pagespicsNational Geographic Find #2
Posted on December 30, 2017
The Afghan Girl
If you read my last post, you will know that I found a pile of old National Geographic magazines over the holidays. Included in this collection was the edition from June 1985. The cover of this copy is arguably the most famous Nat Geo picture ever published and is an iconic documentary photograph. As a Street Photographer, this is a hugely inspiring photograph, and one that keeps me striving for the perfect portrait.
Photo by Steve McCurry
A National Geographic Find
Posted on December 26, 2017
Happy Christmas.
Happy Christmas all. I hope you woke up to a bevy of incredible camera gear. If not, don’t worry as the sales are here. I am going to be looking at the Olympus Pen F and the Oly 17mm 1.8 lens. Time to flex the credit card.
I have spent this Christmas in the Pelorus Sounds, in the far North of New Zealand’s South Island. My Street Photography has been non-existent as there are no roads there at all. The holiday was a good time to reflect on my goals for next year, more on that later. While thinking of the future, an opportunity arose to look at the past. My father-in-law had purchased a bundle of old National Geographic magazines, with issues going back to the 1950’s. I could not resist recording adverts for older cameras. How far the gear we use has come, although the latest and greatest camera equipment still does the same thing.
Historic Camera Adverts.
Just for fun, here are some of my favourite adverts. I would love to have the chance to try these out on the Streets (and I may have the opportunity with one of them!).
April 1958
Street Photographers. We’re Fantastic.
Posted on December 13, 2017
We are Preservers of Our Time!
The ancient Egyptians mummified their Pharaohs, preserving the bodies forever, all be it in a somewhat gory manner. Today there is no need for it. Our photographs will help shape history. However, with the glut of pics that flood the net every day, which photos will stand the test of time? This issue has been particularly salient to me this week for two reasons. Firstly, I have had my annual cull as my hard disk was reaching the critical point. The cut tipped 1500 images, a sure sign I need to start slowing down and taking less, but better photos. The second reason history entered my chain of thought is that I have recently visited Tharangini, a traditional block printing company in Bangalore.
Finished Sari’s are stunning.
Small Steps in Street Photography
Posted on December 11, 2017
Habits
I have recently purchased a book on habits. How to make habits, and how to break them. What grabbed my attention was the focus on goal setting. We live in a time where we are consistently told to set goals. Ideas grounded in common sense theory trickle down to become engraved in stone; ‘write down your goals, and you will achieve them.’ Yeah right! What has this got to do with Street Photography? Well, this post is about where my thoughts are taking me. Maybe it will ring true with some of you. Read More
INSPIRATIONAL STREET PHOTOGRAPHER #10
Posted on December 5, 2017
“It may look like I’m just pointing the camera at what’s in front of me. But I’m trying to photograph what people see, but don’t notice – something that’s mysterious and unknown in everyday life.” Daido Moriyama
Daido Moriyama
So far my ‘top ten list’ has looked very white, perhaps reflecting history itself, often represented from this viewpoint. I know of few iconic photographers who are people of colour, although there are some incredibly talented Black and Asian contemporary artists out there. If I am wrong, please let me know of some artists I can study. On this note, I am writing about Moriyama, a Tokyo-based Japanese artist.
Moriyama, in front of two of his more famous photographs.
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