Street photos for critique

[jgredline]

<p>Hi Folks...Ok, I am still working on some new to me PP techniques. CS3 in my hands is like letting loose Daniel in game stop and tell him to get what ever he wants...Not a good thing...Since I love film and in particular the way it looks, I am patterning my style after film.....These are all photos I took at lunch yesterday in hollyweird....<br /> All are shot with my K20D and Vivitar 24F/2.8 prime...These days I only carry one lens that I choose when I leave the house...All are in manual mode at F/5.6, high iso with hyperfocal focusing. I was after mostly portraits...I discovered that by wearing my kids Donald duck cap, people would look at me and when they started to laugh, I clicked....Was not fool proof, but ok.....<br /> <img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Street%205/IMGP2967.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Street%205/IMGP2901.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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[jgredline]

<p><img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Street%205/IMGP2984.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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[jgredline]

<p><img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Street%205/IMGP3271.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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[jgredline]

<p><img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Street%205/IMGP3178.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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[andrewg_ny]

<p>What, no SP with the DD hat?</p>

<p>I'm guessing that the last dude wasn't down w/the duck?</p>

[miserere_mei]

<p>Nope, that last guy did not like it. <em>@#ck the Duck!</em></p>

<p>But LOL at the Donald Duck idea. Is it coincidence that girl is kneeling over another Donald's star?</p>

<p>As far as eye candy goes, you struck gold with this set, Javier. I find the framing very pleasant in this series, if that means anything to you.</p>

<p>As far as digital B&W looking like film, there are a number of plug-ins that do just this, and you can emulate Tmax, or whatever. Is this what you're using?</p>

<p>On a related subject, I can't wait to see all the fights you're going to stir up when you come to Boston :-p</p>

[pbarnes]

<p>Great stuff Javier, looks to me like you got the PP under control, although some look a bit grainy - too much like fast film for my liking (eg the third one down, with the dark haired girl looking at the camera). <strong>Love</strong> the 4th one - great expressions and look at the feet, there's dancing in the street! I reckon there must be a book or two in your work - a fascinating record of what was happening and who was wearing what on the streets of LA.</p>

[jtk]

<p>You're a manly man, you can stand up to any pushed-Tri-X guy. Don't change anything.</p>

<p>Stick with this and do photography. Make prints, do it yourself.</p>

<p>This is the best of your stuff. Distinctive... the technique's great with toothy smiles and snarls...wonderful the way you relate to the people....none of that cowardly long-lens back-of-heads street BS. :-) </p>

[hagar]

<p>Those are great Javier.. My only remark is that some of the shots look like they came out of a scanner. There is like a smoothing over and loss of details.. look at the guy holding the "HONK' placard and his right pant leg below the knee, as an example. It just looks like something that would be the result of how you pp'ed the photos. Good photos tho.. and the eye candy is always a pleasure to look at :-)</p>

[jtk]

<p>There's nothing wrong with "looking like they came out of a scanner." These are images of life, after all, not bug/flower/bird/seascape pics.</p>

[roseberry guitars]

<p>Interesting stuff Javier.</p>

<p>I'm not a big fan of most street photography. I find a lot of it just someone running around snapping candid shots of unsuspecting people with little or no thought put into it.</p>

<p>I find it refreshing that in your photos you seem to excell at capturing the instant that your subject makes human contact with you and thus the viewer. "The instant of recognition", I've heard it called. Cases in point, 1) the girl with the chihuahua dog. An amazing face with eyes that look to ones soul; 2) the couple, blond girl/guy with hat, she very intent on discussing her new nail polish, he...couldn't give a @#*& and that all suffering 1000 mile stare and then the stalker in the left background. For me those are the best of the bunch.</p>

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[wayne_campbell]

<p>Is this the end of civilization as we know it? Or just another day in L.A. ?</p>

[jgredline]

