Street Photography Challenge!
May 26th, 2012 § 1 Comment
You decide!!!
Ok I enjoy a challenge when it comes to street photography, but I am going to let YOU decide what my challenge is.
The only way I will accept your suggestion/challenge, is to leave a comment here and I will see what I can do, within reason…
Creative thinking…
May 20th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Making a standard object more interesting using creativity…
Quite often when I feel creative, I will set myself challenges. The challenge was to take something ordinary and make it extraordinary.
Below is a photo I had taken of a kids slide.
By walking in and around, working with angles I was able to capture the photo below.
The soft light from the heavy overcast clouds, helped to make this photo. And very often it is the elements that help to add the finishing touch.
More of my creative work can be found here.
Photo-shoot with Joe Manson
May 19th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
While keeping myself out of my comfort zone in photography…
I decided to use flash while shooting Joe Manson on his bike. I have always been a lover of natural light, and often opposed to flash, however using off camera flash, I have been converted. 
My set-up was one manual flash speed light, 2 radio triggers and my DSLR. The sky was heavy overcast, and while that great diffused light is perfect for portraits, I needed a bit of an energetic contrasting feel to my pre-visualised shots of Joe. I asked Joe what his favourite moves and roots where at the bike park. The reason being I wanted to capture a true reflection of what Joe does best and not some uncomfortable jump or pose that really was not him.
The first jump was this one below, and I was amazed at the height he could go.
Because of my photography experience I don’t have to rely on burst mode, I can obtain the shot I want from pushing the shutter once and capturing a single photo of the moment and peak of the jump. It is important to be engaged mentally as when as physically when on a photo shoot, and not relying on the camera to make decisions but you being in fully manual and in total control, meaning the lens, the camera and the flash are on manual.
Whilst I love the gritty contrasting black and white urban shots, like the photo above, on the second jump, where Joe went up in the air but spun his handle bars 360 degrees before landing. I noticed his hooded top was almost the same colour as the graffiti on the ramp, and so kept this shot in colour, as to emphasise more Joe to his environment. As you can see the off camera flash helped to separate Joe from the dull background, and rightly so, as he was the focus of attention. The flash done exactly what I needed in highlighting Joe’s face and bike, as shown in the photo below.
I hope that gives you an idea of what went into the photos. I would also like to thank Joe Manson.
If you would photographs of you engaged in your hobby/lifestyle, a photo saying this is who I am and to show the family in the future. Drop me an email (zenowatson@yahoo.com) and we can come to an arrangement.
Behind the photo 004
May 18th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
I am talking about the FED2 analog camera.
I would like to thank the people who have sent me messages, left comments here on my Blog, on Youtube , Twitter and on Flickr about wanting me to do more Behind the Photo videos. Thank you for your support and encouragement.
More info on my FED2 camera can be found here
A slideshow showing photos from my FED2 camera can be found here.
Zeno
Street Portraiture V’s Street Photography
May 12th, 2012 § 3 Comments
Is there a difference… Yes!
I was out for a few hours in the streets of Glasgow today, capturing the public going about their life. I vary from shooting through the view finder to shooting from the hip when capturing people, and aim for an unposed / natural photo, such as the photo below.
However I was not satisfied with this Street Photography capture above, and I had to make a split second decision there and then, in speaking to this chap as he quickly walked past.
I have to stress he was not promoting anything or a street entertainer. I said to him that I am sorry to disturb him, but that he looked dapper, and would he mind me taking his photo. He kindly agreed, but gave me the impression he was in a bit of a rush, giving me a couple of seconds and permission to capture his portrait as seen below.
There are just times when a portrait of a stranger with their permission is just a stronger photo. It is up to you as a Street Photographer to know when to do Street Photography and when to do Street Portraiture.
Some people may have a problem with me capture a photo of them without permission, and some people have a problem with a posed shot. I don’t care… It is the visualisation and photo I am interested in, at the end of the day.
For the Street Photographers who do not like to confront strangers, I say you need to get out your comfort zone. So long as you are being nice and honest, the majority of strangers will allow you to take photograph. And if they refuse then walk on and do not give up on asking someone else.
Increasing your hit rate
May 11th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
How to obtain more keepers in Street Photography.
As usual in my blog I like to keep it straight to the point and not waffle too much.
So here is my top 10 tips:
1. Always have your camera with you, switched on, and lens cap off.
2. Keep an eye out for distractions, as they will distract from the photo
3. Don’t rely on autofocus, as 9/10 times the camera will focus on the background (if shooting from hip)
4. Use manual settings for full control, and use them without thinking, but knowing.
5. My personal preference, but keep your shutter speed 1/250th or faster.
6. Keep an eye on the lighting conditions. (Direct sun, clouds, shaded area) manually adjust settings
7. Always anticipate / pre-visualise.
8. A strong photo is unusual, funny, emotional, memorable, tells a story, is clever and not just a random snapshot.
9. Know your lens and camera’s personality (know their weak and strong points)
10. Go out training, like you would in a gym but train your techniques until it becomes a reflex. Practice!
If you would like me to expand on a point, drop me a comment, or if you want to add some of your own tips.
I did this because I care!
May 5th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Giving my time Moderating a great Street Photography community.
And that community is the Global Street Photography (GSP)
http://www.flickr.com/groups/1715482@N21/discuss/72157629607308838/#comment72157629608420664
Well done to those who made the cut!
Zeno
Big Mac
April 30th, 2012 § 2 Comments
Pushing my photographic boundaries further.
Big Mac by Zeno Watson
Colour on the Streets of Glasgow
April 28th, 2012 § Leave a Comment
Some more examples of my colour photography
95% of the time I will either shoot in Black & White film, or convert my digital photos to Black & White. However these are more examples of my work in all it’s colourful glory.
