Faces of Derby

[Renzsu]

Hi, I'd like to show you a small series of portraits that I shot in Derby, UK, for the Magnum Photos workshop.

During the course of 4 days, I shot portraits of about 135 people, all strangers who were out on the street, shopping or just walking around.
I've tried to get past whatever pose some people might've put up and show a little bit of what character might reside inside.

For those of you who are interested, my teacher was Bruce Gilden. I don't want to discuss his work methods in here, as I don't want to get this topic shut down or spiral in a flame war.
But let me say this, Bruce is a very kind man, brutally honest but generous. At the end, all the people in my class agreed that they had learned more than they could've imagined and that they would probably never take photo's again in the same way. I've made a lot of friends this week and I will count Bruce as one of them.

If you're in or around Derby, the photos can be seen at the Ark gallery, at the Mob Format exhibition, which runs till April 4th.
While you're there, make sure you check out Bruce Gilden's photos taken in Derby in October 2010, at the Museum and Art Gallery, till March 17th.

As for the gear used: M8 / Nokton 35mm f/1.2


Thanks for looking.

 

[kshapero]

Some good shots, indeed. That CV 35/1.2 rocks, eh?

 

[raytoei@gmail.com]

Renzsu,

excellent pictures. Can i ask how were the shots taken in terms of lighting ? Was it ala Bruce Gilden style, with a flash, or was the ambient lighting enough for available lighting shooting ? I detect very little shadows around the eyes.

raytoei

 

[back alley]

congrats on some good learning and subsequent execution!

 

[mgd711]

I watched the video off Bruce in Derby in October, he’s quite a character... It’s a style of photography I like and obviously some off him has rubbed off on you as the portraits here show. I should send him an email and see if he wants to come to Manila, I’d love to meet him. 🙂

 

[Stravinsky]

Wow! Great shots, great portraits and great experience! I envy you.
Cheers,

 

[Renzsu]

Thanks guys, I can really recommend their workshops, if you get the chance to participate, I would go for it.

Renzsu,

excellent pictures. Can i ask how were the shots taken in terms of lighting ? Was it ala Bruce Gilden style, with a flash, or was the ambient lighting enough for available lighting shooting ? I detect very little shadows around the eyes.

raytoei

They were all taken without flash. I shot inside in a mall and outside on the street. All of these are from the mall, except for the one of the girl with white hair, which is taken outside.

 

[chrismoret]

Great photos you have made! I very much like the street-portrait approche. Getting the chance to attend a workshop with Bruce Gilden seems to me very awsome. Congrats with the results!

 

[Renzsu]

Thank you, it was new for me to ask for portraits... and during the week I took portraits of some intimidating people (who didn't make the final cut). I guess at the very least my hesitation of asking for a photo is completely gone 🙂
Bruce is giving another workshop in Toronto soon with 5 other Magnum photographers. It'll be quite amazing I think: http://events.magnumphotos.com/workshop/magnum-workshop-toronto-contact-2011

 

[Contarama]

Very nice Renzsu...I would like to attend one of these workshops someday.

 

[Haigh]

Wonderful portraits.

 

[Renzsu]

Here's a bunch of the outtakes. I still think they're interesting:



















Now it's time to continue in a similar way in Amsterdam and see how this progresses.