Street Photo Diary: Issue 21 - Winter Light Edition
Autumn is slowly giving way to winter here in Dublin city, and as the seasons change the light changes too. The harsh winter sun brings with it long shadows and cool sunshine. I actually love the light this time of year, and for street photography it makes for an interesting subject all of its own
With the low sun casting shapes across the cityscape, people move in and out of the shadows. This patchwork of light creates an ideal canvas, as the patterns of light and shade create pools of luminance to emphasise the emotions and expressions of people as they go about heir daily lives.
I have been somewhat remit in shooting street photography lately. A while ago someone commented on Facebook about a video that I’d made which really got to me. They were giving out about taking photos on the street without getting people’s permission first. While this has long been a discussion with regards to street photography, my opinion is that, at least for the type I take, to stop and ask for permission, would be to destroy the integrity of the scene, and influence it rather than capture it. While that may be fine for street portraits, and the type of thing that Humans of New York does, Street Photography has been around for a long time, and is a perfectly legitimate, legal and respected art form.
What was more galling, was that the stuff that this person was complaining about wasn’t even focussed on people. The city itself was the focus, and people just happened to be passing through it. If everyone approached photography and videography the way this person wanted, then there would be no journalism, no street photography and no news. Hell, you wouldn’t be even able to take a selfie on the street in case you accidentally got someone in the background. Which, of course is ridiculous, but anyway, I know I shouldn’t let things like this get to me, but it really ticked me off, and it had kind of put me off for a while. (Ironically, this same person had posted lots of pictures of their kids to Facebook, in an unprotected public account, and I’m pretty sure they didn’t ask their permission before sharing the photos either)
I’ve been getting back into it though. For me, photography has become one of those things that I can’t not do. Even when I get disheartened, or get in a creative rut, it calls out to me, and eventually, I have no choice but to go back to it, because something inside me makes me. I’ve always been my harshest critic, but even so, I strive to improve and continue.
Gear wise, these shots are mostly Nikon D700 with 24-120 f/4 lens, and there are a few Fuji X-Pro 2 shots in these too.
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