PhotoIndica Blog » Street Photography http://www.photoindica.com/blog Sat, 04 Sep 2010 16:03:43 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 Butterflies in my stomach – Why I like Street Photography http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/08/27/butterflies-in-my-stomach-why-i-like-street-photography/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/08/27/butterflies-in-my-stomach-why-i-like-street-photography/#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 13:17:32 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=1194 Young at Heart and Born to be Wild!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 [...]]]> Young at Heart and Born to be Wild!
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.
Toughie having a softee!
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.

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/08/27/butterflies-in-my-stomach-why-i-like-street-photography/feed/ 2 The joy of point and shoot photography http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/07/17/the-joy-of-point-and-shoot-film-photography-olympus-xa-xa2-and-nikon-l35-af/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/07/17/the-joy-of-point-and-shoot-film-photography-olympus-xa-xa2-and-nikon-l35-af/#comments Sat, 17 Jul 2010 16:15:14 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=873 NIKON L35AFEvery few months I get into this mode where I cannot help but collect old film cameras. I usually start at Goodwill and make the usual tour of all the pawn shops around the city. So if one of you saw me going in and coming out of a pawn shop – it is not [...]]]> Every few months I get into this mode where I cannot help but collect old film cameras. I usually start at Goodwill and make the usual tour of all the pawn shops around the city. So if one of you saw me going in and coming out of a pawn shop – it is not because I am broke, but just hunting for that gem of a find. For some reason the prices for cameras at the local Goodwill have been going up consistently – good for them though. Back to the original topic – so I found a Nikon L35 AF P&S camera about a month ago at Goodwill and I instantly discovered the joy of the snap shot. No more fiddling around with aperture or shutter speed. Just point, focus, and click. I was hooked.

NIKON L35AF

Mira busy creating a master piece with her Color Crayons

I then started scouring the internet for other classic P&S cameras and came to know a lot about the legendary Olympus XA series of cameras. Many have expounded on the brilliant Japanese design here and here.

Olympus XA & XA2

I got lucky and took a chance on an AS-IS sale on eBay and now I am a proud owner of both an Olympus XA and XA2 cameras. I put both cameras to the test not only to make sure that they were working, but also to check for light leaks etc. The Olympus XA2 is a P&S cameras in the truest sense. It is a Zone Focus camera and is fully automated. Here is a photograph from the Olympus XA2 first:

Silhouette in the hall way
The Olympus XA is a range finder and gives you little bit more control and operates in the Aperture Priority mode. Here are some photographs from a test roll that I shot using the Olympus XA:

Stars and half the stripes - flag mural in Broad Ripple alleyway
Class of 1943 Winnebago Camper parked at the State Fair Grounds
Abandoned building and basket ball court on the Monon Trail
Painted sign for a graphics company along the Monon Trail
Mama Carola's Italian Restaurant

Film Used in Olympus XA test: Ilford HP5 Plus ISO400
Developer: Kodak HC110 Dilution H
Time: 11 Minutes


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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/07/17/the-joy-of-point-and-shoot-film-photography-olympus-xa-xa2-and-nikon-l35-af/feed/ 3 Celebrating Fourth of July in Highland, Indiana http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/07/08/fourth-of-july-in-highland-indiana/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/07/08/fourth-of-july-in-highland-indiana/#comments Thu, 08 Jul 2010 15:44:01 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=860 Marching proudly with head held high....Small towns have the best parades. It is something that everyone looks forward to and the entire town turns out to support the troops and the community. Highland, IN is one such community. We were visiting a good friend of ours and took advantage of the opportunity to see the Fourth of July parade. We [...]]]> Marching proudly with head held high....

Small towns have the best parades. It is something that everyone looks forward to and the entire town turns out to support the troops and the community. Highland, IN is one such community. We were visiting a good friend of ours and took advantage of the opportunity to see the Fourth of July parade. We were sitting opposite the setting sun so it was pretty darn hard to get good photos of the parade. It did however work very well for the photo above of a marching officer and his US flag against the sun.
Men pushing a stopped vintage car - Highland IN 4th of July Parade
The vintage car broke down threatening to hold up the parade. But some men jumped to the rescue and pushed the car along.
PK posing with a Star Wars Stormtrooper
And finally yes that is me with a StarWars Stormtrooper. I found him hanging out with Darth Vader :-)

