Urban Photography - Trying a different stylistic approach.

[SteveOBHave]

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

 

[SteveOBHave]

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.

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.

 

[SteveOBHave]

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.

 

[SteveOBHave]

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!"