>>>http://homepage.mac.com/godders/44-wviews.jpg
>> I rather like that one. On 22/3/08, William Robb, discombobulated, unleashed: > >Ok, it's time for me to be educated. >Most of the street photography that is posted, I just don't get. Some of >us are seeing wonderful >images, I'm seeing crap. >Since many of the people who like and shoot this sort of work are people >who's knowledge I have >a lot of respect for, I have to presume that my education is lacking. >So, what is it that makes a street grabshot good? What are the necessary >elements to make it >succesful? > >I thank you in advance for your time and patience in explaining this to me. Oh, tricky. First to Godfrey's pic. I like the relationship between the empty chairs and the people behind the glass. The crazy woman at left adds oddity. That's about it for that one, so I rather like it. I don't love it, but I rather like it. As for what makes a good street pic? I wouldn't be so presumptuous as to know where to begin to answer that one. However, what I like in a street pic (or reportage as I prefer) - that's a different matter. I like a statement in the picture - usually by the relationships of the subject matter. A look through Juan Buhler's pics and I can honestly say I like all of them. Some of them I adore. same with HCB, and my hero Jeanloup Sieff. And Ronis. Very few from any of them would I dislike. Why? Probably coincidence. The photographers were making the pics for themselves and nobody else. The fact that I and countless others like them is pure coincidence. In its simplest form, I think a good street grab needs an underlying subtlety - even when there's a blaringly obvious aspect staring one in the face. Sometimes there's nothing obvious, and everything subtle. It has to tell a story - in one frame. Godfrey's pic tells me it's too cold outside. Without the chairs, the pic is weak IMO. Without the people, ditto. Both together, it's a story. But in itself, not enough. Has to have something extra. For me, the crazy woman just nails it. Dunno why. Other aspects worth considering - repetition. Always a classic in good reportage. Or how about irony? That's always a hit. You know, could be Annsan's street signs, could be a vicar walking past a street girl oblivious. I dunno, but irony is a good one, and cleverly done and with subtlety, is great to see. Pathos. Tragedy. Comedy. I think street photography can encapsulate ever aspect of humanity. Observing these things is easy, but capturing them in a photograph much less so. Tired/late, i'll think a bit more on this. HTH -- Cheers, Cotty ___/\__ || (O) | People, Places, Pastiche ||=====| http://www.cottysnaps.com _____________________________ -- PDML Pentax-Discuss Mail List [email protected] http://pdml.net/mailman/listinfo/pdml_pdml.net to UNSUBSCRIBE from the PDML, please visit the link directly above and follow the directions.