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/07/08/fourth-of-july-in-highland-indiana/feed/ 1 Interesting store window displays (Bardstown Road, Louisville KY) http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/06/29/window-displays-bardstown-road-louisville-ky/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/06/29/window-displays-bardstown-road-louisville-ky/#comments Tue, 29 Jun 2010 15:41:47 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=819 Neon VacuumRelated PostsLooavul, Luhvul, Louisville - doesn't matter how you say it! Sun 27 Jun 2010Holton Valley Farm [Before and After] Sun 10 Jan 2010My First Juried Exhibit Selection Mon 10 Aug 2009]]> Neon Vacuum

Retro Furniture Display

More retro furniture window displays

More retro furniture window displays

Vacuum Cleaner Sale Sign

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/06/29/window-displays-bardstown-road-louisville-ky/feed/ 0 The bond we share http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/01/08/the-bond-we-share/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/01/08/the-bond-we-share/#comments Fri, 08 Jan 2010 12:27:07 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=715 The Bond we Share.....We all go through life making connections and building relationships. These relationships could be with other humans, animals, and even inanimate things. How many of us haven’t given a name to our car or talk about our electronic devices as if they were a person. This bond is especially strong between humans and animals. We [...]]]> The Bond we Share.....

We all go through life making connections and building relationships. These relationships could be with other humans, animals, and even inanimate things. How many of us haven’t given a name to our car or talk about our electronic devices as if they were a person. This bond is especially strong between humans and animals. We humans depend on them for just about everything – food, clothing, even work.

The above photograph was captured in Downtown Indianapolis near Monument Circle. You will find many of these horse drawn carriages parked around the circle waiting for passengers. Sometimes you see a couple out on a romantic evening and at other times you see kids just enjoying the ride. The passengers change all the time, but the horse and the carriageman stay the same. They enjoy a special bond and you can see it in how they communicate and respond to each other. I took this photograph after walking around the circle a few times. I did not have any expectations as to what I wanted to photograph that day. But when I saw this scene playing out in front of me I knew I had something special.

See other interesting B&W work at The Weekend in Black and White Blog

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2010/01/08/the-bond-we-share/feed/ 2 Man and his dog in Central Park (NYC) http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/12/30/man-and-his-dog-in-central-park-nyc/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/12/30/man-and-his-dog-in-central-park-nyc/#comments Wed, 30 Dec 2009 16:20:35 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=642 I love dogs, we have three of them (2 Jack Russell Terriers and a Dachshund). Our dogs always seem to know when we are happy, sad, or sick. They do not mind getting harassed by a hyperactive toddler or ignored when work and life gets in the way. They keep our feet warm while we [...]]]>

I love dogs, we have three of them (2 Jack Russell Terriers and a Dachshund). Our dogs always seem to know when we are happy, sad, or sick. They do not mind getting harassed by a hyperactive toddler or ignored when work and life gets in the way. They keep our feet warm while we type away on the computer or watching TV. The simple act of walking ones dog seems to melt ones worries away. To me it is a sacred ritual – one that strengthens the bond between a man/woman and his/her dog.

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/12/30/man-and-his-dog-in-central-park-nyc/feed/ 0 Hey IMA – I Wanna Blog http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/12/23/hey-ima-i-wanna-blog/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/12/23/hey-ima-i-wanna-blog/#comments Wed, 23 Dec 2009 16:17:56 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=612 I heard on Twitter that the Indianapolis Museum of Art, one of my favorite places to hangout with my camera, announced a competition to select a blogger for the 2010 season. My first reaction was cool – I should try out for it. I had written a few blog posts based on my experiences at [...]]]>

I heard on Twitter that the Indianapolis Museum of Art, one of my favorite places to hangout with my camera, announced a competition to select a blogger for the 2010 season. My first reaction was cool – I should try out for it. I had written a few blog posts based on my experiences at the IMA and I continue to draw inspiration every time I visit the museum. One experience in particular set off a chain of events that resulted in a photograph that I consider to be one of my favorites. The IMA had an exhibit last year titled: On the Road Again with Jack Kerouac and Robert Frank . The exhibit had on display 83 photographs taken by Robert Frank which were accompanied by a 120 feet long original typescript of Jack Kerouac’s novel “On The Road”. Jack Kerouac is said to have written this novel under the influence of drugs and caffeine over a period of 20 days.

