Saturday in the streets

[lonesomejoe]

A few shots from today.


Untitled 813112 by LonesomeJoe, on Flickr


Untitled 813111 by LonesomeJoe, on Flickr

 

[The_Traveler]

First of all, it's nice to see someone actually trying to shoot street pictures and not thinking that any shot outside will do.

These aren't badly done but street photographs, particularly single photos without a story line, has to be a little more than just catching the picture in focus and reasonably exposed.

In #1 it's not clear why you are showing this, man making phone call on one side, graffiti on the other. Does this have some connection and meaning? Technically the man's face is not well caught and the picture is subtly distorted with the corner of the building slanted to the right.

#2 is a portrait but the most prominent part of his body are his legs and hands that are disproportionately large. The conversion suffers from the brightness of the day. The subject is off to one side, as if he was being balanced by something, but the rest of the picture seems rather meaningless - a blown out sky, a bench, a tree. The most potentially interesting feature, the barbed wire in the background, is almost indiscernible. A slightly higher angle, perhaps in portrait aspect, to get his upper body more prominent and bring the barbed wire into focus might make a more interesting and thoughtful image.

Hope to see more form you, this is a really good start.
If I am critical it is because I think you have a good eye and intentions and can do very well. (as opposed to the vast majority of photographers who haven't a clue)

 

[lonesomejoe]

First of all, it's nice to see someone actually trying to shoot street pictures and not thinking that any shot outside will do.

These aren't badly done but street photographs, particularly single photos without a story line, has to be a little more than just catching the picture in focus and reasonably exposed.

In #1 it's not clear why you are showing this, man making phone call on one side, graffiti on the other. Does this have some connection and meaning? Technically the man's face is not well caught and the picture is subtly distorted with the corner of the building slanted to the right.

#2 is a portrait but the most prominent part of his body are his legs and hands that are disproportionately large. The conversion suffers from the brightness of the day. The subject is off to one side, as if he was being balanced by something, but the rest of the picture seems rather meaningless - a blown out sky, a bench, a tree. The most potentially interesting feature, the barbed wire in the background, is almost indiscernible. A slightly higher angle, perhaps in portrait aspect, to get his upper body more prominent and bring the barbed wire into focus might make a more interesting and thoughtful image.

Hope to see more form you, this is a really good start.
If I am critical it is because I think you have a good eye and intentions and can do very well. (as opposed to the vast majority of photographers who haven't a clue)

Hey Traveler,

Thanks for such a thoughtful response! I definitely appreciate all the advice.
I was focused most on overcoming my fear of photographing strangers, so composition and content took a back seat, though I'm pretty pleased with the results anyway.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what I can do with a decent flash too.
Thanks again, man!

 

[The_Traveler]

I was focused most on overcoming my fear of photographing strangers, so composition and content took a back seat, though I'm pretty pleased with the results anyway.

This is the major hurdle but you are certainly on your way.

Lew