pagespics10 Reasons To Shoot in Colour
Posted on February 27, 2018
A Short (and not very serious) tale…
A photographer spent the day walking around with a camera slung over his shoulder and the lens cap left off. Towards the end of the afternoon, the photographer sat down for a coffee and realised that his camera had been in timer mode, taking random shots every 30 seconds. Many people would have worried that this may have wasted the battery, or left a nightmare on the camera’s memory card. However, this photographer quickly processed the photos in high contrast black and white and managed to pass them off as Street Photography.
In Dad’s AutoRickshaw
OK, this story is probably not true, and is one I read a long time ago. Many Street Photographers work very well with B+W and produce stunning images. Tri X film grain looks gorgeous, and there are film pre-sets that re-create the B+W analog look with increasing success. However, an image does not become a successful Street Photograph just because it is B+W, no matter how the grain or contrast increases. Of course, NOT converting a colour photo to black and white does not automatically make a great picture. Next week I will look at some of the ways we can tweak our colour choices to make images more pleasing. In the meantime…
10 Reasons To Shoot Colour
So, without further fuss. Here are the reasons why colour is your friend.
Daffodils (Tulips at a push).
Children with red balloons
Red Lips and Blue Eyes
Sunrise (and sunset)
Fruit and Flower Markets
Sari’s
Billboards
Umbrellas
Street Art
Red Buses and Yellow Bicycles
Fresh Orange Juice
Why Shoot Black and White?
Colour film was invented in 1907 by Auguste and Louis Lumiere and became commercially viable in 1935 with the launch of Kodachrome. Newspapers first turned to colour in 1954. The internet, movies, books, and magazines are all colour. However, Street Photographers love B+W, often for a good reason. The monochromatic image is a simplified version of what we see. Simplified photos can intensify the subject and help the viewer focus on the framing of the image. Also, Bresson shot in B+W and if it was good enough for him? In truth, I love a great B+W photo, but let’s remember to celebrate colour!
Take Care and Keep Clicking,
Chris
Photographing People
Posted on February 20, 2018
I have had a couple of experiences this week that have made me think about how we capture images of people. The first incident related to the photo below, which I posted online in a public area. Someone commented that Muslim women do not like their picture taken and do not like their images published. Further to this I was asked if I had sought permission to take the image, and was a release form signed?
A release form is not required. I was also very close to the subject and felt she was comfortable with me continuing to take her photo. This was not a hurried shot.
Consumers, Producers and Collaborators.
Posted on February 13, 2018
This week I have spent two days looking at technology in the classroom. During this time there was a significant focus on Ipad use in schools. Many creatives, such as Trey Ratcliff are leaving Apple for PC alternatives. However, while Apple may be losing numbers in the creative industry, it would appear that they are securing a future in education. One of the ‘big ideas’ coming from these workshops is the way technology is positioning users as consumers, producers, and collaborators. As with so many situations where I find myself in a teaching and learning situation, I draw parallels with how my professional life links with photography.
Biker on the Classic Royal Enfield.
3 Tips to Stretch Your Street Photography
Posted on February 6, 2018
Weekly Roundup!
There are a couple of noteworthy things that have happened this last week. I have been published in Linklens, a site run by my friend Renaud. Linklens is a fantastic site and features many talented photographers. Go check it out and follow.
https://www.linklens.net/project/chris-page_bangalore/
Secondly, I have started my own Youtube channel, and I am planning to Vlog once a week. Here is the link to my first ever pagespics Youtube post!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNcze55c-Ko&t=6s
These achievements are helping me to move from my safe zone, speaking of which.
Lady Grabs Lunch. Yelahanka, Bangalore.
Check your diopter adjustment.
Posted on January 30, 2018
This Week In Pictures.
100% Keepers taken: 4/5
Silly mistakes made: 1 (I inadvertently twisted my diopter adjustment).
Weight loss since 2017: 4.1kg (really happy with this!)
Spice Dealer, Mysore
Street Photography, Friends and Family.
Posted on January 23, 2018
This week in Pictures
‘Keepers’ taken since last blog post = 11
Silly mistakes made = 3
Forgetting to charge my Olympus batteries – twice! Recorded my first Vlog – all out of focus.
Total Weight loss since 2017 = 2kg (only .5kg lost this week)
Boy. Taken while getting my Motorbike serviced. (A Royal Enfield)
Street Photography, Social Media and Confidence.
Posted on January 16, 2018
Make a submission!
Many thanks to all of you who filled out my survey. It would appear the site is running fast enough and that I please some of you some of the time (but not all of you all of the time!). There were a few respondents who stated they would like to write a guest post. If you have an idea for a submission, then please get in touch at pagespics@outlook.com.
Follow pagespics.com
Secondly, some of you told me you were having problems following me. The easiest way is to follow me via email. Look to the right for the link. I would love to have you along for the ride!
Clothing Repair Man, Bangkok.
National 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.
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