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  • Welcome to the new site. Here's a thread about the update where you can post your feedback, ask questions or spot those nasty bugs!

At the Bookstore

Paul Abbott

New member
atthebookshop1of1bor600.jpg


Paul Abbott - Bookstore - Charing Cross Road, London
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
atthebookshop1of1bor600.jpg


Paul Abbott - Bookstore - Charing Cross Road, London

Paul,

I really enjoy this photograph and must say that if it was in a gallery I'd stop and spend a little time, but want to see more of this motif in a series. If I have to niggle, it would be to remove the top two fluorescent lights by a simple crop.

Fascinating lady!

Asher
 

Paul Abbott

New member
Thanks very much, Asher.

I feel that a street photograph cannot be cropped or stylised, it is a document and honest report of what was seen on the street.
To start cropping a street photograph would suggest some form of stylisation, and thats not what street photography is about.

There are two other important elements in the scene that made me take this photo.

Jus' my two cents. :)

Regards.
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Asher, I feel that a street photograph cannot be cropped or stylised, it is a document and honest report of what was seen on the street.
To start cropping a street photograph would suggest some form of stylisation, and thats not what street photography is about.

There are two other important elements in the scene that made me take this photo.

Jus' my two cents. :)

Hi Paul,

The concept of leaving things as they are is one valued and even guarded by some photographers. I respect this. I call this "factive" photography, where one's respect for what was really there dominates. However, haven't you already "cropped and stylised" when you leave it to the shape and grab angle of that lens to scoop up only what it sees at the position you put the camera?

I am not less satisfied by your picture, uncropped, but then what happens when you print: is it 4x5 or 3x4? I guess that you would use the whole negative/digital image capture.

If thats your philosophy to use everything that was recorded, then I understand.

Asher
 

Paul Abbott

New member
Your right of course about lenses. This was shot at 28mm.
Photographers used to use a 50mm on the street didn't they, 'cos it closely resembles the field of vision of our eyes?
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Your right of course about lenses. This was shot at 28mm.
Photographers used to use a 50mm on the street didn't they, 'cos it closely resembles the field of vision of our eyes?
Still, Paul, you must admit then that shooting with a 28mm lens immediately defines a style os seeing things. However, not removing what the lens angle cannot help but include, means that one is forced to limit the contribution of one's brain to the final image delivered.

After all this is said, the photograph of the lady straining to read the titles to see if there's one she might buy, still carries it's ideas to us.

It's good to learn of how you approach imagine so I have the right tools to understand where you're coming from.

Asher
 

Cem_Usakligil

Well-known member
Hi Asher, Paul,

Asher I have been following your correspondence with Paul with great interest, here and also in this other thread by Paul. Here's what is intriguing to me: it seems that you are giving a very focused form of feedback which can be interpreted by some folks as being "educative" or perhaps even "pushy". Now I am fairly certain that you do this simply because you are very enthusiastic about Paul's pictures and you think that he has the potential to grow as a photographer. You are putting your heart into it and being very passionate. What concerns me is whether Paul also sees it as such? Paul I think it would be very unfortunate if you'd feel a bit uncomfortable because of this. I hope that is not the case? :)

Cheers,
 

Paul Abbott

New member
I welcome Asher's comments. I told him that in a PM just recently. I have no problem with 'em at all. I take onboard all what he says.

Ever since I had an interest in street photography and started taking pictures on the street like this, I made a decision to follow certain masters of this field who have adopted this ideal. Its as simple as that really.
For instance, I really love Joel Meyerowitz street photography.

Again, in this image I had to be quick. After her head had just cleared the book with the female face on it, I took the shot, thats what I was after. Her bag was of interest to me also, lying as it did in exactly the same way as the books.
 
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