Batabano - street parade - some skin on show for the sensitive

[GrahamH]

Couple of recent pics from local street parade.
Not a huge parade meant that I was able to get amongst the action at several points.
C&C welcome.
Graham
(Very little processing which is unusual for me - also the demise of live view half way through the event - bummer)

Police on/in parade



Facing matters


Happy


Happier


Dancin' in the street


It's a bum deal

[Shadowman]

Nice series, some tricky lighting situations.

[GrahamH]

Hi John,
Started at around 2pm, ended around 5pm. I was hot and humid and a number were taken care of by the local Red Cross.
As you say, the lighting was entertaining to say the least. Plus all the shade was taken along the route. I kept swapping sides of the road so one side didn't get to burnt.
I was goin to offer to apply sun lotion to a few, but the thought of getting oil on the camera stopped me - honest.
Graham

[FootLoose]

Nice set, Graham. I particularly like the 2nd one: it captures the celebratroy mood for me. 3 and 4 also work well: I guess if people are prepared to strut in a parade they are quite happy to have their photos taken by strangers. (The one in #4 seems to like you )

[brannend]

I agree with Greg, #2 stands out for me. Who says mid-day shooting sucks?

[GrahamH]

Thanks Greg and David.
So far my favourite is also 2.

How do others approach street parade photography? I've usually avoided them as I am not a great lover of crowds.

My logistical plan was to set up camp in a given location until parade passed, back to car, drive to next location and repeat.
Photographically - get the feel of the parade as to how close I can get (using a superzoom initially and staying out of the way) by watching other photographers and the response they receive. Next was to try to get a decent backdrop so to minimise distractions (trees rather than buildings and to get down low), finally was to get in close. All the time I was looking for candids (e.g. the police shot).
Next time, get in close to begin with. Lose the inhibitions (easier said than done ) and ask for more posing. Later shots (as the alcohol has flowed more) get even closer. Perhaps also get more involved with the parade and wave arms and gesticulate wildly ... or perhaps not, just yet.

Graham

[SilverYeou]

Hi! Nice shots! My favorites are number 2 and the last one (yes, the butty one hehe I thought it was a cool position with her nails and the feathers on her leg! ^_^
I love to shoot small parades and events also, just do not get the opportunity very often. I agree that the best shots come when you get closer and get "involved" with the parade/event. Might be my crazy imagination, but I tend to shoot better pics when my camera and I are in the same "vibration" as the event. I think your photo number 2 shows it very well.
Haha, I am usually the one to go and ask for a picture instead of analyzing how it goes for others first I confess not always it goes well, but I am not afraid of rejections.

[davidedric]

Had the Liveview packed in before the last shot? So did you have to get down and

Seriously, good pictures and a great feel good mood. Fwiw number 4 is my favourite, everything comes together with the girl

[GrahamH]

Hi Dave, had to use the viewfinder for that one. Could it be it was that one that broke the live view .
I do like the expression on the girl in 4, very flirtatious.
Graham.

[brannend]

(yes, the butty one hehe I thought it was a cool position with her nails and the feathers on her leg!

There were nails and feathers there??? I'll have to take a much closer look at that one.

[GrahamH]

Thanks David.

Overall, I was trying to tell a story about the parade. The police involvement, the individuals and the acceptance of the general attire. I feel that it was a decent attempt.
A couple of years ago, a few of use posted images that were somewhat more risque than is usual for this forum and one or two people expressed significant distaste. None of the images at that time (as far as I can remember) showed MORE skin than these shots. (I seem to recall a couple of months after that period an image was presented showing bare breasts).
I found the cultural acceptance ON THE DAY to be quite refreshing. I find the island to be quite publically prudish - and of course there is always the inevitable backlash with it being public.
From many different sources (very respectable in most cases) I have heard about standards of behaviour in private that are far removed from the public standard. No difference from a more progressive location (e.g. big cities on the mainland), however, it is the degree of secrecy that is most disturbing. Underage sex (and associated issues) and drug use is a continuing problem, however, the prevailing attitude is 'my kids wouldn't do that, I run a good family'.
If the parade openess could prevail year round, it is likely that problem areas would be more open to redress.

Graham

[Donald]

Overall, I was trying to tell a story about the parade. The police involvement, the individuals and the acceptance of the general attire. I feel that it was a decent attempt.

I think it was a very good and successful attempt. The series conveys, to me, the excitement and energy of the event.

[SilverYeou]

(yes, the butty one hehe I thought it was a cool position with her nails and the feathers on her leg!

There were nails and feathers there??? I'll have to take a much closer look at that one.

Hahahaha some might have problems to see, but take your time ^^

[ConstellationX]

I absolutely LOVE the second image. It really embodies the entire feeling of the parade, in my opinion. Beautiful!

[Marie Hass]

Any men? I was hoping to see some.

Speedos would be nice....

[Shadowman]

Any men? I was hoping to see some.

Speedos would be nice....

Marie,

This is the Carnaval thread. You'll have to visit Steve's Wrestling thread.
John Cena

[Marie Hass]

John - I already did.

Since when is Carnival exclusionary?

Marie

[Stagecoach]

Seventeen replies and not one has mentioned crop suggestions, exposure, DOF, chromatic aberration, lens flare, use of primes for higher IQ, soft images, haze, correct focal length for portraits, correct time of day to take photos or were they taken in RAW

Good fun series,

Grahame

[Shadowman]

John - I already did.

Since when is Carnival exclusionary?

Marie

Only for speedos!

[Donald]

Seventeen replies and not one has mentioned crop suggestions, exposure, DOF, chromatic aberration, lens flare, use of primes for higher IQ, soft images, haze, correct focal length for portraits, correct time of day to take photos or were they taken in RAW

Yeh, but I did think all those things. Honest!