[Melb]: Street Photography

[Jaykue]

New lens (http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=248576) arrived about 1.5 weeks ago. Just got around to test driving it yesterday. I'll be first to admit that I've been terribly spoilt by the 17-40L, but I'm quite happy with this lens that cost me a third of the price. Still need a bit of play to pinpoint the sweet spots for differing focal lengths, but when hitting it I'm quite sure it performs just as well as my L.

Either way, I'm not a pixel peeper, so welcome to Melbourne :)

CC welcome as usual

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w102/jaykue/OldLady.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w102/jaykue/ignore.jpg

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w102/jaykue/StreetCrossing.jpg

..

[Brodog2525]

did you add vignetting into all 3 of these shots? if so, i would not have used vignetting for 3 out of 3 pictures.

1. i actually like this one the most. i enjoy the color differences between the old lady in the green and the guy in the yellow shirt.

2. i dont really wanta see some random people walking away from me.

3. oh, i dont know

[Vinni]

I like shot no. 3 the most, something about it just calls at me. Maybe it's the old man getting ready to take on the (wide) world, I love it. Also, the guy running in the street is a very nice addition, something that I love about street photography is that it always seizes to amaze me.

[Denny G]

Number three is a winner.

DG

[Jaykue]

brodog - i did add vignetting to all the shots. some intentionally, some not as i was being a bit experimental with a few things. i agree i should not have probably used it on the third, as there were a few off centre focal points in there i'd like the eye to have wandered. though i don't think one should say not to use vignetting for "X" outta "X" pictures, as a rule. if it attributes and emphasizes a photos purpose, i don't really see the conflict. I appreciate your thoughts though.

Vinni - thanks vinni, you've pretty much resounded my thoughts on the photo. nice eye too - having spotted my fav element in there, which i think gives the contrast between one's rush and of another anticipatingly waiting. :) being my first go at street photog, it's those little details that are amusing me atm.

DG - cheers buddy.

[BottomBracket]

Hey Jay, sorry for the delay! I love these pics, I am glad that you are venturing out to taking pictures of people on the street. How are you liking it so far? I like the first one the best, for me the old lady and the dude on the cell phone seem to be protagonists. As is often with street pics, you can see sub plots in the background, like that person huddled up with a shawl or blanket. What's the story there? I like the conversion in #2, duotone is very apt here. #3 I like too for the reason that Vinni gave, it seems that the old man with his backpack is taking a breather before tackling the world in front of him. it has a bit of tension which makes for a good photo.

Great captures! Looks like that lens is a good one. If I may be so brash to give advice though, I would say to stick to the wider end of your lens. Classical street photography is traditionally taken with wide to normal lenses (which is why i consider the 17-40 an ideal street lens, as well as short primes). This puts you right into where the action is, and gives a more intimate perspective. Longer focal lengths tend to compress the photo and give it a different look. I am not saying that telephotos have no use in street photography, in fact they may produce excellent photos, but to start off with shorter focal lenses is to vicariously walk in the shoes of the masters such as Bresson, Winogrand, et al.

[Control Group]

I'm the farthest thing possible from an expert in photography, so my 2 cents is probably worth a ha'penny at most, but:

I like #1 a lot. The elderly woman in green stands out beautifully, and defines a compelling line to the young guy in the white shirt, who also stands out in stark contrast to his background. The thematic contrast between the two ends of the diagonal is really striking to my eye.

#2 is good, though I would like the sitting fellow to be a bit sharper if I had my druthers. It's a great left-to-right movement for me, though.

Something about #3 isn't completely clicking for me, though. The sharp distinction between foreground and background is fantastic, and I'll definitely second what others have said about the man about to take on the wide world; an effect you pull off brilliantly with the DOF and the negative space between fore- and background. There's something about the background, though, that's detracting from the image for me, and I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe the placement of the benches/kiosks (bus stop?) behind the man's head? If I had to guess, I'd say that's it, it breaks the otherwise perfect foreground/background separation you've got.

On the other hand, if I routinely took pictures this good, I'd be quite pleased with myself, so don't take me too seriously.

[Ronnie Ling]

I like the processing you've applied to the first image, its a shame about the more brightly clothed people behind the woman in the green.

