Urban Photography - Trying a different stylistic approach.

SteveOBHave · 21 Jan 2013 at 04:24

I've done a little urban stuff but usually approach it from a more saturated and bright perspective. I'm attempting to push myself out a little more as urban photography has been one of those subject matters that I've found pretty dull. I often find myself wandering around a city looking at things thinking "that might be interesting as a photo" but always having it in the back of my mind that I'll get home, biff it into LR, and realise that it's boring because it's 'just another building' or 'just another wall'.

I thought I'd have a go at it though - I don't think that I've done terribly well from a composition point of view and I also had to contend with only having a 50mm on my camera. Feel free to fire away on the critique.

Ironically it was a pretty dull day with very diffuse light so I've not tried to colour it up in any way hence the muted saturation and black and white treatments.

Graffiti by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

Blind Bunny by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

Graffiti by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

Moody by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

Muso Bunnies by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

Skyline by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

Up by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

Albion St by Steve ten Have, on Flickr

pingu666 · 21 Jan 2013 at 05:14

i like the bunnies

James J · 21 Jan 2013 at 16:52

Personally I'd get a circular polarising filter and pick a day with an interesting sky for the building shots.

Devrij · 21 Jan 2013 at 17:15

I know exactly what you mean. I've recently done the same thing and am trying to work on my compo in urban shooting. I tend to stick with architectural stuff for now because it's easier to play with symmetry and shadows, but I am trying to make the street stuff less messy.

The big challenge for me is composing everything quickly without having some glaring distraction ruining it that I only spot when I get home eg "oh man, I wish I had moved to the left so that lamp post wasn't cutting that guy in half" etc.

I actually like the 50mm on a crop for urban because it makes me think a bit more and pick out details.

SteveOBHave · 21 Jan 2013 at 21:13

James J said:
Personally I'd get a circular polarising filter and pick a day with an interesting sky for the building shots.

Yeah - it's not really about the buildings in as much as architecture, it's more about the imagery but it's also about being able to make the most out of the light you have and slapping a CPL on the lens and then waiting for a day that suits you doesn't really push your photography does it

Besides dull diffuse light makes all the detail kick out and makes for some really nice subtle shadows. It's just about learning how to get it to come together.

Devrij said:
I know exactly what you mean. I've recently done the same thing and am trying to work on my compo in urban shooting. I tend to stick with architectural stuff for now because it's easier to play with symmetry and shadows, but I am trying to make the street stuff less messy.

The big challenge for me is composing everything quickly without having some glaring distraction ruining it that I only spot when I get home eg "oh man, I wish I had moved to the left so that lamp post wasn't cutting that guy in half" etc.

I actually like the 50mm on a crop for urban because it makes me think a bit more and pick out details.

Yep - sounds like we're on the same page. There's a real knack to it and I think boiling down the simplicity is the tough bit. Apparently part of the trick with the people shots is picking your scene and then camping out till the moving element moves across it. I've yet to find a good spot for that purpose.

Devrij · 22 Jan 2013 at 07:17

SteveOBHave said:
Yep - sounds like we're on the same page. There's a real knack to it and I think boiling down the simplicity is the tough bit. Apparently part of the trick with the people shots is picking your scene and then camping out till the moving element moves across it. I've yet to find a good spot for that purpose.

I'm usually on my way to/from work so camping isn't an option for me, but I can certainly see how it makes sense to set up your canvas and just wait for all the elements to line up. I want to do something with commuters, but I'm drawing a blank

SteveOBHave · 22 Jan 2013 at 07:56

Yeah me too but I have some serious issues with sticking a camera in a strangers face that I need to get over, either that or get a longer lens.

Clown · 22 Jan 2013 at 09:20

I need to do more street photography!

King Damager · 22 Jan 2013 at 09:43

SteveOBHave said:
Yeah me too but I have some serious issues with sticking a camera in a strangers face that I need to get over, either that or get a longer lens.

Have this exact problem! I tend to be uncomfortable with it, even when I've got a 24-105 on. All shots are taken at the 105 end, and even then I'm not the most comfortable...

kd

AtticusFinch · 22 Jan 2013 at 13:34

On the sticking your camera in other people's face thing - that's a reason why rangefinders or cameras with an electronic leaf shutter were so great for urban shooting before digital came along. SLR's by comparison are big, black (usually) lumps that have huge (compartively) chuncks of glass hanging off the front of them and they make lots of noise compared with leaf shutters.

Rangefinders are great as you can see with the eye you're not using to frame the image through tthe rangefinder which asisst in composition etc.

The closest comparison without buying an M9 and soem seriously expensive glass is probably to stick to the DSLR and a prime between 24 -50mm - on a crop I'd recommend a 24-35mm max and try walking aorund and thinking about coposition more.

mrk · 24 Jan 2013 at 09:53

While some find it difficult to point an SLR in the direction of people in the street it does get a lot easier the more you do it! It also comes to the point where you start to see people who would give interesting pictures and won't mind having their picture taken if they do spot you. It does involve actually going and shooting instead of sitting and worrying about what they might say if you get someone who's a bit grumpy though

Just takes a bit of time that's all!

Edit*
I think the most in your face I've been is this on the Tube:

She looked approachable so I asked to take the picture, the man she was with was confused at first

Jolteh · 24 Jan 2013 at 14:28

AtticusFinch said:
The closest comparison without buying an M9 and soem seriously expensive glass is probably to stick to the DSLR and a prime between 24 -50mm - on a crop I'd recommend a 24-35mm max and try walking aorund and thinking about coposition more.

I think the Fuji X-series would be a closer comparison than the M9, which is way outside most mortal's price range.

I've got an X100 and I love it. Small, quiet (leaf shutter), rangefinder and really good image quality.

AtticusFinch · 24 Jan 2013 at 17:16

Small and quiet

Jolteh said:
I think the Fuji X-series would be a closer comparison than the M9, which is way outside most mortal's price range.

I've got an X100 and I love it. Small, quiet (leaf shutter), rangefinder and really good image quality.

Agreed - the M9's not a "on a whim purchase"! Anything without a mirror slapping-away is a good start

SteveOBHave · 24 Jan 2013 at 20:40

Heh - my biggest problem with the little cameras is having someone take you seriously if you ask to take of photo of them. Insert "roll eyes - tourists!"