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Lesson in Rome

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Learning new concepts and immediately applying them to the real world is my favorite way to learn.  Each iteration of trial and error builds learning momentum that involves achievement and an abundance of failure, yet even the smallest measure of success is exhilarating and encourages further discovery.  That's how I spent my time on a brief, but spectacular side trip to Rome while vacationing in France this month. 

Eolo Perfido was my teacher.  I discovered his work a little over a year ago and his photographic style is very distinct in that he controls the frame by consciously eliminating the chaos.  Conceptually, that sounds easy to accomplish, but when you can't control the subjects or the lighting in your environment, and you're trying to create a compelling photograph, chaos is often just one click away.  

Our day started off with coffee and a conversation that included topics ranging from camera settings to optimizing success rate, to a discussion that included some of Eolo's work with concrete examples of his techniques and how they lead to interesting photographs. 

This was one of those conversations where I was striving to capture and remember every one of his spoken words.  My notes were cryptic and my sloppy penmanship made it all the more challenging to read at the end of our day.  I would end up re-writing my notes on the flight back to Paris that evening while everything was still fresh in mind.  

After an amazing conversation, we moved to the street.  I walked these same streets 16-years ago and forgot how beautiful Rome is. I was vaguely aware of the different neighborhoods we walked through, and the tourist sites that popped up along the way since most of my attention was centered on the concepts we discussed, and how to implement them into my workflow. 

Today, all of my shots would involve zone focusing.  I don't usually shoot this way and it's probably the equivalent of asking a golfer to change his grip, or a novice cook to leave the measuring spoons in the drawer and measure only with the eye. It's an adjustment that pushes you out of your comfort zone.

Simply put, zone focusing allows you to take pictures in focus with the correct exposure and shutter speed when all of your settings are optimized.  This allows you to fully concentrate on composing and waiting for the right moment to take the shot. You still need to pay attention to the light as you move from shade to full sun and back into shade, and you also have to pay attention to the distance between your camera and the subject.

I can still hear Eolo's voice as he would gently remind me, "one meter" which meant I was too close to my subject, and any picture taken would be out of focus.  Then another reminder to "change ISO" as our lighting conditions changed, or "eleven meters" which meant the subject across the street was too far away and would not be in focus. 

At first I was constantly failing, but I was also aware of why I was failing, and that gave me hope that improvement was still within reach.  I was also missing fabulous subject matter that I would have captured using my normal settings, and that made it all the more challenging to stick with this new way of shooting.  

I had my first taste of success in the photo below, and I knew it before I showed Eolo my creation.  It includes separation and symmetry which creates order in the scene.  It's far from perfect, but several incremental steps in the right direction.

After more trial and error, I had another success in the picture below.  We worked this scene for several minutes while trying to stay anonymous.  The guy leaning up against the wall of this building with the bag between his legs anchored the shot.  It was a matter of waiting for the right people to enter and leave the scene to capture an interesting image.

Italy is without a doubt the best place to capture gesture.  In the picture below, the harsh midday sun created deep shadows, but the dark background was exactly what I needed to establish a strong figure to ground relationship.

I like the symmetry in the picture below and the simple pattern of foot traffic.

Camera angle makes a big difference when framing a shot.  I held my camera over my head to get this next image.  That's why the guy on the right is looking at my camera with skeptical eyes while the woman facing us is expressing some form of "excuse me" as she cuts it close to the couple whose back is to the camera.  If I had shot this at eye level, I would have had a washed out sky and the picture would have looked very different.

I like to capture shots of people eating.  It's one of those rare moments in public when people let down their guard.  

I should have raised my camera over my head to capture this next image and eliminate the sky. It could have also elicited an interesting response from the subject, although I do like his sense of determination with the cigarette carefully placed between his fingers and the newspaper tucked securely under his other arm.

This woman walked out of a store and tried to engage the guy in front of me.  When I saw her move her left hand into a non-threatening position, I took the shot.  She also happened to be in mid-step.

I like the symmetry, the hand gestures and the facial expressions in the photo below.  I also like the texture of the cobblestone street.  

Anytime someone stands in a pose like the one below, I will take the picture.  In addition to the pose, I love all the noise in the background.  

I wish I could re-take the picture below.  There were few options for a less distracting background.  That's Eolo looking at the picture I wish I had.  

She was deep in thought and I took but one silent shot.

I really like the light in the photo below.  Notice the folds in the sleeves of his jacket, and the wrinkles around his eyes and forehead.  I also like the expression of wonder captured by his open mouth and crossed arms.

The fashion was incredible in Rome.  

If you've read previous posts of mine, you know I'm collecting images of hair going in all directions from the wind.  I'm thrilled the bird showed up at the last second to show off his feathers.

Like interesting poses, I will always shoot pictures of people on the run.  If only someone was chasing him.

A symmetrical sun salute below.

The shot below is is one of my favorite images of the day.  

In the next photo, I like the hat, the gesture and her expression which suggests there is something far more interesting up above than the babble rolling off his tongue.

I like the contrast of awe and sheer boredom and the artwork that seems to be balancing on the second woman's head.  

It was early afternoon when we started to head back to our original meeting point.  We were within two blocks of our final destination when my camera said, Memory Card Full. We walked eight miles though the streets of Rome, and this day will go down as one of my all-time favorite cultural and educational experiences.  

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Bonjour Paris

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I have no problem admitting I'm a Francophile.  It started after my first visit to Paris almost a decade ago, and ever since, France is like an open page that runs in the background of my life. It's been more than a year since the last time I was there - that is until this month. 

