Street Stories #2
Here is the second installment in this series. As I commented last time, I am changing the format a little by displaying all the images first in hopes it appeals to more readers. For those who want to make their own uninfluenced interpretation, simply view the images. For those who like to read about how the shot came about and some discussion on the story, read on. Either way I would love to see comments on how these images were seen and interpreted through your eyes. So here we go!
I think these are a decent variety of street stories. For those here for just the images, hope you enjoyed them. For more information on the shots, read on…
Multi-Tasking
How many of us can talk on the phone, riding a skateboard against traffic with a dog in tow? I found this display of multi-tasking humorous, and I love that the dog is looking right at the camera in this frame. I was able to shoot a couple of more, this one being my favorite. I was in aperture priority mode and I find this allows fast reactions to rapidly changing scenes in the street. I imagine he is just out “walking” the dog and does not seem challenged to keep it together while talking to a friend on the phone - like second nature!
Projection over Reality
This is actually a favorite of mine. I was walking down the street primarily looking ahead at finding composition including the sidewalk and some attractive neon signs on buildings when I gazed across the street and saw a video of a dancer projected onto the side of the building opposite. I was holding my camera up to frame a shot and the little man walked into the frame. He looked over and saw me and quickened his pace as to politely move out of the way. Of course I wanted him in the shot and was able to capture him in various frames walking across it. I selected this one both for the dancer “looking” down, and the man looking at the camera in a wide stride, drink in hand. It was a rainy evening and I still ponder where the man was going. He carried a backpack and what seemed to be cardboard. This leads me to think that this was possibly to sleep on or under, as unfortunately many transients in the area must do.
Pouring it On
On this day I was testing a very compact digital camera, a sexy silver Canon PowerShot SD790 IS 10.0MP Digital ELPH. This thing was small but loaded with features. Always on the hunt for a cool EDC, I found this at a local garage sale. As you can see, it did a decent job and there was no shutter delay, allowing me to time the man just as he was crossing through the spray pattern of the fountain at Riverfront Park. I was shooting somewhat towards the sun, so the shadow detail and tonal range is pretty impressive for so small a sensor and lens. Especially in “Auto” settings. Ultimately I sold this beauty because the buttons and dials were just too small for my large hands. I would recommend one though, to anyone looking for a full featured sub-compact camera.
Blending In
Taken near the downtown bus terminal, this street sculpture made of metal slats placed upright forms curving angles depending on which direction it is viewed from. The sidewalk is lined off around it as the designated smoking area and is usually populated by a younger crowd. Lending to some privacy, and not having to be out in the open, it forms a space within a space outdoors to meet in. Or perhaps at times even block some illicit activity from view. In this image the young woman by herself just outside the line seems somewhat alone and lost in her thought, separate from the four within the boundary of the enclosure.
Man on a mission
I was crossing the wide city street and my peripheral vision caught this tall man walking hurriedly with huge strides coming from my right. I just had enough time to raise the camera to my waist, I already had the screen tilted up, and took the shot. I usually set my camera in aperture priority and keep it pretty wide open for fast enough shutter speeds to freeze action, and this compensates for changes in lighting when there is little time to make more adjustments. I like the composition as he is walking into the scene, the row of doors providing a nice pattern for a background. Stars lining the sidewalk are another point of interest, almost as if he is stepping on each one. The subject’s long strides at a fast pace gave rise to the title I chose.
Lounge Reflections
Walking along the sidewalk at dusk, I noticed the graphic logo of the Peacock Room, a bar in the historic Davenport Hotel, where my immigrant Czech grandfather, apprenticed in Dresden before WWII, worked as a pastry chef. I was looking for a reflection to compose and include it in the shot when a waiter passed by and took a look at the camera, right when I took the shot. Although the ISO was pretty high, I think the image is usable and allowed for a fast enough shutter speed along with the wide open aperture to freeze the motion. I do delve in blurring the image with longer exposures as well, I will share those in a future edition. I like how the image is split by the pane and the left side features more of the interior while the right side is reflecting the buildings across the street. He was probably wondering what I was taking a picture of, I get a lot of that!
Friends on a Bridge
This local pedestrian bridge is great to photograph for its architectural features and I have studied it extensively from all angles. Of course the pedestrians or those on bikes or other conveyances also make for great street subjects. On this occasion one evening, while walking towards the young woman and dog, I thought it would make a nice portrait setting, so I asked her if she minded if I took some photos of her and her dog. She was OK with it but also somewhat shy, as this was unexpected and there were other people behind me coming our way. Since then I have used the bridge as a location for portrait sessions, much to work with there. When shooting people in the street, sometimes I ask if I can take their photo and others, well there is either no time or the shot is meant to be more candid. Most commonly the latter is the case. I realize there is much discussion on this topic of asking permission or not and as I do both I am somewhat neutral it just depends on the situation. The key thing is to be respectful. Of course everyone must know the legal implications where they are taking photos of people in public. Here, it isn’t a problem in public spaces.
I will finish this edition off with a couple of quotes applicable to the street genre that I can relate to;
“Photography is not about the thing photographed. It is about how that thing looks photographed.” – Garry Winogrand
“The marvels of daily life are exciting; no movie director can arrange the unexpected that you find in the street.” – Robert Doisneau
Please feel free to comment on and share your thoughts!
Until next time -
Paul
I like these photos. Do not really need to see a title as I want to form my own story, but reading more about how and why this shoot was taken is nice and adds the right amount of context to see if my initial thought still stands. Thanks
Really excellent photos! And I absolutely loved hearing the detail of how each shot came to be. Thank you for sharing!