Photographers' Union Thread

[Liesje]

I do some street photography once in a while:

After seeing some of the the photos Jive Turkey posted, I decided to start trying some post-processing beyond the basics on more photos like the one above (plugins help). It can really add another dimension. I'll have to get a good book on post-processing, especially for scenes with people.

That's nice!

I like doing "street dogs" instead of people. Whever I'm in Chicago I see the funniest dogs and owners downtown. I told Phil someday I'll do a "Dogs of Chicago" set. I need a longer lens though, I don't want to snap pics of people's dogs right in front of them! Do you ask the people or just snap away?

 

[ntalwar]

That's nice!

I like doing "street dogs" instead of people. Whever I'm in Chicago I see the funniest dogs and owners downtown. I told Phil someday I'll do a "Dogs of Chicago" set. I need a longer lens though, I don't want to snap pics of people's dogs right in front of them! Do you ask the people or just snap away?

Thanks. Maybe consider a teleconverter for your zoom lens for extra reach.
It does take away a stop (or more), so my f/4 becomes a f/5.6. I generally just snap away (and try to be stealthy about it) with a zoom because camera-awareness by a subject takes away from the candidness. Although, I was asked to take a group photo recently. Jive Turkey posted some interesting street photos taken with a hidden camera - that's sort of what I'm after. The zoom lens seems to be a conversation piece- a pro press photographer recently gave me her card and someone else asked for advice on a camera/lens for taking teeth photos a few minutes later. Some people think you're paparazzi (lol).

dpreview has a ongoing thread about street photography. Most photos posted there are by people snapping away, although there are a few where it appeared permission was asked. Some photographers seem to get real close, and the people end up looking at the camera - I try to avoid that. Flickr has some street dog photos - in some cases it looks like the owner was asked (for closeups).

 

[Jive Turkey]

Hey guys working from home again for the rest of this week, so I have time to post again. Stammer, those beijing shots are really cool. And I'd love to see more of your street stuff, ntalwar. I've always been a fan of street photography, but have never been very good at it. We had a street project back at school and I think I got one shot that I liked out of the whole bunch. I'll see if i can find it......What I really want to post is some work by a photographer that I just came across this weekend. In Toronto this month is the Contact Photography Festival. They have galleries set up all over the city. Some in regular galleries, some in restaurants, apartments, all over the place. If you're in Toronto, you should definitely check it out. Anyway, I was at one show for a photographer named Jeff Bark. His work is amazing. They almost look like renaissance paintings. Since there is nudity, I'll stick them under spoiler tags again

Jeff Bark:

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

Spoiler

 

[ntalwar]

And I'd love to see more of your street stuff, ntalwar. I've always been a fan of street photography, but have never been very good at it. We had a street project back at school and I think I got one shot that I liked out of the whole bunch.

Thanks - my street portfolio's rather thin at the moment . It's not easy - 99% of what you see is just ordinary stuff, and you have to be patient for that 1% that's interesting. I like the Dicorcia work you posted earlier.

I'm starting to get more into post-processing (when I'm bored), which seems common among several of the well-known photographers. Here's a recent one I took - an ordinary street shot. After post-processing, it almost looks like it was a staged shot. I'm still learning p.p., so I don't know if what I do works a lot of the time.

 

[stammer476]

I've always had mixed emotions about street photography. Living in China for a short time, I really want to capture the people and the life around me, but I especially struggle with getting candids. Because I'm a foreigner, people are staring at me anyway, let alone when I pull out a large camera and start taking pictures.

I've tried two techniques recently. The first one is "hip shots," where I hold the camera down by my hip and shoot discretely. Most people are too busy looking at my face to notice. There's obviously a lack of control and a lot of trial-and-error, but with practice I've started to get some shots I'm satisfied with.

I went out in my neighborhood last Saturday and got these:

The other method is hiding behind a wall and jumping out to take a quick few of a certain subject before they notice. Not real complicated.

Examples from Saturday:

 

[Jive Turkey]

ntalwar, that photo looks solid, man! I really like it. I think maybe the only thing I'd change is to bring a little more colour back into the skin. Other than that, awesome.