I spent the first two weeks of May in France.  My wife and I hiked from Dijon to Meursault, and of course we sampled many of the fabulous wines produced in this region known as Burgundy. After a week of hiking through vineyards and patches of forest, I was ready for the sites and sounds of my favorite city in the world, Paris.

This trip turned into a photographic lesson, and I'll address that in greater detail in another post.  In short, I made two technical changes to the way I normally shoot pictures.  I forced myself to zone focus the entire time which created new limits and new opportunities. I also set my aperture to F/11, and increased the ISO on my camera to boost my shutter speed that was set on automatic.  You will see some grain in the images below, and that's ok since this blog is about street photography, and not fine art.

Each time I return to Paris, I'm captivated by certain themes that translate into interesting images. Let's start with the cafe society.  I'm always looking at posture, and facial expressions for clues about the environmental vibe at each table.  If invited, which table would I want to join?

Love is another theme that's always in the air in Paris, and the challenge is being in the right place at the right time to capture it with a 28mm lens.  Here are a few shots taken from near and far.

Fashion is a highlight for photographers who shoot on the street.  An otherwise uninspiring setting suddenly becomes interesting when fashion enters the frame. Of course the ubiquitous scarfs are wrapped, tied and worn in so many creative ways.  On this trip, I also noticed how the older generation is just as eager to embrace the fashion world.  Not only do I like the colors and matching glasses the woman is wearing below, but she's also looking over the bridge of her glasses which is icing on the cake.

Here are a few more images to drive home the point that fashion is for everyone who wants to be a part of it.

My wife had a shopping list and one afternoon we headed to the Galeries Lafayette.  While she shopped, I walked the streets with my camera.  I noticed this sales clerk walking outside with a customer into the good light I had already discovered.  He brought a mirror and some cosmetics that he applied to the customer's face.  The following sequence picks up the story.

The Chinese tourists love this shopping center and they are both stylish and high powered shoppers.  It's more interesting to observe them outside the store where they seem to be more animated and boisterous.  They sure like to do a lot of pointing.

I took the next three pictures in Dijon.  In the first picture, I noticed some workers hauling bags of debris from a demolition project they were working on.  As the workers exited the building and approached the back of the vehicle, they would twist and turn 180 degrees, setting their load on the edge of the truck.  Someone inside the vehicle would re-postion the bags to optimize the payload.

I like the care-free look of this dog trotting down the pedestrian mall.  His owner is to the left with leash in hand.  

Finally, I like the variety of activity, modes of transportation, and the people who appear in the image below.  There's even the guy with long blonde hair positioning his body into a human comma to avoid the bicyclist on the right side of the photo.  I also like the leading lines and perspective created by the buildings.  The guy on the mono-wheel to the left of the frame entered the picture just as I released the shutter.  

These remaining images are a mash-up of random images from Paris that I find interesting.

Something to Smile About

Last weekend we had a blizzard and 16 inches of snow.  The airport closed and those who knew better stayed home.  A week later, it's now sunny and sixty degrees - it actually feels like the first day of spring.  I saw lots of smiling faces on the street today which partly reflects the optimism some people have as winter begins to fade.

For the first time in almost a year, our trio of street photographers met up to capture the day. I met Matt and Bill in Minneapolis for Record Store Day, an event to promote independent record stores.  One of the venues had live music which attracted a crowd to a side street cordoned off from traffic.  Here are some of the happy faces I saw at this event.

While I was positioning for a better photo opportunity, I couldn't pass up this scene.  I noticed three conversations in this layered view, so I took the picture.  

I like to capture pointing gestures, and it looks like everyone here is on the same page.

There was limited shelter from the sun and the shadows were dramatic at times.  Check out the shadow cast upon the woman's face from her glasses in the photo below.  I also like her quizzical expression amplified by the tilt of her head, and her slightly open mouth. 

Not everyone was smiling as you can see in the image above and the next series of shots below.  Either the hair, the hat or the facial expression caught my attention. 

The guy in the last shot was entertaining to watch.  Of course I liked his hat.  At one point I noticed him turning to check-in with his friend.  Their eye's met and neither one said anything for a few seconds.  Then he grabbed her ankle.  He seemed to have no idea what he was trying to accomplish, and she was just as befuddled.  It dissolved into nothing.

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Bad Hair Day

When I got up this morning and looked out the window to an overcast sky, it was difficult to muster any excitement about making photographs . The trees were shaking in the wind and a thin coating of snow had fallen overnight turning patches of brown grass white again. It would be easy to stay home on a day like this, but I needed the practice, and I forced myself out the door and into the wind and snow. I also felt a kick as I thought about how many times photography had invaded my thoughts while at work this week, and now I had a chance to feed this creative fire despite the less than ideal conditions.

As I headed towards downtown Minneapolis, the sun popped out, and I decided to embrace the overnight gifts from Mother Nature. Today would be a chance to capture hairdos re-imagined by the wind, and so the search was on.

As I arrived, It appeared everyone had the same idea to stay indoors since the streets were nearly deserted.  I did manage to capture one image in line with today's theme, and since it's often windy in this part of the country, I decided this subject would make a great side project with plenty of opportunities to practice in this wind tunnel we call Minneapolis. 

March for Our Lives

I thought I would find some great photo opportunities at the March for Our Lives rally at the state Capitol this morning. Unfortunately, I arrived too late to capture the students as they marched through downtown St. Paul where the tall buildings would hide the gray skies, and make for more interesting backgrounds.

