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

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: 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.

Assignment 208: Principles of Location Photography: Theme 2: Street Photography: Shoot 1

Theme 2: Street Photography: Shoot 1: Images from Coopers Sqaure

The following images are from my first attempt at capturing social scenes from Burton Shopping Centre.

The images were all taken on Saturday in and around Coopers Square.  I was really pleased with the results.  I was worried about the reaction from people - but over the course of two hours only two people expressed any concern about what I was doing - the first person covered their face as they walked by, the second person actually stopped to ask me what I was doing.

They couldn't believe that there was no restrictions on what I was doing and asked me to remove any photo's of her daughter - as it happened I didn't have any photo's of them.

More often people were keen to get in on the picture.

I was pleased that I manage to take all of the photo's in manual mode - even manual focus - that was a first for me.  The fist set of images are inside Coopers Square.

ISO 200, f4.5, 1/80, focal length 65mm

This image could have done been with being a bit sharper on the focus - but I'm sure she's asleep?

ISO 200, f4.5, 1/80, focal length 18mm

The best images that I took were all done using the technique that Steve suggested.  I made sure that I was in focus and that the settings were ok through the viewer then lowered the camera to my waist and shot a few continuous frames.  I liked this one with the lads all watching the girls walk by.

ISO 200, f5, 1/100, focal length 35mm

I liked this image as it reminded of some of Martin Parr's images were there is a close focal point and a secondary focal point.  You have the young couple holding hands in the forefront, contrasted by the two grumpy looking fellers in the background on the right.

ISO 200, f4.5, 1/80, focal length 70mm

Just how bored does this guy look?  Don't think he was getting a lot of takers.

ISO 200, f5, 1/80, focal length 70mm

I think this woman has clocked me by the look on her face.

ISO 200, f5.6, 1/100, focal length 70mm

I like this picture - that typical look a teenage gives his dad - but it is just a tad over exposed.  I like the richness of the colours but it needs lightening up a touch to take the shadows out the faces.

Rather than crowd this blog with the images from outside I will put them into a different blog.

What I learned from this session in the square was how to be bold - most people will have no interest at all in what you are doing - and for those that are just be prepared to be honest about what you are doing. 

Using the benches in the centre as a focal location I think works well, as does the low level photography used to capture the flow of people as they walked by. These techniques used in these images bear similarities to both Martin Parr's perspective and Tom Woods.  Tom Woods works because of the location - they are all centred around a point in town, and Martin Parr's in the respect of a number of the images have a foreground and background focal point.

As these are indoors I need to be careful with the light.

Next time I would also like to spend more time on the composition and look for the stories that I want to convey.  I think that I tried to do this with these images but better placement of the different characters and their surrounds could have produced more compelling images.

Assignment 208: Principles of location photography: Assignment Planning for Theme 2

Assignment Planning: Theme 2: Street Photography

My second theme was to capture portraits using a street style photography similar to that of Tom Wood, Martin Parr and Ian Berry.

Whilst I attempted to do this on my recently capturing images of people eating tapas in Seville, I want to now spend sometime capturing images in this style locally that may or may not contribute towards my final ten images.

IS0 500, f4.5, 1/500, focal length 18mm

I will be attempting to capture a number of images this weekend in and around Burton Town Centre.  The images taken this week are more likely to be in the style of Tom Wood in that they will reflect life as it occurs without the sense of irony that are portrayed in Martin Parr's work.

The following are the areas of planning that I have considered in preparation for this shoot:

Objective:

To capture images of small groups of people, unobserved, within a natural environment.

Location and setting:


I have at considered a number of locations and settings in which to take my images as detailed below.  The considerations that I have made are:

• Places of convergance:  I need to make sure that the places that I use for my focal point are a natural place for people to meet and that there is a regular flow of different people - for example a bus stop or bench
• Shooting perspective: I will need to find an unobtrusive place to be in order to take my photographs without drawing attention to myself and therefore creating a distraction to the image.
• Timing: I will need to consider the time and day of shooting to ensure that I am likely to be successful in capturing enough images, populated with sufficient subjects to generate enough interest within the image
• Restrictions: Are there any restrictions on taking photographs in the areas that I have chosen, or of taking images of people without their permission.

Equipment:


I will be limiting my equipment choice to my Nikon D70 with a 18mm-70mm lens.  The reason for this is that I will not want to be intrusive, and I will want to be easily mobile to move locations and capture unusual shots, at different levels.

Weather:


Some of my work will be outdoors so checking that the weather will be prudent to ensure that it doesn't impact on my chosen location, and the equipment use.