This is my first post in a new genre of photography I decided take up, street photography. Full disclosure, I'm not a street photographer, nor do I claim to be. I do look forward to becoming better at it, and perhaps one day, feeling comfortable labeling what I do as street photography. For now, let's just say that I capture moments, some candid, some with permission, of people on the street.
For those of you who don't know me, I am a professional wedding and portrait photographer. When I'm not taking photos for a living I am always walking around, mostly without a clue as to where I'm going, with a camera in hand photographing whatever I see. If you look at my 'urban exploration' collection, I do indeed photograph a lot still life, if that's what you call it. I'm drawn to colour, juxtaposition, the finer details and simply whatever catches my eye.
Ricoh GR II | ISO 400 | F2.8 | 1/750
As fun as that is, and I still do it, I'm looking to get out of my comfort zone more and start including people into my walk around photography. Before, I got into photography, especially wedding and portrait, I was very shy and really didn't like talking to people all that much, aside from close friends. Photography, at least my paid work, left me know choice but to interact with people and make them feel comfortable.
Now with street photography, I'm trying to push even further by truly interacting with completely random people. As I'm starting out, I'm getting more and more confident actually asking people if I could take their photograph. Some say yes, same say no, who cares either way. The worse that could happen is that they do indeed say no and you move on.
Ricoh GR II | ISO 400 | F4.0 | 1/1250
My goal in the coming months is to come up with a few projects, some sort of goal. Right now I'm just practicing and getting more and more comfortable and I'm loving it. When shooting people on the street, whether it be in secret or asking permission, it can be quite difficult work up the courage sometimes.
With that being said, here are a few of my initial favourites from the past week. All of these photos were taken with my new Ricoh GR II. The main reason why I got this camera was to have something a little bit more pocketable yet very capable of capturing everyday photos, including family and pretty everything else I'm not getting paid for. I will be writing a short review of my experience with this awesome little camera in the coming week but for now, please feel free to have a look. All photos were processed in Lightroom and Silver Efex Pro 2, to give them a bit more contrast.
Ricoh GR II | ISO 400 | F8.0 | 1/400
Ricoh GR II | ISO 400 | F8.0 | 1/250
Ricoh GR II | ISO 400 | F5.6 | 1/2000
Ricoh GR II | ISO 400 | F5.6 | 1/3000
Ricoh GR II | ISO 400 | F4.5 | 1/1600
Ricoh GR II | ISO 800 | F8.0 | 1/2000
For almost all of these shots I simply used snap focus for the GR II, set the ISO to either 400 or 800, a higher aperture and snapped away. I also composed a lot of the 'people walking' shots and let them enter the frame. Some times though, it was a split second moment as they entered quickly. I find I am working more with shadows then I normally do and it's invigorating and challenging.
Ricoh GR II | ISO 800 | F9.0 | 1/1000
Ricoh GR II | ISO 400 | F5.6 | 1/750
Ricoh GR II | ISO 800 | F2.8 | 1/1000
Ricoh GR II | ISO 400 | F2.8 | 1/2000
I will definitely be doing more and more street portraits as well where I ask for permission. I truly don't think street photography has to be all candid and not directed to some degree. I leave with one of my favourite portraits to date, Ronald McDonald. Yes, that's his actual name. At least according to his license which he showed me.
Ricoh GR II | ISO 800 | F4.0 | 1/40 | Flash