I just wrote a piece of taking pics on the street

A lot of so-called "street photography" consists of taking photos behind people as they walk, or taking photos of indigent or "homeless" people who are basically helpless on the sidewalks.

I'm just curious why photos of this type of person are considered so fascinating. Or are they just an easy target?

What about straight-on portraits of actually interesting people?
 
Boris Stupak said:
A lot of so-called "street photography" consists of taking photos behind people as they walk, or taking photos of indigent or "homeless" people who are basically helpless on the sidewalks.

I'm just curious why photos of this type of person are considered so fascinating. Or are they just an easy target?

What about straight-on portraits of actually interesting people?
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Homeless people are easy targets. When I first started taking pictures on the streets thats what I would do but I stopped because I realized I was trying to benefit from other peoples suffering.

Check out some of my photos taken on the street. The ones in the original post are just my most popular according to flickr.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrelllis/sets/72157631232756892/
 
You said you stopped taking photos of homeless people.

The pictures you just called attention to on flickr consist of a large portion of homeless people.

I am just curious why you consider them an interesting subject? Or are they just an opportunistic subject?
 
Boris Stupak said:
You said you stopped taking photos of homeless people.

The pictures you just called attention to on flickr consist of a large portion of homeless people.

I am just curious why you consider them an interesting subject? Or are they just an opportunistic subject?
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One or two pictures (out of many) of someone who might be homeless isn't a large portion. Explain yourself?





And to answer your question, yes its interesting and yes its an easy subject. They are less likely to do anything about it (as opposed to a rich socialite). I stopped doing it because I felt like I was taking advantage of them and because it was an easy target. I decided not to take pictures of anyone homeless or distressed unless its showing them with dignity. That "SAVE MONEY" picture is just funny to me, I didn't assume the guy was homeless and neither should you. :p
 
"I think that the relationships with shapes, lines and shadows should always be examined or taken into consideration."

Absolutely and this is what is lacking in, say, 99% of the "street photography" works we can look at on the Internet.

Including yours... :D
 
Highway 61 said:
"I think that the relationships with shapes, lines and shadows should always be examined or taken into consideration."

Absolutely and this is what is lacking in, say, 99% of the "street photography" works we can look at on the Internet.

Including yours... :D
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Geometry plays a huge part in my photography. If you cant see it then you're blind.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mrelllis

For example look at all the white, grey, and black lines in this picture. Now look at the guys shirt.


stairr by MrEllis, on Flickr

The human aspect is more important though. If there is no emotion or no story then at least post something pretty that will give a visual pleasure.
 
Highway 61 said:
This one is actually top notch, why didn't you post some photos like this one to illustrate your written piece ? ;)
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Because even though that picture is pretty it doesn't mean anything. Its just a guy on an escalator. I picked those pictures because they seem to be the most liked and got the most comments and favs on flickr. Those pictures in my opinion also have substance and could be discussed at length.
 
Highway 61 said:
Some have, some haven't. ;)
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You cant please everyone :p

I remember reading something somewhere saying that if you want to avoid criticism: do nothing, say nothing, and be nothing.

Not afraid of having my work judged or scrutinized, even if its by someone without a link to their own work.
 
koven said:
Because even though that picture is pretty it doesn't mean anything. Its just a guy on an escalator. I picked those pictures because they seem to be the most liked and got the most comments and favs on flickr. Those pictures in my opinion also have substance and could be discussed at length.
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:bang::bang::bang: :D

It would have read so much better with only the second part of your reasoning.

Trying to explain why your photographs work is a dead end street IMO, via the internet and about something as divisive as 'street photography' on a forum such as this - most certainly BUT I'll check back in every so often and see how its going:cool:
 
OurManInTangier said:
:bang::bang::bang: :D

It would have read so much better with only the second part of your reasoning.

Trying to explain why your photographs work is a dead end street IMO, via the internet and about something as divisive as 'street photography' on a forum such as this - most certainly BUT I'll check back in every so often and see how its going:cool:
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Thanks I hate using flickr and social media as a barometer for whats good or not but sometimes its your only option for looking at your own work objectively.
 
I do like the escalator shot more than the ones in the tumblr post. Contrary to what you say, it's not just a "guy on an escalator" for me, and I think it says more about people constrained by the city than the rest of your shots. People made decent street photographs prior to Flickr, too :p
 
furbs said:
I do like the escalator shot more than the ones in the tumblr post. Contrary to what you say, it's not just a "guy on an escalator" for me, and I think it says more about people constrained by the city than the rest of your shots. People made decent street photographs prior to Flickr, too :p
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thanks

......
 
koven said:
(...)even if its by someone without a link to their own work.
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Haha, the good old specious thing... you could have avoided this.

I may, or may not, take "street" photos. Some of mine may, or may not, be "good". What's the point ?

Music isn't only for people playing the piano. :p
 
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