EdinburghGary
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Several weeks ago, I asked what I thought was a fairly basic question, in an effort to get a better understanding of how to take a good landscape photo. I learned SH*TLOADS from the replies, I kid you not. So...
Recently, I have been shooting a lot of "street" photography. Im pretty pants at it, and want to be better, so here I am, asking for help, ideas, your likes and dislikes, and just - anything you can bring to the table in terms of help. Help for me, help for others wanting to have a stab. I hope that this thread, can be used once all is said and done, as a reference guide on how to hit the streets with confidence.
So I may as well start with some questions!
1: How important is it to capture "all of someone". Ie, as opposed to "Head and Shoulders", do you think getting the entire body in is important? AT the expense of what - facial features being closer and more detailed? That emotion being "lost" due to it being smaller? I struggle to answer this one, although personally - I prefer the close portraits. Am I wrong?
2: What defines a "good street snap", and when does it become a "great street photo"? What must every "great street photo" have? What must it NOT have?
3: How do you spot that "great street photo", what do you look for? Are there any hints, tips that you can share, which will help you plan that shot which is about to expose itself?
4: With regards to lens selection, what works best? I love my 50, and I love my 85. The bokeh is amazing. I like my 24 to 70, but can't seem to use it to the same level I do my other two. What is your preferred lens choice and why? When you change lenses, what makes you change?
5: How important is bokeh? What is more important - seeing the area and "event" in the background so to speak, or an amazing blur of colours and lights, which are in no way recognisable, but add an artistic element to a shot, which would otherwise be lost? Is there a line? Me? I love the blur. Again, am I wrong?
6: How important is emotion? I suspect hugely important. However, are all emotions appealing to look at? Anger? Sadness? Fear? Are those street photos as good as Joy? Excitement? Affection? I find I get a lot of "**** off" looks - are they good viewing? I like them. Am I wrong?
7: Light is clearly important. But I don't feel its "landscape" important. Street lights change, any given street or viewpoint can have a huge variety of colours, shadows, light tones etc. It is impossible for us to control it, but we can still see it. So where us the "Golden Hour" of street photography? What light works best? What light should be avoided?
8: How important is an "event"? Does a shot of a person walking home from work, carry the same weight as a shot of someone partying at, I dunno, a massive charitable event? Do you feel there is a place for "non event street photography"? Where do you lie, Event versus Non event, and why?
9: Candid versus Posed. What works best, and why? What is your favourite style? I prefer candid, but perhaps thats down to my fear of asking a stranger to pose?
10: How important are shadows. Shadows around the subject, as well as local shadows (under the eyes, in the lines of skin etc).
11: Contrast, what is your take on it? Higher than "normal"?
12: B & W versus COLOUR. When, and why?
13: What, in your own honest opinion, makes a good street photographer. What qualities will they have? How do you imagine there attitude? What mindset are they in when they hit the streets? What preparation will they make? What is the typical shoot of a street photographer all about?
Look, I have asked a lot of in depth questions, and I don't blame anyone if they do not have the time to go through them all. There are 3 photographers I can think of, whom I would be forever grateful if they did answer. Pete, Deigo and Blinkerz. Its asking a lot, a hell of a lot.
Last question. If you have the time and inclination, post a link to your favourite street photo ever, and tell us why. It does not need to be from a TP member. It could be any photo taken by anyone.
I really hope this thread works, it could be so very useful and become one of those threads that makes Talk Photography the best photographic site on the net.
Gary.
Recently, I have been shooting a lot of "street" photography. Im pretty pants at it, and want to be better, so here I am, asking for help, ideas, your likes and dislikes, and just - anything you can bring to the table in terms of help. Help for me, help for others wanting to have a stab. I hope that this thread, can be used once all is said and done, as a reference guide on how to hit the streets with confidence.
So I may as well start with some questions!
1: How important is it to capture "all of someone". Ie, as opposed to "Head and Shoulders", do you think getting the entire body in is important? AT the expense of what - facial features being closer and more detailed? That emotion being "lost" due to it being smaller? I struggle to answer this one, although personally - I prefer the close portraits. Am I wrong?
2: What defines a "good street snap", and when does it become a "great street photo"? What must every "great street photo" have? What must it NOT have?
3: How do you spot that "great street photo", what do you look for? Are there any hints, tips that you can share, which will help you plan that shot which is about to expose itself?
4: With regards to lens selection, what works best? I love my 50, and I love my 85. The bokeh is amazing. I like my 24 to 70, but can't seem to use it to the same level I do my other two. What is your preferred lens choice and why? When you change lenses, what makes you change?
5: How important is bokeh? What is more important - seeing the area and "event" in the background so to speak, or an amazing blur of colours and lights, which are in no way recognisable, but add an artistic element to a shot, which would otherwise be lost? Is there a line? Me? I love the blur. Again, am I wrong?
6: How important is emotion? I suspect hugely important. However, are all emotions appealing to look at? Anger? Sadness? Fear? Are those street photos as good as Joy? Excitement? Affection? I find I get a lot of "**** off" looks - are they good viewing? I like them. Am I wrong?
7: Light is clearly important. But I don't feel its "landscape" important. Street lights change, any given street or viewpoint can have a huge variety of colours, shadows, light tones etc. It is impossible for us to control it, but we can still see it. So where us the "Golden Hour" of street photography? What light works best? What light should be avoided?
8: How important is an "event"? Does a shot of a person walking home from work, carry the same weight as a shot of someone partying at, I dunno, a massive charitable event? Do you feel there is a place for "non event street photography"? Where do you lie, Event versus Non event, and why?
9: Candid versus Posed. What works best, and why? What is your favourite style? I prefer candid, but perhaps thats down to my fear of asking a stranger to pose?
10: How important are shadows. Shadows around the subject, as well as local shadows (under the eyes, in the lines of skin etc).
11: Contrast, what is your take on it? Higher than "normal"?
12: B & W versus COLOUR. When, and why?
13: What, in your own honest opinion, makes a good street photographer. What qualities will they have? How do you imagine there attitude? What mindset are they in when they hit the streets? What preparation will they make? What is the typical shoot of a street photographer all about?
Look, I have asked a lot of in depth questions, and I don't blame anyone if they do not have the time to go through them all. There are 3 photographers I can think of, whom I would be forever grateful if they did answer. Pete, Deigo and Blinkerz. Its asking a lot, a hell of a lot.
Last question. If you have the time and inclination, post a link to your favourite street photo ever, and tell us why. It does not need to be from a TP member. It could be any photo taken by anyone.
I really hope this thread works, it could be so very useful and become one of those threads that makes Talk Photography the best photographic site on the net.
Gary.
at answer 12 