Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

In a Main Photography thread asking about where to go and what to see in Alaska I posted this image with a title saying it is an example of Street Photography in Barrow Alaska.

I figured it might be of interest here too just because of the other thread.

On a street in Barrow Alaska

(Download)

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

Easy to read expressions,very nice!

donrent Loc: Punta Gorda , Fl

They're waiting for the light to change so they can cross the street ?

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Have to wait for a signal light to be installed!

About 25 years ago a manual light was installed at the entrance to the elementary school, but eventually it was disabled and kids are not encouraged to walk across the street. They take the bus just like other kids. Kids are not released from the bus without visual contact with a supervising adult at the home. It's a safety issue for days when there are polar bears or when it is -40.

Pierre H.J. Dumais Loc: Mississippi Mills, Ont.

I like it!

pierre

Nightski

A very nice portrait of mother and daughter, Floyd. Love the way you blurred the background .. judging by the nice bokeh you must have a great portrait lens. One little nit pic .. if you had waited for mama to look up at you a bit more in a moment when she is not biting her lip .. it is a cute expression though. Perhaps it brings forth her personality. The top part of her glasses are covering her eyes though. That should be avoided in portraits.

Franku Loc: Wallingford, PA and Parrish, Fl

Nice photo, Floyd.

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

The image was shot at f/6 and 420mm using a Tamron 150-600mm lens. It is not posed and I had no control over the expressions. A large part of the character of this image is exactly the angle and expression on the mother's face and how it differs from the child. A good example of capturing the moment.

If I could change it I wouldn't touch a thing. Mindlessly adhering to rules produces mediocre pablum. The way to compose an image is not to consult the rule book, but to look at the image. Compose for effect!

Nightski

hmmm .. every pro street photog I know uses a 35mm or shorter lens. Interesting, Apaflo .. street from far away .. kind of a voyeuristic type of street photography, eh?

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Try learning more about Street in specific, but more about photography in general.

First you said I must have used a very nice portrait lens, but when told the focal length was 420mm you suggest candid Street is somehow voyeuristic! The photograph hadn't changed... When people talk in illogical circles like that it pretty much suggests the only purpose is to bully the other person.

Name even one famous Street photog that always used 35mm or less. I can't think of even one... There are many who never did!

For this shot I had just been out on the tundra looking for birds. The location is about 1/4 mile from the edge of town. I saw the potential, parked the 4-wheeler at the side of the road and started shooting. Out of dozens of shots that day, and over two dozen of that one scene, this is the one that was posted to my web site.

DaveO Loc: Northeast CT

:thumbup: :thumbup: Thanks much! I enjoyed it.

RichardQ Loc: Colorado

Striking image, Apaflo! The little girl's costume is remarkable (how many layers?), and the mother's black outfit surprised me. I expected lighter colors with patterns like those favored by Native Americans. The light is perfect for a shot like this, and the focus makes them almost three-dimensional IMHO.
:thumbup: :thumbup:

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Thank you to everyone for the interesting comments!

Here's something to add to it. Below is the first shot in a series of 32 exposures. This was the widest angle and shortest focal length of the series. Exif shows it was at a 190mm focal length and the focus distance was 89 meters. The previously posted image was 420mm and the distance 37 meters. The last shot in the series was at a focus distance of 28 meters, with the two directly along side (and the little girl looking at herself reflected off the side door) of the black truck on the right in this picture. So while I snapped away they walked about 60 meters. At some times there were trucks on the road coming from behind them and moving towards me. When they moved farther to the side of the road only the mother was visible, with the daughter hidden behind that black truck on the right. The truck pulling the boat is parked and did not move.

There are perhaps 10 images with the two of them clear of all obstacles behind and right or left.

The "blank" background beyond the fence is the aircraft terminal area at the Wiley Post-Will Rogers Memorial Airport (two general aviation aircraft are visible, but not clearly). In this image there are four general aviation hangars on the left side. The larger jet aircraft use space at the opposite end too far away to see in this image.

This shot is straight out of the camera, but it is more genuinely Street Photography.

Full scene when shooting started.

Pierre H.J. Dumais Loc: Mississippi Mills, Ont.

I like it even more now with the background you've provided and your comments about being aimlessly hidebound to the rules. We need more of this.
Thanks Floyd.

pierre

Apaflo Loc: Anchorage, Alaska

Thank you for mentioning that!

Remembering a Rule is one thing. Understanding photographic composition is a whole different issue. I don't know of a good way to describe the difference, even with a book length essay. Here are two attempts by past photographers that I respect:
If those statements make sense, it means a person understands composition. As long as it sounds sort of smarty-pants, it means a person understands rules.

For example, knowing about the Rule of Thirds is a part of the learning process. But using a grid to lay out an image, or measuring to see where the 1/3rd lines are drawn, is a waste of time and demonstrates a misunderstanding about how to compose an image.