my 1st photo here... some moment lost in time... wondering about... strangers lives...

First, a disclosure: I neither own nor use a "Lieca M6 with a 34mm 1.4 aspheric loaded with Tri-X". Nor do I own or use a 24mm f2.0 or and 85mm f1.4 (or for that matter a 300mm zoom or 16mm fisheye).

I'm sure some need all or part of this vast array of hardware for good reasons (e.g. filling page 1, as a backdrop to the Pulitzer prize presentation, to feel at one with the Greats etc.). Why, I even dabbled in the Leica "thing" myself (25 years ago) until I found that it didn't suit my shooting style. I had too much trouble with my thumbs (both of them) getting in the way of the rangefinder. But "bringing home the bacon" wasn't my primary reason for making candid photographs. My primary reason for making candids was to explore and report some of the less pyrotechnic aspects of life that did not require admission to the hall of Pulitzer laureates as their main raison d'etre. I think you confuse "news reportage" with "candid" photography. The two have different aims.

"News Reportge", of which (we are regularly reminded) you are a prize-winning professional, has at its core the requirement to bring back a picture - any picture - of a nominated editorial event. If the picture's a prize-winner, that's a bonus, but hardly necessary, as long as the three "Ws" are maintained: "What", "Where" and "Who".

"Candid" photography, on the other hand, allows a more reflective process. If the shot doesn't work, you can walk on and try again somewhere else without needing to defend your employment status. If a candid shot isn't a prize winner you have the luxury of filing it permanently in your neg file and never printing it. However, the onus is concomitantly greater on the candid photographer (compared to the press photographer) to present only their best work, as they have more time and opportunity to establish the shot.

The single greatest difference between press and candid photography is that press photographers generally have less opportunity to create their own story. The candid photographer takes full responsibility, not only for the reporting, but for what they report.

Admittedly, the two can overlap - each has its own special skills - and when they do many images of great power and message result. But generally, the job of press photographers is to illustrate words generated by usually unpleasant events and to provide prosaic backup information on them, while true street or candid photographers' attempt to tell stories of the humanity of their subjects and most importantly that of their creators.

At the risk of broaching a currently delicate subject, it's easy to hide behind a bush or a newspaper stand and snipe away with a telephoto lens from a far distance, but the detatchment you gain from using a long lens usually shows in the final result. It's much more difficult to involve yourself in a scene close up and bring back a first hand report from the middle of it. That's why true candid (or "street") photography is so difficult: it requires more of its photographers than just possessing hardware, a press pass (that you can use as a social prop if you're caught at the wrong moment) and a good head for heights.

Some things that the two genres do require in common are: rat cunning, a certain amount of bravado and a good eye for composition (although less so in press reportage, if the alternative is no picture at all).

As to prying into other peoples' lives... I've found, myself, that if you do it right, most (I said "most") people either don't know you've done it or don't care. It's a matter of being either invasive (and feeling so - guilt has a way of writing itself all over one's face) in your prying, or merely curious and interested in the person you're photographing. Most people react well to a stranger showing an interest in them, if you do it with charm and a little humour. This is not always possible, or, if possible, is not always accomplished... but you tend to learn from your mistakes - technical and social.

Maybe press photographers' stuff would not all look the same if they thought a bit more out of the box...afterall, it is not the car, it's the driver. (Now don't get all miffed, your stuff is great Dan!)

É, não é? A calçada, o comboio.... Tantas saudades. Faz-me lembrar do dia que passei em Sintra com minha Rolleiflex em Agosto. Obrigado pelo pequeno cheirinho de Portugal. Faz bem ao coração emigrante.

 

Já Agora, onde é que você estuda fotografia?

this is why i like to go to the train stations.

The peace and tranquility inside the movement is very beatiful. Great shot.

I am doing various photo "assignments" with my brother and brother-in-law, and I'm using this photo as my example of using shutter-speed motion blur for meaning in a photo. Great job.

a simple hug in a timeless moment in time... simply unreal!

 

btw, can you sent me a copy of the photo? hehehe ;-)

Beautiful and touching.

ITs a WONDERFULL idea and shot.

This is pure art! I would keep it like it is, it definatly gets the center point to a clear and definate (umm, can't think of any other word) point! this is going up to the "wall of glory" in my art class. the only other things up on the wall is a quote that begins "nothing can replace perseverence..." (if you can say the whole thing you get an A+ the first term! and yet i have already forgotten it!) and a quote by albert enstien, and another quote by gandhi, and a 3-d illusion that is really cool!

this is one of those moments that almost everyone can relate to - it's got LOVE written all over it! Great job with using blurr to make the couple pop. This image could easily become a popular poster.

This is a Valentine's e-card . I like the contrast an composition. The opposites of flashing cold steel an faceless zombies vs the softness of lovers an the warmth of emotion. The emotional levels compensates for any hiccups in the tech. You have an ability to keep it real without making couples coming off cheesy. Hope you bring more like it to the screen.

A moment in time held still, as the passing of day carries on and on in it's usual way.

 

A wonderful photo, I very much enjoyed!

I think this picture is lovely! Freezes time and even show the feeling of being in love!

Great picture!

A lot of the photos on here are great... but this one hit me hardest. Love it... Only problem is it is slightly cliche, but you have done it well!

my title would be "alone together" - absolutely wonderful...

WONDERFULL!!!

I wish I could do the same

Nicely done!

Just the right amount of blur.

I like it a lot.

...to the quick

your picture makes me cry. It makes me remember the time with my boyfriend whom was far away. It makes me feel the way he hugs me and everything about our love. i dont have any words to describe my feeling but it makes me miss him so much. you are so great.

 

this picture has a great visual and emotional impact. it is striking!

High Contrast-in many ways.An excellent photograph