Comments for Photography 24/7

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Evangelo Costadimas

Evangelo Costadimas — Fri, 23 Mar 2012 07:51:23 +0000

Hi Thomas,
I strongly agree with almost everything you wrote towards defining what street photography is except for one thing. Some of the examples shown have the subject staring straight into the camera. One of the tenets of street photography is that is a candid form of photography and as such the subject should not be aware they are being photographed. Of course one can engage with the subject afterwards but any contact prior to photographing means the photographer is seeking the subject’s approval to photograph him or her. This actually makes it a portrait (environmental portrait, documentary portrait, humanistic etc.) by definition a portrait is when the subject is aware and agrees to being photographed. Also, the decisive moment of a rigorous composition of things coming together to form a situation or juxtaposition for a very short time (split second), no longer applies to making a portrait of someone in the street. I would be interested to hear your thoughts on this.

Comment on Photo Critique No. 7 – “Stop to Admire the Grass” by Thomas

Thomas — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 04:18:27 +0000

My pleasure Jaci

Comment on New Comedy Web TV Series: Shutterbugs by Thomas

Thomas — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:48:42 +0000

It looks interesting so far, so I’m as excited as you Jerry. Thanks for your support of Photography 24/7.

Cheers,
Thomas

Comment on New Comedy Web TV Series: Shutterbugs by jerry

jerry — Wed, 14 Sep 2011 09:36:25 +0000

this looks like a great series. I’m a photog and i can’t wait to see what they will do with this. Thanks for keeping us informed. jerry

Comment on Top 10 Best-Selling Photo Books by Torben

Torben — Sat, 23 Jul 2011 07:51:06 +0000

I’ve got Scott Kelby’s The Digital Photography Books 1,2 & 3 – Excellent Reference books. Also Understanding Exposure would have to be one of the best books on Exposure. The Hot Shoe Diaries and The Photographers Eye are also really good reads.

Comment on Photo Critique No. 7 – “Stop to Admire the Grass” by Jaci

Jaci — Thu, 21 Jul 2011 03:24:48 +0000

Thanks for the wonderful critique! And you were right, it was a TOTAL spur of the moment shot! She was just getting her “picnic” set up for her stuffed dog and got distracted by the grass and I managed to snag a shot! THANKS again!

Comment on Always Carry A Camera by Armando M

Armando M — Tue, 24 May 2011 15:19:32 +0000

I feel the same way, there is no way I would carry around my camera bag, sometimes for a walk I would take the SLR with a 35mm fast lens and wouldn’t even care for the bag at all. But for every day I definitely use either the iPhone or a P&S.

Here are some of my “snaps” with my pocket point and shoot (Canon S90):
http://flic.kr/p/9E2MEw
http://flic.kr/p/9DBFpW
http://flic.kr/p/9D94zf
http://flic.kr/p/9C8Ugb

And this with a crappy Canon P&S (SD20):
http://flic.kr/p/hTYen

And this with a Sony Mavica:
http://flic.kr/p/hvwF9

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Thomas

Thomas — Thu, 19 May 2011 08:16:51 +0000

Hi Ishu, thanks for sharing this.

Cheers,
Thomas

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Ishu Patel

Ishu Patel — Wed, 18 May 2011 13:29:54 +0000

This might interest you and others:
Check this out on my website – MY TIME WITH HENRI CARTIER BRESSON

Comment on What Happens in Your Mind Just Before You Click the Shutter? by Thomas

Thomas — Mon, 16 May 2011 04:13:02 +0000

Hi Rosan, thank you for taking time to leave a comment. It’s great to know the article have provided a little bit inspiration, so thanks a lot for the positive feedback.

Cheers,
Thomas

Comment on What Happens in Your Mind Just Before You Click the Shutter? by Rosan

Rosan — Mon, 16 May 2011 03:59:37 +0000

Thank you, Thomas, for this enlightening article. While I do try to put enough focus on composition and lighting, for the most part, I have been taking photographs “on the fly”. If I ask myself some of the questions that you posted, perhaps, there will be less need for me to spend time on photo editing later on. I am also sure that the photos I take will be more professional and artistic.

Comment on What Happens in Your Mind Just Before You Click the Shutter? by Thomas

Thomas — Tue, 03 May 2011 00:33:39 +0000

Thanks for the kind words John. Much appreciated. Thinking about the light just before you click the shutter is obviously a very good point. Often even the subtlest of changes in the light can make quite a difference. Hope your backdrop business is going well. It looks you guys stock some cool things!

Comment on What Happens in Your Mind Just Before You Click the Shutter? by john

john — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 07:10:11 +0000

hi thomas
great article !!!
wen i click the shutter i think a lot about how i am gonna edit the pic and about the lighting of pic …the most important think of any photo is its lighting so at times i get conscious of the lighting before the click

Comment on What Happens in Your Mind Just Before You Click the Shutter? by Priyanka

Priyanka — Wed, 23 Mar 2011 07:06:21 +0000

this is good – thanks. it’s open and leaves me free to add or subtract according to what i want to do. before clicking the shutter, i try to see if there’s something that particularly entertains/awes/surprises/horrifies me, then a quick visual usually plays in my head, and then i click.

