Exercise 12: Close and involved

After having tried with the longest focal length possible in exercise 11, this one asks me to switch lenses (or adjust focal length) to the widest angle that I have.
A true wide- angle, judged from its visual effect, is around 28 mm or less.
One of the uses of a wide- angle lens is to be able to cover a large subject area in one shot, but here I am requested to concentrate instead on using it close to people, and try to achieve a sense of putting the viewer right inside the situation.
From the point of view of comfort and confidence, this is quite a challenging way to shoot.
As with the previous exercise, I have to note down both the problems and the advantages created by working with a wide-angle of view from very close to the people I am photographing.

All the images have been taken with my shortest focal length: 24 mm.
The main challenge for such a wide angled view is that it can pull the viewer right into the centre of the scene.
It can also slightly distort the facial features of any individual right in front of the camera, creating a flat perspective.
Following my natural approach to photography, I really enjoyed taking the following shots.
I like the way this angle of view draws the viewer into the scene, it creates quite an intimate image, a feeling of being part of the activity.
A day of walk through the streets of Paris gave me the opportunity to get really close to the people while “snapping” anyone and anything.

Image 1.

f 8, 1/320 sec, ISO 100, 24 mm  

"L'amour est mort" (Love is dead) is my favourite shot.
First of all, I find the photo very "graphic" with its horizontal strips created by the strong sun light.
I like the text, written in small letters, probably by a girl.
It is a cry of desperation, intense, black like the death.
However, it is somehow discrete, with its small letters covering a small part of the large wall, almost with no intention to disturb. It seems to say: "I suffer, I have to shout it on a wall, but not too loud".
And then I like the lady passing by, lost in her "shopping" thoughts, who gives a sort of spin, a soft movement, to the image and underlines people's indifference for this (sentimental) pain.
Love is dead, but the show must go on!

Image 2.

f 5, 1/100 sec, ISO 100, 24 mm  

Frankly speaking I do not know what went wrong with Image 2.
In post production, I could have easily corrected the two black areas on the top left and bottom right corner of my photo, but I like this mistake.
It gives a kind of mystery to the shot, like if I was looking into a keyhole.
I like also the light blue colour and the reflex in the window: a dreamlike photo.

Image 3.

f 2.8, 1/40 sec, ISO 1250, 24 mm  

In the corridors of the Paris's underground you can even find a 12 elements Russian orchestra playing traditional music.

But what hit my attention more than musicians were the ladies taking photos of them.

The delicate gesture of a posh lady's hand adorned with a heavy ring taking a shot of street photography made me wonder if I am really doing the right thing ;-)

Image 4.

f 8, 1/250 sec, ISO 100, 24 mm  

 General De Gaulle heading France towards its bright future is one of the most iconic images of the "Republique".
Image 4 would like to express my humble doubt regarding the youngster French more busy in looking at their Ipods and voting Front National than in following the basic values of their great nation.

Image 5.

f 5, 1/100 sec, ISO 100, 24 mm  

I like the cut of Image 5 more than the people.

The white, the blue, the yellow and the feeling of movement.

I like Barbès, one of the most popular areas in Paris.

Image 6.

f 9, 1/320 sec, ISO 100, 24 mm  

I think that the footsteps associated with the walking girl of Image 6 convey a sense of sympathy in this photo.

The sun light is maybe too strong, but, in my view, it helps to stress the general feeling of positive attitude and optimism of the image. 

Image 7.

f 4.5, 1/80 sec, ISO 100, 24 mm 

This boy and his cap is the most well representative French I found during my stay in Paris.

I like very much his smile, his hands in the pockets; everything fits to the stereotype we have of a young French person.

I also appreciate the typical urban background that, I believe, puts in value very well the subject.

   

Image 8.

f 22, 1/20 sec, ISO 100, 24 mm 

Image 8 is supposed to underline the street art creativity.

The shot taken in front of a theatre is supposed to depict the possibility to make art with almost anything in this world.

Beside the message, I really appreciate the long shadows of the image.