Assignment 208: Principles of location photography: Theme 2: Street Photography

Street Photography - Shoot 3

Birmingham - 29th October 2011

A few more shots from my time in Birmingham - this was a return visit - the weather wasn't quite so favourable - a bit drizzly which meant there were less people around.  It was also the weekend of the EDL demonstrations and there was a very heavy police presence in the city - but I still managed to take a few shots that I am pleased with.

This time I tried approaching people and asking if I could take their photo, as well as the chance photographs.  

This lad was camping out in Victoria Square which was all cordoned off to keep separation between the demonstrations.  He has been camping out for 12 days - and is planning to stay as long as it takes.  Last week the protesters were surrounded by photographers, and there was an air of a summer camp out - today it looked bleak.

ISO 200, f2.8, 1/640, focal length 105mm

ISO 200, f2.8, 1/320, focal length 105mm

How much better would this photo have been if they had all been wearing hats!

ISO 200, f3, 1/640, focal length 105mm

ISO 200, f2.8, 1/80, focal length 105mm

As part of the demonstration there was a stand showing how to tie a turban - it was very popular.

ISO 200, f3.8, 1/500, focal length 105mm

ISO 200, f3.5, 1/200, focal length 105mm

There was no shortage of demonstrators happy to be photographed

ISO 200, f2.8, 1/640, focal length 105mm

Away from the demonstrations there were the usual street collectors and performers.  

ISO 200, f5.6, 1/200, focal length 105mm

ISO 200, f3/5, 1/80, focal length 105mm

ISO 200, f3.5, 1/250, focal length 105mm

This lad asked me what I taking photo's for and when I explained he thanked me for taking his photo and including him - I was just really annoyed with myself that the image wasn't as sharp as it could be - it was actually really crowded round him and I was struggling to get a clear gap.

These dancers came over and asked me to take their email address so that I could send them some of the images.

ISO 200, f3.5, 1/400, focal length 105mm

ISO 200, f3.5, 1/400, focal length 105mm

ISO 200, f3.5, 1/400, focal length 105mm

ISO 200, f3.5, 1/400, focal length 105mm

On this shoot I used a fixed focal length lens - I am not sure that this proved the best lens - at times I found myself too close the subject and having to back too far away to get the full frame - which then lost the intimacy of asking for the photo.

Out of the three attempts that I have had at street photography, I feel the best lens was my zoom lens giving me both options - I just need to get a steadier hand.

But I am definitely getting more confident at taking my shots I feel

Assignment 208: Principles of location photography: Theme 2: Street Photography

Street Photography: Second Attempt

Faces of Birmingham

ISO 400, f4.2, 1/400, focal length 122mm

Some good colours in this picture, just a bit disappointing in the shadows on the face and the reflection in his glasses.

ISO 400, f5.3, 1/1000, focal length 250mm

ISO 400, f4.5, 1/1000, focal length 145mm

Again I am pleased with the rich colours in these images.  I was tempted to crop the images to bring the old lady and the big issue seller closer but the surroundings form part of the social context of these image for me.

ISO 400, f5.6, 1/125, focal length 210mm

A little too rich in colour this one!

ISO 400, f5.6, 1/320, focal length 300mm

I'm disappointed with the quality of this image but I liked the facial expression framed by her fur hood. The two images above were captured in a more shaded street - in contrast to the bright sunlight of the images taken immediately before - but I didn't take enough time to refocus on getting the settings right.

Next time I want to focus more on this subject - I think the two best image are the first big issue seller and the old lady - I will plan images around the composition of these two on my next shoot.

Assignment 208: Principles of location photography: Theme 2: Street Photography

Street Photography: Second Attempt

ISO 400, f4.2, 1/640, focal length 90mm

Political Statements

I read somewhere that part of the emotion attached to an image is from being there - when you look at an image you have taken it brings back the emotions that you felt at the time you took it.  What you are trying to do as a photographer is take an image that can pass on those emotions.

ISO 400, f4.8, 1/250, focal length 180mm

I hope that I have achieved this in these images - an impromptu celebration on the new sense of freedom for Libya.  What captivated me most about this celebration was the fact that it was mainly young people, and predominately female.

