off (or some other close, artsy explanation).

Getting these same shots with a 20mm lens on your 20D would give the shots a different feel altogether. But you may take a beating in the process :)