Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Travelling man sat under a tree on a blazing hot day trying to cool off. Temperature under the sun well in excess of 100 F
Our hero had to be lit by software due to the dense shade afforded by his chosen tree.

For your consideration

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ozdude Loc: Brisbane Australia

Great composition, great subject, nice feeling. My only question is where is his other flip flop??

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

That's why he has stick my man he hops everywhere lol
Thanks for dropping by fella and trust all is well with you.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

A good capture under difficult circumstances Mr. Spad. Easier to show than explain. Not sure how to explain it but the whole photo appears a bit washed out to me. I feel you could get a little more out of it if you tried. It could be more crisp, not sharper but somehow cleaner if that makes any sense. It is as if there is a almost invisible thin layer of fog, as I said hard to explain.

ozdude Loc: Brisbane Australia

Yes mate all good. Still trying to get those BIG landscapes. LOL

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Got a vague idea what you mean bro. Here is the version given the trademark Billy treatment. What your used to I suppose. Version originally posted was dusty old guy in dusty old place so left it more natural.
See if ya like version 2 any better

(Download)

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Cannot take it away from an Aussie they are triers. They even try and win the Ashes!!!!!!!
Keep safe my friend

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

very cool image Billy. I kept coming back to it. I don't have the nerve to wander around and snap where ever I want. I assume you were walking... Looks like it was a hot, hot day.

You must be like me, in that the crack of dawn is NOT when the energy for such a walk happens. Hot be damned. I like the shade colors - his shirt, his skin very much. He has a presence.

I imagine he has seen you about as much as you have seen him about. Tell us what it is like wandering around with a camera. Even though I own one, it is a foreign experience for me and I am truly curious. Also, what went through your mind in selecting the shot (deciding to shoot it)? What went through your mind in deciding to work on it? And what did you decide to do when you DID decide to work it?

Sincerely Curious!

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

It is better Mr. Spad but still seems murky. How about a dropbox link to show you what I mean?

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Just post it here fella. Im cool with that.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Probably should have cut back on the saturation but mainly wanted to show the fog cleared or what ever it is I am trying to described.

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Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Good day young Sir I will try and satisfy your curiosity if I can.
I can certainly understand anyone's reluctance to point a camera at a perfect stranger but after you have done it a few times its easy. Its really about facing a fear we all have but once you have faced it the problem goes completely. Im 64 and only within the past few weeks have I conquered the fear I had of dental treatment. Whilst a regular at the dentist I had always had to be sedated for treatment. Met a dentist here who persuaded me to try local anesthesia and suddenly because I faced it head on all fear of the needle and the drill has gone. Its a similar thing with street portraits. If you want to do it you just have to shake off the initial negative feelings and go for it.

Like you I'm not an early snapper usually so I was just cruising around on a little scooter I have and spotted this guy under his tree. I had seen him around but the pose appealed. So its just a case of stop and walk up to him trying to look friendly and guessing he probably spoke no English point at the camera and then at him. At first like many he shook his head so I do something daft then like slump my shoulders pull a very disappointed face etc. At this point 99% of those who say no relent and like this guy give a small smile or even a big grin at the crazy white mans behavior. Once he smiles he is yours but work quickly in case he gets bored or changes his mind. Actually very few people say no most are flattered. If they ever ask why I want to take their picture I again act daft and say something like cos you look like Tom Cruise or Angelina Jolie for a woman. That always gets a laugh and gets em on board. Even non English speakers know those two film stars.
I think to get away with it you need to REALLY like people. I am fascinated by humans their achievements their heroics and their stupidity all constantly amaze me. Im not really a people watcher that's too easy and a good hobby for a voyeur. I like to get among them and interact as much as I can. I live in a community that is still under development so new folks are moving in all the time and I love that. I want to meet them talk about life with them discover what makes them tick etc. Mrs Billy calls it being nosey lol. However my lady is a very quiet introverted type of person who can be a little shy. I do not possess
a shy bone in my body.
So if you want to give it a try just remember 99.99999% of people are wonderful. The very worse thing any of your intended targets can say to you is F... Off. Thats the worse that can happen and believe me never does.
My plans for PP only develop after downloading and generally I will just try and show the person in a natural way. Unless the background is desperately cluttered etc I like to leave it as it was.
Street is often done candidly ie the street musician preacher on a corner or girl lighting a cigarette. I prefer in close and personal so purposely set off with just a 35 mm prime lens on the camera so I'm forced into getting close to the potential model and certainly within plain view.
So I hope that explains a little its a genre that is not for everyone. If the urge to attempt it comes over you just remember you very rarely meet a genuinely hostile individual. We actually are quite a wonderful species.

pfrancke Loc: cold Maine

Thank you Billy for sharing how you do it. Your story was fascinating and I found myself grinning ear-to-ear the whole way through!!!

Billyspad Loc: The Philippines

Its what I guessed you meant. Its lost the feel of shade for me and maybe cos that's what attracted me to the whole scene its not the way I wanted to go with the shot. If I was entering in a competition or such like then your way would be the way to go. Nothing wrong with giving folks what they want or expect. But as an image purely to please me I would keep it with the understated look.

What you have done rather well is demonstrate how light can be introduced via software and how all the talk of photographing light capturing light etc is eyewash. With skilled use of software how much light where it falls what colour it is etc can all be manufactured and invariably is.

Frank2013 Loc: San Antonio, TX. & Milwaukee, WI.

Don't know if this is any better but I think I understand your shade comment. When I posted the first I had not noticed the color getting away as I was too intent on clearing the look.

(Download)