Some recent 'Bristol' Street photography.

[Diego Garcia]

Just some snaps taken over the last week really. I have been using 30 year old battered manual exposure and manual focus film cameras with fujifilm colour and some Ilford black and white - all ISO 400 but 'pushed' occasionally. I had them developed locally and put onto a CD.

I have been thinking about 'street' photography over the last few days and sessions, which are usually in half hour ish in length, rapid movement from me, set it up, snap and move on. As such, I generally shoot with a bright Fstop to let in plenty of light on the grey days.

There is a lot of cliches where street is concerned - all endemic of the usual stuff, leading lines, rules of thirds, negative space, use of signs and icons but I think these can be breached because I simply use a 50mm or 28mm lens and use my feet to get a shot that pleases my eye. I really like images where a person looks away into the frame, but that renders the eye contact ineffective, which as we all know is 'the' key thing in a portrait.

As such, I dont consider these to be essentially street, more of a street portrait thing. If you refer to shot 2, I could label that something like ' A fag with your wine' but not into that really. The shot with the yellow van is one I love - I was framing the shot after spotting it and then of nowhere, this kid cycles across the frame on a BMX as I nailed it at 1/125. Amazing.

Comments welcome. Enjoy. Of course, no exif intact due to the use of film.


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[Diego Garcia]

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[HanC]

LOVE them! especially the ones of the builders/work men on the bench :)

[Rhodese]

Great stuff, luv the bloke in the bonnet #4.

[Plugus Maximus]

The 1st one, the builders, the bikes and afro man are great captures. I'd really like to know what's your approach with strangers? Is it as direct as "Excuse me can I photograph you?" Or do you shoot without asking?

[Diego Garcia]

The 1st one, the builders, the bikes and afro man are great captures. I'd really like to know what's your approach with strangers? Is it as direct as "Excuse me can I photograph you?" Or do you shoot without asking?

It really depends. You can never tell. Some people assume you are an axe weilding maniac, whilst other people get it and like having a photo taken. I think film gives people confidence in you as a photographer but should never be taken for granted. Also, not having to chimp the image with the sitter is nice as you can tell them its simply for your stock portfolio.

A few tips.

Tell them you are trying out an old camera you found in the attic.

Tell them you are studying photography.

If someone looks cool then tell them. I shot this amazing Italian guy in black and white earlier in the week ( not yet dev) and told him what a cool look he had. Of course he then told me that he gets stopped a lot by people and we later engaged in rampant gay sex. ( the last bits a joke).

Dont hang about. Shoot and move on.

If someone dont want a picture forget it.

As ever watch the light and how it falls. I asked the security guard seen in image 10 to stand in the car park as I knew the lights would give a lovely cast and put him into a situational photo. The irony is that the guy is 60 or 70 but still there, day in day out on guard.

Also, watch out for dodgy areas. I challenge myself by shooting in and around St Pauls in Bristol. Pretty bad as a place but if someone wants to steal my £19.00 camera then sure take it.

Finally, sometimes you dont need people. Take the second shot. Effectively saying 'Do not feed the birds' - yet behind that, we see a woman buying food from a burger bar. Simple!

Hope this helps.

[Mohain]

Some superb shots there. Particularly like the first shot, the one of the 4 workmen on the bench looking into camera, the hoody (love his 'tude :D) and the security guard in the car park. Very good :)

[petemc]

Excellent stuff mate. Good to see you returning to this, and its also great that its with film :)

[Diego Garcia]

Cheers all. Thanks for the compliments.

[namllihs]

All good stuff Pete, but there is something about the shots with the pink door background and the yellow van shot that sets them apart for me. Nice to see you are back out there.

[a1ex2001]

excellent work, there are some really nice subtle touches in the backgrouds etc. Wish I had the confidence and the eye!

[Venomator]

A very interesting collection Diego ... :thumbs: ... and some excellent images in amongst them too ... :D

Pleased to see you are returning to form and doing something you really excel at ... ;)




:p

[macker]

:lol: No.1 is just brilliant mate :thumbs:

The rest are all rather good too mind :clap:

[maddog.mark]

Superb set there DG, there's not one I don't like. Made all the better by the insight into them that you've provided:clap:.

[spencer]

Some great shots there Pete!

Particular like the yellow van, the guy with the pink door in the BG & the builders on the bench!

Spence

[joxby]

Those are great shots, having the confidence and the "way" with people on street is a skill not to be understated, and it shows in these photos.
Reminds me of Joel Meyerowitz's method (well actually anybody who is successfull at peeps+street) of shoot and move...
Also the equipment does appear less threatening to potential subjects and carries a certain...I dunno...respect.
Nobody bats an eyelid when I'm faffing with waist level finder Bronica or a rangefinder, I imagine they think I'm some sort of eccentric harmless loon, break out a d200 and tele and everyone zero's in on it.
Got to credit you also for short lenses, you absolutely have to be a talker at 50mm, nevermind 28.
:thumbs:

[Dalton]

What an absolutely cracking set Pete. I like them all, but love the shots with the builders in and the guy having his fag - also the dude in front of the pink gate.

As already stated - it is good to see you back posting shots of this nature and quality.

Keep them coming - and thanks for sharing!

:thumbs:

[CarlukeDave]

All great shots! I'm nighshift next week and weather permitting, I'm planning to head into Glasgow during the day for my first shot at street photography, it's threads like this one that make me want to give it a try!

[mattt]

Really nice, #14 really appeals to me

[RickMezza]

What a great set. You obviously 'have a way' of approaching people and making them feel relaxed about having their photo taken.
Top stuff :thumbs: