Some Street Shots

[psreilly]

Doesn't hurt to ask people either. I've done both. The pictures do tend to come out better if you don't ask them cause it's like they're almost doing whatever you want them to do naturally. The moment you ask them they become too conscious of the camera and you lose that "IT" thing that the moment had before.. Of course by asking them though it doesn't seem so awkward. It's like KD thomas said though just need to develop an ability to block out that awkward feeling, it's all for the better

Nice pics by the way!

 

[Alexr25]

My biggest mistakes with street is that ... while the shot has meaning to *me* because I remember the mood & atmosphere, etc ... many times the photograph doesn't tell that story, and they devolve simply into pictures of strangers ... doing stuff (walking, going down escalators, looking out windows etc.)

That's the difference between street photography and photography of a street. A lot of what passes for street photography is simply snapshots (usually converted to black & white) of people in the street. True street photography should tell a story or have something to say about the human condition, whatever that is.

 

[kdthomas]

That's the difference between street photography and photography of a street. A lot of what passes for street photography is simply snapshots (usually converted to black & white) of people in the street. True street photography should tell a story or have something to say about the human condition, whatever that is.

I agree ... that's what I'm striving to learn ... I've gotten a few "decent" ones.

But, with that said ... even what I've seen of legends like HCB ... some of his don't necessarily tell a story to me(maybe because I'm a newb to the art?). Like his shot of the man on a bicycle from the top of a flight of stairs ... or the two women under the two statues ... not much "story" there(to me), but very pleasing nonetheless, and kind of transmits the atmosphere in a nameless way.

 

[Alexr25]

... even what I've seen of legends like HCB ... some of his don't necessarily tell a story to me

True, but HCB was more about composition and shape than he was about human interest. A lot of his images used human subjects to enhance the composition of the image rather than to be the central theme of the image.

 

[123rfanna]

Here's an Update... About 7 more images.

I l like #5 of this series, it's like the woman is gazing as the train is leaving or arriving at the station, like she's expecting it or she has missed it. Interesting neighborhood you're shooting in too!

Let me know what you all think. Any I should just forget about?

 

[photoguy99]

'street photography' in modern usage has come to be a meaningless noise.

The several well respected original-ish practitioners seem to have been themselves up to quite different things.

 

[AsmaMohd]

Check out a video by Dave Powell Street Photography Settings (for beginners): I get asked often what cameras I use and what setting I recommend for street photography. This video covers the absolute basics and is intended for someone starting out. There are a lot of options out there. This is how I have chosen to shoot. Follow the link: Street Photography Settings | Street Photography Settings (for beginners) | ClipMine

 

[W.Y.Photo]

My biggest mistakes with street is that ... while the shot has meaning to *me* because I remember the mood & atmosphere, etc ... many times the photograph doesn't tell that story, and they devolve simply into pictures of strangers ... doing stuff (walking, going down escalators, looking out windows etc.)

Stuff that looks like genius to me ... just doesn't come across to someone who wasn't there. I've discovered that (for me at least) street photography is very difficult. I tend to be a very non-confrontational person, and while I've never been scolded or called out, I've gotten strange looks, and I'm going to need to thicken my skin if I'm going to develop in this.

The problem with my street photography is that I get what at least I think would be a good shot and then there are like 100 distracting people in the background because I live in Manhatten. Lol.

On a more serious note, check out some of the videos and documentaries on the great street photographers like William Klein. they tend to talk a lot about how to tell a story with a photograph. Very inspiring stuff.

Here's the Klein documentary:

 

[otherprof89 31]

Here's an Update... About 7 more images.
In #1 I find the emphasis on the light on the person's nose and the out-of-focus face puzzling. Is this what you were going for? In number 2, if think there may be a good image in there, but the blown out lights, noise,and lack of saturation or detail in the people need work. (Probably more work than I could do, so I'd lose this one.) In #3 the juxtaposition of the black man in a hoody with the NYPD barrier could be a strong image, but I question the compoitiion/cropping. I find the people off to the right just distracting, and not providing any contrast or context. Also, would this work better as a black and white? What do the colors add or detract from the idea you were trying to realize. I just don't get the point of the other shots, so I'm clearly not seeing what you did when you looked at the scene or the image. But that's why they make vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.

Let me know what you all think. Any I should just forget about?

