Archive for the ‘Pentax’ Tag
It is very common for the street picture to have some details by pure chance. Photographer did not have time to notice them and he paid attention to something else. These details could make image stronger or weaker depending on your luck. Sometimes accidental details create or destroy whole composition.
I walked along Millennium Park in Chicago. I’ve seen children play in fountain and made a quick shot. I did not have another chance because some tourist moved to my frame. Image of children playing with water became cliché. Yes, they are cute and there is a lot of movement. I did not have much hope for this image but when I looked at home I’ve noticed woman on background. I’ve cropped to have only children and lonely figure of a woman. Woman’s gaze created another meaning of the whole photo. This is was very lucky detail.
There is nothing different between infrared and visible light in terms of candid photography techniques or composition.
It is very popular to use infrared photography for landscape or cityscape. Infrared light dramatically changes tonality of grass, tree leaves and sky giving picture sometimes surreal quality.
In candid photography infrared was popularized by Weegee. He used infrared flash to take pictures in the total darkness. I don’t use a flash, even invisible one.
As a candid photographer I like infrared for unusual tonality of the skin and cloth. Infrared gives contrast to the image that is impossible to achieve using visible light.
When sun is in zenith of the clear sky, it is absolutely the worst time for taking visible light pictures and it is usually the best for infrared shooting.
All pictures are taken by converted to infrared Pentax *istDS with Pentax-DA 1:3.5-5.6 18-55mm AL
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.
Related topics
Editor’s choice for Image of the Year
Rules and Myths of Candid Photography: Wide angle or telephoto lenses
Candid Street Photo 