Stammer, your 'hide behind a wall' method has given you some really nice shots. I particularly like the first two. You should make a series out of them

I cant seem to find my only decent street shot. I have a pocket drive with all my school work on it and it seems to be the only thing missing. I know it must be on a dvd somewhere around here. I did come across an old landscape (sort of landscape, though i guess not really...for someone who shoots people, its landscapey enough ) shot I did on 4x5 b&w film though.

 

[ntalwar]

ntalwar, that photo looks solid, man! I really like it. I think maybe the only thing I'd change is to bring a little more colour back into the skin. Other than that, awesome.

Thanks- and nice b&w shot.

Luckily, I'm using layers more now, so it's easier to adjust parts later. Great suggestion on the skin - I'll have to starting making a skin layer or something from now on.

I added a bit of the original skin color back in for the people on the right:

 

[stammer476]

Hey everybody. I've got a question. This summer I'm going back to the States for a couple of months, and I have a little money to invest in some new photography equipment, but I'm not sure what I should buy. My current equipment is as follows:
BODY: Nikon D40
LENSES: 18-55 (kit lens), 18-200 VR
FLASH: Nikon SB-400
OTHER: Two 2G cards, two batteries

Here are my main options, which one would you recommend?:

1.) New camera body (I was leaning toward getting the new Nikon D5000, but I keep reading mixed reviews)
2.) Batch of other equipment (tripod, filters, reflector, etc.)
3.) Something else

Your suggestions would be much appreciated.

 

[major_panic]

Hey everybody. I've got a question. This summer I'm going back to the States for a couple of months, and I have a little money to invest in some new photography equipment, but I'm not sure what I should buy. My current equipment is as follows:
BODY: Nikon D40
LENSES: 18-55 (kit lens), 18-200 VR
FLASH: Nikon SB-400
OTHER: Two 2G cards, two batteries

Here are my main options, which one would you recommend?:

1.) New camera body (I was leaning toward getting the new Nikon D5000, but I keep reading mixed reviews)
2.) Batch of other equipment (tripod, filters, reflector, etc.)
3.) Something else

Your suggestions would be much appreciated.

Depends on your photography style, but personally I'd say go for the tripod - it's a must - and filters. If you have some money left over, why not consider investing in a prime lens? They are AMAZING things, and I almost entirely shoot with my 50mm prime these days.

But don't take my word for it, wait and see what some of the other people here have to say - there are lots here who are far more experienced and better than I am.

 

[ntalwar]

Here are my main options, which one would you recommend?:

1.) New camera body (I was leaning toward getting the new Nikon D5000, but I keep reading mixed reviews)
2.) Batch of other equipment (tripod, filters, reflector, etc.)
3.) Something else

Your suggestions would be much appreciated.

I agree with major_panic - it depends on what you want to shoot more of. The tripod is good for landscapes and studio-type portraits. I don't own many filters, but if I want to do some serious landscape work I might get ND grad filters. A new body or lens is also a good idea if you're running into limitations with your current gear.

 

[Liesje]

Stammer, I felt the same when I was in Africa. Really wanted to get all the people and places, but I stuck out like a sore thumb already and didn't want them to think I was some tourist snapping pics of all the poor street people so I didn't take many at all. Most I got were kids who volunteered to pose for the camera (and get a sweet or a coin in return).

Sorry this are not great b/c they were taken with my first camera, just a point-and-shoot.

We were told the Maasai don't care about pics because they are paid to give tours and show people around. I can never decide between color or b&w.

Besides some groups of kids we hung out with and native people in our group, that's really all I got the entire time.

I'm just so bad at photographing people, I always feel like I'm being really intrusive. I could never be a wedding photographer!!

 

[bonocomet]

For your Maasai photos I vote color. Their beautiful clothing decides that for me anyways.