Once I realized I was late to the party, I made my way to the Capitol grounds where I found myself getting drawn into the event and listening to speeches, and even forgetting at times I was there to take photographs.

Throughout the morning, I was intrigued by the messages as well as the creativity that went into producing some of the signs. I was also surprised by my reaction to the messaging on each sign based upon who was carrying it. Signs in the hands of kids and grandparents seemed to deliver more of a jolt.

Here are some other crowd shots that have more of a street photography expression to them. I like to capture moments when people are pointing in a direction other than where they are looking.  For the couple in the next photo, it feels like a personal moment.  Then, I like the balance conveyed by the coffee cups, and the expression of each open mouth in the following picture. Moving to the next two shots, they're all about the cold.  The color of the baby's cheeks was lost in black and white, so I left this photo in color. Finally, I can't resist taking pictures of people wearing hats.

iPhone Stand-In

I spent a weekend in Los Angeles for a mini-family reunion, and I left my camera at home knowing there would be no opportunity to shoot on the street.  Other than a few vacation snap shots with my phone, there were no street worthy opportunities until we pulled into Santa Monica on Saturday.  The late afternoon sun was low in the sky, the temperatures were hovering in the upper 40s, and the gusts of wind blowing on-shore from the Pacific Ocean were too much to ignore.  The wind chill actually made us feel right at home.

After a brief walk in the sand and among beach athletes flexing their muscles and proving their agility, it was time to take refuge from the gusty winds.  We made our way to the Santa Monica pier, but quickly decided to follow the wind and settle for a place inland to warm up.

As we made our way on-shore, we passed an endless stream of people walking to the pier, and the lighting was too good to pass up.  Hair was flying everywhere and I pulled out my phone for the first time to shoot the street.  Yes, it was awkward trying to master this new form factor while operating in stealth mode, but it was also a fun challenge, and I already look forward to my next opportunity.  Meanwhile, here are a few images from that 5-minute walk.

Unfortunately, some of the images start to look a little ratty when they're enlarged, and it's for this reason that I disabled the Lightbox function that allows you to click or tap on these photos to make them bigger. 

Low Expectations

I didn't expect much today, in fact I purposely set low expectations so I could enjoy the first warm afternoon walking in temperatures that actually made it to 40 degrees.  I headed to St. Paul for a couple of hours with the goal of re-acquainting myself with my camera.  

I noticed this woman from across the street not only because of her red hat, her red jacket and her red purse, but also because of the shift in color palette and pattern that made up the rest of her outfit.  

I sensed she wasn't sure where she was going, and I decided to pass her when I took the first image in this post.  My plan was to get to the corner and turn around to walk back in her direction so I could capture the face behind this haute couture. Unfortunately, she ducked into a coffee shop and that's when I decided to moved on. 

It's a good thing these skateboarders were out strutting their stuff; otherwise, I wouldn't have had anything else to shoot.  My only regret when I ran into these guys is that I didn't work the scene.  Part of my reluctance stems from my previous experience shooting this subject matter. I have yet to come up with compelling images of skateboarding except for a previous post that included a picture of three skateboarders getting ticketed. 

In this case, I missed an opportunity to focus on the guy whose hands are together or the photographer with the helmet covered by the over-stretched knit hat.  I wish I would have spent more time talking to them to gain better access to closeup shots and portraits with their skateboards cradled in their arms.  Normally my instincts would have pushed me in this direction, but this is a form of mental oxidation that inevitably blooms when we fall out of practice with our sport, or our craft.

It was interesting to observe the passion these guys have for this activity.  They shot at least 15 takes while I was there, and the last picture gives you a sense of the hill they had to climb after each attempt to capture the perfect run with the video camera rolling.

All Thumbs

I knew I was in for a sloppy shoot today.  I haven't really used my camera since the middle of December, and many of my good habits have noticeably slipped after all this inactivity.  While the holidays are partly to blame for this hiatus, it's the frigid cold temperatures that have dominated our weather and driven everyone inside for the last four or five weeks. Today it was 40 degrees, and it almost felt like sweater weather after all of the subzero days, yet I was surprised to see some people still bundled up like this woman wrapped in her hood.

I spoke to this construction worker who pulled down his face mask to answer my question when I asked him if he and his crew were from out-of-town.  I assumed he was from the sunbelt and still not used to our weather.  To my surprise, he said he lived here.

As for those good habits that have started to slip, first and foremost, I felt a disconnect with the focal length of my lens.  I was consistently too far away from my subjects and I need to close the gap.  That will correct itself once I'm back to my regular shooting schedule.  

I also noticed a decline in my reaction time.  I felt flat footed and missed my chance to make several images.  That too is something I can recover from with regular practice.

Downtown Minneapolis was teaming with construction workers in preparation for the Super Bowl.  There are all kinds of temporary structures on Nicollet Mall in various states of completion as the activities for the big event get underway this Friday.

Here are a few more images from today's outing.

Itch to Shoot

My last outing was a bust.  Then came the Christmas holiday which meant putting my camera away for a few days.  The temperatures have since plummeted and there's no hope of seeing it warm above zero for the next two days.  Yes, it’s brutally cold and hard to think about leaving the house, let alone taking a walk outside to shoot photographs.  Despite the weather, too much time has slipped away since I last used my camera, and now I’ve got the itch to shoot.

There’s an important birthday on Tuesday for which I still need to shop, so earlier today I carried my camera with me as I completed these last minute errands.  I spent only a few minutes waiting around in the cold for an interesting subject, and quickly surrendered to Mother Nature which is why I have nothing to share.  

