My First Street Photos...

[Remorhaz]

As a project for the year I'm thinking about getting out of my comfort zone and practicing some street photography - I work in Sydney's CBD so this location should hopefully provide a wealth of early morning, lunchtime and late afternoon subject matter for those times I can get out to try my hand.

I'd be interested in hearing any thoughts about my first attempts - both the subject/composition and processing I guess (should I just give up now for instance )...

[bigsarg7]

well i think you should definately keep going out there and doing it for sure. I like the second of these, i think you've captured the most important parts, I mean you've captured the sign, the face of the guy and I think it was/is an overall great shot that shows someone out there giving life a go, just in a sense like your giving something new to you a go, and I say keep doing it!

[zafra52]

I find the contrast a touch overdone. Specially
in the second one where two of the faces disappear
in the shadows making the passer-bys look like
headless zoombies . Perhaps a bit more fill
light or less shadows...?

I like the angle and composition of your shots. Should
you give it up? Why should you...? It would a shame
because these shots show promise... Each of the
pictures tells a story. For instance, the lady in the first
one is pulling down her skits thinking perhaps you
were interesting in seeing of her more than you should
and her expression is less than friendly, but I find it a bit
comical and I would not be at all surprise if she told you
off and threatened to call the police. You see what I
mean...? These pictures have meaning although some
would give them different interpretations of what really
happened. The second speaks for itself...

[aim54x]

I think there has been a lot said already...I totally agree with the contrast...bring it back a bit. Great to see you moving outside of your comfort zone

[Div]

I quite like these.

The connection between the show shiner and the man in the suit is a great capture!

Just like to see a bit more detail in his face so like the others said just a bit less contrast.

Other than that great stuff!

-Dave

[colin_12]

I think you are doing fine Rodney. These certainly have feeling. The girl has long legs but I do like the shoeshine shot more

[Remorhaz]

I think you are doing fine Rodney. These certainly have feeling. The girl has long legs but I do like the shoeshine shot more

Just like to see a bit more detail in his face so like the others said just a bit less contrast

I think there has been a lot said already...I totally agree with the contrast...bring it back a bit. Great to see you moving outside of your comfort zone

I find the contrast a touch overdone. I like the angle and composition of your shots. Should you give it up? Why should you...? It would a shame because these shots show promise... Each of the pictures tells a story. For instance, the lady in the first one is pulling down her skits thinking perhaps you were interesting in seeing of her more than you should and her expression is less than friendly, but I find it a bitcomical and I would not be at all surprise if she told you off and threatened to call the police. You see what I mean...? These pictures have meaning although some would give them different interpretations of what really happened.

Thanks - all very helpful

I've started from scratch on the first one and reworked it to be more subtle in the conversion (not so stark heavy handed ). I'd be interested to see what you think of this processing  BTW: I shot the first from the hip - I was walking slightly in front and to the side of her so I don't believe she saw me - the holding down of the skirt was more because it was very windy - especially on the street - and she's just trying to not have her very light dress up around her neck. But I like Zafra's story better

[gstark]

I'm going to take a slightly different approach here.

I don't see an issue in the contrast settings here, except perhaps that there's not enough.

Where I do have issues - and let me just talk about the original posts - is that the brightness is set to be too dark, which, with the added vignetting, just does nothing at all for these images.

The repost of the first image is too soft - contrast-wise - for my liking. You've lost your whites. The car is now a dull grey; it should be white. And look at the white area on the bus behind it! Picky bastard, aren't I ?

But that's only my tastes; Rodney - it's your image, and your opinion is what matters most in these.