Thanks Stu, good comments and obviously well considered.

[quote=BlackCloud;116267 I think if this is someone you get to talk to, maybe they would pose and you can get exactly the shot that presents him as a character.[/QUOTE]


I would have thought that a posed shot was total the antithesis of what Grumps was trying to achieve here.

Just my opinion.

Not at all, many people on the street will engage you in conversation and will pose. Often these pictures are environmental portraits and many of the street pictures by those famous names are not grab shots. In my opinion, this could be a great character study by engaging the man and asking him to take a few. It doesn't mean he will sit up smiling.

Anyway, it's an opinion, art always has many different opinions and viewpoints.

Thanks Daisy

Yes, we talked. I got his story and will not reveal what he told me. For that reason, having asked him if I could take a couple of pictures, I gave him room, didn't want to get in his face.

I realise the technique was lacking, but favoured getting the shots as best I could and then gave him a couple of quid and did an exit stage right.

We all have to make decisions. And in this case I did.

Ok, imagine in the second shot he had turned his head a few degrees toward you and just looked up with his eyes, waited a second for the old dear to pass...click. That would have been a powerful image.

Well, that probably shows my lack of attention to detail and technical skill

Whats done is done, and I'll have to try and learn from it.

Thanks Stu, a very valid crit

Dave, I get home and look at many of mine and wish I had pressed the button at a slightly different moment. I also pass people in towns I choose not to attempt to photograph because of being concerned for my safety, thinking I am stereo typing them, or simply I am too late the shot has passed. It's easy from the arm chair later. However, I am sure next time you may just consider more angles or just notice the lady passing in the background, that's what I try to do if I can.

I completely agree BC - this is why I stare in awe and envy at your street shots, and know that I couldn't even come close! It's my fear I guess, I wouldn't have the gumption to take shots of people on the street. I really wish I did though.
Daisy - what BC says is right, about posing, it can be a posed shot without being contrived, without losing the essential elements that portray what you always wanted to portray - and it would definitely make for a better shot - at the very least where the background is concerned.

xx

I totally accept your point Z...but I don't necessarily agree with it.

To me once you start posing people you have lost the shot you sought to capture and in influencing it changed it's very essence iyswim?.

Still that is just how my mind sees it and I am no street photographer.

I too have lots of respect for those like Dave and Stu because it is definitely a field for the brave and must involve a lot of carefully considered thought in terms of moraility and respect v's getting the perfect shot at any cost.

...also the chance of getting a bop on the nose if you get it wrong puts me off!.

I will stick to landscapes.

Thanks Daisy We have discussed this many times, and I think positions arepolarised into different camps.

xx

Moving on.................................