Thread: Some more Street photography

Please feel free to comment and provide feedback

Many thanks

Kev

Get in closer. Wider. Street photography is a dirty messy business.

Thanks Boid, these were shot from the hip. Will tighten up the camera wrist strap and get in there

I agree with Boid, for most street work the intention is to capture the individual/s rather than a general open shot that makes you ask "what is the photographer looking at?" I do not proclaim in any way to be an expert but it is an aspect of photography that I enjoy and I always try and ensure that each image has a clearly defined primary subject matter so the viewer is in no doubt about what I wanted to capture.

It is a rewarding type of photography with many challenges, not least is having the confidence to get closer to your primary subject but like anything, practice will improve that skill so I would just say - go out, get close (but not intrusive) shoot and enjoy.

Getting in close does pay off - here are 3 of my recent ones from a trip in Mar (Pany GX1)

Taking a slightly different tack, and in some ways a more general one ... when I look at a photograph I want to be able to have an understanding of why it was taken (that understanding could be verbal, intellectual, emotional or whatever) ... if it was just as a snap (lots of mine are snaps) then that's fine of course ... but sometimes I look at photographs labeled as "street" and all i see are random shots where it is hard to discern anything beyond the fact that it is a street, with some people in it ...
which i suppose is another way of talking about "intent".

I don't "do" street myself , but when I see it really well executed by masters of the genre, then the results can be breathtaking

@Kev - Have a look at some top notch street photography and see what makes the images work (our very own Streetshooter (Don) makes images that really sing ... and is as good a place as any - and better than most - to start)

Thanks Iansky, your images are awesome and I completely see your point.

Going to get some more practice :-)

Thanks for the feedback pdh, very grateful for the advice and pointers

I really like the third photo the best Elsie, because it's interesting due to the subject interaction -- the lady with an uncomfortable look at the two gentlemen and their dogs.

I'd have probably cropped it differently -- a little less room on the left and more to the right. Was there something to the right of the photo that you cropped out?

Definitely get closer. Get as close as you are comfortable, then take two steps closer... Make your subject THE subject. Leave your viewers in no doubt as to what you are shooting, and why.

All this is easy to say, of course. Some days I can do it, some days I can't. Practice is essential. See if you can get hold of a book called "Vintage 80s, London Street Photography" by "Johnny Stiletto". It is effectively a reprint of "Shots from the Hip" which is the best introduction to street photography I know.

Attachment 3504

Attachment 3505

Attachment 3506
Getting closer, framing such that there is no doubt what you wanted to shoot is all good advise. But be aware of cultural differences. What is completely ok in one country/region may not be appreciated in other parts of the world. A few from different places.