It's New Year’s Eve, and I've had plenty of time to reflect on my photographic achievements this year while setting new goals to accomplish next year.  Here's to my readers and their creative pursuits, and may you realize your artistic goals in 2018.  Happy New Year!

Cheers!!

Between Shadows

I got a late start on this cold Saturday where the wind was more of a challenge than the air temperature.  I was also on my own which makes for a different experience on the street.  At this time of year the sun hangs low in the sky and the shadows are long.  To my surprise, there weren't a lot of people walking around, so I decided to made it a point to search for good light, position myself in the right spot, and wait for an interesting subject.  

It didn't take long for the guy with blonde hair to walk in front of me.  I like the play in contrast between his light hair and the dark background and that same contrast in reverse with his shadow.  

As the wind whipped, I decided to keep walking.  I passed a guy on the sidewalk roasting chestnuts on a grill which smelled fabulous, and then I ran into three older guys from out of town who were standing on the curb at an intersection, and hoping to get directions to a nearby sports bar.  

When I approached these guys, I was holding my camera against my chest in what I would describe as a ready position, and with shoulders relaxed, I continued to hold this position while we talked.  As I faced them standing slightly off to one side, I was also standing close enough to view the Google map on one of their phones.  Of course I clicked off a few frames (my camera has a silent shutter) and was now hopeful that I had my best shot of the day.  As we separated, there was just one image I was excited about, and I couldn't wait to check it out. For a full city block, I resisted all temptations to look before I caved.

During one brief moment with these guys, the one who was standing closest to me had extended his right arm to point in the direction of the bar, and the other two guys leaned in with partially squinted eyes to sight down the length of his arm. At eye level, I saw an amazing image, but that extended arm also happened to be at the same level as my camera lens, and all I got was a full frame of coat sleeve.  

Many steps later, I noticed two guys walking in my direction.  Each had a different crop of facial hair, and I thought the white beard would translate well in black and white.  Besides the penetrating stare, I like how each guy is looking in a direction that crosses the other's line of sight.  I also like the subtle reflection in the storefront windows of the buildings from across the street.

I limited myself to just 2-hours of shooting this day, and time was running out.  As I walked down the newly developed Nicollet Mall, I heard the familiar sound of a skateboarder moving quickly in my direction.  I turned around and saw this interesting scene.  I like the rim lighting on the subject and of course his long shadow. It was a nice way to wrap up this urban adventure.

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48 Hours in NYC

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It was 12:05 Friday afternoon when I stepped onto the streets of New York City with my camera.  This was my second solo visit this year, and what I hope will become an annual tradition just to make photographs. There are unlimited opportunities to make great images here, and the cast of characters span a spectrum of imagination in a setting where fashion knows no limits.  Add to this the multiple layers of cultural diversity and architectural wonder, and it's easy to feel the buzz of energy here.  Mindful of my short visit, it was time to drink it all in with gusto.   

The Lower East Side was my base camp, and I was on a mission to pick up where I left off on my previous trip.  I took the subway to Bryant Park and was stunned to see the beautiful green lawn pulled up.  All that remained was dirt, sand piles and some heavy equipment.  After 10 seconds of disappointment, I saw my first image of the day.  Her animated arms drew lots of attention, and that's when I let my camera dangle from my neck strap with my finger on the shutter release.  I could see she was taking a phone call, and since she was looking down at her phone, I needed to point my camera up for this opportunity.

After a lap around this city park with no grass, I stopped inside the New York Public Library. Since it was such a beautiful fall day, I was antsy to get back outside.  I did a quick tour knowing I would return on a future trip, and made my way to the Chrysler building to check out the art deco lobby.  After a brief interval, I was off to Grand Central Station.  Once again I felt restless inside, and as I was making my way out, I discovered some great light and hung around for a few minutes and captured this hugging sequence.  The body language is interesting here, and I only wish I had been closer.

It was mid afternoon as I made my way up 5th Avenue to Central Park.  I saw so many great opportunities that I couldn't take advantage of because of the swarm of tourists.  I had to remind myself I was part of that swarm. Once I made it inside Central Park, the crowd thinned. I tacked on a few extra miles traversing the lower half of the Park and made it as far as the Met.  Here are a few images I captured along the way.

I almost passed this Asian couple in deep sleep before I stopped and took the picture.  In the next photograph, I love the juxtaposition of hands as the kid seems to be completely charmed by the ballerina.  The woman reading a book was taken in the Sheep Meadow area of the park. I saw the guy on the bike at the last minute and what caught my attention was his cane in the front basket of his bike. Then I noticed his concentration, his winter jacket and the rolled-up legs of his pants.  I found good light at Bethesda Terrace and was waiting for a subject to walk through my frame.  The woman with blonde hair has a pensive look about her while bathed in fabulous light.  I call the last image "New York Minute" and I like the expressive way the woman has turned her head to see the man's watch. 

The Met was part of my plan before I left Minneapolis.  There was a Rodin exhibit I wanted to see and so many paintings from the masters to absorb before the museum closed at 9pm. When I first stepped inside the museum, I started to think about my feet.  They were killing me. I realized I had reached a point where I no longer wanted to stand for the rest of the evening. Given the circumstances, it was an easy decision, but a heavy burden to endure.  

It was starting to get late, and I had never been on the rooftop to look over Central Park and across the impressive skyline, and now I was there to see it all just before sunset.  It was about this time that I realized I was famished and it was time to eat.  

