Conversation... C&C Welcome

[FootLoose]

While these two crops focus the viewer's attention more on the women's faces, it also directs the viewer to what the women's eyes are looking at, which appears to be their own shadows.

[flashback]

Greg, but is it better?

[FootLoose]

Better? Well, that is subjective... I prefer the harder contrast of the first edit and the open space to the right. The second two are different. I find it hard not to read a bit of whimsy into the third one because of the subjects' apparent focus on the shadows: "look, I'm a penguin!"

[flashback]

LOL whimsy appreciated.

[IzzieK]

The old woman, I can understand how and why you got to shoot that, but these two people here I simply cannt comprehend how you can shoot this without permission.
When I was in Oz recently, hubby and I went to a fairly large hardware store and on coming out of the car, P&S on hand I saw this little child pushing a baby supermarket trolley with some goodies her mother bought from the store. I was tempted to take a shot then and there but I decided to ask permission from the mom. She became so defensive (and almost abusive). My husband asked me to give it up. I should had just taken the shot and moved on...

Isabel, thanks again. Actually all I do is roam the (NY) City with my camera. I don't stand around waiting nor do I ask permission. I do two things: I have my camera (usually) set to either manual or to aperture priority with Auto ISO and set at F/11 (it gives me a DoF from ~9ft. to infinity with auto focus off and lens pre-focused to ~20ft.) and; I wrap the camera strap around my hand and wrist in way that secures it in my hand with no effort to hold it and in a way that my finger rests on the button. This way I can shoot from the waist, hold it up to my eye or a quick side shot. It's all rather surreptitious on my part. I'm still experimenting with various methods of shooting.

The only other thing I can tell you is that when I shoot, it's because there is something about what I'm seeing that draws my eye. I'm usually surprised by what I shoot, and sometimes even more so once I've downloaded the images to my laptop and can view them. One example was of the older woman eating alone in a restaurant: Reflections...on a life lived.

[flashback]

Isabel, almost all my people shots are taken holding the camera against my stomach. A technique I'm still working on.

[IzzieK]

Jack I was taught how to shoot from the hips once when I was in CA...but that was a long time ago now...maybe I should try that and see how I go, then take it to the streets to take some shots...you are an inspiration, Jack. Thank you.

[flashback]

Isabel, when you say shoot fromthe hip...you are talking cameras, right?
As for you taking it to the streets: less talkie talkie more takey takey :-)

[IzzieK]

Isabel, when you say shoot from the hip...you are talking cameras, right?
As for you taking it to the streets: less talkie talkie more takey takey :-)

Yes...physically from the hip...I'll try practicing first. It's been awhile since CA...

[Stagecoach]

I like it Jack, it's not the sort of thing I shoot but I see it as a snapshot of life in a different place and I find the first a stronger image than the other two.

Grahame

[flashback]

Thanks Grahame. Personally I liked my first shot (crop-wise) better; the other two were an experiment as I tried to reduce the hotness of the pavement in the first and bring out more detail in the faces. At some point I will go back to the original and clean it up.