I'd feel the second shot would benefit from being a little tighter - eye is somewhat drawn to the back of the van.

[RgB]

No. 1 compositionally and dynamically excellent. It has great balance and flow with the lines leading from the old lady to the guy on the phone.

[Jaykue]

Hey Jay, sorry for the delay! I love these pics, I am glad that you are venturing out to taking pictures of people on the street. How are you liking it so far?

To be honest Pio, I have mixed feelings about it. I love the product of street photography and the sincerity of its purpose, capturing what is of the everyday and I know that under the bylaw, if one is willing to be seen in the public eye, they may also be photographed. But yet, pointing the camera, at a person or a crowd makes me feel pretty inadequate and intrusive. I guess there’s that possibility of invading a person’s personal space by capturing maybe a simple expression that can deliver a glimpse to the type of day they may be having. Or perhaps, capturing a lifestyle, for which one isn’t proud of. I had a lot of trouble taking that second photo for example, and I think for me, the ethical boundary lies in that…if I were having a crap day, or found myself digging through garbage for aluminium cans for cash (I witnessed this in an alley, but refused to take the shot), the last thing I’d want is somebody poking a camera in my direction for “arts” sake. Have you experienced this before? :confused: as a small part of me wouldn't mind getting over it lol

I like the first one the best, for me the old lady and the dude on the cell phone seem to be protagonists. As is often with street pics, you can see sub plots in the background, like that person huddled up with a shawl or blanket. What's the story there?

The first shot was taken in front of the main train station here in Melbourne, where you get an assorted array of people who some wait and some loiter on those steps. Amongst normal commuters who walk through the place, the few who loiter are either boisterous teens, the homeless, or drug addicted. The lady I assume is the latter. Heh, I remember sitting on those steps on a fair few occasions during my teen years just waiting for friends, and say, within a timespan of 20 minutes, I’d be asked twice whether I’d like to score.

If I may be so brash to give advice though, I would say to stick to the wider end of your lens. Classical street photography is traditionally taken with wide to normal lenses (which is why i consider the 17-40 an ideal street lens, as well as short primes). This puts you right into where the action is, and gives a more intimate perspective.

This is great advice Pio, and something I've noticed in browsing other great street photography work (yours included). Definitely the reason why I'm biased to the first shot. :) Again, I appreciate your comments mate

[Jaykue]

Something about #3 isn't completely clicking for me, though. The sharp distinction between foreground and background is fantastic, and I'll definitely second what others have said about the man about to take on the wide world; an effect you pull off brilliantly with the DOF and the negative space between fore- and background. There's something about the background, though, that's detracting from the image for me, and I can't quite put my finger on it. Maybe the placement of the benches/kiosks (bus stop?) behind the man's head? If I had to guess, I'd say that's it, it breaks the otherwise perfect foreground/background separation you've got.

On the other hand, if I routinely took pictures this good, I'd be quite pleased with myself, so don't take me too seriously.

CG, thanks for taking the time to write such elaborate critique. All your points I think have great validity in them, and deserve to be taken very seriously. Your most striking point though (above), is something which I hadn't even noticed, and upon looking at it over and over endlessly, I think you're absolutely right about. Though, I can't myself pick exactly what it is that detracts from that separation. I'm probably more inclined though to say those short poles, as they conflict with the aligned perspective of the vanshing point. *shrug* who knows. Either way, if you're able to notice such subtle yet salient facets of a photo, I'm sure there's much more to the merit of your photographic ability than your modesty leads on. ;)

Ronnie and RGB, thanks for looking too guys. I appreciate the comments!

[calicokat]

I am liking #2, nice work

[Jaykue]

Thanks calicokat.

I've been perusing a little bit of street work lately, and came across a filmish type style I really like. I tried to replicate it, and am thinking about trying to get some film grain to increase the authenticity. Blacks still aren't as rich as I'd like them to be, but I'm confident I'll get there. Shot was taken on the same outing as the ones above.

Yay or nay?

http://i174.photobucket.com/albums/w102/jaykue/GreatStreetPhotographySatur.jpg

[BottomBracket]

Yay! Now that's a street pic. Interesting shot, lots of stuff going on. Perhaps add on a bit more grain to get that push processed look. The lady feeding the pigeons, she looks Filipina.