I had to admire this hardy fisherman on Portugal’s windswept southwestern coast. I hope he was rewarded with a good supper.
White knuckle fishing
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Tag Archives: black and white photography
London street workshop
Last weekend, Amateur Photographer magazine invited people to apply for places on a street photography workshop in London. I sent in some images and was delighted on Monday to hear that I had been given a place.
The workshop, which took place on Thursday, was being led by Damien Demolder, former editor of AP magazine and an experienced street shooter who regularly runs photography workshops in London.
The day began at the Tate Modern. There I met Damien, Phil from AP magazine and my fellow enthusiasts, Tim, Steve, Gagan, and Nic. Over coffee, we chatted about our experience in the genre so far and what we hoped to get out of the day. I mentioned that I would like to get closer to my subjects, not necessarily physically, but to create more of a connection between the viewer of the image and the subject. I thought I was waffling but Damien seemed to understand what I was on about.
As the day had brought us bright light with strong contrasts, Damien set us the task of using shadows in our compositions. He showed us how to use the transitional space between dark and light, capturing moments when the subject was lit but with darkness behind.
Several of us commented that we tended to walk about seeking images so Damien had us find a location with good light and then stay in one spot and wait for the shot. I really enjoyed this approach and will definitely be using it from now on!
Damien’s ‘can do’ attitude was so infectious that it wasn’t long before I had plucked up the courage to ask someone if I might take their photo.
Once that taboo was broken there was no stopping us! I had a super day thanks to AP magazine and Damien. This photo workshop thing is addictive so it’s a good thing I am booked on another workshop with Damien in April, this time as a birthday present from my husband.
Friday afternoon in the city
Muffling up for the journey home
Yesterday, I popped up to London to capture a few moments in the end-of-week commute.
No room on the bus
I enjoy street photography, although I am still very much a newbie at it.
Messages for the messenger
Street seems to suit a grittier style than my more usual genres. I still find myself tempted to tweak and beautify. I find it difficult to shake off the need to have detail in the highlights and the darks, which means my street shots often lack the striking contrasts seen in the work of established street photographers, like Christophe Agou.
The evening headline
Some of my favourite street images by other photographers work as sets or photo essays rather than as stand alone images. There is definitely a different art to the photo essay, and it’s one I’d like to learn. The images I made yesterday hardly count against the work of the great, but it’s a start.
Welcome to the weekend
For a superb collection of street images, see the work of Christophe Agou. I particularly like his Life Below series.
The lost weekend
Walk on by
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Mandela
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Dartmoor Six
I had fun putting together this set of moody black and white landscapes taken on Dartmoor on New Year’s Day. I hope you like it.
Hundatora
f/14, 1/24, ISO 400, 18mm
Hundatora is a ruined medieval village near Hound Tor on Dartmoor. It is likely it was abandoned either because of deteriorating climate conditions or the Black Death (bubonic plague). Somehow it seemed to me to suit a slightly brooding, black and white treatment.
Walking on the ledge
16mm, f22, 1/3, ISO 100
Mostly I go for a naturalistic approach but sometimes it’s fun to play around with black and white, and a little bit of colour. Kimmeridge Bay is on Dorset’s Jurassic Coast. It is best known as a ‘honeypot’ location for spectacular sunset and sunrise shots. But what can you do when the weather doesn’t co-operate? Give it up as a bad job or try for something a little more creative? Some of my other images from this shoot are here, here and here.
Broken Light
I hope you will forgive me for reposting this image, which I first blogged last year. At that time, The Broken Light Collective asked me if I would allow them to use the image. Shame on me I have only just this week got around to sending it! The Collective is a group of photographers living with, or affected by, mental illness. I am honoured that Into the Mist is currently their featured image and I cannot think of a better use for it than as inspiration for anyone who might be struggling with illness.
The Italian
This is my favourite shot from my recent forays into street photography. Something about his expression. And the light.
Focused Moments 