With food on the brain, I found a great Mediterranean quick-serve restaurant that fit the bill. As good as the food was at nine at night, I think I felt more joy in being off my feet.  Before I left the restaurant, I scoped out the nearest subway station on my phone to avoid any wasted steps getting there.  As I climbed into bed, I knew I had walked a lot.  My watch said 12.5 miles.  No wonder I fell asleep with the light on.

The next day I was out the door at seven and headed to Chinatown.  I was on my way first to Columbus Park to capture any early morning group activities including ping pong.  The sun was bright and still low in the sky which made for dramatic shadows as you can see in the next two pictures.  In the second image, the father and older son were working on junior to settle his temper. 

As I entered Columbus Park, this guy was sunning his legs and working on his core.  How 'bout that smile? Life is all about attitude.

The guy, who's playing ping pong in the images below, is now a familiar figure. I photographed him on my previous trip, and he was just as interesting then.  I like his hand and facial gestures, and he makes all kinds of interesting sounds each time he prepares to return the volley. I'm going to bring him a print or two with the hope of getting even closer to the action on my next trip.  

I left the park and further down the road I noticed lots of clear plastic bags filled with aluminum cans spread out on the sidewalk.  What caught my eye was the non-stop stream of bags tossed up to street level and ushered further along the sidewalk before each was hurled onto a waiting truck.  I was surprised to discovered an older woman was the muscle behind these flying bags coming from the basement chock full of aluminum cans.  When I took the two pictures below, this crew called a brief timeout to count the inventory, and as soon as the woman knew I was taking pictures, it was game over.

Here are a few more images I captured on my morning walk through Chinatown. The cop was trying to confiscate the woman's bike.  He was also asking her for proof of citizenship and she was either pleading the 5th, couldn't speak English, or a little of both.  The guy carrying the tray of coffee seemed to be offering words of encouragement while the cop and I were left out of the conversation.  Moving on, it's the scary eyes of the delivery guy that caught my attention in the next image.  I have no idea why one woman is crying in the last picture, but the friend seems to have a rather helpless look about her.  

As usual, when I took this last picture, I was very discreet.  I was wearing sunglasses and my head was turned toward the store front to the left of the scene, and I was only able to see these two out of the corner of my right eye.  I'm sure they had no idea I was taking their picture.   

In this next series, I love the genuine expression on the kid's face as he appeals to his mother. In the second frame, that man and woman earn the weekend award for the coolest pose by a couple, and finally, a teaching moment on the street.

In this last series, I passed this couple seated closest to the sidewalk, and I like the light and the two different facial expressions and hand gestures.  In the next image, I like the unconventional riding position of the motorcyclist with a cigarette wedged between his lips as he balances and waits for pedestrians to go get out of his way.  "Pizza Face" is the title of the third shot.

The sun was dropping quickly in the sky.  I was in the vicinity of my hotel and thought about resting, but I wanted to make my way to Brooklyn to capture a shot of the Manhattan skyline. I decided to walk over the Brooklyn Bridge and it was mobbed.  At one point I even thought about turning back, but stayed the course.  Once again, I was now aware of my feet just like the evening before, and I knew I would not be walking back.  I took a few shots from different vantage points including the one below, and then decided to get a ticket for the ferry ride back.  

When I saw the line for the ferry, I immediately knew I would not be on the next ferry.  I didn't like the idea of waiting at least another 30 minutes for a second ferry let alone standing in line, on my feet, just to save all those steps back across the bridge.  I sat on a nearby bench for 5 minutes and decided I would keep on walking and cross the bridge again.  Once I got back to the other side, I hopped on the subway and was back to my hotel within 10 minutes. This was a 16.5 mile day, and I was now on break for the next 8 hours.

Sunday morning arrived quickly and I was back on the street for a final 4-hour push.  Rain had moved in overnight and this was my first time shooting in any kind of weather.  Fortunately, the temperatures were still quite mild and all I needed was a cheap umbrella to last until noon.  The clerk at the hotel front desk told me where to find what I needed, and 10 steps out the door and three dollars later, I was set for the next few hours barring a torrential downpour.

Shortly after I started my morning walk, I stopped for coffee and a small bite to eat.  My timing was really good.  It turned out to be the only moment the entire morning when it poured. Once the big rain passed, I made my way over to Prince and Broadway in SoHo and started walking the streets and admiring everything about this area.  

Google had some promotional event going on, and the first image shows lucky contestants walking away from a storefront with a box of donuts.  As I made my way down the sidewalk, there was an eruption of noise and cheering.  Instead of looking back like everyone else, I looked forward and captured the expressions on faces.  I like how the baby's eyes are tracking me. The third picture is of a guy who walked out of a store the same time I was coming down the sidewalk.  He blurted out something that sounded like gibberish, and then looked back at me and said it again when I took his picture.  I said "good morning" and we each went our own way.  I like the lighting and his body posture in this image.  The graffiti also adds a dash of grittiness to the scene.

These final images involve umbrellas.  The black & white image grew on me and I decided to include it because it captures three distinct groups, each doing their own thing while braving the elements in their own way.  I like the look coming from the guy without an umbrella.  I also like how the rounded curb adds interest to the overall frame, and of course the wet pavement offers a welcomed contrast.  

I kept the last image in color because the woman's red lipstick and red jacket just go together. She was biting her nails as I approached and that's why we see her exposed teeth and extended finger.  I tried to get really close to her to when I took this picture and there was oncoming pedestrian traffic that naturally forced this close encounter.  As I passed her, our umbrellas softly collided just after I took the shot.  If you look carefully, you can see rain drops falling including that grey smear in front of her hair which is a rain drop out of focus. 

