This is my favorite photograph out of my slow shutter speed photo shoot. I like particularly how the effects of different techniques work well and compliment each other in capturing the sense of movement in the photograph. For example: the rule of thirds link the person and the tree well nicely establishing a sort of connection. Also, the composition of the trees and bushes is effective in capturing the stillness of the setting of the photograph and the person. This is because the blackness and shadow of the tree is bold and therefore quite effective in enhancing the blackness on the person’s suit. As trees are known to be still objects, the fact through the dark tones we have established a relationship between the person and the trees, we start to believe the person is almost part of the tree and so his stillness is enhanced. By making the person and the surrounding objects quite still and bold, the sense of movement of the light is enhanced. Also, the angle of the lens taking the photograph is effective because again the sense of movement is enhanced. For example the fact the lens is looking slightly up and is placed on the corner gives the photograph a sense of direction. This makes the viewer curious as to what could be round the corner. I therefore like how around the corner the enhanced brightness of the street light acts almost as a light source for the headlights passing through the middle third of the photograph. This makes us more curious as to what could be round the corner. By taking the photograph incorporating the person in the middle third of the photograph, puts our questions of what is around the corner into his hoes an so we can relate to what the person might be feeling. I also like how the leaves being blown around on the ground capture the speed of the vehicle passing by, making us feel what the person is feeling with that breeze that comes after a car comes past. Finally, I enhanced the photograph by adjusting the brightness and contrast to be increased. This gave the photograph an exaggeration in emotions to communicate them more easily to the viewer.
Street photography is photography conducted for art or enquiry that features unmediated chance encounters and random incidents within public places. Street photography does not necessitate the presence of a street or even the urban environment. The concept of the “flaneur” or people watcher is often referred to…as is the candid portrait.
…was a French humanist photographer considered a master of candid photography, and an early user of 35 mm film. He pioneered the genre of street photography, and conceived of photography as capturing a decisive moment.
Henri Cartier-Bresson
Task / blog post 1 [ Introduction to Street Photography]
Design an introductory post to define and explain what street photography is / can be
Choose 2 x street photographers from the list below and write a short biography about them and their work
Select a key image from both photographers and analyse using a combination of the 3 types of analysis you have learned
Task / blog post 2 [How we use shutter speed and angles in street photography]
Explore the use of shutter speed to capture a range of street photographs / candid portraits (your images)
Explore the use of various angles and viewpoints (POV) to capture a range of your own street photographs in various locations
Include your contact sheet and describe and explain your process / analyse
Task / blog post 3 [Selection of successful images from Week 5]
Choose a small range of images (3-5) to edit and present
Analyse and discuss your choices…why, how, what , who etc
Compare and contrast your work to your 2 x Street Photographers
EXTENSION TASK…LOOK AT EXAMPLES OFjuxtaposition IN STREET PHOTOGRAPHY AND CREATE A POST DESCRIBING AND EXPLAINING HOW WE CAN EXPLOIT THIS TECHNIQUE
Homework Assignment STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
AIM TO TAKE 100-150 PHOTOGRAPHS
SHOW THE INFLUENCE OF AT LEAST 1 STREET PHOTOGRAPHER IN YOUR IMAGES
EXPLORE 3 DIFFERENT AREAS OF TOWN / VILLAGE / HOUSING AREA ETC
SHOW HOW YOU CAN USE SHUTTER SPEED TO CREATE different effects WITHIN STREET PHOTOGRAPHY
DEADLINE MONDAY 10TH OCTOBER 2016
INSPIRATIONAL STREET PHOTOGRAPHERS
Trent Parke, Bruce Gilden, Diane Arbus, Robert Frank, Raghubir Singh, William Klein, Elliott Erwitt, Garry Winogrand, William Egglestone, Lee Friedlander, Martin Parr, Joel Meyerowitz, Paul Strand, Bill Brandt…but there are many more to discover and explore
Robert Frank (USA) Trolley Car, New Orleans, 1955 (From “The Americans”…a photo essayRaghubir Singh, From a Way Into India, 1995Trent Parke
Tony Ray-Jones listed the following shooting advice to himself in his personal journal:
Be more aggressive
Get more involved (talk to people)
Stay with the subject matter (be patient)
Take simpler pictures
See if everything in background relates to subject matter
Vary compositions and angles more
Be more aware of composition
Don’t take boring pictures
Get in closer (use 50mm lens or smaller)
Watch camera shake (shoot 250 sec or above)
Don’t shoot too much
Not all eye level
No middle distance
Tony Ray-Jones
Some more tips to help with your Street Photography…
