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The street photographer – a schizophrenic, scientific serial killer?
Two things made me think of this connection – a documentary which covered the various types of killers: those who kill from afar (by bombs or by shooting with a hunting rifle) the closer kill, such as a pistol shot, and the close up killer who enjoy watching the victims face as he thrusts the knife in.
The best street shooters are the latter, they want to smell the perfume and see the facial expression before they shoot.
One of the many symptoms of schizophrenia is being captivated by details. Some drugs mimic this, hence the stereotype of the spaced out hippy contemplating a flower.
This is also a characteristic of the street photographer. We can be confronted by a mass of hundreds of people on a city street but we notice the small, unusual things – those two are about to kiss, that homeless person is wearing an expensive watch, that tattoo mimics the dress pattern.
But being able to see these things and then capture them is another thing.
An understanding of geometry, perspective, the rules of composition (and when to break them) is needed.
Then the often hugely complex operation of a modern camera, it seems you need a degree to work them! I've had my Nikon DSLR for over a year and am only coming to grips with all the functions, and it's not a 'top of the line' model. Life was simpler with my old Nikon F2 film camera!
A certain degree of fearless is also needed. If I had a dollar for every shot I missed due to not being able to put the camera up to my eye and shoot I would be rich. But the memory of these missed shots (the one that got away is always the best and biggest, same as fishing!) drives me to just shoot regardless of my fears. Also I've learned to not think too much. If there is the possibility of a good shot then just shoot!! The scene will evaporate in a fraction of a second, never to return.
But all that is still not enough.
Something, indefinable to me, needs to be present in the best. The "eye" is how best I could describe it or the "smell" of the streets.
An example, which doesn't include a photo but describes the concept: I was walking down a street in Asia many years ago. I saw an old woman beggar sitting on a piece of cardboard with a rusty can in her hand. I looked at her, she looked directly at me and I saw my mother's eyes! In that moment time froze and I had a deep appreciation of her situation and the realisation that it could easily be me there.
Of course, as well as the bleak scenes, there are the many joyful ones that celebrate our life on this crazy planet we call home. I prefer those nowadays.
Street photography is like a kind of meditation on life. Our senses are so finely concentrated on seeking out "the shot" that we forget about our mortgages, disappointments and the unfairness of the world.
I feel the same when I'm fishing, the two activities have similarities.
So why do we shoot street? We would all have different reasons - for some it's for ego, acceptance, to show their view of the world, a drive to create, to communicate. For me it's like a meditation, as above, for fun and also when I pass I want my children and my children's children to be able to look at my photos and know that I was more than just a father or grandfather, that they can see my world through my eyes.
Why do you shoot street?
When you're in the right place at the right time and all the planets align you get a photo like this, still my favourite from dA:
What's your favourite?
Two things made me think of this connection – a documentary which covered the various types of killers: those who kill from afar (by bombs or by shooting with a hunting rifle) the closer kill, such as a pistol shot, and the close up killer who enjoy watching the victims face as he thrusts the knife in.
The best street shooters are the latter, they want to smell the perfume and see the facial expression before they shoot.
One of the many symptoms of schizophrenia is being captivated by details. Some drugs mimic this, hence the stereotype of the spaced out hippy contemplating a flower.
This is also a characteristic of the street photographer. We can be confronted by a mass of hundreds of people on a city street but we notice the small, unusual things – those two are about to kiss, that homeless person is wearing an expensive watch, that tattoo mimics the dress pattern.
But being able to see these things and then capture them is another thing.
An understanding of geometry, perspective, the rules of composition (and when to break them) is needed.
Then the often hugely complex operation of a modern camera, it seems you need a degree to work them! I've had my Nikon DSLR for over a year and am only coming to grips with all the functions, and it's not a 'top of the line' model. Life was simpler with my old Nikon F2 film camera!
A certain degree of fearless is also needed. If I had a dollar for every shot I missed due to not being able to put the camera up to my eye and shoot I would be rich. But the memory of these missed shots (the one that got away is always the best and biggest, same as fishing!) drives me to just shoot regardless of my fears. Also I've learned to not think too much. If there is the possibility of a good shot then just shoot!! The scene will evaporate in a fraction of a second, never to return.
But all that is still not enough.
Something, indefinable to me, needs to be present in the best. The "eye" is how best I could describe it or the "smell" of the streets.
An example, which doesn't include a photo but describes the concept: I was walking down a street in Asia many years ago. I saw an old woman beggar sitting on a piece of cardboard with a rusty can in her hand. I looked at her, she looked directly at me and I saw my mother's eyes! In that moment time froze and I had a deep appreciation of her situation and the realisation that it could easily be me there.
Of course, as well as the bleak scenes, there are the many joyful ones that celebrate our life on this crazy planet we call home. I prefer those nowadays.
Street photography is like a kind of meditation on life. Our senses are so finely concentrated on seeking out "the shot" that we forget about our mortgages, disappointments and the unfairness of the world.
I feel the same when I'm fishing, the two activities have similarities.
So why do we shoot street? We would all have different reasons - for some it's for ego, acceptance, to show their view of the world, a drive to create, to communicate. For me it's like a meditation, as above, for fun and also when I pass I want my children and my children's children to be able to look at my photos and know that I was more than just a father or grandfather, that they can see my world through my eyes.
Why do you shoot street?
When you're in the right place at the right time and all the planets align you get a photo like this, still my favourite from dA:
What's your favourite?
The Basic Math of Street Photography
We like to think that our photography is based on pure creativity and that the technical side is related to just mastering the camera and the basics of composition. But photography, like painting and sculpture, has a firm basis in math.
Composition is based on math (rule of thirds being an example) as is perspective but we also, mostly unknowingly, use basic math – Addition, Subtraction, Multiplication and Division.
The following examples are drawn from my photos as I know the thought processes behind them.
Addition.
An example would be when we see a scene that is pleasing to the eye. But an element is missing to make it a stronger
Maori portraits exhibition in Berlin and Pilsen
If you're in Berlin (Germany) or Pilsen (Czech Republic) this would be worth a look!
A presentation of 48 historical Maori portraits by the late 19th-century painter Gottfried Lindauer and associated photographs is being held in Berlin, Germany. The presentation, Gottfried Lindauer: The Maori Portraits at the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery) is from the collections of Auckland Art Gallery Toi o Tamaki and the Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa
The Nationalgalerie (National Gallery), part of the Staatliche Museen zu Berlin (National Museums in Berlin), is presenting the exhibition focused on Lindauer’s portraits at the
The Battle We Didn't Choose
Note - these aren't photos of me or by me but a feature of photos from:
http://mywifesfightwithbreastcancer.com/
Photos copyright Angelo Merendino
Worldwide Photographer's Rights
UPDATED!! SEE EDITION 2: http://fav.me/d5d9tt6
Worldwide Photographer's Rights 1
In conjunction with my dA friends I have compiled a booklet of advice and information on laws in relation to street photography around the world.
I first intended this to be a journal, but it kept growing and will grow further with your help :D
Download here: http://fav.me/d5bkuez
If you have relevant info on countries not listed or have noticed errors, then please leave a short and concise note to me here.
Please try to include a link to a reputable webpage for confirmation.
This may be added to this booklet in a future edition.
I have created a folde
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Should I quit taking all my drugs Doug?
Wonderful article, I love it a lot! Thanks for sharing
Wonderful article, I love it a lot! Thanks for sharing