tony_p3

An interesting thread and a great deal of very useful advice has already been posted.

 

The only thing I would add Matt is why not get out to as many demonstrations, marches, strikes etc. that you can and practice there. Then take your pictures to the local papers to see if you can sell them. Picture editors are usually very happy to tell you how they like shots that they will pay for, which usually means changing your style.

 

It will also provide you with the opportunity to see if it's really what you want when disorder breaks out and both sides see you as a threat. "Rioters" don't like being photographed committing crimes and the Police don't like being photographed in the middle of dealing with it. It's better to know you can cope with the situation at home before trying it out for real in a strange country where the projectiles could be bullets ... Tony

Mike: Could do with you when I'm negotiating with the picture editors I deal with LOL

"When people cannot see anything, they smile most naturally" ... Interesting tip there Mike I've not heard that one before, I'll have to give it a try ;-)

I agree with Anna plus I would remove the pen in his shirt pocket as it is distracting from his face. Otherwise it's a really good portrait.

Hi Todd,

 

"Seriously, I've seen some real junk in this thread that surpasses any of the junk I've ever read in any other thread. CERTAINLY some posts about G lenses written by people who have never used a G lens".

 

I've had 2 G lenses which I used for a few months and although they have produced results good enough for scanning and posting, they produced lower than average results for printing. My 28-80G I only threw in the corner at the weekend. They are cheap starter lenses and thats all.

 

Maybe you have a good one in which case that would point to a quality control issue as mine where not.

I have the SB-28 and would certainly recommend it. Do try to get an instruction book with it though and take the time to read it.

My personal Worst lenses are the G series, feels, looks and handles like the cheap plastic they are. I've tried 2, the 70-300G I traded in and the 28-80G is now gathering dust in a corner. They say you get what you pay for and that is certainly true of the G's. The Sigma EX range is now taking over my collection.

I agree that Matrix is good when your in a hurry, ie. I use it when I'm out getting journalistic shots of protests, etc. When I have the time I prefer to use the in camera spot reading or my handheld Sekonic meter.

Hi Guys, Did my first wet print tonight using XP2 negatives. Very impressive, easy to print with very fine grain and excellent tonal range. Many thanks Gareth for suggesting I try it and everybody for all your suggestions. Thats the last of HP5+ for me except for course work ;-) ... Tony

Hi guys, mmmm my comment was a little sweeping now that I read it back. I should have said that the Law in England and Wales only restricts obscene pictures of juveniles (ie under 18). Technically unless a juvenile is the subject of a court case, committing an obscene act or the picture could be considered obscene, if they are in public place it is perfectly legal to take a picture. Of course in this wonderful age we life in an adult may punch you in the head.

 

Fortunately my original question was in relation to student busker's/street performers as it is a little grey as to if they are 18 or not. Strangely in most places their age is immaterial as most are committing an offense simply by performing in a public place without a license. Therefore street photography of them could even be classified as journalistic shots of illegal activity.

 

My understanding is the same as James although I'm not sure if it's the same for the whole of the UK or just England and Wales. Scotland does seem to have many laws of it's own.

 

I have also found out that in England and Wales a model release form is a agreement that can be produced if there is a dispute over publication of pictures of the model. However if a model who has been paid does not sign a release form, the photographer could technically still publish. There's an interesting bag of worms.

 

Tony

Hi Guys, I've now found out that their age makes no difference, if they are performing in a public place there is no restriction in the UK ... Tony

I've been wondering "if the harp player took off her clothes" would it count as nudity as she would have a G-string? ;-) ... Tony

Hi Todd, many thanks for taking the time for your reply. Sorry I assumed (always dangerous) that Busker was a universal term.

 

Hi Jeff, many thanks to you also for translating my assumption.

 

Tony

Sorry, when I posted "does it matter if they are under 18 years of age?" I should have said are there any UK laws to be aware of if they are between 16 and 18? ... Tony

Hi louis, I can only ditto what Jake has commented. You have many beautiful shots that are full of feeling and a pleasure to see. Many thanks for drawing our attention to them ... Tony

Hi Guys, I have started a series for my portfolio on Busker's in my

home town. I do ask if it's OK first, tell them what it's for and

give a nice donation to their collection. So everything is easy

peasy.

 

Today I went out and did my usual thing and some even posed for

shots after I got the ones I was after. Now term has started some of

them are local arts and drama students, which is where my question

pops up it's head.

 

I am not in the slightest bit interested in taking shots of obvious

children, but does it matter if they are under 18 years of age?

 

Many thanks ... Tony

Hi Scott, I'd add to your list the SB28, you should be able to get a mint second user one for only a few more dollars than you would pay for the others. I have one and it's a beauty. HTH ... Tony

Hi Frank, Many thanks for the explanation, in the maritime sense I can see where you're coming from. Titles (original ones at least) are always the difficult. I really love the warmth you have projected with this shot and the colours are so seductive. Wish I could rate it as would have to be a 7/7 in my book ... Tony

Hi Frank, Well it's a beautiful photo, but as for the rest of it you have lost me ... Tony

Hi Guys, Many thanks for the feedback everyone. Looks like I'll be treating it differently depending on if I'm intending to scan or print.

 

I shot a roll on Saturday at ISO400 ( http://www.photo.net/photodb/folder?folder_id=336724 ), but they didn't turn out punchy enough for my liking.

 

I'll try another couple of rolls at different speeds.

 

Thanks once again ... Tony

Hi Guys,

 

Many thanks for your comments.

 

I agree that for negative film the grain is very good at ISO400, I suppose what it does mean for me is that I can pull it to ISO200 on a bright day when I'm taking street shots and not have to worry about pulling the processing.

 

I usually scan the shots on a Minolta Dimage Dual III Scanner, so I am always looking for film that will scan well in addition to traditional printing.

 

I am fortunate that 99% of the time my Nikon in-camera meter reads the same as my Sekonic, the rest of the time there's only 1/2 stop difference.

 

Best Regards ... Tony

Hi Guys,

 

I've heard that to reduce grain with films like the Ilford XP2 Super

135 (ie Black & White ISO400 negative film C41 processed) that they

are better exposed at ISO200 but still developed at ISO400.

 

Anyone had any experience of doing this?

 

Many thanks ... Tony

Have to admit I have also never had any problems with the selector switch in the 10 months I've have my F80, maybe you have a duff one? If anything I sometimes find the switches are a little too stiff for my liking, but better stiff than floppy.

 

HTH Tony

If your still thinking of getting an F80 my recommendation is go for it. As with an earlier posting I've hammered mine with no problems at all for the past 10 months.

 

I would suggest you also get the MB-16 Battery Grip. In my opinion it greatly improves both the feel and handling of the F80, especially if you use some of the heavier (I like the Sigma EX range) or longer lenses.

 

HTH Tony