Street photography is a difficult art. Anticipating and capturing fleeting scenes as they happen before you is an extreme mental exercise and can leave you exhausted. You strip away everything relying only on your intuition and a keen understanding of your camera – it is photography in its purest form.
You get close to the action and sometimes end up staring into the eyes of the very subject you are photographing. You have butterflies in your stomach and get an adrenaline rush – not knowing how someone would react when they see you and your camera very briefly. I am still learning about my camera and how to operate it without even looking at the controls. I however decided not to shoot a photograph without first composing it in my viewfinder. There is something very beautiful about a well composed street photograph that utilizes the entire frame and needs very little cropping. It is a challenge but one that is worth taking.
Cameras
27
Aug 10
Butterflies in my stomach – Why I like Street Photography
24
Aug 10
Life, Liberty*, and Equal* Rights for All
* Some exceptions may apply.
Found this in my neighborhood (Broad Ripple, Indianapolis, IN). I thought it was an appropriate symbol for some of the rancorous and often xenophobic discussions that are currently taking place in this great country of ours. I mentioned to someone a while ago that we all have rights but they are not equal. He shot back asking for proof that what I said was true. Well I don’t have to show him any proof – it is all around us. Just turn the TV on, or read the news papers and you will see ample evidence that will prove my point. Anyway I don’t want to get into political discussions as they only lead to unnecessary pain and anguish on my part.
17
Aug 10
I am turning Japanese….. I think so….
Mira was fascinated by the Kimono and the ladies at the Japanese Pavilion (Indiana State fair) were more than happy to help 
14
Aug 10
Composites: Some experiments
I usually stumble on to lot of the techniques by accident. I never tried doing composites in Photoshop but yesterday I decided to jump in give it a try. I had an opportunity to attend a workshop/photowalk with Kevin Raber, VP of Marketing for PhaseOne – the digital medium format company. The above image is a composite of three different images that I took during the photowalk. I just find it interesting that this composite makes so much sense in the context of drones and satellite guided weaponry. Soldiers don’t have to be in actual combat. Instead one can sit in an air-conditioned cube and remotely fight a war by pushing a joy stick and punching some buttons. Here is another one that I created from a USA Today newspaper box and a sculpture in the Evan Lurie Gallery:
13
Aug 10
Wreslin’ with steel film reels
Mira’s new friend – REX the Dinosaur from Toy Story. This was a quick photograph to get to the 36 frame mark so that I could try my hands at loading a stainless steel reel for like the second time in my life. After fumbling around in the dark for about 30 minutes I finally was able to load the reel. In the process I managed to scratch. kink, and maul the film . But I think I have the technique down.
12
Aug 10
A brief review of Canon AE-1 Program Plus 50mm f1.4 Lens
I did not know anything about Canon Cameras until recently. I have always been a Nikon guy and never owned a Canon until I came across a used Canon AE-1 camera at the local pawn shop. I paid $40.00 for the body plus lens (50mm f1.8 Canon FD lens) and another $10.00 for a Energizer A544 battery to power the metering system and the electronic shutter. The battery is supposed to last for about a year but I managed to completely drain one within a day – just don’t ask me how it is embarrassing. Just turn the switch back to the “L” (Lock) position when not using the camera and you will be safe. It wasn’t soon after that someone was selling another Canon AE-1 (not the Program version), three lenses including a 50mm f1.4, and an unused Canon Flash for $50.00. The lens itself is worth $30 – $50 on eBay and KEH. The 50mm f1.4 lens soon became my favorite combination to use with the AE-1. Although I rarely use the lens at f1.4 because it is a bit soft at that aperture. However it gives me an extra stop in a pinch which is always nice.
For a more detailed description of the camera please visit this LINK.
Here is a portrait of Mira that I took with the AE-1 Program and 50mm f1.4 lens wide open. The film used is Ilford HP5 Plus, developed in Kodak HC110 for 11 minutes at 68ºF, scanned and edited in Photoshop CS3.
The camera is an absolute joy to use and feels really solid in your hands with easy to reach controls. The meter is dead on and the camera itself is very rugged having survived multiple drops from my clumsy hands. The viewfinder is bright and big, the shutter is a bit loud but very smooth, and the film advance is just fabulous. I highly recommend getting one if you can find one for under $50.00 – you won’t regret it.