<p>@Andrew, The duck was indeed a hit, with most folks. :)</p>

<p>@Mis, Thanks for the compliments. They mean allot to me. :) Right now it is looking like the first week of dec for Boston. I got to look at the schedule for the Celtics as I want to catch a game while down there. I of course will be rooting ''against'' them :) ..As for the fights, I am a runner, not a fighter, so I will leave you to deal with them ;-)</p>

<p>@Peter, Thank you very much. I appreciate the kind words more than you know. :)</p>

<p>@John, What a great compliment and coming from you means the world to me. I am glad you recognize it for what it is. I agree with the long lens stuff. I purposely put myself in a position to be seen by my subjects. I do not sneak around...While I do capture many candids that the person does not know I took, It is because they simply are not looking and sometimes the image just works better that way.</p>

<p>@Haig, I know what you mean about the loss of details. Most of that loss came in the contrast adjustment and did not know how to put it back in...But then again, I kind of liked it that way as it is more filmy...Thanks again for the kind words and I am hoping San Diego works out...I am sure between you, Frank and myself, we will get into trouble. :)</p>

<p>@Scot, Thank you for the kind words. I confess that I was one of those snap shooters, but as I have evolved, have grown to dislike that. Street shooters are often looked down upon by most people, but when it is done right, it is quite cool. :)</p>

[jgredline]

<p>Wayne, It is simply another day in L.A. :)</p>

[michael_kuhne]

<p>Wayne really had me cracking up! Javier, this is a really great series!! For reasons already given, and it is also remarkable to see how you have found a variety of ways to go about and to give treatment to your street photography. A very unique outcome here. The donald duck hat was a great idea!</p>

[jpo3136b]

<p>Good photos.</p>

[shaloot]

<p>Nice set, and yea there is some eye candy there for sure. I like photo #7, where it seems that lady is actually looking at your Donald Duck hat and finding it funny. Then the next photo she seems to be flashing her wedding/engagement ring to you as if to say 'sorry buddy'.<br>

You really are getting good at this, capturing people as they look at you and like John Kelly says you're not doing tele shots of a group of people from the back or just walking around. You are really getting in front of them.</p>

[jgredline]

<p>Michael, Thank you!</p>

<p>John, I thank you very much as well.</p>

<p>Somanna, Good catch on the ring. I missed that and yes, that Donald duck cap was a real winner. I had one girl squeeze the bill so it goes quack quack...As for the telephoto lenses. I have not used those for at least 6 months. Well, I should not say that. I used my 50-135 once and hated it. Too long all around. I had to resort to shooting across the street and felt like a creep...My 28-75 Tammy is also a tad long, so that is shelved as well. My beloved 18-250 was at 18mm locked 99% of the time, so I shelved that also. So I have been using my Tamron 17-35, Tokina 20-35 but now I am pretty solid with my Vivitar 24 and Sigma 24 primes. Those seem perfect to me. :)....</p>

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[jgredline]

<p>Here are a few more from this small outing. I really like this one...Check out the dude checking out the gal..<br>

<img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Street%205/IMGP3094.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>I love this one as well. As she was looking at the duck, I took the shot and then she pretended not to like it....So she acted as if she was annoyed, but her smile later told me other wise. :)..Her boyfriend was in another time zone. 8-)<br>

<img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Street%205/IMGP3286.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Street%205/IMGP3289.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>Again that duck hat worked great. Beginners luck.<br>

<img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Street%205/IMGP3180.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>These I took inside the mall on my way home. lousy quality but I like them...Wide open and ISO3200 i believe<br>

<img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Street%205/IMGP3332.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p>I love family's and here is a proud papa :)<br>

<img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Street%205/IMGP3342.jpg" alt="" /></p>

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[jgredline]

<p>Hmmm, I wonder how Micky Mouse ears would work?</p>

[hinman]

<p>Javier, I really how you make the pictures with a film looking. You get me interested in your film work and now I am starting to feel the pressures to pick up the skills in post processing. I lack two directions that I find very lacking in my learning with photography using digital: use of flash and knowledge and skills in post processing. I love your street shots with your digital and with the added film look in PP, I especially like the boy with "Vote for Pedro."</p>