ISO 400, f4, 1/640, focal length 70mm

ISO 400, f5, 1/640, focal length 220mm

I like these two images, the colour is good and they capture the joy of the event in the faces of two young people.  I was pleased with the framing, that they were isolated as the focus point in the picture and that I have managed to blur out to a degree the surroundings.

ISO 400, f4.8, 1/500, focal length 190mm

ISO 400, f5.6, 1/800, focal length 300mm

I was pleased with this image - the isolation of the main character, the rich colours - I wander what she is thinking about.  Has she lost her childhood - or gained a new freedom - did she understand the celebrations she was joining in with.

ISO 400, f4.8, 1/640, focal length 180mm

ISO 400, f4.8, 1/640, focal length 165mm

I like the way the sun is highlighting this girls face in sharp contrast to her dark clothing.

ISO 400, f4.8, 1/400, focal length 180mm

This young lady was one of the 'ring leaders' - she was on the phone trying to drum up extra troops I think.

ISO 400, f4.2, 1/600, focal length 90mm

I was going to crop this image but then I caught sight of the young child in the sunglasses in the bottom left corner and remembered that this is what street photography is all about - you think you have focused on a certain aspect only to find that the image can contain some interesting surprises.

The only question here is have I drifted from street to journalistic - I think a blog about how they differ might help me to clarify on this point and help me focus on the right direction.

Assignment 208: Principles of location photography: Theme 2: Street Photography

Theme 2: Street Photography: Second Attempt

My first attempt at street photography helped me to gain confidence but didn't produce any strong images.  Feedback from Steve on why the images didn't really deliver was constructive and helped me to plan my second attempt.

How did I change my approach?  

• Changed location:  I choose to use Birmingham for my second attempt.  I felt that this would provide a more diverse range of activity - also as a major city - it would be easier to lose yourself as a photographer in the crowd.  
• Change in equipment:  I moved from my limited 18-70mm lens to a 70-300mm zoom to enable me to provide me with greater scope - I could either zoom in to capture detail further away, or use it to focus up close on a particular person or group.  Using a zoom lens in a busy city centre I also had to be more mindful of health & safety considerations.  Being careful to not place myself in a position that would prove an obstruction to passers by, or put my equipment in a position where it could be damaged.
• Change in attitude: Rather than be shy about what I was doing I went prepared to engage with people, to acknowledge that they were being photographed - show my appreciation of their co-operation with a nod, a smile, a gesture - or a donation if busking or collecting for a charity.

What were the challenges?

ISO 400, f4, 1/800, focal length 70mm

The main challenge was the use of the zoom, it is a heavier lens and is very basic - so achieving a sharp image was difficult, especially at the higher end of the zoom - and this spoilt a number of images.  I tried to compensate for the camera shake by positioning myself against a post, or resting my camera on a wall or bin but this wasn't always possible.

As in this image, I like to composition - the blurred out background with the passer by providing the main focal point - giving you a sense of how isolated you can be - even in a busy city - I like the high colour achieved but I hadn't quite got the focus sharp and I was on the move myself so lost some of the clarity.

What went well?

People were less inhibited, more friendly and even eager to get their photo taken.  I was pleased with myself that I stuck to my guns and resisted reverting to auto anything!  Occasionally people would ask me what I was doing - in return for my explanation I would ask if I could take their photo.

ISO 400, f5.6, 1/60, focal length 70mm

ISO 400, f5, 1/320, focal length 70mm

In some cases it was a matter of bribery - there were a lot of uni students collecting for whizz-kids charity - so I emptied my purse of change a few times to capture images.  

I like this image - although the costume may not be the most elaborate that I saw on the day the image there is something surreal about not knowing who is behind the mask.

ISO 400, f5.6, 1/1000, focal length 300mm

ISO 400, f5.6, 1/100, focal length 205mm

Although this collector didn't enter into the fancy dress escapade to collect her money I observed her for ages from a coffee shop - she seemed uncomfortable with her role, and unlike her fancy dress companions lacking in confidence to approach the throngs of passers by.

What did I learn?

