And Now For Something Completely Different...

[W.Y.Photo]

Hey everyone!!

So I've been working on a project for about 2 months now and I'm in a bit of a standstill with where I want to go with it and I could really use all of your insight and input to help me take this thing forward.


The project is on Times Square in New York City and is shot exclusively there. My current intention for this project is that it be an evaluation of the street based entertainment industry in Times Square and topics of interest are, money, artistry, business, tourism, ideals, morals, advertising, fame, and confrontation. (also selfies, I've been photographing a lot of people taking selfies there )

None of this is set in stone and a lot may change before the completion of this project which is why I want any and all ideas, suggestions or critiques you may have. I will update this thread as I shoot more and more of the project.

I by no means consider myself a photojournalist, but I am very aware of the craft and have even taken classes in it, and this project seems to be taking me on a very photojournalistic route though I don't know if it will stay that way.

I feel like I'm barely scratching the surface of what I want to be doing with this project so C&C, Ideas and inspirational reads and/or photographers are all very welcome and helpful

 

[pgriz]

A series of photos is easier to follow or understand if there's a common thread or theme running through them. So although you say: "topics of interest are, money, artistry, business, tourism, ideals, morals, advertising, fame, and confrontation. (also selfies, I've been photographing a lot of people taking selfies there )", that's really a lot of very different topics. I suggest you simplify and at the very least, group them by commen theme. If viewers have to work too hard at deciphering your intent and message, then most of the time, they won't bother. A variant of (TL;DR).

 

[W.Y.Photo]

A series of photos is easier to follow or understand if there's a common thread or theme running through them. So although you say: "topics of interest are, money, artistry, business, tourism, ideals, morals, advertising, fame, and confrontation. (also selfies, I've been photographing a lot of people taking selfies there )", that's really a lot of very different topics. I suggest you simplify and at the very least, group them by commen theme. If viewers have to work too hard at deciphering your intent and message, then most of the time, they won't bother. A variant of (TL;DR).

It's in no way at that point yet. I understand.

The intention of me stating all that is not to finalize the project with all of these themes but rather to give some insight into my current thought processes and to find one or two of these themes that fit nicely within my analysis of the square and go from there. I guess I just wanna hear what people think as I'm in the process of creating a project.

I'm normally much more concise when I come up with a project idea and I usually have a very direct intention for what I want to portray before I take a single photo, but with this project I just keep feeling the need to shoot more and more and let the ideas flow with the images. (havn't felt like this for years, its kinda nice ) That's why I thought I'd make this post; to see how people feel about the images I'm making, get their input, and so I could bring the forum along with my process of creating a project. I feel like your input and ideas could guide me in the direction that I currently can't seem to find.


PS. The selfie thing is a joke though I do have lots of photos of people taking selfies of themselves. haha

 

[pgriz]

I follow the idea that when I'm stuck, I pick an arbitrary direction and go that way. If it turns out to be wrong, fine. We've learned something. Retrace and try another direction. Each "wrong" path is a learning opportunity. At some point, things start to come together more and more - the trail becomes warm, then hot. As for the feedback from the forum members - we all have a form of ADD - good at reacting to short stimuli, but lousy at paying attention over the long haul. Mainly because we have real lives outside the internet, and pop in from time to time and while we're here, tend to browse a lot of stuff. So yeah, short attention spans.

 

[W.Y.Photo]

I'll keep that in mind. Thanks. I can relate as I have a very busy schedule normally and maybe get 1-2 hours per day to browse the forums. I'll make my next update much more concise.

 

[sashbar]

Street entertainment is a very easy target and there is a real danger of that type of images looking like another tourists shots. Of all these shots I really like the fiddler and the watch. Unlike the rest it does tell a story, there is a clear juxtaposition of the warm, fleeting,fragile, creative nature of his occupation and a cold, assured, monotonous mechanical nature of a clock. It would work much better as a horizontal if you would give the watch more space and stress the conflict between the fiddler and the mechanical world. You could have made him drowning in a "hostile" environment if you wish. But as it is, it is a very nice shot arleady. The rest, honestly, could be safely binned, in my view.

 

[Arthur53]

You say the project is on time square as a foreiger most of the images look to me like any city. Don't know how you could do it but would like it to be more "This is time squair". Look forward to seeing how you get on.

 

[W.Y.Photo]

Thanks for the input guys!! I'll be shooting more soon so updates to come.

 

[W.Y.Photo]

Hey Guys I've been shooting a lot and have about 1.5 thousand photos to sift through but I thought I stop in and drop off a few preview images! (barely edited)

This guy had the most intricate costume I've seen at Times Square to date.

I'll have a bunch more up here shortly!! Tell me what you think in the meantime. I am aware they all desperately need color correction!!

 

[The_Traveler]

Two things you do consistently is to cut off people's feet and slightly underexpose because of the bright sky.
That brings attention to the framing because the feet are missing and the faces are often too dark.

Taking pictures in Times Square means that you are faced with people taking pictures and things made to be photographed.
This has the danger of trivializing what you are trying to do.

For example, in this picture below (it would help if you numbered your photos), the important part is the little boy and his reaction, not the guy made up to be photographed. So you've chopped off his feet and wedged him to the side while the 'monster' gets most of the frame.

 

[W.Y.Photo]

Thanks Lew and good points!! Definitely things I need to work on. ( I just took what would be a perfect portrait today, looked at it later and the guys feet were missing )

I agree. I was so pissed at myself for having taken that shot that way. To be honest the kids reaction was a last second thing I noticed and I was caught up in a re-frame and risk losing the moment vs. shoot now type scenario. No excuses though, next time I'll think before I press.

I've got a lot of work to do when it comes to photojournalism and photographing people in action as Im used to being able to take my time on an image and ensure everything is in order. I've had practice with my event photography, but shooting a bunch of drunk people partying is way easier than photographing people on the street. A lot more time between moments and a lot less "woohoo!" type reactions to cameras.


Speaking of that image, does anyone have any suggestions on how to make the man behind the monster's wing less noticeable? (short of blacking out the entire background I mean) I've already darkened it quite a bit, any more and I'm afraid it will look unnatural.