Archive for the ‘Chicago’ Tag
This is the oldest and the cheapest lens that I have. My wife bought me this glass as a gift fifteen year ago for about $300. At that time it was very expensive for us.
I almost never used it. Oddly, I thought that having such expensive zoom I should stay with Pentax brand. This is the classic example how wrong reasons lead to great decisions.
Now, when I do candid street photography, this lens has the second life. I even bought rubber hood for it. It is fun to take quick snapshots using pull-push for zoom and manual focus. With some practice you can operate it pretty fast. Image quality is good enough.
Pentax’s in-body image stabilization technology works great with this stuff too. Usually, I configured it for 200mm. When I am in the mood for long range hunting I have fun with Promaster 60-300.
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Editor’s choice for Image of the Year
Rules and Myths of Candid Photography: Wide angle or telephoto lenses
It was the first cold day of the year. My fingers froze, holding the camera. I walked through famous streets and nothing grabbed my attention enough to even take a practice shot. I approached the empty Daley Plaza and could see pigeons congregating near the inextinguishable flame. A girl smoked on the bench nearby. Frigid air enveloped the heat seeking pigeons along with the lonely girl, sucking on her own burning cigarette. I started sensing the scene and tried to express it in the picture. It was difficult to get the right frame of the girl and the pigeons. I took some shots but nothing that I was pleased with. Eventually, the girl noticed me and asked what picture I would like to take. “I am interested in these unusual pigeons.” I lied, and took the required shot. We made small talk about the place. She told me it was her favorite, and in good weather it is full of children. I gave her the address of my blog and asked permission to take her picture. It is not necessary for a picture to be candid in order to be interesting.
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Every Face Tells A Story
Rules and myths of candid photography: To ask permission or to invade privacy
I made an icon for the blog from an over-sharpened portion of this larger image.
He is often seen protesting on Michigan Avenue near Ohio Street in Chicago. Usually he walks from one corner or street side to another and on occasion announces his critique about Russian politics. Nobody pays attention to the fruitless effort.
What keeps him going? Does it transport him thirty years back, fighting as a youth with his new loudspeaker for freedom from the Refuzniks? Did the Soviet Police break his loudspeaker or was it damaged during immigration?
Maybe my writings into the deep abyss are nearly as fruitless as his aged protestation. Still, what is the purpose of both of our efforts? Simple enjoyment.
Candid Street Photo 