It was almost 11:30 and I had walked 6.5 miles.  I stopped at Dean & DeLuca's for a breakfast burrito to take back to the hotel which had a small breakfast nook.  I struck up a conversation with another woman from Pennsylvania who travels to NYC each year just to shop.  I told her I travel to NYC just to shoot pictures.  That sparked a bunch of questions from her, and between bites, a bunch of answers from me.  I had just enough time to run to my room, stuff clothes in my bag, and check out by 12 noon.  Moments later, I was in a cab to begin my journey home. Now for the first time,  I could begin to process the amazing events of the last 48 hours that unfolded in front of my camera.  

A Festival of People

Shooting at festivals is often an awkward transition for me, especially when the venue involves a suburban park or acres in the countryside.  I met a friend today at the Minnesota Renaissance Festival, and as I was driving there outside the suburban ring of the Twin Cities, I tried to explore the reticence that sweeps over me each time I head to an event like this.  

I don't usually find much pleasure photographing clowns and people dressed in costume because of the "on stage" effect that naturally goes with the getup.  It also occurred to me that when it comes to photography, people are my core interest and wherever there are people, there are opportunities for great pictures.  

I'm writing this post as a reminder to myself that these events are just as "streetworthy" as shooting on a city sidewalk.  For me, it's about capturing the unusual, the facial expressions and the gestures no matter the setting.  Instead of cringing when I hear festival, it's time to embrace it for what it really is - a festival of people.

Here are a few images I captured today.  The fourth image shows a family of 4 or could that be number 5 hiding in the shadows?

Cinco de Mayo

On May 7th, Minneapolis decided to celebrate Cinco de Mayo.  It was the first time out with my camera since my trip to New York.  I was late when I met up with with some friends for this street festival in south Minneapolis, and I immediately picked-up on their enthusiasm as we connected.  Their excitement foreshadowed what would prove to be a target-rich event. Unfortunately, it took me a while to notice the opportunities after a weekend in NYC where everywhere you look there's something to shoot.  After a few adjustments, I was starting to click away.  

The image below is my prize catch of the day.  In a hushed voice, that was drowned out by the live music, this guy unleashed a barrage of colorful language directed at this woman who had just packed her mouth with treats from the bag she was holding.  She became perfectly still, and my fast shutter speed only had to freeze the guy's lips.  I like her serious eyes, the furrows in her brow, and the busy patterns in her blouse and skirt.  She is also backlit by the sun and her blonde hairdo really shines bright.  

I also liked the image below where this couple is watching the action on stage.  She slipped her sunglasses down her nose for a moment and called something out to her friend who leaned into her sightline to see for himself.  Her braided hair adds texture to the image as do the lines from both of their shirts. 

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New York Workshop

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I discovered a New York photographer a little over a year ago and was immediately captivated by his work.  I started following him online, and thought it would be fun to learn from him some day.  Then I got an email announcing a workshop scheduled for the last weekend in April.  I wasted no time signing up since these workshops are typically limited to a small number of students.  I was excited to meet and learn from James Maher, but doing so in New York city was the icing on the cake.

We all met Friday night for a welcome dinner on the Lower East Side, and it was a nice opportunity to get to know everyone attending the workshop.  The group was a mix of men and women, 40+, traveling from as far as California and as near as the boroughs of New York. We met on Saturday morning for a few hours of classroom instruction before we hit the streets. Each student had one-on-one time with the instructor to develop a skill or technique.  

I wanted to work on zone focusing which enables the photographer to preset the aperture and focus ring so the subject is automatically in focus and properly exposed when the shutter is released.  This technique allows you to concentrate on composition, and abandon all concerns related to camera settings.  The image below is my first attempt at zone focusing.

The guy pulling the wheelie was the leader in a long line of hells angels on bicycles that ran a red light and used the pedestrians in the cross walk as upright markers to weave between while showing off their biking skills.  I am too far away from the action for this to be a great shot, but the experience and the technique reinforced the benefit of zone focusing.  From this point forward, it was zone focusing for the rest of the weekend.

In the first image above, I saw movers ahead of me set this cabinet on the sidewalk at an angle and walk away from it. The three women were the first to experience the inconvenience.  I like how their bodies are adapting to the obstacle as they go about their business.  Then there is the guy with a smirk on his face and the Times folded in his sport coat pocket as he focuses on his phone.  In the second image, I could tell the guy was about to bust into laughter.  His laugh comes from the belly, and those are always rich.  Too bad I cut off part of his head.  In the last image, this woman was overly expressive with her hands and used all 10 digits to make a single point.

We made our way to Chinatown where I captured this woman's game face.  I like the umbrellas spilling unwanted sunshine, and the guy on the bench in the background as well as the two people standing above and behind this woman who is staring down her opponent.  As soon as she realized I was taking her picture, she chewed me out.

It was late afternoon as we made our way back to the starting point.  I captured this shot of a guy wearing white-rimmed sunglasses, a popular fashion statement while I was here.  His expression is amusing as he gazes through the construction window.

Just a few steps further down this construction wall was my last image of the day.  I captured the back of my teacher and most of this striking woman.  I posted the picture to a private Facebook book page created for our class and a fellow student chimed in with these thoughts:

"Not just another pretty face, though she is lovely to behold.  There's energy and purpose in her stride, in her barely contained hair, in the plunging décolletage, and in the forceful pattern of her dress.  Plus those green earphones frame her face in a striking way."

