Go mad with Street Shots

I really like #4


I found at the weekend that I got real positive reactions by smiling and waving or sticking my thumb up at people before snapping them. 90% of people smiled, a couple gestured they didn't want snapping, so I moved on. A couple even came up and asked if I could take their picture.

I'm not comfortable in every situation, I find my success depends on how I feel, not the people I'm snapping.

I would suggest sticking with it. Expect to get a low keeper ratio, so take an awful lot of pics. See it, snap it and move on. Many pics I can't remember even taking.

You know some times comments like that rather then help really lets this site Down, I know we all have our opinions but as a pentax team member just to come on pick shots at will with no constructive ness what so ever and the go off line, with no explanation, well all I can say is it lets the team down. He must have had a bad day.

Now thats help thank you Smeggy that is helpfull thank you

I prefer your shots to the inspiration, but then, that's because they are more 'traditional' street photography, as opposed to the 'in your face' turn and shoot of Bruce Gilden.

So, if you want to do more street photography, go for it! If you want more of a Bruce Gilden look, then you're going to have to get much closer. Much much closer!

Thats the first and the last for me my freind

You can't do street photography so easily if you don't feel confident - it shows and makes people nevous or even suspicious.

You will need to look as though you should be doing what you are doing, but it certainly is not easy at first.

Thanks for that John, but that was my first and last,time

Puma. It's not suprising you feel put off, when a moderator, no less, comes along and makes such thoughtlessly harsh comments. Actually I thought shot 4 had something, the glimmer of an interaction between the subjects. So for a first outing, you should certainly not be hanging your head in shame.

This site puzzles me at times, with heavy handed moderation of the most pernickety things, but then comments like that don't solicit any response.

Thank you Will thats very Kind of you shot 4 did have interaction between the subjects he was asking him for money, well seen my friend

i find it very Disappointing that you arenot giving it anymore as of one a moderator coment this is very sad to here that is very bad from some one who holds a Position on the pentax site
i like your work puma as do others dont be put of bye people above their station or think they are better as they are not they forget were they started from

Good effort Puma, perhaps not award winning but they are a good start! I wouldn't get discouraged, in my limited experience I find that when shooting people alone (i.e. just walking, or standing etc - without any interesting interaction with their surroundings) then so much depends on the facial expressions and hand gestures, so it can be a bit hit and miss. I can take a hundred completely boring shots before I get one that 'works'.

You may remember that I also use the 'hyperfocal from the hip' technique when shooting around my very small town. I know that if I take a photo of someone on the street here, there is a very good chance I will see them again another day so I don't want to annoy people. But in huge cities I don't worry so much, and am more open about taking photos of strangers.

My best attempts at "street photography" were in Central Park, NYC using an MX and a 135mm lens. Using Kodak BW400CN film gives one a little more freedom with exposure. I was hoping to use my FED2 with the Jupiter-12 35mm lens but the dang thing don't fit. I need to bend the focusing cam upwards a little (it is a common problem) but have so far chickened out as I don't want to accidentally ruin my lovely FED.

I love good street photography (although the in-your-face style is less interesting to me, I prefer quirky-juxtaposition type images) but do not have the gonads to carry it off. I don't even like taking portraits much.

As regards commenting on photographs I tend to:
a) image is anything from boring/bad, to OK or even good but not my thing, I don't say anything;
b) image is good but I can see some way of improving it (e.g., a crop), I politely suggest the person tries it and see what they think;
c) I really like the image, I say so.

Please note, I tend not to comment much on images unless I have something to say, so don't take silence as damnation! After all, I must miss more images than I look at.

Best wishes, Kris.

Those New York street shots are a lot of fun but they aint my idea of street photography which is to grab candid shots. These New Yorkers are fully aware they're being snapped, that's why they all look startled. Good job he's quite a big guy, less likely someone will take a swing at him.
Street photos should contain some sort of a story; say a quirky expression, amusing situation or interesting juxtaposition. A picture of someone just walking along a street isn't particularly interesting otherwise.
David.

Strange isn't it. I have no problem photographing people in the street at close range when I'm travelling overseas but here at home I find it intimidating.

We don't disuss moderation in public, which is why you are puzzled, you simply don't have all the relevant information. I've said it many times, if you have a problem send me a PM and we'll disucss it.

Well done for having a go. I don't think the shots are without merit, they are good looking conversions with definite black points, white points and a good range of tones. I quite like four too.