Short of talented musicians, this military band finally decided to use an extra-terrestrial in its orchestra, hoping he would get by undetected. He is nonetheless betrayed by his eyes and teeth.
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While I was walking around Toronto during a photography session, I found myself near the Rogers Center, facing a huge artwork installed on top of the building. One of the man in that artwork was pointing straight ahead with his index. The CN Tower being in the area, I could not resist an easy but efficient composition. Street photography offered the fastest way to touch the top of that tower.
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Apartment to rent (à louer) : the renter has access to an antique multicoloured spiraling iron staircase. Wishing to protect the environment, the owner used wood as the material to insure the structure’s stability. The second floor’s floor is built with different types of wood, following the modern architectural trend. The building’s facade is boarded up to insure your privacy as well as your security. All those advantages for a ridiculous price. Call now!
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There is a persisting rumor about the fact that policemen like to stop at Dunkin Donuts and Tim Hortons restaurants to indulge on donuts and coffees durant their daily breaks. This photo taken in Quebec seems to confirm the rumor. There is not enough parking in front of the restaurant to accommodate all the motorcycles side by side.
In fact, this photo is the result of a pure coincidence. During the Francophonie Summit that was held in Quebec, several motorcycle policemen had to park close to the Quebec Jean-Lesage international airport while waiting for the limousines carrying dignitaries from around the world. They had chosen the local Dunkin Donuts parking for its proximity. Appearances are sometimes misleading…but they prove handy for street photography.
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There is a motorcycle style for everyone and those two travelers seem to have found the model they would like best if they had the opportunity to get back in time and lose a few years. The street photography was taken in the Grimsell Pass, in Switzerland, in July 2013. Even during the summer, drivers must verify if the Grimsell Pass is cleared of snow before attempting a ride in the area…
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In an amusement park in the United States, this vacationing couple caught my attention because of the animal motif stools that they were sitting on. When stomachs are grumbling, people pounce on the first available seat. Great for street photography!
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It is essential to always carry a camera in order to profit from the rare opportunities and coincidences offered in everyday life. This is now getting easier with the miniaturization of cameras and the popularity of intelligent cellular phones.
The street photography above, that I took in London in 2015, offers a good example of an ephemeral subject that a street photographer should not miss.
A policeman posted in front of an embassy is having a chat with a citizen. This normally innocuous situation is suddenly rendered more interesting because of the difference in size and the relax attitude between both interlocutors. They have almost the same posture and are dressed in the same colors. Here, the skin color is not the dominating subject although it certainly adds some interest.
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Tanya Nagar is an award-winning photographer from London. Her book, “The new street photographer’s manifesto” is perfect for those who aim to improve their street photography techniques. The present article is not a comprehensive critic of her book but an overview of what a reader will find. I also highlighted some tips in photography that will help to improve the street photographer’s performance.
Tanya’s manifesto not only contains technical advices helping a photographer to improve his shots but also some tips to avoid common mistakes. Subjects include: timing, composition, shooting portraits, framing and juxtaposition, perspective and angles, the choice between landscape and portrait, depth of field, shutter speed, exposure, night photography, rule of thirds, etc.
The book’s content is divided in six categories: 1. Street Photography 2. Where & What to Shoot 3. Seize the Moment 4. Equipment 5. Digital Processing 6. Showcase.
1. Street photography requires the ability to seize a life moment with precision and timing. It is about candid shots and does not have to include humans, as long as it fixes a moment in life. It certainly can include animals (in fact, animals are a very popular subject).
2. It is best if you use a light, discrete camera (even an I-Phone). Walking with a huge camera with big lenses makes you look like a professional photographer and people will see you coming. The trick is to avoid drawing attention. Coughing while clicking drowns out the sound of the camera. You might also think of “shooting from the hip” or “shooting blind”. Those techniques are explained in the book and can be mastered with a bit of practice.
3. It takes a bit of courage to photograph situations that include people since you never know what to expect when you raise your camera. Respect the different cultures and personal space and don’t be afraid to smile and explain what you are doing. If somebody refuses to be photographed, move on, don’t dwell on the situation.
