X-E1 is a great tool for street photography (images from Marrakech)

Hi all

I've just spent 3 days in Marrakech on a business trip, and packed the Fuji X-E1 and 35mm in the hope of getting a few hours off to explore the old city. I'd been before with the 5D MkII and some lenses, but found photography very hard work owing to the local's distaste for having pictures taken. (At least some genuinely do not like it on the grounds of their religion, whilst the more tourist facing people don't mind if they are paid for having their photo taken).

Like in any public place, the wielding of an SLR seems to scream "photographer" and make you conspicuous. So this time I tried with the little Fuji in my short time off (just two hours ).

I found it a much better camera for this type of environment than the DSLR. I felt less embarrassed wielding a smaller camera, and it was clear to me that people were not as bothered about having their pictures taken even when they noticed I was there. It's funny how the size of the camera seems to make so much difference (I'm sure more seasoned street photographers than me will find this blindingly obvious). Of course, the most important thing is to treat the subject with respect, but I really did find that the camera also made a difference.

Here are some shots - the camera and lens performed really well it what were often very low levels of light. Very few mis-focussed shots, excellent exposure and colour. I love the rendering from the XF35m F1/4 wide open too.

This is not my particular forté in photography - I'm not well practiced in "street photography" so any comments more than welcome!

Thanks

Marcus










































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Hi Marcus,

Greats set of pics there. I particularly like the one of the smiling man (green cap, brown sweater) . . . . he looks like the shop owner. He seems like quite a character, I've gone back and looked at that pic several times today. Each time it brings a smile.

Some of these images might have been better off in b/w but all are interesting nonetheless.

thanks

Hi Marcus,

great set of shots - thanks for sharing!!

I've been at Marrakech with my X-E1 one month ago and found it very demanding too to take photos of people for the reasons you mentioned...

(See my Marocco thread here. )

Cheers

Martin

Simon

Thank you for your comments - it's appreciated. Yes - I suppose that shot shows the power of eye contact in such a photograph

I did wonder quite often about whether or not to go mono in many of the shots (of course they can be done in processing later) so your feedback on this point is very helpful. I'll trawl through them in Aperture tonight and see if any benefit from mono treatment.

All the best

Marcus

Hi Martin

A very colourful and varied take on Marrakech - lovely series! I like the fact that you've done some close up shots also like the pot used (I presume)? for colour dye?

Yes it is not the easiest place to point a camera but quite rewarding -and as I say in the post - much easier with the Fuji than with a large DSLR!

Thanks

Marcus

Some wonderful shots! I wish the EXIF data was intact. Must be a hard life for a street vendor sitting in the cold hoping for your next customer to choose your wares over the competition all around you. I really am drawn to the shot of the man sitting on the chair with peaked cap and tiny orange crate as a stand for his meager wares, looking dejectedly into the camera.

A very nice selection of photos. You say that street photography is not your forte, yet you show a keen eye for this type of photography. I really enjoyed the set!

Your comments regarding shooting the Fuji vs classic DSLR in street photography is very interesting. I imagined a smaller camera will make the photographer less conspicuous, but it is nice to have confirmation. And as I did feel somewhat uncomfortable using a DSLR on the streets, it makes my decision to switch to the Fuji X-E1 seem even better.

Thanks again.

Hi Marcus,

Always nice to see pictures of Marrakesh! I think you have some nice ones in the set!

Only technical concern is that your night shots look too bright in some of them. You can adjust brightness and contrast lots more without losing too much detail I'm sure.

Also your tungsten or white balance is bit too clean and neutral for my taste...but that's just an opinion.

If you are interested here's my thread on Morocco with pictures taken 12 years ago with a 2MP Canon Ixus.


cheers,

gerald

500px.com/geraldgay

Loving the B&W ones especially - street looks best in B&W to me

Hi Marcus,

Thanks!

Yes the pot was used for colour dye in a pottery in Meknes:







Cheers

Martin

I'll have to say that within two hours of shooting in the street, that is bloody marvelous. I myself is contemplating on getting a X-E1. So thank you very much for sharing. To mmbn I must say that the picture of yours with the wonderful expressive eyes of the woman is the best one I've seen in a long time. Can absolutely be compared to McCurry's picture of the Afgahn girl. Yours has also an environment in it that makes it all the more interesting. A lovely street photograph which deserves acclaim. Good luck to you all.

Fantastic phots... I love them. Just received my 35mm for my x-e1... switched from the kit zoom lens. Can't wait to try it out. I'm at the point that I just want to be able to see something interesting... and take a photo of it.This is the camera for me. Period. Again ... great photos... loved them. Keep shooting.

yours truly ... an X-E1 fan.

BeeSo said:

BeeSo wrote:

Fantastic phots... I love them. Just received my 35mm for my x-e1... switched from the kit zoom lens. Can't wait to try it out. I'm at the point that I just want to be able to see something interesting... and take a photo of it.This is the camera for me. Period. Again ... great photos... loved them. Keep shooting.

yours truly ... an X-E1 fan.

Click to expand...

Thanks Beeso!

Hope you have an enjpyable and inspiring relationship with your X-E1 as I have with the XP1!

-gerald

Just where I took the X-Pro the very moment I got my hands on the camera -

http://www.davepiper.org.uk/blog/fujifilm-x-pro1

Some of the shots here are from Marrakech - Others are NYC, DC, London, Birmingham , Bristol, Manchester and a number of other wonderful place. I have had so much fun travelling with the camera.

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geraldPP said:

geraldPP wrote:

Hi Marcus,

Always nice to see pictures of Marrakesh! I think you have some nice ones in the set!

Only technical concern is that your night shots look too bright in some of them. You can adjust brightness and contrast lots more without losing too much detail I'm sure.

Also your tungsten or white balance is bit too clean and neutral for my taste...but that's just an opinion.

If you are interested here's my thread on Morocco with pictures taken 12 years ago with a 2MP Canon Ixus.

http://forums.dpreview.com/forums/thread/3214837

cheers,

gerald

500px.com/geraldgay

Click to expand...

Yep Gerald, that's more like it ... for my simple tastes +1

Keep them coming !

Hi Marcus,

your thread made it to http://www.tomen.de/:

http://www.tomen.de/x-e1-is-a-great-tool-for-street-photography-images-from-marrakech-marcus-beard/

Tomen.de is a great site for Fuji-X IMHO, congratulations!!

Martin

Hi Ivar,

don't know what to say - thanks for your great compliment!! :-D

Cheers

Martin

Nice little series. I feel much atmosphere in these photos.




Cheers




steve.

Hi

Lovely shots - very good atmosphere captured despite the 2 Mp!

Thanks for the comments. I actually tweaked white balance a bit in Aperture on some shots - maybe you are right - perhaps a I went a bit far.




Thanks very much

Marcus