Plus Post Week 2- Setting the Stage/Simplification
Playlist selected, settings rechecked, off I went to lose myself in the most touristy part of Madrid.
First thoughts, ugghhh … this is much more difficult than the earlier times I tried it. The streets of Madrid are filled with graffiti and lovely shop fronts, but today none of them beckoned.
There are things I can do, stealth shooting is not one of them. This despite attempts to blend in, and the fact that I used the littlest camera that I have. I stood out like a sore thumb resulting in people skirting by me or changing direction before they came into the zone that I wanted the subject to be in. After trying out 4-5 different backgrounds, I decided to just walk around until something called to me. The corridors of Plaza Mayor did so. The play of light, the clash of yellows and reds and the bustling waiters in the shadows made me stop and survey the scene.
The subjects still avoided me, but I stood stuck to a pillar and after a few minutes I relaxed enough to be able to anticipate the moment before it happened. Suddenly it wasn’t just hoping for the right shot, but knowing exactly which subject, and what time. The image formed in my head even before I had all the elements on stage.
Take aways:
Relax. Sometimes you get the shot, sometimes you don’t. Don’t stay focussed on the one you lost.
Smile. Some ignored it, some responded, some posed. All expressions worked for the camera.
Experiment. Sol was flooded by people, so I switched to narrow alleys or shooting crowds and energy instead of individuals.
0 responses to “Plus Post Week 2- Setting the Stage/Simplification”
Great strategies and images Lucille Galleli As Street Photographers we need to adapt to our surroundings and think on our feet. We walk waiting for that spark. I really like the energy that you have captured in the colour image and the simplicity of the B&W image. The eye contact is a powerful element. A kind reminder for future reference to post single images and the second image to comments as G+ can split albums into 3 seperate posts. Thanks for sharing!!
Wonderful plus post.
Great post and images Lucille Galleli. Yes, blending in can be very tough. I think what I found was that being in one location for 15 minutes or more and focused on one backdrop for my scene, that I really didn’t need to blend in. When I more or less pretended to look through people while focusing and adjusting my position and camera, they tended to ignore me too, thinking that they were not really the show. I even had a couple apologize for getting in the scene 🙂
Lucille GalleliI know when I was in Madrid a couple of years ago I liked to shoot in Lavapies, also enjoyed El Rastro flea market on a Sunday.
Plaza Major is a great choice because people are used to seeing cameras and don’t care about them.
Two very nice images Lucille Galleli and I was happy to read that images are forming in your head – Sometimes we have those days when the subjects in mind are being too respectful – if they only knew that we wanted and needed them to walk through our shot. I really related to the fact that you identified whether the location would work or not and when you realized you weren’t feeling the scene you used your intuition to find what felt right to you.
teresa pilcher .. Thank you so much. This was a fantastic exercise. Was so glad to get someone looking in my direction. Sorry about posting two images. Will make sure I don’t do so again.
Thanks, Byron Sheldrick
Lucille Galleli All good. So glad you enjoyed it.
Willie Scott Thanks much. True that… The first few minutes are the toughest. Thanks for the tip, next time I’m going to (pretend to) fiddle with my settings much more 😀
Tony Keyworth Yes Lavapies and Rastro are fantastic places to shoot in. I’ll definitely be shooting at Lavapies during this mentorship. Rastro will be difficult as it coincides with my mass timings, but I’ll sure try it.
Stephanie Cassiday-Krueger … it did come as quite a revelation. I’m glad I followed my gut instead of trying to force it. I think we should start a “Be a good subject mentorship!” … eye contact, dress differently, express intently. LOL.
Lucille Galleli love the idea!! 🎉. And yes – you did the right thing by following your gut!!
Lucille Galleli Meant to add I love the color shot..surreal and lovely.
Two great shots Lucille Galleli. I love the colourful impression of the first, and how the vertical motion curves outward slightly in opposite directions to the sides, I suppose a fairly wide lens there. The black & white works really well as the two characters really stand out so well. Sometimes you do feel too visible. When you make eye contact it is like a 6th sense with the people you shoot. Sometimes you avoid it, by looking at your camera (and they pay less attention to you) and other times you can make it to get people to look up or around!
Nice write up with good points thanks
Tony Keyworth … thanks a bunch 😀
Angelo Gifford … thanks much. I’m still getting used to getting up close. I hope I get over my inhibitions and am able to connect with my subjects. Baby steps, I guess 😀
Lucille Galleli Usually with street photos the background context is just as important. So getting close like showing just the face would loose the context. The technique of picking a scene and photographing people who come by can work up close. You may need a fast shutter and possibly pre focus as they could pass quickly. Being in a crowded place also makes it easier. But it gets easier as you get more practiced, you will find yourself trying it when you ready. There are plenty of great other considerations to help create great street shots covered by Teresa without being any closer than you have shown us.
Angelo Gifford …. Practice, practice, practice, I hear 🙂
Will be trying out some of the tips Teresa posted later this week. Hopefully they’ll be as interesting 🙂 Cheers!
Lucille Galleli I didn’t quite mean to labour practice, for its sake, but the confidence to get closer in a way that feels comfortable to you happens gradually with a wider lens. You can of course get closer with a zoom, but more people walk through your line of sight. I find markets were my place to help me get closer because they are busy places. I sometimes shoot from a distance and a walk towards someone shooting to get closer until I feel they become aware of me. I was asked to stay on busy street corner and shoot people. As they were busy getting from A to B, you could get very close. Lots of ways to do it. I am sure you will get there quickly if that is your aim.
Roger that, Angelo Gifford. Thanks for the clarification and the other tips.
Wonderful vibrant first picture here! I like the way you narrate your experiments! Well done, Lucille!
Thanks a bunch Françoise Dhulesia…. Glad my narrative keeps you coming back. Hopefully the photos will as well 😀