Strangers Project - Part 10 - (with brief commentary)

I love this series of shots. This is the first of the series I have viewed. Has your equipment changed? I expect us all to get better and better each day but there seems to be a quite a bit of improvement over Part I.

I am curious what you have done better gear? technique?

Fizzler wrote in post #12059540
I love this series of shots. This is the first of the series I have viewed. Has your equipment changed? I expect us all to get better and better each day but there seems to be a quite a bit of improvement over Part I.

I am curious what you have done better gear? technique?

Thanks for all the compliments guys

Fizzler - yes, things have changed a little bit.

As far as equipment, I went from a 7D & Sigma set up to what I shoot with now (see signature). I had a lot of issues with the Sigma mis focusing... even the "keepers" as you can tell are not tact sharp. I kept them anyway, but honestly I should of not used them... alas, they serve their purpose to show progress I guess ??

Moving to a 5dmkii and L glass has greatly improved detail/sharpness - but thats about it. I do love my gear now though

As far as technique - I'm not sure what to say. I'm a quick learner ? lol....

Um.... I don't know, I guess to break down progress... I guess I now just observe a lot more of everything when I go out. After going out 5,6,7 times - you start to look in between the lines a little more. To observe things more...

Some quick thoughts that come to mind is making the ambient lighting work in your favor. Not always the easiest on a bright sunny day. Off camera flash would be optimum, but not realistic for this type of project.

Also positioning of the subjects... paying more attention to the background behind them, and thinking about what the OOF portion will look like in relation to their positioning... looking at colors of fabrics the person is wearing vs. colors of backgrounds - stuff like that

That, and I guess being able to 'connect' with the people (as much as you can given they are complete strangers) - trying to get photogenic expressions.

I guess its like anything you do in life... the more familiar you get with it?? I'm not sure, I just know I'm enjoying the project a lot!

Thanks for noticing my progress. I'm really very new to photography to be honest... so thanks for all the positive comments & encouragement!

Been following your project, and it's been quite awesome! Love the shots and PP done to them!

really love the shots. and would love to try this but too shy to approach strangers like that. keep it up.

I love your set as usual. These people are so photogenic.

What makes you choose thee individuals over others that are walking the same street? What catches your attention about them? Fashion/style? The mood they appear to be in?

XxDJCyberLoverxX wrote in post #12060557
I love your set as usual. These people are so photogenic.

What makes you choose thee individuals over others that are walking the same street? What catches your attention about them? Fashion/style? The mood they appear to be in?

Yeah, you kind of got it, fashion/style mostly, or if they just have a certain 'character' to them... can't really put my finger on why I select who I do. I just look for 'something', and when I see it I know it.

Ive been reading about MF vs AF in portrait work. Your work is great, do you use MF or AF?

PeyDay17 wrote in post #12062809
Ive been reading about MF vs AF in portrait work. Your work is great, do you use MF or AF?

AF all the time. Working with strangers, you don't have that much time, ya know...

Great stuff again man, please don't stop, lol...

So what would you say is your favorite lens to use for this project so far?

JC32 wrote in post #12066706
Great stuff again man, please don't stop, lol...

So what would you say is your favorite lens to use for this project so far?

thanks ^

without a doubt the 135L - its tact sharp and the compression/background blur it creates is awsome.

m.shalaby wrote in post #12066593
AF all the time. Working with strangers, you don't have that much time, ya know...

Thanks, and yeah that makes sense. I have an 8 monh old so I don't have a lot of capture time either. I think my problem is being too close and getting to small of DOF. Anyways, I really enjoy your project and you've put the 135L at the top of my "next to buy" list. Thanks!

PeyDay17 wrote in post #12068470
Thanks, and yeah that makes sense. I have an 8 monh old so I don't have a lot of capture time either. I think my problem is being too close and getting to small of DOF. Anyways, I really enjoy your project and you've put the 135L at the top of my "next to buy" list. Thanks!

i understand, those little guys are on the quick!

its a great lens, i'm sure you'll enjoy it

just going back through some of these... and out of all my parts, this set is probably my favorite so far...

have you ever got denied by people taking their pic? If so is it discouraging? Awesome Pics by the way.

TONEB1146 wrote in post #12263785
have you ever got denied by people taking their pic? If so is it discouraging? Awesome Pics by the way.

while I don't 100% of the people I ask to say okay, most are very cool about it actually!

its all in the approach i guess...