 

[W.Y.Photo]

Here's an Update... About 7 more images.
In #1 I find the emphasis on the light on the person's nose and the out-of-focus face puzzling. Is this what you were going for? In number 2, if think there may be a good image in there, but the blown out lights, noise,and lack of saturation or detail in the people need work. (Probably more work than I could do, so I'd lose this one.) In #3 the juxtaposition of the black man in a hoody with the NYPD barrier could be a strong image, but I question the compoitiion/cropping. I find the people off to the right just distracting, and not providing any contrast or context. Also, would this work better as a black and white? What do the colors add or detract from the idea you were trying to realize. I just don't get the point of the other shots, so I'm clearly not seeing what you did when you looked at the scene or the image. But that's why they make vanilla, chocolate and strawberry.

1. I did not intend that focus whatsoever. This was shot from the hip and I've been considering blurring the nose out since pulling this up on my ipad.
2. Thanks, I was thinking this image may need some editing but I guess I just fell for the colors and tones that came out of camera on this one.
3. I was thinking the same thing when I took this image and by the time I went to reshoot with him to the right he had a completely different expression on his face and there were a lot of people between me and him. I agree, the background does nothing for me but at the same time him and the barrier just spoke to me enough that I thought maybe the image still had strength to it. I tried Black and White and it didn't work as well as the color image does. The blue NYPD paint makes the fact that its a police barrier more apparent.
I thought about a square crop for this but I've never been too fond of out-of-aspect crops

The last 4 shots are less broad and more like short stories about the subjects, though I think the last one falls short in a multitude of ways.

Thanks for the input. I'm at work so apologies if my explanations are less than adequate I'm typing this in the last few minutes of my lunch break.

 

[The_Traveler]

My biggest mistakes with street is that ... while the shot has meaning to *me* because I remember the mood & atmosphere, etc ... many times the photograph doesn't tell that story, and they devolve simply into pictures of strangers ... doing stuff (walking, going down escalators, looking out windows etc.)

Stuff that looks like genius to me ... just doesn't come across to someone who wasn't there. I've discovered that (for me at least) street photography is very difficult. I tend to be a very non-confrontational person, and while I've never been scolded or called out, I've gotten strange looks, and I'm going to need to thicken my skin if I'm going to develop in this.

I think this is an insightful comment.
I think that a picture has 3 elements - 'meaning', 'mood' and 'mystery' and to be successful there has to be something that grabs the viewer and draws them into a relationship with the picture. HCB was, effectively, a genius in that he could see and capture transient patterns and arrangements so that his viewers could see that caught moment just before something inevitably happened. Winogrand was different in that he captured something and showed it to you to figure it out. Much of his work is infinitely more subtle, perhaps too subtle for people to appreciate easily.

Most of these shots posted here are big on mood but lack anything else - imo, they are sort of empty.
The only one that I think is pretty good, even though it is a cliche, is the second shot in the second batch; even that one isn't processed well. The color and brightness doesn't fit the context and so much of the impact is dissipated. (and the minor tilt draws attention to itself.) The others are just 'strangers ... doing stuff'.

 

[kdthomas]

HCB was, effectively, a genius in that he could see and capture transient patterns and arrangements so that his viewers could see that caught moment just before something inevitably happened.

You mean like this? (Obviously, this is HCB's work, not mine)



One of my all-time faves from HCB. Even though there's a mirror of the subject, it still looks like he's jumping out into space, and the 1/2" gap between the heel and the water is a (bleep)-ing miracle

I'm gonna be frustrated for a long time before I get stuff like this, LOL

 

[Didereaux]

My biggest mistakes with street is that ... while the shot has meaning to *me* because I remember the mood & atmosphere, etc ... many times the photograph doesn't tell that story, and they devolve simply into pictures of strangers ... doing stuff (walking, going down escalators, looking out windows etc.)

Stuff that looks like genius to me ... just doesn't come across to someone who wasn't there. I've discovered that (for me at least) street photography is very difficult. I tend to be a very non-confrontational person, and while I've never been scolded or called out, I've gotten strange looks, and I'm going to need to thicken my skin if I'm going to develop in this.

The greatest of them, Bresson would often spot a scene/background that he liked, then sit back unobtrusively and wait for the 'moment'. Have patience, humans will never disappoint for 'moments' if you have patience... So where are my fantastic 'streets'? I have no patience!

just an insight, or tip. Before taking the shot, presuming you have the locale, and you are tryng for a certain mood: Identify the MOOD first, then go for the 'moment' that matches it. Example a bright orange wall of a building makes you happy...wait for someone skipping along, or smiling, or skating along that is wearing bright blue. Trite example, but I think apt, and adaptable to more subtle effects.