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08/08/2012 03:59:55 PM · #1 |
I've been trying to get into 'street' shooting, as I work near a small town area.
I was surprised to see this one end where it did. I thought it was pretty compelling.
It was also one of the more in-depth (but subtle) edits I've done in a while.
Any thoughts or opinion for improvement would be awesome. Thanks in advance. |
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08/08/2012 04:02:20 PM · #2 |
Originally posted by JamesDowning: I've been trying to get into 'street' shooting, as I work near a small town area.
I was surprised to see this one end where it did. I thought it was pretty compelling.
It was also one of the more in-depth (but subtle) edits I've done in a while.
Any thoughts or opinion for improvement would be awesome. Thanks in advance. |
I actually scored it pretty well (7) but I think where it lacks is the facial connection to the viewer/voter. It 'looks' like a quick shot taken while the subject wasn't looking rather than an planned street photograph where we the audience is engaged with the scene. |
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08/08/2012 04:04:28 PM · #3 |
Originally posted by bassbone: ...while the subject wasn't looking... |
I've had difficulty getting beyond that during street shooting. I've tried holding the camera low and shooting from the hip, but I apparently can't compose anything without my eye to the viewfinder. |
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08/08/2012 04:09:22 PM · #4 |
Originally posted by JamesDowning: Originally posted by bassbone: ...while the subject wasn't looking... |
I've had difficulty getting beyond that during street shooting. I've tried holding the camera low and shooting from the hip, but I apparently can't compose anything without my eye to the viewfinder. |
Steve Hill (used to be a member here) is excellent at this stuff. He engages the subject, not hiding what he is doing. Others who are good at it do the same thing. You need to change your tactics to make a go of this. Personally, I couldn't do street photography. But if you want to approach this, figure out how to lose the nervousness and apprehension.
Message edited by author 2012-08-08 16:09:30. |
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08/08/2012 04:09:53 PM · #5 |
Originally posted by JamesDowning: Originally posted by bassbone: ...while the subject wasn't looking... |
I've had difficulty getting beyond that during street shooting. I've tried holding the camera low and shooting from the hip, but I apparently can't compose anything without my eye to the viewfinder. |
It takes time, but eventually you'll get the balls to shoot from two feet away right at their face. After a couple of weeks, I just don't care anymore.
I agree with bassbone, without the connection to the face, your composition or what the subject is doing needs to be really interesting. This to me was just a dude crossing the street. Capture the face, and it immediately becomes better.
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08/08/2012 04:10:51 PM · #6 |
Originally posted by bassbone: Originally posted by JamesDowning: I've been trying to get into 'street' shooting, as I work near a small town area.
I was surprised to see this one end where it did. I thought it was pretty compelling.
It was also one of the more in-depth (but subtle) edits I've done in a while.
Any thoughts or opinion for improvement would be awesome. Thanks in advance. |
I actually scored it pretty well (7) but I think where it lacks is the facial connection to the viewer/voter. It 'looks' like a quick shot taken while the subject wasn't looking rather than an planned street photograph where we the audience is engaged with the scene. |
I would actually agree with Bassbone here.. While the photograph is quite inspirational in its message, the facial connection would have made it an even more compelling shot. Being myself quite fascinated by street photography recently, i would urge you to keep shooting.. What i love about street photography is its sheer spontaneity and about being able to visualise a great shot while on the move.. Well done! 8
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08/08/2012 04:14:57 PM · #7 |
I'm not sure if I would have done any better. There are some homeless folks in wheelchairs in one of the local parks who I regularly see as I'm cycling past. Would make some good street photography, but I don't feel right to capitalize on their misfortune. I did give this woman $5 after my grandkids asked what she was doing. Her answer was "trying to survive". Then I asked if it were ok to take her photo. We were shooting for "six word memoirs" at the time and I thought there was a good story there.
One of the problems is after you ask, you lose the natural situation and they pose for you.
Message edited by author 2012-08-08 16:16:06.
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08/08/2012 04:15:50 PM · #8 |
Street photography is MUCH more challenging that it appears to be. Let me say up front that I am NOT any good at it, although Deb ( melethia) is fabulous. You should check out her port (as well as nixter's) for examples on how it's done right. It is not simply a matter of taking a picture in the street, but it must be engaging in some way; whether that is how the subject interacts with the surroundings, how the surroundings impact the subject, how subjects interact with each other. Add to that good lighting, pov, and to choose whether or not to blur, etc.
For me, your image lacks context - YOU feel all those things, and yes, being in a wheelchair sucks, but I only see a man in a wheelchair crossing the street- I don't see any emotion from any part of the image. In addition, there is a bollard in the foreground which is distracting. |
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08/08/2012 06:51:07 PM · #9 |
bvy will tell you that you often need a face to create a compelling street image. For the most part, a face, at 35mm/50mm, indicates you were there, part of the scene, rather than from across the street,etc. I think it is incredibly difficult.
Message edited by author 2012-08-08 18:51:41. |
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08/08/2012 07:49:42 PM · #10 |
Hmmmmm .... After reading this thread regarding street photography, am I sensing a Challenge Suggestion? Street Photograhy with basic editing. |
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08/08/2012 08:13:50 PM · #11 |
Originally posted by maz001: Hmmmmm .... After reading this thread regarding street photography, am I sensing a Challenge Suggestion? Street Photograhy with basic editing. |
Go for it, go make the suggestion~! :) |
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08/08/2012 08:27:49 PM · #12 |
I liked your image. I thought it told a poignant story. Street photography is hard and it carries the ethical dilemma of expoiting those who are facing difficult times. It takes courage to step over the line to communicate with people. I don't think candid will work very often. Your image may have been candid, which is okay. I don't pretend to be any kind of expert in this area, but I think the more compelling street photography will come from making human contact, and then somehow getting the people to relax and forget the camera. Easier said, than done.
