Great perspective and advice, Paul. And you’re right, the cinematography and set design of Mr.Robot was amazing. www.vulture.com/2015/09/mr-robot-visually-striking-cinematography.html
Sometimes looking back on your pictures from five six years ago, you can revisit some of the locations and try something different, or set yourself a project, looking at artist, people like Edward Hopper and try to capture his style with the camera 📷
Your images are stunning and compelling at the same time. I kept stopping the video because they were drawing me in, saying, 'Stop. Linger longer. Take a closer look." That, to me, is a strong indication of powerful photography. I must ask, what is your approach in street photography when shooting individuals. There's the Woman Sitting on the Stairs Smoking or the Long-haired Man with a Purse Dressed in Black Reclining on His Arm as two excellent examples. How do you approach them? As you mentioned, I'd be too timid to ask or afraid they'd "pose" for me. What's your trick? Thanks for sharing your work and your thoughts!
Some of those actually look posed but they’re not. One of my favourite things is when someone notices me taking their photo and look directly at me. That’s when I press the shutter!
I've been plundering my library system for such insights. I took out Stephen Shore yesterday, and today, I was out shooting "uncommon places." I *love* Moriyama, so then I'm shooting posters and other people's images, etc. You're bang on. I'm in the US, so I only get to Waterstones when I'm at Heathrow, but I love the idea of those smaller ones. I'll see if we have something similar, maybe through Jeff Bezos's empire or something. Great post, Paul.
Those eleven minutes were pure joy, fun to watch, entertaining, dense and rich as we can expect from an experienced photographer. Warm thanks for this. And also for giving proofs "greyish" cities have a lovely side to them, especially when one knows how to frame, what to frame and not, where to stand, where to place their talent, and all things crafting an image. Because of / thanks to (I still have to decide on that) you, I'm starting to consider this lens for my own personnal "portrait project". And, yes... what a model !
Absolutely wonderful video. It reflects exactly what I felt going out with my camera this morning despite coming home with very little. But that very little made it all worthwhile. Many thanks Paul.
The issue isn’t that I like making black and white photographs it is that I do NOT like making colour pictures. The solution to the problem therefore can not be to make colour photographs first and convert them to monochrome later as I would still be making colour pictures! I've been shooting film because of this but have just ordered a Q2M - prices are good just now, they must be about to come out with a Q3M :)
Playing devil's advocate I would say....I wonder how much Cartier Bresson, Lee Miller, Capa, Trente Parke and many many more worry/ worried about shadow detail? There really seems to be an obsession about it. Highlights also. So many of the amazing photos through history, infact most still held as the greatest ever were not shot with too much concern anout shadow detail. Personally I find this look of obviously heavily processed and corrected B&W images all a bit plastic looking and quickly appear fatiguing to look at. I think this is a look that won't stand the test of time.
Loved the portrait of the girl with two strands of hair Blowin in the Wind , I can just imagine that picture on a large poster advertising an exhibition of yours. Very best wishes from Jake E.
I have done a few workshops, and plan to do many more. Being inspired by those who are running the workshops, and by the other attendees, is the main reason I am a fan. Your philosophy appeals to me when my calendar is lining up with yours, I hope to come along and learn a few things from you. Meanwhile, I shall continue to watch your RU-vid output.
Hi Paul, I'm heading to Glasgow this afternoon and will be taking my camera to hopefully hit the streets this evening around the city. Is there anywhere in particular that you would suggest in the city for grabbing images? Great videos as always.
Yes, Paul, there is a big difference between copying your idols and gaining the ability to understand how their works came to be. Ultimately, our photographs should show not what we saw, but how we saw! It doesn't always have to be the works of world champions that everyone knows. I'm going to Hamburg on Thursday for 4 days. “Meet & Street” takes place there. It is the big festival of the German street photographer scene. What you can see, learn and do yourself within 4 days is overwhelming, motivating and instructive. These are the places that make us better, and give us options to practice. Thank you very much for your video! Best regards, Dirk
Dear Paul, thank you so much for mentioning me so prominently in your video! Thanks to your workshops, of which I have already attended several, I was able to improve my photography skills enormously in a very short space of time! And I will be attending your next workshop in London in September at the latest and I am really looking forward to it!!
