Archive for the ‘street photography’ Tag
My main goal when I present images is to direct the viewer’s attention to the most important areas. The basic method of viewer manipulation is to change contrast. My first instinct is to use black & white (B&W). Color usually distracts the eye and B&W is easier to control by changing the relative tonality of elements in post processing.
Sometimes, color gives me the best result. In a few instances I almost desaturate the image, leaving some colors to accentuate details or to slightly preserve the unusual quality of light.
For anything that I do in photography, my choice between B&W vs. Color is based on what I would like to present. I never decide based on the notion of what is considered appropriate. Tradition should not set rules or precedent that dictates your freedom in street photography. Always exercise personal judgment when it comes to selecting between B&W vs. color.
In any case I always shoot in color (using RAW format) and there is absolutely no reason to do otherwise. I will talk about that further in a discussion about post processing.
Through reading street photography forums and blogs, you can find several discussions about how street photography should be done. I will list some of them:
- Black & White or Color
- Wide angle or telephoto lenses
- Ask permission or invade privacy
- Use post processing or in camera only imaging
Let me say this now before we will delve into further details:
Photography is art. You have to make candid images that are the best for you, and, hopefully, somebody will express interest in them. Everything else is irrelevant.
Before you read an expert’s advice on how candid photography should be done, first look at his pictures. If you like them, read more and practice, otherwise continue looking for your own way.
I will address each aspect of candid photography in my next posts. Stay tuned.
Now it is my time to preach.
As opposed to painting, photography requires a different set of skills, knowledge, and talent. However, photography and painting share common concerns about composition, color and others.
There are many types of photography, but for the purpose of this discussion I’ve identified three areas that fundamentally have singular approaches:
- Studio
- Still Object
- Candid
Even though these areas have numerous styles, conceptually everything depends on two things – freedom to create a desirable composition and the allotted time to accomplish it.
Studio
In studio photography there is virtually unlimited freedom to choose light, arrange objects and time frame. With this luxury, studio photography developed sophisticated light manipulation and high resolution equipment. Artists, therefore, differentiate themselves in object arrangement and perspective.
Still Object
Still object photography does not allow the photographer to change arrangement and provides limited freedom to choose light. The use of time is up to the photographer with notable exceptions like the famous story of Ansel Adams’s “Moonrise, Hernandez, New Mexico”. The allowed time gives artists the control to choose when to take a shot for the best possible natural or city light, as well as the ability to move to the location and choose a lens to capture perspective. Setting up high resolution equipment is also a common practice.
Candid
Candid photography restricts freedom of composition the most and makes time an extremely valuable resource. The photographer has to develop strategies and intuition in order to predict composition. Under these conditions photographers develop skills that increase the success rate of their pictures. Candid photography heavily relies on chance. While failures are to be expected, you may discover a pleasant surprise once the picture comes into fruition. The gambling of image capture makes candid photography a truly unique art and my personal preference.
Candid Street Photo 