From my day in Birmingham I could see three themes that I could build my street photography around that could tell a social story:

• Street Sellers & Buskers
• Political and Religious demonstrations/preachers
• Faces of a city 

My next blogs will pick out some of my favourite images collected on the day that fit the above categories.

In future visits I will look to plan my work around the above themes and continue to apply patience to capturing that elusive image/s that can be used in my final presentation.

I have learned that as well as confidence - you need patience - you can't stage your image - you have to keep trying, and where ever possible always have your camera to hand ready for when it presents itself.

ISO 400, f5,1/800, focal length 70mm

Assignment 208: Principles of Location Photography: Helen Levitt: Research into Street Photographers

Helen Levitt: Brooklyn , 1913

Helen Levitt was an American photographer best known for her street photography in and around the city of New York.  Helen was a self taught photographer.  She worked extensively in both black & white, and colour.  

It was her colour images that I was drawn to whilst researching street photography further following my first attempt at this style of photography.

What I like about these images is the high level of colour saturation, as well as the fact that the images convey a strong contextual message of the eccentricity of life in New York - they contain a variety of activity without heavy engagement of the individuals within the frame.

 This image used the telephone box to frame the focus - there is some peripheral activity outside the telephone box that your eyes will flit over, by including this in the frame you get a greater sense of the spacial aspect of the box.

This image works because of the socks.  The brightness of the socks, and the pattern stand out against the slightly washed out tones of the rest of the image.  Without this focal point the image would have lacked something

The splashes of colour in this image draw your attention to the key focal points.  Again the fact that the rest of the image appears washed out and grey in comparison makes this image work 

On reflection the images that I chose to upload on my blog reflect elements of the technique favoured by Helen Levitt in her colour photography.  The images that I chose to upload from the numerous ones captured were because of the lack of engagement with the people in my frame, and the way in which colour played a part in the composition of the image.

Assignment 208: Principles of Location Photography: Theme 2: Street Photography: Shoot 2

Theme 2: Street Photography, Shoot 2:  Outside

For my outside shots I centred around the bus stops around town.  As the weather was bright and sunny I was rewarded with a good flow of people to snap.

Outside people seemed to take less notice of the camera, I am not sure if this was because people assumed I was taking photographs of the buildings or not.

ISO 200, f3.5, 1/100, focal length 18mm

I took this image just by balancing the camera on my knee and shooting.  I like the perspective that the bench gives, leading you through the frame to the boy.  I reckon I will try this technique again.

ISO 200, f9, 1/320, focal length 70mm

I think the colour helps in this frame.  A great character face too.

ISO 200, f8, 1/640, focal length 70mm

Another great character face.  I also like how the colour red is mirrored in the old lady's clothing and the lady in the red t-shirt and shoes.

ISO 200, f8, 1/640, focal length 70mm

I just liked this image - it has such a sense of joy about it.

ISO 200, f9, 1/250, focal length 18mm

ISO 200, f9, 1/250, focal length 48mm

The above images just tickled me - a pity about the bollards being in the way.  

ISO 200, f4.5, 1/1250, focal length 70mm

This was later in the afternoon and the sun had moved around and was casting shadows putting half of the road in shade and have in the sun.  I liked this image for the boldness of the two central figures, and the symetry on their coats.  There is just a little too much shadow.

ISO 200, f4.5, 1/400, focal length 400

I picked this image for the colours - I liked the fact that the ladies coat colour was reflected in the writing in the bus.

ISO 200, f8, 1/200, focal length 58mm

As with the previous image is I picked this one for the fact that the teenagers are all in muted colours and the tennis ball adds a spec of brightness.  I would like to play around with these two images to see what they would look like if the surrounding colours were washed out, leaving a single element of colour similar to the Ian Berry image in my research.

ISO 200, f4.5, 1/400, focal length 70mm

This image would have been better slightly lighter, but I still like it - the way expression on the mans face is what caught my eye.

These images bring elements of Ian Berry's work and Martin Parr's.  The richness of colour in a number of the images, and the 'splash' of colour in others draw on my research images, with the colour providing focal points within the frame.  A couple of the images also capture a slight sense of irony, whilst depicting the reality of life similar to Martin Parr.