Some Hasselblad Street Photos from Paris

I do like you shots Martin, especially 1 and 4. I have been wanting to take my 'blad around London, for a while now, I always felt I could take some interesting shots with it, your shots have convinced my I should.

One question, which lens - I'm guessing the 80mm Planar?
 
tom.w.bn said:
Nice idea to use a hasselblad for street shooting. Like them except #2. There those cut-in-the-middle-persons to the left an right disturb me a little.
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The second one is my favorite by far. I like those half folks on either side! :D I think they add a bit of motion to the picture. Great gesture, and just the right distance from the subjects. The shirts and ties and cigarettes are perfect for B&W. I enjoy most of the others as well, but #2 is the best.

P.S. I just noticed that you caught the pigeon mid-stride in #5! Fantastic! That's my second favorite.
 
Nearly over-the-top image quality - as usual with Hasselblad. I really like the tonality and light in these. Paris is a great city for photography on foot, although lugging a Hasselblad kit probably gets old fast (my choice might have been a Rolleiflex).
 
Lovely images Martin. There's good reason that photography sprung up in Paris. The people, the environs and the light just make you want to capture what you see.
 
Terrific shots. How did Parisians react when they saw you taking their picture? And how did you get the pigeon to walk like he was going to catch a train?
 
All are lacking and would benefit being cropped. The sqare format works well when one is careful composing. The moment seems to be captured, but the compositions are definitely sloppy. Why is the subject centered in all the pics? Usually a telltale sign when one is new to the format.

1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 would've all been winning images if properly composed and only image number 2 is acceptable as is.

I don't want to rain on the parade... But I'm sure many who take photography seriously simply decided not to comment.
 
Martin - thanks for sharing these. I have enjoyed them, and I am encouraged to use my own Hasselblad more.

Goldorak said:
All are lacking and would benefit being cropped. The sqare format works well when one is careful composing. The moment seems to be captured, but the compositions are definitely sloppy. Why is the subject centered in all the pics? Usually a telltale sign when one is new to the format.

1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 would've all been winning images if properly composed and only image number 2 is acceptable as is.

I don't want to rain on the parade... But I'm sure many who take photography seriously simply decided not to comment.
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Could you perhaps point us to some acceptable examples of correct composition in the square format?
 
Goldorak said:
Your question is astounding, to say the least.
I think it's obvious. As can be seen in photo-101 classes.
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I have degree in photography, numerous exhibitions and publications, and I see nothing wrong with most of them. Several of the others who posted here take photography as seriously as I do. The square actually works quite well for centered subjects. Since you're better than everyone, lets see YOUR portfolio and Vitae.
 
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Goldorak said:
All are lacking and would benefit being cropped. The sqare format works well when one is careful composing. The moment seems to be captured, but the compositions are definitely sloppy. Why is the subject centered in all the pics? Usually a telltale sign when one is new to the format.

1, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 would've all been winning images if properly composed and only image number 2 is acceptable as is.

I don't want to rain on the parade... But I'm sure many who take photography seriously simply decided not to comment.
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A little snootiness goes a long way, but since the OP asked for comments, I see no problem with sharing your considered opinion. I agree that #2 is the strongest of the bunch and a couple of them don't really work.

I'm curious to see how you'd crop the images and I bet the OP is too. Perhaps you'd include a brief explanation of why you think the cropped image is better.
 
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Thanks a lot to all of you guys!

The weirdest thing, I barely recognize my own city.
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Elude, it's the same way with pictures of Berlin taken by people who come from far away.

Which lenses?
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I use it with a 80mm lens I really like. It's easy to use and I use roughly the same on 35mm.

Did you use eye level or WLF ? I always thought the WLF is the best street shooting accessory ever.
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I used the WLF but with the loupe to be able to focus properly, so pretty much on eye level.

chut said:
There's good reason that photography sprung up in Paris.
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So true, such a beautiful place. Hopefully the next one I'll move to ;)

Michael P. said:
How did Parisians react when they saw you taking their picture?
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First I wasn't sure how they would, but Cyrille aka le vrai rdu shot a few people in the metro with them noticing, at that point I stopped worrying. They take it real well, I might post some more 35mm shots soon.

All are lacking and would benefit being cropped. The sqare format works well when one is careful composing. The moment seems to be captured, but the compositions are definitely sloppy. Why is the subject centered in all the pics? Usually a telltale sign when one is new to the format.
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I totally agree and didn't expect anything else. I will practice though, and I'd love to buy a book about composition - if you know any, I'd appreciate a hint.

I don't want to rain on the parade... But I'm sure many who take photography seriously simply decided not to comment.
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I want to encourage everyone to comment who dislikes the images, it's not an issue at all. I'd like to minor in photojournalism, and I will have to apply soon - any help is appreciated.

A little snootiness goes a long way, but since the OP asked for comments, I see no problem with sharing one's considered opinion. I agree that #2 is the strongest of the bunch and a couple of them don't really work.
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I agree, I like the 2nd best. It could have been better if I had waited until those guys from the corners would have left, but I have to say I'm still pretty overwhelmed by that camera and just getting the shot was fine with me at that point.

Could you tell me which ones don't work for you at all? If anybody is not comfortable criticizing publicly, a PM would be great, too.

I'm curious to see how you'd crop the images and I bet the OP is too.
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Absolutely I would love to see your ideas. Anyone feel free to crop and edit ahead, if you think that improves the image. And if you're willing to spend the time, of course, I'd greatly appreciate it.

martin
 
I really like these photographs.
They are street, but a very different style of street to that which would be taken with an RF.
Great stuff, carry on with it, beacues it really works!
 
No use in a composition lesson book martin, just look at pictures like koudelka, saul leiter, HCB,kertez ............

None of their picture abide the compositions laws imho ;)
 
Somewhat OT: I discovered Saul Leiter through Mike Johnston's Online Photographer blog. Early Color is my favorite of all the photo books I've bought this year. Really interesting compositions and fantastic use of colour. I highly recommend it.
 
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