Taking 'street" pictures can be considered the same skill set as taking nature pictures. Identify the subject. Compose quickly, dont frighten them away..
In the UK you can take pictures in public places (there is no law to prevent you) as long as you are not competing with the subject expectation of privacy or using them for advertising. Pictures of young kids, people in state of undress etc etc are not allowed
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This is really just as an example of the thoughtful pictures. It’s right in the centre of Exeter City in the west of England.
The Narrative is strong. People all around chatting and interacting but this pair of ladies’ facial expressions really show one human state of mind. Mobility scooters are part of the story
Huw, to me the most compelling part of this photograph is the woman facing the camera, she has such a look of despair. I’m not sure the mobility scooter is necessary for me and the other people in the background are a distraction. I really like what you are trying to convey with these street photos, bravo for looking at the hard stuff of life.
Alice
Marvelous image Huw. It’s really well caught with many events caught at the same time and strategically placed within the frame. This picture is so much more than two people sitting at a table. Each of those interactions is a story in itself that makes you question what is going on. All caught in a moment of time. Bravo Huw.
Well executed, Huw. The main subject has such a powerful expression and the contrast between the two foreground women and the two pairs in the background adds an interesting dimension to the image. The woman on the left also adds an intriguing piece as she gives the feel of heading in the direction (mentally) of the foreground pair.
I agree with @alice here. Her expression is haunting.
Again, I agree. There are too many competing elements that distract from the two women at the table. As with nature photography, sometimes isolating the main subject yet retaining contextual elements is the real challenge.
The processing here is well done. There is a nice range of tonality.
This was a great try but falls a little short compared to your earlier homeless person image from the other day. Keep it up, Hew! Your efforts will be rewarded.
-P
Its interesting what you take out and leave in by way of context.
Because you are documenting daily life on the street you think slightly differently on whether you remove all distractions from the main story or leave some alternative or parallel stories in. Because all the other little stories are chatting and communicating, it sort of adds emphasis to the main pair being talked out.
There is certainly an alternative crop (see above) - close in on the women which I like, which is strong and also works, but I prefer the wider crop which shows more normal interactions/life going on around them.
I Have already cropped out the other lady’s mobility scooter from the right hand side.
There is no right answer but the two ladies dominate even this crop. I like multiple narratives in one picture - a documentary photograph with a bit of humour that might still be of interest a couple of decades hence?
Love the OP Huw! I’m not being critical or judgemental of the women, but for ladies who rely on mobility scooters I don’t think sucking on durries is a good choice.
The bored facial expression of the woman is priceless. What a great title you have chosen. When you look around at the people in the background there seems to be connection. Even the lady diving into her food box looks intent.
If you asked for any suggestion, I might consider reducing the brightness of the girl in the centre top background.
