Paris street portraits (almost!) - Epson R-D1 + Canon 50 1.4

F

filmat

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Old pictures to share - taken while trying to get close shots of people walking on the street of Paris. Focusing was not very easy at 1.4 on the move so some pictures are slightly soft.

Using the Epson R-D1 with an 40+ years old Canon 50 1.4 lens.

Philippe

www.flickr.com/photos/pmat
http://streetphoto.free.fr

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and finally

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They're good, a little blurry.. one thing that does stick out to me is that rather than being right in front, they look like you took them all from the side of the sidewalk. It's not bad, but I think it will help your images a lot if you can decrease that 'angle'
 
I like them too, but I generally prefer the look of a wider lens for this kind of photography. I like the first one most, he seems to be deeply in though. Also great how the focus seems to me virtually spot on.

martin
 
Hello to all and thanks for your comments.

1- Originally shot in color but i don't think color brings much to these kind of shots.

2- I cropped the images, but not sure if this was the right decision. With some kind of images i can be undecided between keeping the subject in his environment or (cropping and) putting an emphasis on his expression. Guess more experimentation/reading is required especially when the picture can swing between the two... Nevertheless i was on the long side using a 50mm (eq. 75) to try the 1.4 narrow depth of field. Generally i am more into the 35mm (50 equivalent) but buying a 35mm summilux is not an option :) The canon 50/1.4 is nice, cheap and has a nice "signature".

2- I agree with the angle remark and imagine that many will look better if shot in the face. Will try to take this into account next time. if i recall i stayed on the sideway to remain "unnoticed" as focusing at 1.4 without much exercise takes time :)

Below picture 1 uncropped in color for reference...

Philippe

www.flickr.com/photo/pmat
http://streetphoto.free.fr

3285763556_1f7dfa2207_o.jpg
 
I like number 3, even if it is a little OOF. I can almost hear those french vowel sounds from the lady on the right!

a 50 on the R-D1 is like a 75 on an M6. I tried using my 75 on my M6 for similar shots last fall, but I found I was always running down the street trying to keep my subjects in the frame. That attracted too much attention, so the shots were not very candid. After 15-20 minutes of that, I switched to a 40mm Nokton, and a 28mm Summicron, and had a much easier time of it.

But the only way to find these these out is to experiment.
 
Rob-F said:
I like number 3, even if it is a little OOF. I can almost hear those french vowel sounds from the lady on the right!

a 50 on the R-D1 is like a 75 on an M6. I tried using my 75 on my M6 for similar shots last fall, but I found I was always running down the street trying to keep my subjects in the frame. That attracted too much attention, so the shots were not very candid. After 15-20 minutes of that, I switched to a 40mm Nokton, and a 28mm Summicron, and had a much easier time of it.

But the only way to find these these out is to experiment.
Click to expand...

I completely agree. It also becomes stressing. I just wanted to experiment the look and OOF rendering the old canon 50 1.4 gives. But I am much more at ease with the 35 (approx 50 on the R-D1) and sometimes for closer shots the 25 mm (approx 35). But going brighter than f2 on these focals is either expensive (summilux) or bulky (nokton 1.2). Surely there is the nokton 35 1.4 but don't like its OOF a lot.

Philippe
 
I like it better uncropped. I think its a better composition and shows the atmosphere of the street better.

filmat said:
Hello to all and thanks for your comments.

1- Originally shot in color but i don't think color brings much to these kind of shots.

2- I cropped the images, but not sure if this was the right decision. With some kind of images i can be undecided between keeping the subject in his environment or (cropping and) putting an emphasis on his expression. Guess more experimentation/reading is required especially when the picture can swing between the two... Nevertheless i was on the long side using a 50mm (eq. 75) to try the 1.4 narrow depth of field. Generally i am more into the 35mm (50 equivalent) but buying a 35mm summilux is not an option :) The canon 50/1.4 is nice, cheap and has a nice "signature".

2- I agree with the angle remark and imagine that many will look better if shot in the face. Will try to take this into account next time. if i recall i stayed on the sideway to remain "unnoticed" as focusing at 1.4 without much exercise takes time :)

Below picture 1 uncropped in color for reference...

Philippe

www.flickr.com/photo/pmat
http://streetphoto.free.fr

3285763556_1f7dfa2207_o.jpg
Click to expand...
 
The cropped version of the picture is great but I agree with lubitel. The uncropped version is better for me. It is less "staged". It does not highlight the "hand" of the photographer as much which causes me to be interested and curious about all of the information in the frame. Seeing it all as relevant and important to the mood of the picture.
 
I love them all, they feel very Paris to me.

I'd crop the first shot at the top only. Down to the top of the first green man walk sign. Getting rid of the blue round sign, stretching the feeling of walking and distance.

Very good job, thanks for sharing.

B2 (;->
 
I also like the uncropped. More atmosphere and there's something about the repetitive green walk sign guy that I like.

Nice shots though.
 
Thank you all for the comments.On a second review, the expression of the guy is indeed emphasised by his environment and what is going around. Its makes the picture stronger.

Philippe
 
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