Streets of Swansea

[Rebel]

Went out again this afternoon, surprisingly quiet for a saturday afternoon. I'm enjoying this so much I am thinking of starting a project called 'Streets of Swansea'

#1 - I have my headphones in when I take street stuff so I don't know what this was about, but he obviously feels strongly about something. I am wondering whether those to ladies are listening?


#2 - Not sure why I was drawn to this, its quite an unsettling scene for me. Best seats in the house?


#3 - Mixed messages?


#4 - These guys were singing gospel music, Jesus/God their hero maybe?


#5 - I wondered how many times and for how many years this lady had eaten lunch here?


#6 - About to meet her top man perhaps?


#7 - Who's behind the curtain?


#8 - Rug salesman


The next two are in colour for a change for obvious reasons...

#9 - I waited a while in this spot then got this, I liked the way her bag matches the scaffolding and her scarve the wood trim behind her.


#10 - I just liked the contrasting colours in this and the fact that he has a bin liner, but why has he walked past the bins?


C&C Welcome as always

[ashish]

Nice set of street images Matt.. I like #4 and #7 and in my opinion the monochrome images are more impactful than the colour images.

[Rebel]

Nice set of street images Matt.. I like #4 and #7 and in my opinion the monochrome images are more impactful than the colour images.

Agreed

The only reason the last two are in colour is because its the reason I shot them.

[Shadowman]

Nice series.

[Rebel]

Nice series.

Nice one John

[Geoff F]

Looking good, Matt.

Just two slight thoughts, both concerning crops.

With #1 the lady on the left is taking up a lot of space but is out of focus so reducing her, or total removal, would concentrate more on the other two where all the action is happening.

#5 has a similar issue with the dark legs taking up so much of the scene but not adding a lot of input. Several options for reducing but not fully removing the left side are worth considering.

[Rebel]

Looking good, Matt.

Just two slight thoughts, both concerning crops.

With #1 the lady on the left is taking up a lot of space but is out of focus so reducing her, or total removal, would concentrate more on the other two where all the action is happening.

#5 has a similar issue with the dark legs taking up so much of the scene but not adding a lot of input. Several options for reducing but not fully removing the left side are worth considering.

Geoff we will have to disagree on both points there, but I normally do disagree with your composition suggestions. Thats not a bad thing just two different views

#8 is a dodgy composition for me?

[Mike Buckley]

Considering the immense difficulty of this genre and the short amount of time you've been concentrating on it, I'm blown away with the quality of your images, especially the best ones. I just love the second one.

Do you have a version of the last one that frames the woman in the bright spot of the building yet also displays a natural walking position? If so, you also have an image Cartier-Bresson would be proud of.

[ShaneS]

Very nice set Matt - you have an eye for this sort of shooting!

My favorite is the photo booth in #7

[Manfred M]

I haven't commented on you previous two sets, but must say I have definitely been enjoying your venture into street photography.

What strikes as particularly interesting is how your street photography style seems so very different from your landscape work. Your landscapes all look so very carefully planned and considered while your street images appear almost rushed and very opportunistic (note - this is not a criticism, but rather an observation).

I'd be interested in your thoughts on this genre, how you approach it and where you see your self going with it?

[Rebel]

I haven't commented on you previous two sets, but must say I have definitely been enjoying your venture into street photography.

What strikes as particularly interesting is how your street photography style seems so very different from your landscape work. Your landscapes all look so very carefully planned and considered while your street images appear almost rushed and very opportunistic (note - this is not a criticism, but rather an observation).

I'd be interested in your thoughts on this genre, how you approach it and where you see your self going with it?

Thanks Manfred, at the moment my approach is to look for someone I find interesting and then hang around them and snap them when I feel the moment is right.

I find tend to see a lot of people when they are sitting down, eat etc and sometimes circle the block if I don't get a picture I like.

I am planning on starting a study called Streets of Swansea, I only know of one other serious photographer who photographs people in the street, but he asks everyone to smile for him - which doesn't interest me.

Also I should add, I have been told I have a really weird outlook on things.

[Rebel]

Considering the immense difficulty of this genre and the short amount of time you've been concentrating on it, I'm blown away with the quality of your images, especially the best ones. I just love the second one.

Do you have a version of the last one that frames the woman in the bright spot of the building yet also displays a natural walking position? If so, you also have an image Cartier-Bresson would be proud of.

Mike, I do have that shot but its heavily blurred

[ionian]

This is good stuff Matt. I particularly like 6 and 7, but as Manfred notes you've taken to this style like a duck to water. Very inspiring.

[Rebel]

This is good stuff Matt. I particularly like 6 and 7, but as Manfred notes you've taken to this style like a duck to water. Very inspiring.

Thanks Simon, its been my favourite genre for years so I have been looking at street shots all the time which has definitely helped.

[Sergio M.]

A strong set, Matt.

I really like the following:

1. You caught the man at just the right time. He's really trying to make a point.

2. They do seem to have the best seating arrangement in the house. Seats with a view.

4. It's interesting they chose to sing in front of "Find Your Hero". I'm sure it has spiritual significance for them.

6. Very nice juxtaposition. It will tell the story if we look closely.

7. One of those comic scenes. Well captured.

10. You still caught him aligned with the yellow marking on the sidewalk and under the angle of the wall. I like it.

Looks like you had fun. Well done.

Sergio

[Rebel]

A strong set, Matt.

I really like the following:

1. You caught the man at just the right time. He's really trying to make a point.

2. They do seem to have the best seating arrangement in the house. Seats with a view.

4. It's interesting they chose to sing in front of "Find Your Hero". I'm sure it has spiritual significance for them.

6. Very nice juxtaposition. It will tell the story if we look closely.

7. One of those comic scenes. Well captured.

10. You still caught him aligned with the yellow marking on the sidewalk and under the angle of the wall. I like it.

Looks like you had fun. Well done.

Sergio

Thanks Sergio, appreciated.

[IzzieK]

Fun it is I can see too so +1 to Sergio's comments. I particularly like #6 in co-relation to the Top Man label behind her. And #7 -- I've always like to take one like that...

[Rebel]

Fun it is I can see too so +1 to Sergio's comments. I particularly like #6 in co-relation to the Top Man label behind her. And #7 -- I've always like to take one like that...

Thanks Izzie.

[dubaiphil]

Matt - ever looked through Martin Parr's back catalogue? He's done some great series on UK seaside towns.....

[Rebel]

Matt - ever looked through Martin Parr's back catalogue? He's done some great series on UK seaside towns.....

Hi Phil, yes I am familiar with Martin Parr and really enjoy his work.

Funnily enough I was looking at his 'Last Resort' series a few days ago here: http://www.magnumphotos.com/C.aspx?V...D=2S5RYDYDHEB9