This exercise asks to select a medium-long focal length, ideally between
80 mm and 200 mm full-frame equivalent, and go for a street photography shooting session.
Then it asks to note down what practical difficulties I encountered and what special creative opportunities I found that a long focal length and distant position have given me.
Recently, I gave away my old Pentax and I bought a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with a 28-70 mm Sigma lens.
The Pentax body was equipped with a standard lens 18-55 mm and I also had a 70-300 mm Sigma lens that I rarely used.
One of the main reason why I enjoy street photography is because it is a mean to get closer to people, to express myself through them and their moment of life.
For this reason and according the experience I had with my previous camera, I did not feel the need to equip my new camera with a longer focal lens.
Therefore, I did this exercise with the longest focal lens I currently have: a 70 mm.
However, based on my previous work with the 300 mm lens I can tell that the major difficulty I encountered was the fact that my images were often blurred.
Indeed, something to consider when shooting at this focal length is to either use a tripod, or use a fast shutter speed to prevent out of focus and blurry images.
Another issue I found of being such a distance from my subject was not really able to see them very well. Until I looked at my images on the computer I was not too sure if my subjects expression was what I liked, or wanted.
And finally I did not feel very comfortable in playing the paparazzi.
I did not see any particular creative opportunities using an extreme long focal length that excludes the surrounding areas of clutter and somehow removes critical information about a street scene.
The following photos have been taken during my recent trip to Paris.
Image 1.
I appreciate that this shot is not really of "people unaware" as the exercise would require, but I liked the sudden complicity I had with this lady preparing her shop window.
I like her smile and the text on her window that can be easily associate with the reflection of a car.
Then it asks to note down what practical difficulties I encountered and what special creative opportunities I found that a long focal length and distant position have given me.
Recently, I gave away my old Pentax and I bought a Canon EOS 5D Mark III with a 28-70 mm Sigma lens.
The Pentax body was equipped with a standard lens 18-55 mm and I also had a 70-300 mm Sigma lens that I rarely used.
One of the main reason why I enjoy street photography is because it is a mean to get closer to people, to express myself through them and their moment of life.
For this reason and according the experience I had with my previous camera, I did not feel the need to equip my new camera with a longer focal lens.
Therefore, I did this exercise with the longest focal lens I currently have: a 70 mm.
However, based on my previous work with the 300 mm lens I can tell that the major difficulty I encountered was the fact that my images were often blurred.
Indeed, something to consider when shooting at this focal length is to either use a tripod, or use a fast shutter speed to prevent out of focus and blurry images.
Another issue I found of being such a distance from my subject was not really able to see them very well. Until I looked at my images on the computer I was not too sure if my subjects expression was what I liked, or wanted.
And finally I did not feel very comfortable in playing the paparazzi.
I did not see any particular creative opportunities using an extreme long focal length that excludes the surrounding areas of clutter and somehow removes critical information about a street scene.
The following photos have been taken during my recent trip to Paris.
Image 1.
f 5, 1/200 sec, ISO 100, 70 mm
Image 1 is my favourite shot.
The cut, the perspective, the reflection, the mirror, the fingers and her thoughtful expression are the main elements of the composition of this shot that I appreciate for its spontaneity. Both the photographer's and the subject's.
Image 2.
f 5.6, 1/160 sec, ISO 100, 70 mm
Even if far from Henri Cartier-Bresson's "decisive moment", Image 2 is meant to be a sort of allusion to the great French photographer and the exhibition I visited.
Would HCB have taken the old lady that way?
Probably not, but I had the pleasure to do it under his eyes!
Image 3.
f 7.1, 1/400 sec, ISO 100, 70 mm
The light in the corner was an irresistible call to shoot.
When the little boy walked slowly into the frame I had to take that photo.
I never take photos of children for obvious reasons, but I liked so much the relation between his almost lost expression, the way he seems to walk on the water, and the spot of light above him.
His mother's look was proud of both of us.
Image 4.
f 2.8, 1/80 sec, ISO 125, 70 mm
Stress and smoke under a finally sunny Paris.
I appreciate Image 4 for her twisted peace-less legs and the spot of rainbow coming out from the window's glass: "Il y en a qui bosse!"
Image 5.
f 4, 1/125 sec, ISO 100, 70 mm
I understand that the execution of the shot is not on the same level than the strong narrative of Image 5.
The photo is probably too blurred, but I think it was worth to post it.
In my view the marching feet and the shopping bag express rather well the concept of indifference.
This is street photography too.
Image 6.
f 5.6, 1/250 sec, ISO 100, 70 mm
I like the diagonal cut in Image 6 because it gives a sort of spin to the cool subject ready to step into a pompous French building.
Image 7.
f 7.1, 1/400 sec, ISO 100, 70 mm
I appreciate the composition of Image 7.
The ladies and the trees, all seem to look in the same direction.
I also like the light, the shadows, the vertical lines above and the yellow horizontal ones below them.
Image 8.
f 4, 1/160 sec, ISO 100, 70 mm
I appreciate that this shot is not really of "people unaware" as the exercise would require, but I liked the sudden complicity I had with this lady preparing her shop window.
I like her smile and the text on her window that can be easily associate with the reflection of a car.
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