4. In order to gain experience and a feeling of security at taking pictures of people on the street, start with protests or parades.
5. It is a good thing to know the laws pertaining to photography of the country you are visiting. Police officers in some countries might be tempted to order you to delete a shot while they actually don’t have the right to. Often, a misunderstanding by police or security guards of anti-terrorism legislation leads to different interpretations and subsequently to abuse towards a photographer. Just make sure you stay up to date with the country’s regulations.
6. You might think of shooting from within your vehicle to obtain interesting results (while respecting the country’s laws).
7. Use graffitis, signs, graphical billboards, text and advertising logos.
8. Use contrasts like big versus small, light versus dark, rich versus poor, etc.
9. Bear attention to details and look for second degree interpretation of a situation.
10. Look for amusing, funny and unusual captures.
11. Make sure you master your camera in order to be quick when the perfect opportunity comes. Set most of the parameters of the camera before actually arriving on a scene (you already have an idea of the light intensity in the area and the ISO setting that will be required to obtain the speed you desire).
12. Be cautious when it comes to taking pictures of children. Societies change and authorization from the child’s parents is required almost every time.
13. “The only way to avoid missing a moment is by carrying your camera at all times”. Therefore, get something small and light.
The book holds a section dedicated to multiple types of cameras: rangefinders, SLR and DSLR, four thirds and micro four thirds, medium format, point-and-shoot compact cameras, camera phones, toy and pinhole cameras. Their advantages and disadvantages are clearly explained.
The reader will also find some information about lenses (the best for street photography and what to avoid) and the effects obtained through the use of different type of films (colored, black and white, expired).
The fifth section of the book relates to digital processing and the basic image editing techniques like cropping, rotating, the use of the “Curves” command, as well as dodging and burning.
The final section, “Showcase”, presents many well-known street photographers from around the world, including few photos taken by each of them to allow the reader to have an overview of each photographer’s personal style and creativity. Presented in order are: Antonio Navarro Wijkmark, Brian Quentin Webb, Charlotte Gonzalez, Claire Atkinson, Danny Santos II, Felix Lupa, Ferhat Çelik, Mustafa Abdulaziz, Ronya Galka, Seamus Travers and Severin Koller.
This is certainly a very interesting and practical photography book that will help you avoid costly mistakes (missed photo opportunities or buying the wrong photography equipment) while helping you to improve your knowledge on street photography as much as the quality of your shots.
Here is a link towards Tanya Nagar’s website: Tanya Nagar
For other photography book reviews, click on the following link: Other photography books
Title: The new street photographer’s manifesto.
Author: Tanya Nagar
©The Ilex Press Limited 2012
ISBN: 978-1-4547-0417-1
While wandering through the streets of a big city like Toronto, in Ontario, it is quite common to see very interesting graffitis. A new visual experience can sometimes be created simply by shifting to the side.
By standing exactly in a position where the enraged animal will be right against the car, more tension can be created. The car is now positioned between a not so friendly animal and a panel clearly indicating that this is a tow zone.
This is one little creation allowed by street photography, since everything is about positioning oneself and seeing a possible new interpretation to a normal scene. The photographer must nonetheless respect the principle that demands that no objects be moved or no special requests be made to a person in order to obtain a desired effect. Everything has to be untouched and it is the photographer that has to position himself in order to create the desired effect.
The photo was taken with a Canon 5D MKII camera.
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Of graffiti and garbage cans
The lady on the wall seems to be annoyed by the smell coming out of those garbage cans that have been placed right under her nose. It would have been better if somebody had at least thought of closing the lid…
A safe bike…or maybe not
There are two versions for this street photography taken in Toronto, Ontario in 2016. The first one, that is the positive side of the story, shows that people are locking their bike piece by piece. It takes more time, but at least the bike is safe…
The second version, less positive, represents what is left of a bike that was locked by the front wheel only…
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