I was speaking to a friend the other day about street photography. He is what I would call a photography enthusiast and is interested in all aspects of photography, cameras and related topics. On street photography, he said that he didn’t get it - he said that all he saw were the same old pictures of people walking down the street - snapshots of strangers.
It made me think about why he had this impression and what he was talking about and I think I know exactly what he means. There are a lot of images out there on the web, instagram and other photography sharing sites passing off as street photography, and I think there is a lack of substance in the type of street photography that people are putting out there. This is a thought piece on how we all can learn and grow as photographers in general. What I am writing here is very much for me. Hopefully it helps you too.
Read MoreSome of you out there may not know that I have a twitter account for zonefocus.net where I post links from around the web that are related to photography, focusing on street and documentary. If you would like to follow me on twitter, head on over and follow @zonefocusnet. Here are 12 links I have curated from around the web for the twitter account that I think you will really like
Read MoreOne of the most popular questions on the photography internet is “what is the best lens for street photography?”. Let’s discuss why I think a prime lens will make you a better street photographer, and look at some recommendations.
Read MoreHere is a little tip that has helped all of the aspects of my photography.
It is not a tip about a fancy new lens, a special photoshop technique, or a camera setting.
It is a tip to help develop your confidence and conquer your fear of shooting out in public - a tip that will make you a more confident and positive shooter, allowing you to make connections with the subjects that you photograph, should you choose to do so.
Read MoreI've written previously on the blog about shooting with intent - that is, heading out with a theme in mind and shooting images that match that theme. This provides a focus and a goal for your photography, and starts to create a body of work that perhaps one day could become an exhibition, photo story, book or a series of prints on your wall. One of my favourite themes to shoot is scenes with high contrast shadows and silhouettes, in black and white.
Read MoreWhen serendipitous moments happen in Street Photography, it pays to let your camera do the work for you.
Read MoreFor many casual or even serious photographers, shooting street is something that they might toy around with when they are on holidays. Shooting the occasional street photograph of locas at a holiday destination to record a piece of their vacation for posterity. This sort of shooting may be a little easier to do as there is an inherent permission associated with shooting pictures of an un-orchestrated street scene with people you don't know in it. Especially so when you are a ’tourist’. The thought of photographing street scenes in the suburb, village or city that you might call home can be a scarier proposition for you, but it shouldn’t be.
Read MoreThe Museum of Sydney is planning a Street Photography of the 1930’s-1960’s exhibition for late December 2018 through to mid 2019
Read MoreTalk to a traditional portrait photographer and they will most likely tell you that any lens focal length less than 85mm equivalent is not a true portrait lens. Reasons given are usually focused on controlling distortion and using compression and subject isolation. These are all extremely valid and sensible reasons…lets call them rules…that serve as an excellent guide to getting awesome people shots.
However as a street photographer, i am not always looking for the traditional portrait shot, nor am I working in the traditional way that a portrait photographer would work. Shooting street portraits there are always a range of factors in the environment around you that I have no way of controlling. I also am limited in the amount of gear that I carry around with me all day (self imposed but who wants to walk 10-12km carrying a bag full of gear?).
Read MoreWe wander the streets beneath a canopy of steel and concrete. The sun beaten skyline casts a jumble of angular shadows on the concrete valley floor of our city like a constantly creeping groundcover of black and grey amidst stark specular silver and white.
Read MoreIf you are interested in getting started in street photography, you’ll no doubt be looking to get out on the street and start shooting scenes of every day life. If you have had any success capturing that amazing moment when an every day scene looks like some sort of conceptual art, you know how addictive street photography can be.
However, it can also be daunting to step out into the world with a camera and make images on the street. Lots of thoughts come into your head. What will he say if he catches me? What will bystanders do, or think, if they see me taking photos of those unsuspecting citizens? Do I look like a creep crouching down like this taking a picture of this shadow? Will that guy punch me in the face if I take his photo?
Read MoreI love to shoot into the sun when doing street photography. Stopping down the aperture and going for some flare or sunburst can add a nice effect to your street shots and it is something that can make a normal street shot really stand out.
Read MoreFast, discreet, highly portable, possessing the ability to produce great image quality and entirely usable as a second camera to a DSLR or Mirrorless CSC kit. That's the Ricoh GR. In this post I will outline how I have set up my little GR II to be the ultimate zone focusing point and shoot.
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