NYC pics

While I think you capture some interesting moments I find, both as a native son and as a street shooter and photojournalist, that your images are rather aloof. As a viewer I think I want a more intimate experience. I think this applies to all the images on that site. I know crossing that critical distance can be tough but it's what separates the so-so from the wow....
 
Damaso said:
While I think you capture some interesting moments I find, both as a native son and as a street shooter and photojournalist, that your images are rather aloof. As a viewer I think I want a more intimate experience. I think this applies to all the images on that site. I know crossing that critical distance can be tough but it's what separates the so-so from the wow....
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Damaso,

Thanks very much for going through the images. That's a very interesting, and much appreciated, critique. I think that, indeed, I am "aloof" in the sense that I'm uncomfortable with sticking the camera into peoples' faces. (And that's probably why I prefer the 50mm to the 35mm.) To be a creditable street shooter, I guess one has to be willing to get up close and personal. And this, of course, depends strongly on the personality of the photographer. Something to think about.

Harry
 
Cool photos. Oddly enough, I find myself more comfertable street shooting with my Hassy, and I have less people giving me dirty looks and ducking the camera. I like your shots.
 
You're welcome. There is a lot of room between getting close and sticking a camera in someone's face. Getting close is not always needed but when the image warrants it then you should. Just try to take an extra step or two. It seems clear you are already making eye contact with a lot of your subjects so the permission thing is not an issue. Push yourself a little bit and see if your results don't improve.

I look forward to seeing more of your images!

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Harry, well done. I believe the main thing is that you enjoy taking the photos and you like them. What other people think should be immaterial. I like the one with all the balls in the shop window and the 3 characters out the front. What on earth is happening there? That's what I like.
 
Agree w both

Agree w both

matt335 said:
Harry, well done. I believe the main thing is that you enjoy taking the photos and you like them. What other people think should be immaterial. I like the one with all the balls in the shop window and the 3 characters out the front. What on earth is happening there? That's what I like.
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I do feel a distant hesitating approach to these shots. I was going to comment earlier that I find myself liking digital capture more because I can shoot until I get into a more relaxed state of mind, and that's where things tend to happen for me.

I think the advice to get closer is good but you have to factor in how people relate to you generally. People tend to ignore or smile at my wife where I can count on an annoyed glare..

Some prefer telephoto while others prefer wide. So many choices to play with.


To the OP, What is your opinion on all this?
 
dovi said:
I do feel a distant hesitating approach to these shots. I was going to comment earlier that I find myself liking digital capture more because I can shoot until I get into a more relaxed state of mind, and that's where things tend to happen for me.

I think the advice to get closer is good but you have to factor in how people relate to you generally. People tend to ignore or smile at my wife where I can count on an annoyed glare..

Some prefer telephoto while others prefer wide. So many choices to play with.


To the OP, What is your opinion on all this?
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My opinion? Well, firstly, that this is a great group with a wide diversity of perspectives but always constructive in its criticism.

Re your comment on digital: I would love to have an M9, but, for now, I can't get over the $7K hump; maybe eventually. But that "decisive moment" might not wait until you're sufficiently relaxed, no?

Re getting closer: I commented on this in my response to Damaso, so I won't belabor the point. However, I do try to get into the frame that which I think "works." When I decided to shoot that crazy scene of partially dressed people, I hesitated because I thought it would just be an ordinary snap. But then the woman with the ice cream cone happened by, and I knew that the shot would be somewhat better than an ordinary snap.

I would like to add another thought, one that is possibly shared by others here. I always carry a camera. But often it's a "virtual" camera that allows me to record virtual images that I would have liked, in reality, to have captured. But when I capture these virtual images, I recognize that even if I had my real camera with me, I'd probably pass up some of the shots because of my concern with being intrusive.

Harry
 
hlockwood said:
But when I capture these virtual images, I recognize that even if I had my real camera with me, I'd probably pass up some of the shots because of my concern with being intrusive.

Harry
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You've identified your own limitations! Now what can you do to work around them?

I don't have the answer. I've worked in two of the most intrusive professions, yet when I carry a camera I am very standoff-ish. Like you, I'm not comfortable insinuating myself into others' lives too much. I now do a lot of video work that really calls for in-your-face camera work and the one thing that I find helps me is working with someone else. By myself, I prefer shooting a healthy 10 feet from people; however, when I work with a partner(who doesn't have my "issues") I have no problem getting close. So you might try shooting with someone who's more assertive.
 
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