My attempts at street photography have not been well rec'd. In both cases, I did engage these nice people in conversation. I introduced myself and explained what I was doing. The camera changes behavior, but I didn't find candids to be compelling at all. So, to regain subject relaxation after contact, I will back off far enough with a 200mm lens to allow them to not have a camera and lens in their face. I think that is important.
I wouldn't worry to much about the votes at DPC at this time. Votes receive do not very often reflect unbiased assessments of photographic caliber. It's just the way things are.
Message edited by author 2012-08-08 20:32:59. |
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08/08/2012 09:02:52 PM · #13 |
Thanks for the opinions everyone.
While out shooting, I have talked with a lot of people that I wouldn't otherwise. I always intend to ask them if I can photograph them, but for some reason my inhibitions take over, and I never ask them. Although, I have had some interesting conversations as a result... and one conversation ended with a nice meal (he was a restaurant owner). I just need to break my comfort barrier somehow.
So as a result from this thread, it seems faces are more important in street photography than I thought. |
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08/09/2012 02:13:32 AM · #14 |
Originally posted by JamesDowning: I always intend to ask them if I can photograph them, but for some reason my inhibitions take over, and I never ask them. |
I would shoot them first, then converse afterwards. It's what I always do. Most of the time people simply ignore you. The odd times they'll ask to see the photo. Only three times have I really been engaged in anything that could have escalated further; twice involving children and once with a curmudgeoned construction worker. |
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08/09/2012 02:48:08 AM · #15 |
Originally posted by JamesDowning: Thanks for the opinions everyone.
While out shooting, I have talked with a lot of people that I wouldn't otherwise. I always intend to ask them if I can photograph them, but for some reason my inhibitions take over, and I never ask them. Although, I have had some interesting conversations as a result... and one conversation ended with a nice meal (he was a restaurant owner). I just need to break my comfort barrier somehow.
So as a result from this thread, it seems faces are more important in street photography than I thought. |
Helpful thread, now I realise where I went wrong with my latest F/S shot, it's all about the faces, kewl! |
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08/09/2012 02:53:53 AM · #16 |
Yeah, art in everywhere and everytime. We excep you have more photoes. |
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08/09/2012 03:27:21 AM · #17 |
Originally posted by haeccibu: Yeah, art in everywhere and everytime. We excep you have more photoes. |
You sure bro? |
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08/09/2012 03:34:20 AM · #18 |
Originally posted by Cory: Originally posted by maz001: Hmmmmm .... After reading this thread regarding street photography, am I sensing a Challenge Suggestion? Street Photograhy with basic editing. |
Go for it, go make the suggestion~! :) |
I already did! Didnt evoke much interest however :-( |
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08/09/2012 03:35:28 AM · #19 |
Originally posted by Cory: Originally posted by maz001: Hmmmmm .... After reading this thread regarding street photography, am I sensing a Challenge Suggestion? Street Photograhy with basic editing. |
Go for it, go make the suggestion~! :) |
I already did! Didnt evoke much interest however :-( |
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08/09/2012 12:56:08 PM · #20 |
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08/09/2012 01:14:40 PM · #21 |
Thanks, those are quite good examples.
Now, maybe you can help me understand why my original shot doesn't tell a story? Obviously I feel it does, but I also have contextual knowledge about the scene. Maybe it tells a story, just not an obvious one... or maybe not an interesting one.
I guess I just don't have the 'moves like Jager'. :) |
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08/09/2012 02:40:23 PM · #22 |
Yeah, well said indeed.. The images do tell a story! That's why Jagar features in my favorite photographer list! |
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08/09/2012 03:01:21 PM · #23 |
I definitely agree on that-- the best street shots I've taken weren't head on and you couldn't see the face. Also, look at nixter's profile and you'll see that there is no view of the face in his top rated street work. With this picture I don't think that the fact one can't see the face is a real problem. I just don't think the photo conveys much emotion. The processing is very crisp and well done but, it doesn't make the viewer feel the emotion you were feeling IMO. I don't empathize with the man in the photo, I just see a man crossing the street in a wheel chair. It's a good photo, but I think unless you have the personal connection to the image from being there, it doesn't have too much emotional power. |
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08/09/2012 05:28:56 PM · #24 |
Link to 5/2009 Street Photography SC
Another link to the 10/2008 SC on street photog.
Read post #170 onward (maybe even a few before) for a discussion about subjects of street photography.
Steve Hill's (pawdrix) great line was Why Are You Showing Me This Person...?
I think if you read the comments and discussions in those threads, it will help you in starting your attempts at street photography.
I think (as in all things in life) street photography (and photography in general) is an evolution. You start out a certain way and develop and grow in your "style". Have fun, good luck :)
Leo
Message edited by author 2012-08-09 17:29:25. |
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08/09/2012 05:43:47 PM · #25 |
Originally posted by JamesDowning: Thanks, those are quite good examples.
Now, maybe you can help me understand why my original shot doesn't tell a story? Obviously I feel it does, but I also have contextual knowledge about the scene. Maybe it tells a story, just not an obvious one... or maybe not an interesting one.
I guess I just don't have the 'moves like Jager'. :) |
For me your image is just a guy in a wheel chair on the street. Not really any mood or emotion in it. It's not a bad shot but it lacks that punch. With your image I don't really connect with the guy and just because he is in a wheel chair I don't find myself asking why he is there or how does he feel. He could be walking, a man, woman, child and it would be the same for me. Look at this and see if you feel differently about it.
The connection, the wow and the emotion in my shots is something I have been dealing with lately, trying to figure out why they are lacking. Do I know? Nope but I am going to keep diving into it. After all, isn't that what sets apart good and great photography? |
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