Monday, 31 October 2011

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

2 comments:

  1. Hi
    More of the same here, great shots, the boy behind the fence and the man with the banner in front of his face, and the guitar shot as well
    we will how best to post produce these to get good impact.

    Steve

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  2. I really like these shots i think the timing must have been crucial to capture some of the moving ones, a pleasure to see, i like the focus on the second shot with the back ground out of focus.

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