 

[Jive Turkey]

Liesje, those are really cool shots. You're so lucky to have gotten the chance to go there and shoot! As far as colour and b&w, I'd have to agree with bonocomet. The colours are so beautiful, it would be a shame to throw them away. A photographer that I sometimes work for in Toronto called Chris Gordaneer went to Tanzania and shot similar stuff to what you did. I found this photo, but he has so many more that arent on his site and they are all stunning. He has a lot of shots of the wildlife too. I really recommend visiting his site and clicking on 'tanzania'. You wont be disappointed

www.chrisgordaneer.com

 

[ntalwar]

Another street shot I took. Couldn't figure out the right crop and tint (might be too blue here), but I settled on this. I like sunglasses reflection shots.

 

[ntalwar]

www.chrisgordaneer.com

I checked out his other stuff too- very creative there. Looks like he does a lot of commercial work. The car crash one is cool.

 

[Justin24]

Some shots from last nights Zoostation show.

Sorry had to add this LOL My pic from their promo shots I did on the big screen

 

[Liesje]

Liesje, those are really cool shots. You're so lucky to have gotten the chance to go there and shoot! As far as colour and b&w, I'd have to agree with bonocomet. The colours are so beautiful, it would be a shame to throw them away. A photographer that I sometimes work for in Toronto called Chris Gordaneer went to Tanzania and shot similar stuff to what you did. I found this photo, but he has so many more that arent on his site and they are all stunning. He has a lot of shots of the wildlife too. I really recommend visiting his site and clicking on 'tanzania'. You wont be disappointed

www.chrisgordaneer.com

That's beautiful. I really wish I'd been into photography back then. Not that I went there to take pictures, but it's one of those opportunities you might only get once, you know? I am still very happy with my photos considering I wasn't really interested in photography at all and it was a point and shoot camera.

 

[major_panic]

Some pictures from when I went up to Hanging Rock with a few friends over the weekend:

Self-portrait.

A curious local - it's a wallaby, not a kangaroo, I'm fairly sure.

 

[major_panic]

Continued:

This is one of my favourites for the story it tells.

For some reason when I resize B&W photos to upload them, that effect occurs.

And finally, a couple of long-exposure shots taken in the fog in Mt Macedon:

 

[major_panic]

Oh, and some attempts at stitching:

I know, the horizon's wonky on this one... whoops!

 

[major_panic]

So I'm guessing everyone's been busy taking photos and so on, eh?

 

[stammer476]

Well, I live in a country that blocked any and all access to flickr for two weeks. That's my excuse.

 

[Liesje]

So I'm guessing everyone's been busy taking photos and so on, eh?

A few recent snaps. Just playing around. Crit if you want...

My grandpa's camera, lol

 

[jets]

So I'm guessing everyone's been busy taking photos and so on, eh?

I've done no photographty lately

 

[major_panic]

I've done no photographty lately

Well, Aus v Japan at the MCG should be a good opportunity if you're going to be there..!

 

[jets]

Well, Aus v Japan at the MCG should be a good opportunity if you're going to be there..!

I wish I was going, but will be watching from home.

 

[cydewaze]

I am getting very close to pulling the trigger on this.

• Canon Rebel XSi 12.2MP
• 18-55 IS Lens
• 55-250 IS Lens
• 2GB SD Mem card

$850, shipped.

 

[ntalwar]

I am getting very close to pulling the trigger on this.

• Canon Rebel XSi 12.2MP
• 18-55 IS Lens
• 55-250 IS Lens
• 2GB SD Mem card

$850, shipped.

Great price. It looks like the Xsi prices are dropping because of the newer Ti1 model, which offers 1080p video at 20 fps. I've seen some mixed reviews on the 55-250 zoom - Canon definitely has better zooms in their lineup.

 

[kramwest1]

I've done no photographty lately

I haven't shot anything for a while either, and I've got to get my shit together for Mongolia. I still haven't decided if I can afford the Sigma 10-20mm before we go.

I gotta charge batteries, check filters, make sure it all fits in my bag...ugh.

I did get this though...

It's an anti-theft strap.


Mark

 

[Justin24]

Her house burned down and exploded due to the propane tank she had in her house

same woman. all fotos from my trip to Ecuador