Street Portraits, a Developing Personal Collection

[doug anderson]

[doug anderson]

Here's one more:

Doug Anderson: Another Street Portrait

Enjoy,

Doug

[John Wolf]

I shoot street but never take candid portraits of strangers. This one makes me want to give it a try. It strikes me as just about perfect. The face, eyes, expression, pose, color, composition -- everything comes together. Thanks for sharing it.

John

[John Wolf]

Hi Doug,

Compared to your second posting, this one is pleasant but really doesn't do much for me. I think it's because there's not as much character showing. And, unlike the other, the setting here doesn't contribute anything. In fact it detracts.

I see from your tag line that you're an HCB fan. His environmental portraits are about as good as it gets, in my view. Even in assignment shoots, he might spend an afternoon with the subject, but take only two or three photos, always waiting for the decisive moment, both visually and emotionally.

Contrasting your two photos makes me realize how much everything must come together and contribute in order to make a superb candid portrait. Thanks for the thought-provoking pairing.

John

[doug anderson]

Boxcar says, "Two things about me: I never told a lie and I'm a virgin."

Doug Anderson: Boxcar

[Asher Kelman]

Doug,

I really applaud the idea of you seeking out interesting folk to photograph, like this. What lens do you use? IOW, are you reaching across a street with a long lens or is this casual snapping as you pass, pausing just for a moment? do you make eye contact before or afterwards or just continue on?

I was surprised when the fashion photographer teacher, Frank Dorhoof was unable to get himself to shoot strangers on the streets of Beverly Hills, when he visited a little while back. Apparently, in some european countries this is not considered good manners.

Fahim, OTOH, tells me that he usually has made some friendly contact with the folk before getting the picture with there consent and perhaps, enthusiasm too.

So, obviously, there are a lot of variations in photographer-subject vibrations going on in street photography.

Asher

[Jerome Marot]

Originally Posted by Asher Kelman

What lens do you use?

The exifs tell a 50mm f/1.8 on a Nikon D300.

[Asher Kelman]

Originally Posted by Jerome Marot

The exifs tell a 50mm f/1.8 on a Nikon D300.

Jerome,


That would suggest a closer distance to the subjects and therefore, perhaps, display of more social candor in the making of the pictures than than the craft of candid photography.


I wonder whether this was the case.

[doug anderson]

I try to engage people who I think might be otherwise difficult. This guy turned out to be very funny and open.

I was using a Sigma 24-70 and would have preferred to have my 50mm mounted for the occasion. Also, I've been advised that I should have shot it at his level in order to avoid the perspective distortion in the door.

[Asher Kelman]

Originally Posted by doug anderson

Boxcar says, "Two things about me: I never told a lie and I'm a virgin."

Doug Anderson: Boxcar

Originally Posted by doug anderson

I try to engage people who I think might be otherwise difficult. This guy turned out to be very funny and open.

Doug,

The other alternative is to use a longer lens.

Originally Posted by doug anderson

............... Also, I've been advised that I should have shot it at his level in order to avoid the perspective distortion in the door.

The odd angles fit in with the character of the fellow. I'd be more interested to know how you might like the effect of more limited DOF, using a wide aperture. This fellow is likely to be a regular at that particular location. So perhaps you can go back and experiment.


Asher

[charlotte thompson]

I super like all of them
and you have captured the character of each individual!

Charlotte-