Thursday, August 18, 2011

Street Photography - Guest Photographers

My last blog on street photography shared images from some of the classics in this genre. Today I'd like to present several of my favorite street photographers who are less well known but still classics. 


I've asked each to tell us what they enjoy about street photography and what type of camera they use. You'll get interesting insight from their views that will help you in your own photography no matter what you photograph.


My first guest is Kewal Rai, an amazing photographer whose images cover several genres including portraits, parties, food and beautiful women. A very well rounded guy. Below are images of his street photography. 




What Kewal has to say:
I do believe I'm a voyeur (aren't we all to some extent?), always used to love sitting and sipping some coffee and watching people from all walks of life passing by and the surrounding. Each in their own pace, sporting varied expressions. Carrying feelings which might be similiar to us or different. But in the end, each of us having a story, our own stories.


So when Im out in the streets, geared with a camera, I do end up clicking quite a bit (I have to control myself which I've become quite good at these days) and trying to capture a story that I see or an unseen story which I might be able to perceive when I sit down and view that frozen-in-time frame of that moment. 

To me street photography helps me connects me with the world with others, with my surroudings. Strangers we all might be but when I freeze a moment of another person's life, strangers we arent anymore, well not for a moment anyway when we connect through that frozen moment of time/frame. Thats what I like to think anyway.

I've had my Nikon D90 for nearly 2 yrs now and have just upgraded to D700. Got a Nikon 80-200 AFS f2.8, Sigma 24-70 EX DG f2.8 and Nikon 50 f1.5 lenses. Normally I use the telephoto as this helps me from not invading others personal space and capture those natural moments. I'm also shy and find it hard to approach people but have done it a few times and want to get better at it. Do use the other 2 lenses when I feel the surrounding plays a major part in the story.





View more of  Kewal's photos.



Syed Alfandi is a fellow photographer with a beautiful blog. I encourage you to visit and follow. His images of Malaysian scenery and people are stunning.

What Syed has to say:
My name is Syed Alfandi and I am a photographer in Malaysia. I don't dabble much with street photography. I am more into landscape and macro. But for this particular pic, this is more of an event photography. What I love is having a good background..as in the pic, old buildings. This gives me the freedom to choose a particular feel to a pic, such as black and white or sepia. I've chosen sepia toning as not to give too much contrast to the pic, so you can clearly see the buildings and the smiling faces...but that is just me, beauty is in the eye of the beholder. Thank you to Mari for giving me this opportunity...


View more of  Syed Alfandi Phtography

17 Year old Ron Bezbarua is off to a great photographic start. His work is exciting, interesting, and comes with a fresh new perspective. 








Eva Manya has a special touch capturing interesting street scenes. She is at her most eloquent with her candids of people. Be sure and see her Faces Set on flickr


What Eva has to say:
I use a Sony DSC T700 - point and shoot camera. 

These photos were all taken through Auto settings and I do not know the technical side of it. 

"Photography is a hobby I have recently taken up. I have always caught myself observing people and my surroundings. So it was a natural inclination for me to experiment with street photography. I am just a beginner and definitely have 'miles to go' before I can be truly comfortable behind the lens! "










View more of Eva's images.


Christine Tandoc shows everyday life in Singapore freezing intimate bits of life into works of art. Her black and white photography is a special favorite of mine.

What Christine has to say:
Shooting landscapes had always been my passion as I travel a lot, however since I am based in Singapore, where there were less of scenic views of landscapes replaced by modernized, gargantuan edifices, I had resorted to street photography. It brought interest in me and desire to take pictures of spontaneity which depicts emotions and tells a story. It's very hard. However it's always worth the wait since perfect photographic moments in the streets only comes once in a blue moon. 
Thank you..
Regards, 
Christine


 Nikon d90, 105mm DC

Nikon d90, 135mm DC (Defocus Control)

Nikon d90, 70-200mm



View more of Christine's images 


Aaron Offord is offering a multi-post series for beginners interested in street photography at his blog, streetography, link below.  Be sure and follow his blog via email. His work captures the emotion of the street and his subject.


What Aaron has to say:
Street photography is such a wonderful genre of photography. It is pure, perfect, and untouched. It is a moment frozen in time that will never be repeated.I think that is what makes it so powerful, it is raw. 

There are no rules in street photography, it is art and therefore up to the artist to create. Some people will like their art, while others could find it displeasing and offensive. That is the beauty of art. It is supposed to spark an emotional connection or response within the viewer.

I like to keep my street photography discreet. I don't like to disturb or influence the subject, but rather document that moment of beauty. But above all else, street photography to me is my documentation of the raw untouched beauty I see all around me. 

ISO 64, f4, 1/620s 28mm



ISO 100, f4, 1/320s 28mm

ISO 100, f4, 1/540s 28mm


View more of Aaron's images at streetography.

A huge thank you to each of today's guest photographers. You each have your own style which makes viewing your stunning work all the more interesting. 

Please visit their sites and leave comments. Also please "Stumble" this post as added recognition for my guests. Stumble button=top right corner or under comments.

If you are interested in being a guest photographer let me know in a comment box below. You may also leave a photo in your comment box: click into comment box, click + sign in left corner, upload photo, click thumbnail photo to view full size. We'd all love to see your work!

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