My curiosity aroused I went over to the nearest Public Library and borrowed “The Americans”, a collection of photos by Robert Frank some of which were on display at the IMA as part of the exhibit. I spent several days pouring over the photographs, studying them, and hoping to learn to see the world as Robert Frank did through his camera. Several months later I saw an opportunity to do what Robert Frank did but on a very small scale. The Indiana State Fair just started and I thought that this would be a perfect place to photograph people from different parts of the state and socioeconomic backgrounds. You can read more about that project on my blog post: The Americans (PK Edition) [Images from The Indiana State Fair 2009]. The composite from that project is below:

Indiana State Fair 2009 - The Americans (PK Version)

Click on the Photo to View The hi-res Version

You see if I did not go to the IMA that day I would have never heard about Robert Frank or Jack Kerouac. I would have never had the inspiration to do a project like this. It is for this very reason I keep going back to the IMA.

So IMA staff – if you are reading this blog post please please please consider me to be your next blogger.

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/12/23/hey-ima-i-wanna-blog/feed/ 1 Woman in alleyway http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/12/22/woman-in-alleyway/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/12/22/woman-in-alleyway/#comments Tue, 22 Dec 2009 11:33:35 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=608 I am not sure when exactly I took this photograph. I do remember this scene though. I stumbled upon it while walking around downtown Indianapolis one evening. I did a little bit of post-processing to bring out the details and also to draw attention to the woman in the background as she was entering the [...]]]>

I am not sure when exactly I took this photograph. I do remember this scene though. I stumbled upon it while walking around downtown Indianapolis one evening. I did a little bit of post-processing to bring out the details and also to draw attention to the woman in the background as she was entering the dark alleyway. The road leads the viewer right to the woman who seems to be going somewhere as she was pulling a bag.

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/12/22/woman-in-alleyway/feed/ 0 [Series 9 of 10]: Indianapolis at Night (Unknown, Headless Men) http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/11/25/series-9-of-10-indianapolis-at-night-unknown-headless-men/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/11/25/series-9-of-10-indianapolis-at-night-unknown-headless-men/#comments Wed, 25 Nov 2009 12:28:10 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=517 Indianapolis at Night 9 of 10 (Headless Men, Unknown, Indianapolis, IN, United States)Another window display that caught my eye. Unfortunately don’t remember the name of the store or location. It is somewhere between 16th and 38th streets. Related Posts[Series 8 of 10]: Indianapolis at Night (2305 N Meridian St, Dreams of Indy) Tue 24 Nov 2009[Series 10 of 10]:Indianapolis at Night (408 N Capitol Ave, Musicians' Repair) [...]]]> Indianapolis at Night 9 of 10 (Headless Men, Unknown, Indianapolis, IN, United States)

Another window display that caught my eye. Unfortunately don’t remember the name of the store or location. It is somewhere between 16th and 38th streets.

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/11/25/series-9-of-10-indianapolis-at-night-unknown-headless-men/feed/ 1 [Series 8 of 10]: Indianapolis at Night (2305 N Meridian St, Dreams of Indy) http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/11/24/series-8-of-10-indianapolis-at-night-2305-n-meridian-st-dreams-of-indy/ http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/11/24/series-8-of-10-indianapolis-at-night-2305-n-meridian-st-dreams-of-indy/#comments Tue, 24 Nov 2009 12:32:51 +0000 PK http://www.photoindica.com/blog/?p=509 Indianapolis at Night 8 of 10 (2305 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN, United States)I used to drive by this store (Dreams of Indy) almost everyday. It looked particularly interesting at night with the lit display window and the white wedding gowns. Unfortunately, it is no longer in business and shut down recently. One more casualty to the recession. Revisiting some images I made earlier this year. Here is [...]]]> Indianapolis at Night 8 of 10 (2305 N Meridian St, Indianapolis, IN, United States)
I used to drive by this store (Dreams of Indy) almost everyday. It looked particularly interesting at night with the lit display window and the white wedding gowns. Unfortunately, it is no longer in business and shut down recently. One more casualty to the recession.
Revisiting some images I made earlier this year. Here is the exact location of the photo on Google Maps

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]]> http://www.photoindica.com/blog/2009/11/24/series-8-of-10-indianapolis-at-night-2305-n-meridian-st-dreams-of-indy/feed/ 0