Comment on What Happens in Your Mind Just Before You Click the Shutter? by Thomas

Thomas — Sun, 06 Feb 2011 10:45:23 +0000

Hi Timo,

Well, if you’re in a state of ‘flow’ when you pick up the camera that’s a GOOD thing Timo – not creepy at all.

Immersing yourself and being ‘in the zone’ is not always an easy place to go to, but I know what you mean because I completely agree that the camera has the ability to remove all stress and transport you to ‘another world’. It doesn’t always happen to me, but I think there are conscious steps you can take to help you get there…

As always your input is appreciated!

Cheers,
Thomas

Comment on What Happens in Your Mind Just Before You Click the Shutter? by Timo

Timo — Fri, 04 Feb 2011 14:42:45 +0000

I will try to pay more attention to it next time.

All I can say for now is that when I have a camera in my hands I am completely in the state of “The Flow” (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Flow_%28psychology%29), i.e. I am completely immersed, as if in a different world, even more alive!
Even when I had the most horrible day – as soon as I have a camera in my hands all troubles seem to vanish.
Sounds a bit creepy, I guess…

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Thomas

Thomas — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 09:16:04 +0000

Thanks for stopping by Lenard. Pleased you enjoyed the post.

Cheers,
Thomas

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Lenard

Lenard — Wed, 02 Feb 2011 08:50:19 +0000

I have tried street photography a lot as i live near the streets. I usually do mostly panning and some events that pass by . Thanks for these tips!

Comment on Photoshop CS5 for Photographers Now Available at Lynda.com by Photographers Tacoma

Photographers Tacoma — Mon, 31 Jan 2011 00:50:39 +0000

If you’re looking for the best photographers Tacoma has to offer, check out this blog.

Comment on How to do Advanced Toning in Photoshop CS4 – Part Two by Staplerschein

Staplerschein — Mon, 24 Jan 2011 09:40:57 +0000

good article…

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Thomas

Thomas — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:45:58 +0000

Timo, don’t tempt me to go buy another camera! I can’t afford it

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Thomas

Thomas — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:41:21 +0000

Hi Linda, thanks for your comment. I own the Canon G9 and agree it is a great tool for street photography, though there is a slight shutter lag.

By the way you’ve got an amazing flickr stream! Beautiful work…

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Thomas

Thomas — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:39:15 +0000

Hey Jimmy, oh yes I agree with you.

In fact I didn’t want to get to much into trying to ‘define’ street photography as such, because it does mean different things to different people but defintely places like the metro and malls are ideal places for exploring street photography. Others might say street is limited to the street…

Thanks for your comment.

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Thomas

Thomas — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:36:46 +0000

Hi Lee, I agree. In fact you can apply that last bullet points to most things in life . Thanks for stopping by!

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Timo

Timo — Mon, 17 Jan 2011 11:24:42 +0000

Hi Thomas,

Thanks for all the useful tips!
I have a fairly wide definition of Street Photography.
In fact, the Wikipedia entry fits quite well:
“Street photography is a type of documentary photography that features subjects in candid situations within public places such as streets, parks, beaches, malls, political conventions and other settings.”

I think the new mirrorless cameras with interchangeable lenses (e.g. Olympus Pen) are an ideal choice for this, as they are small, light and inconspicuous.

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Linda

Linda — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 19:29:41 +0000

Yes, great article Thomas.

I find going out in a group or maybe just with one other helps boost the confidence if you are a little nervous when you first start street photography. I’ve been taken street shots for almost 2 years and never tire of it and often out out solo. You have to use common sense big time, always be alert and respect people’s privacy foremost. Having a smaller but powerful digital such as a Canon Powershot G11 is perfect for street photography I find.

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Jimmy D

Jimmy D — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 19:03:42 +0000

Excellent, Thomas. I agree with just about every word you say, except that my definition of where you can shoot street photography is a bit wider. I think you could include malls, metro and all other public spaces in the urban environment. Street is not just the street, so to speak.

Regards
Jimmy

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Lee Craker

Lee Craker — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 13:27:27 +0000

Thanks for posting this. The last bullet is so important. I always try and thank the people I shoot. I usually do not speak the language, but I bow, and smile or give an OK, or thumbs up. A warm smile and a thumbs up from a crazy tourist with a camera goes a long way, and I usually see the look of mistrust melt into a “your welcome” smile. Doing this makes me feel good about what I’m doing and this positive attitude helps my shooting considerably.

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Thomas

Thomas — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 12:31:36 +0000

Hi Mike, thanks for your kind comment and good to hear from you.

That’s a great tip about going out in small groups of 2′s or 3′s to build up confidence – thanks for sharing that here.

Street photography (and photographing strangers in general) is something I hope to explore a lot more in the coming years.

Comment on What is Street Photography? by Mike

Mike — Sun, 16 Jan 2011 12:14:58 +0000

Good article, Thomas.

I was very nervous when I started to do street photography. I was in a photo club at the time, and we went out in 2′s and 3′s to build up confidence, which really helped. As you say, respect the people you are photographing. Once you explain what you are doing (with a smile!), most people are fine.