Eager to make the most of the next day, I went to bed early, and got up early on Sunday to shoot for a few hours before our class met.  I captured the image below, and I like the fashion statement including the oversized man-bag and the frayed pant legs.  The background is also busy, but interesting.

I was running out of time and headed to the classroom for another hour or so of instruction. As I was making my way to class, I could see the guy below was actively using his arms to make a point.  Then he lifted both arms for emphasis.  "Click," went my shutter.  This is one of my favorite captures of the entire weekend.

On this last day, our class made it as far as Bryant Park when I had to say goodbye.  As I made my way home, two ideas burned bright in my mind.  I realized I needed to commit to taking at least one workshop a year for the inspiration, the bonding with like-minded individuals, and the knowledge transfer that naturally occurs in this learning environment.  My other bright idea is that I need to come to New York at least once a year to shoot pictures.  Those are my photography resolutions.  Now I need to make them happen.

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France 2016

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One of my personal goals is to travel outside the country each year and this year I managed to do that twice.  This spring, I went to Canada and spent a few days in Montreal and Quebec City, and in early fall, we returned to France.  My wife and I spent the first week touring  Normandy and we made a brief visit to the Loire Valley.  The second week was all about Paris with a limited schedule of touristy adventures. 

I was constantly on the lookout for photographic opportunities as we crisscrossed this beautiful city, and I managed to capture a few.  I also had a limited amount of time I could dedicate to street photography, and these moments only happened when I was willing to give up a few hours of sleep in the early morning hours before my wife was up.  

This first shot is from a setting I first worked on my Paris workshop last year.  While my wife stepped into a shop, I waited on the sidewalk looking for gestures between these two women, and anything else that might bring the scene to life.  It turns out that the slight breeze was the perfect little boost I needed.  The white curtain hanging on the door moved just enough to suggest a puff of wind.  

Luxembourg garden is a great place to walk and observe vignettes of French life.  The place is filled with families hanging out together, friends enjoying conversations that often include a picnic, and of course there are the lovers and the joggers and the tourists.

Initially, I wasn’t planning to take this picture, but when the woman turned her head and gave me that look, I couldn’t resist.

Luxembourg garden is also the setting for the picture below.  The facial expressions tell you everything you need to know about this photograph.  I like how the chestnut trees frame the top  of the image, and the tree trunks serve a similar function on the vertical.

What I like most about this next picture is the couple in the background and how they are framed by the wooden rectangle.  I took this in the Latin Quarter and I also like the sense of movement conveyed by these dancers including the sway in the woman's skirt.

I saw the guy below make an interesting move as he walked in front of us.  I missed that shot. Now that I was ready, I was hoping he'd repeat the move so I could capture it and voila.  

We were heading to the Picasso museum when I saw the woman in this next picture.  Unfortunately, she also saw my camera and she dropped her head forward in what I believe was an act of silent protest, and a way to sabotage a great shot.  Ok, that's a little bit judgmental on my part, but at the time it sure felt that way.

Take note of her hat, and what she has pinned to it.  Do you like her earrings, and her tie?

I was amused when I saw this man touching the map locator that in French says, "You are here."  In this case, it's the Temple metro stop. 

This final shot was taken early in the morning on our last day in Paris.  In a light misty rain, this guy was walking fast either because he was late, or because he was getting wet, or perhaps a little of both.

Spring and Summer 2016

The year started off with a trip to California where I captured this image in Santa Barbara.  The law caught up to these skateboarders who were doing their thing in a no skateboard zone.  Each of them walked away with a souvenir in one hand, and their skateboard in the other.  The one closest to the cop has a “D'oh” expression on his face that relates well to his socks.

A few months later we welcomed a new puppy into our lives which introduced a new priority and derailed any hope of street photography for the next several months.

Late in the summer I did meet up with a friend in St. Paul, and for once, I arrived early.  It was a beautiful day, and I started looking for good light when I found this setting.  It was getting close to the time I needed to meet my friend and I saw this guy coming.  So I waited things out and took the shot as he turned his head slightly in my direction.  I like the dappled sunlight accents on the wall and the sidewalk, and I also like his quizzical look.

Looking Back at 2015

What a year this has been!  The highlights include Cuba, the Paris workshop and a chance to get to know and hang out with some other photographers who share a passion for street photography.  During the summer, I managed to get out almost every weekend and sometimes even twice on the same weekend.  I also kept a busy pace this fall, and now that there's snow on the ground and the temperatures have dropped, I've had more time to reflect on the year.  This could go down as one of the most exciting and most active years of my life as a street photographer.

There are two people who inspired me throughout the summer and into the fall and they were also instrumental in helping me maintain the pace of weekly shoots.  One of those guys is Matt who I met in my first street photography workshop last year.  A gap of time slipped by after the workshop and then we ran into each other at a grocery store.  We finally connected and started meeting downtown on a regular basis to shoot together.  Later on, Matt introduced me to Bill, and the three of us started pounding the pavement together. The image below was captured at Mear's Park in St. Paul. I like how the guy to the far left almost looks like he's getting away from the police.  I also like how one officer his leaning on his knee as he looks for trouble.  The stone wall acts as a leading line and draws the viewer into the picture.  

The next shot below is also in St. Paul, and next to the Farmer's Market. I like how the bicyclist, the police officer and the woman waiting on the corner are all clustered together, and are complemented by the portrait on the wall of the building.  The white line leads us into the scene the and man on the far left side of the frame seems to be walking in that direction

I really like this next image, and maybe it's because of my affinity for dogs. I don't need to see the dog's eyes to feel the anticipation of this moment since the head and tail already give that away.  Just looking at the woman's eyes are enough to experience the canine connection. 