<p>I don't know if you version of <a href="http://www.techtheman.com/2008/04/vivitar-24mm-f28-pk-ar-99032042.html">Vivitar 24mm f/2.8 with 'A'</a> is similar to my copy that I bought long time ago that I thought was made by Cosina. It was not a metal lens but a all plastic 24mm with PK-A/R mount label but it does not have the intruding Ricoh pin that may jam the K mount digital bodies.</p>

<p>I am going to test out my 1st roll of black & white in iso 400 with my Pentax SuperProgram with the 24mm. I hope it goes well as I really like to have occasional shooting in film, which I dearly miss and don't find the courage as well as time to shoot</p>

 

<p align="center"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2664/4101290736_6ac630f229.jpg" alt="" /></p>

 

<p align="center"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2710/4099167309_9e706ea99d.jpg" alt="" width="500" height="332" /></p>

<p>I originally want to try out a roll of film on using <a href="http://www.techtheman.com/2009/09/design-compact-dslr-for-2-million.html">Pentax DA 21mm f/3.2 on my SuperProgram</a> . But as soon as I tried the metering, it seems to meter in f/16 and I don't think I can adjust the aperture in a feasible way with the aperture ring on the SuperProgram, it is a bummer. If anyone has hints what to try, please let me know as a 21mm , though digital, will be an awesome playing experience on film</p>

 

<p align="center"><a href="http://www.techtheman.com/2009/09/design-compact-dslr-for-2-million.html"><img src="http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2669/3937753250_b8a3dc58f0.jpg" alt="" width="332" height="500" /> </a></p>

<p>Thanks for sharing the work with us. When you have time, perhaps write out a rough outline of steps to get the film look in CS3 or perhaps LR if you know about the rough steps. So that we can all enjoy the digital with that nostalgic film look. Though not the same experience but it sure look like a way to achieve similar results for the audience, the film grain adds mood and emotion to the street scenes.</p>

[jtk]

<p>...another important detail: The square format we're looking at works a LOT better than 2X3 could for emphasizing individuals this strongly, respecting them this fully.</p>

<p>2X3 wants to show more environment, which almost always distracts from individuals. Many are reluctant to crop because they heard somewhere (eg from a mediocre teacher, who heard it somewhere else) that cropping was a sin.</p>

[jgredline]

<p>@Hin, Thanks for the comments and Kind words. I too struggle with flash photography and PP which is what I trying to learn. Though I have a 360 external flash unit, I have used it but a few times. When I do use flash which is rare, I use the on board flash. As far as how I got the grain looking shots, I simply used the filter in CS3 and opened up some Tri-x images and tried to copy it..From what Mis was saying, there are plug ins for this. I have not searched for any as I don't really know where to begin. I hear Alien Skin has some really good stuff, but they don't have a trial version and for $250.00, I am not sure I want to experiment with it....I will take a pic of my Rig and post it up. I am like 90% sure my Vivitar is the Cosina.</p>

<p>@John...I could not agree with you more on the square formats..90% of my street shooting is in portrait mode and I crop a hair off the sides and some off the top and bottom..I have read where it is wrong to crop, but since street shooting is done at between 0 and 2 seconds, I often don't have time to compose and shoot or I will miss the moment..Street shooting is all about not thinking and thinking quick.. if that makes any sense at all...I am also very obvious when i shoot. I don't sneak around...I don't hide my camera, I don't stand in the same spot for more than a few seconds like many I have seen do..I also spend some time time talking to many of my subjects even if it is a simple hi, smile, how are you this day?, etc..Small talk, but it works...</p>

[jgredline]

<p>Hin, Here is my shooting rig with the two lenses I have been using of late...I also made my DOF marks on them.<br>

<img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Snap%20shots/myprimarystreetshootingrig.jpg" alt="" /></p>

<p><img src="http://i404.photobucket.com/albums/pp128/jgredline/Snap%20shots/myprimarystreetshootingrig2.jpg" alt="" /></p>

[jtk]

<p>Where's the black tape that's supposed to cover the advertising? :-)</p>