jophilippe

<p><img src="http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3150/4563817693_480b1247e4_o.jpg" alt="" width="533" height="800" /><br>

... 1563</p>

<p>I think Brad summed it up nicely. I do think that when hipshots are made on purpose and/or it is a conscious developed skill they can be as relevant as any "regular" shot if the end result speaks for itself (and yes, the author can claim for the result as well). But if it is motivated mostly by fear or sneakiness or whatever I doubt it can be a successful and reliable routine in the long run.</p>

<p>What I don't like with hipshot is that when you come up with a good image you feel little responsible for it...</p>

<p>Having said that :</p>

<blockquote>

<p>As hip shots go, sometimes a photographer feels it's the best way to compose a shot</p>

</blockquote>

<p>indeed sometimes hipshots may provide a PoV that is physically difficult or impossible to achieve, e.g. when you need higher or lower vantage point. Also there are some photographers who managed to develop and specialize in the technique, not necessarily in the purpose of being hidden but because it works for them (there is a vid about Joe Wigfall on youtube and also Walker Evans did that in the subway).</p>

<p>I do very few hipshots myself, I prefer to be obvious and feel more comfortable and relax this way.</p>

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<p>Very late on this thread of course, but here are my 2cts.<br /> <br /> First I think there is global misunderstanding in the idea of "Decisive Moment", how it applies to HCB (who was not the one who brought the idea upfront since it was merely the english translation for 'images à la sauvette") and how it can apply in photograpphy more generally.<br /> It is very important what Ton recall, that HCB was primary a painter, and more specifically an artist inspired and nourrished by surrealism. There is confusion on the fact that he long time claimed to be a photojournalist, but that was mainly because of Capa persuading him that nobody would be interested in if he would present himself as a surrealist artist. Indeed HCB did not really care about the facts and he said he found them 'boring'. But he was obsessed by what he would often call "geometry" and the idea of decisive moment for HCB could apply as the the exact moment when geometry is here, according to his own architect-like vision, which could only occur a fraction of second (and the fraction of second is what would make a difference between an average picture to a good one).<br /> <br /> So to me the whole idea of decisive moment refer more to a "style", a vision rather than intrinsic quality of facts captured. Every photographer has her/his own 'decisive moments'. In other words I believe it has more to do with the vision than the facts.<br /> <br /> So are 'decisive moments' rare ? yes and no... A moment/time of reality can offer (or not) decisive moment for a specific vision. When Helen Levitt did the image of 4 girls with bubbles it is of course a decisive moment, consistent to her vision. But when <a href="http://www.moma.org/collection_images/resized/274/w500h420/CRI_11274.jpg">Lee Friedlander did the portrait of his wife with the car</a> it is also a decisive moment (I mention Friedlander because he is often presented as a non-decisive moment photographer)<br /> <br /> Furthermore I believe that the decisive moment is what makes an image tell of its author or at least her/his vision. For that reason I am not very sure to be able to pinpoint decisive moment in my photographs. Maybe I should refer more to the feeling that I recall from the shoot. so it could include those ones:<br /> <br /> <a href="http://my.1x.com/media/xlarge/30795.jpg">http://my.1x.com/media/xlarge/30795.jpg</a><br>

or this one:<br>

<img src="http://my.1x.com/media/large/36345.jpg" alt="" width="366" height="550" /> <br /> <br /> ... can be examples of moments that worked for me.<br /> <br /> /j</p>

<p>Thanks Mike,</p>

<p>Hi Gabor,<br /> <br /> Nice capture overall, though the lady's expression is not very strong. Would have been better if you had the twins more, by shooting from lower vantage point IMO. Also I think if you had shot a bit earlier the composition would have benefit from more depth, because of more plans (1.post / 2. Lady+children and 3. background). Here you have 2 separate plans with nothing in between and it crushes the perspective in some way.<br /> <br /> I don't get the square crop here and think it weakens the impact. It makes it a bit cramped and lacks of space - especially on top.<br /> <br /> /jacques<br /> <br /> My submission:<br /> <img src="http://my.1x.com/media/xlarge/35724.jpg" alt="" width="825" height="550" /></p>

<p>Thanks guys,<br>

Thanks for checking my PF Ton and for giving me hints on how it is organized here. I've just add my 2cts to the review tread (hope it is the correct one...)</p>

<p><img src="http://my.1x.com/media/large/37513.jpg" alt="" width="366" height="550" /><br>

Mass Ave - during supposed storm ;)</p>

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<p>Hi Maddy,<br /> <br /> If you want to do in the style of Winogrand you got to be very close with wide angle (that makes long legs!) but as said above it is better you do it your own way - though I would suggest to avoid long telephoto.<br /> <br /> First have an observation round, just to feel the mood, wherever you are (5th, Madison, Soho...). You need to be relax, it is very important. Keep your camera in hand and be obvious - at least don't try to hide like paparazzi. Try to isolate interesting gestures, such as a woman hailing a taxi or whatever that stands out. Too many people walk on the street speaking their handphone today, it is rarely an interesting, vital attitude. Also it is often better to have most of the body visible for the kind of shot want I think. Having just a face out of the blurry crowd could make 1 or 2 nice shots but is quickly boring. Also think about some reflections shot, could be nice. Think to compose something with the scenery around. Busy backgrounds are allowed for street but it is better to come up with legible composition.<br /> <br /> And most importantly: have fun!<br>

/j</p>

<p>Hi,<br>

I am new on photo.net. I am an amateur photographer, french, living in the Boston area. I like many genres of photography but what I like to do the most for myself is street - it's fun!<br>

My portfolio is here: http://jophilippe.1x.com/<br /> Also I recently started a blog about photography here: http://jophilippe.wordpress.com/<br>

<br /> cheers,<br>

/j</p>