It's interesting to notice body posture when people are giving directions.  It's a moment of mutual cooperation as each party works together to understand a universal truth.    

I went to an Asian farmers market, and the entire time I was there, I felt eyes on my back.  In any event, it was an interesting experience that resulted in the shot below.  Unlike the piece of food that is hiding between this woman's teeth and hidden from view, I'm exposed and have no chance of catching her with her guard down.

I took this man's picture at the train depot in St. Paul.  It was the light more than the man that I wanted to capture and I needed a subject.  So when this guy walked up to the window, I took the shot.  I like how the light defines the folds on the sleeve of his jacket as well as the other details including the hairs of his mustache against the bricks in the background.  

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Paris Workshop

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The first time I saw Paris, I knew I'd be coming back for more.  Paris, for me, is the most beautiful city in the world, and any idea that includes a visit to this city will always be a good idea.

It's been almost a year since my first workshop, and I feel I have reached a point where some additional instruction could improve my craft.  A few months ago I noticed Valerie Jardin was conducting a weekend workshop in Paris.  If it isn't already obvious, this was one of those good ideas, but the decision to go wasn't as impulsive as it seems. My wife and I are celebrating our 25th anniversary this year, so why not make it special and celebrate in Paris?  And as long as we're there, maybe we could take a street photography workshop together.

Day one of our workshop was a goose bump moment.  This was my first time shooting in the streets of Paris.  It's hard to find a setting or a background in this city that is less than beautiful.  The light is also magical, and anyone with an interest in this genre can't walk these streets without thinking about the great French photographers who pioneered this art form.  It was also interesting to see this city through the eyes of our instructor who grew up in France.  

The first image was taken at the Place des Vosges, and I like that we can't see the faces of this couple.  There is symmetry as both are in step with one another, and there is symmetry from the hip up, as he is ever so slightly hunched over while she is slightly arching her back.

I almost deleted the picture above when I first viewed it.  The soft focus was initially distracting, but there was something about it that made me hold onto it.  Now I'm glad I have it.  I think the facial expressions are strong enough to overcome the technical limitations, and the soft focus adds a quality of dreaminess.  We can see their hair caught in the breeze, but what are they looking at with such intense curiosity? I also like the subtle elements of fashion as well as the imaginary diagonal line that sweeps from the lower right corner to the upper left corner of the frame.

I was at a busy intersection waiting for the light to turn green when this couple in front of me turned towards each other.  I thought they were going to kiss, but instead they gently touched foreheads and noses without speaking words.  Can you feel the love?  

There are a few things going on in the photo below.  Based on the type of bike, we know who will be first off the starting line.  Only two people have their eyes on the traffic signal, two others are staring at me and two are looking behind.  Everyone is wearing warm jackets, but the smattering of leaves on the road remind us of the season.

I was admiring some of the cheeses at this shop, and after I went in for a closer view, I looked up, and saw this trapezoid frame with two guys who look like brothers.  Cheese bros!

I noticed this woman talking on her phone and I wanted to take her picture since her dog was sitting in the chair next to her.  Just as I was closing in on the shot, she received some unwelcome news and let out a groan while raising her hand to her head.  I like the texture of the chairs and the sidewalk, and I also like how the people in the background are going about their business.  The kid's posture suggests a state of restlessness which adds a genuine layer to this slice of Parisian life .

After the Paris workshop, we headed south to Provence for a few days.  This next series of photographs was taken in Avignon.  I noticed this guy standing close to the door of a salon with his dog.  Something didn't seem right, but I later realized he was trying to catch the attention of someone inside.  As I got closer, the door opened and this woman, who was in the middle of a hairdo, stepped out the door to handoff her cell phone to the man.  I like their eye contact and their facial expressions.

I was lost for a moment in this city and trying to find my way back to one of the major streets when I caught this faire la bise moment.  I like the posture of these two guys and the contrast between casual and formal dress.

I captured the last photograph at the Palace of the Popes.  This couple was seated on a bench that happened to be situated in a place with great light.  As the guy leaned forward to rest his hands on his knee, that's the moment my shutter made a silent click.

Minnesota State Fair 2015

I'll never forget the sweltering heat we endured for almost six hours on this day.  I met up with friends to shoot pictures at the state fair, and later found out it was the hottest day of this year's Great Minnesota Get-Together.  It also had the second largest attendance and that actually worked in our favor since it gave us cover to get very close to our subjects.  

The image below captures this couple's temporary state of relief from the heat. 

Despite the still air, everyone was hopeful for even the slightest breeze including the guy below who, in this moment, rolled up style for comfort.   

In the next shot, these two guys found pure joy and presumably some measure of relief with a man-made breeze at the midway.

As we made our way closer to the stables, there were all kinds of signs we were getting close. The hot air was permeated with a ripe barnyard fragrance - the kind that hijacks your sense of smell long after you've left the stink zone.  The road was also dotted with random patterns of no-steps that turned this pedestrian thoroughfare into a game of hopscotch.  Below, we see good form, with hands on hips, as this guy successfully completes a challenging hop. We also see an example of Minnesota nice as an onlooker in the background extends his index finger to point out the debris field.

Each time I look at the picture below, I can only imagine this is a father-son moment.  While we can't see the boy's eyes, he appears to be seeking approval or affirmation from the fatherly figure whose t-shirt is no match for this sweat fest.

I like to capture images of people looking just below or just above the rim of their glasses. When you include a gesture, it makes for a potential prize shot.  Some day I hope to have that prize shot.