THe sOw’s eAR - the Street Photographer's Lounge *

namatet said:

skanter said:

Out of the city last weekend, some different photos for me. Not much SP at a quiet lake, but some nice highway landscapes to see on and off the Trailways bus. More to come...

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Google images for Stephen Shore gas station

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Yes, taking another cross-country road trip like those of my youth could be a rich terrain of photographic material. I didn't have a camera then.

Who wants to join me and share the driving and gas money?

--
Sam K., NYC
http://skanter.smugmug.com/NYC-Street-Photography
“A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.”
-Dorothea Lange

A7 with Canon FL 55/1.2.






a necessary gentleness



--
While I suppose I could be considered a natural light photographer I prefer to think I am a natural shadow photographer...

--
Sam K., NYC
http://skanter.smugmug.com/NYC-Street-Photography
“A camera is a tool for learning how to see without a camera.”
-Dorothea Lange

Penny Oleksiak, 16, captured 4 medals at the Rio Olympics in swimming. Her stunning performance in the 100m freestyle enthralled her fans in Canada:


A parade in her honour was held in her neighbourhood (The Beach) in Toronto.

(Canon 580Ex, Ray Flash ring adapter)












With fellow team-mate Michelle Williams





















--

Sal18 said:

Oh my! Makes one miss Bill Cunningham.

Sal

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He is missed.

The lady on the right may have overdone things a little, but at least she carries off an idea. Her shoes and purse do match, and she projects an image that seems to make sense for who she is, a well-heeled UES matron, one assumes. The lady on our left...

The number of gas stations in Manhattan is rapidly approaching zero.

People will start charging $50-100 service fees to come into Manhattan and fill up your tank.

You know, it actually would make sense for many people here to pay that.

Sal18 said:

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It's easy to be superficial --to be focused on photography and not on life and the deeper self --and overlook the fact that this is by far --without question --the best gas station photo. It tells us what a gas station is and what meaning it has. It has no gimmicks. It is perfectly composed and balanced. The tones work to tell the 'story.'

The photographer disappears, and all that remains is her deep feeling for and understanding of these humble, utilitarian structures a that are so much a part of American life --freedom, mobility, happiness, the aiding and greeting of strangers, technology in the service of life.

The whiteness of the building, and its openings, remind me of the simple white homes and churches of New England. The two signs are fraught with feeling --friendly and useful service, the joy of being on the road --to somewhere, to where?

There are a gazillion and one things one can do affect the appearance of a photograph, and surely we all need to learn at least a few of them. But if they become the subject of the photo, or absorb all the emotional energy and attention of the photographer, they become a great, big bore. A nihilistic search for distinction without love.

Sal18 said:

Sal

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--
Frank
http://sidewalkshadows.com/blog/
Photos look better in Original Size
Shot in downtown Manhattan, mostly

Goethe said:

A7 with Canon FL 55/1.2.

a necessary gentleness

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You may have observed a gentleness, but there is nothing gentle about the gimmick of crushed blacks without contrast and the whiteness of the cigarette that is so lacking in detail that it looks like a blown highlight.

--
Frank
Photos look better in Original Size
Shot in downtown Manhattan, mostly

Sal18 said:

I love the image and I love the idea. I'm going to do exactly that for my husband's birthday. And many Happy Returns to you Frank.

Sal

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Thank you, Sal.

And he will love you for it.

--
Frank
http://sidewalkshadows.com/blog/
Photos look better in Original Size
Shot in downtown Manhattan, mostly

jeff hladun said:

Penny Oleksiak, 16, captured 4 medals at the Rio Olympics in swimming. Her stunning performance in the 100m freestyle enthralled her fans in Canada:

A parade in her honour was held in her neighbourhood (The Beach) in Toronto.

(Canon 580Ex, Ray Flash ring adapter)






With fellow team-mate Michelle Williams









--
http://www.flickr.com/photos/12191517@N05/

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Nice set of photos, especially of the spectators. I love the Nuthing But Net girl. Great t shirt.

I suppose, no I know, it would be churlish to point out that at my college, freshman year, our male swimmers had won more gold medals than West Germany had in all sports, and we were lucky to be ranked #3 in the nation. And it was about the 9th most important sport, at a small university that is primarily known for its academics. Yes, that would be very churlish. I'm sorry.

To make up for it, I found, on the web, that it "has maintained close ties with Canada for nearly three centuries. Having established a tradition of scholarly and academic excellence in a range of Canadian topics early on, the University played a significant role in the development of Canadian Studies in the U.S.

The University first accepted Canadian students in the early 18th century and has now graduated the second highest number of Canadians among American universities. The Visiting Bicentennial Professorship of Canadian Studies has been held by over seventeen distinguished scholars since 1997 in fields ranging across History, English, Comparative Literature, History, Political Science, Economics, Architecture, Law, Anthropology, Film Studies, African-American Studies and Latin American Studies. "

That's better.

"The Canadian Collection in the Library is one of the two best in the U.S. Through the William Inglis Morse Fund, the Univeristy has been able to buy rare Canadian publications for many years, and the Library’s holdings now include standard publications and local histories; “underground” and ethnic publications; French- Canadian literature; collections of Canadian music; and historical sound recordings. The Library is one of a limited number in the U.S. to hold partial depository status for Canadian Government publications. It also possesses the most complete U.S. collection of the provinces’ documents and receives all significant Canadian serials and newspapers."

Who even knew that Canadian Studies even existed as an academic discipline? And that non-Canadians spend their entire careers engaged in it?



--
Frank
Photos look better in Original Size
Shot in downtown Manhattan, mostly

don't even know if this is street photography, taken on street, just out of pure boredom... did try to find something interesting in ordinary people on ordinary day

so, what do you think? would this be considered as street photography?




Dog does not like pizza




Just another working day, not enough energy even for a smile




The girl out of focus jumped into the scene just before i took the photo, otherwise it would be a photo of girl eating... btw, only thing people do is eat on street - that's odd




This girl was in hurry, moving twice the speed than others - i don't know how to show that on photo, i wanted to take a portrait of her, but she was way to fast

I think I"m going to beg to differ, Frank. I love the colors. They are their own sun drenched story.

Sal

Thank you, Frank. Gas stations somehow get to me. Some of them. Not all. They are both ordinary and everyday, and somehow 'other'.

Sal

Wait! Don't tell me I'm going to differ again, Frank! I find his style very individualistic, one that imparts a mood that has a veiled, though palpable, threat. It is not a style I would, or could, emulate, but I find it very effective. It somehow fascinates. There is undeniable narrative. Extremes of contrast have to be handled with skill and intelligence. They are, indeed, dangerous. But they surely grab the eye here.

Sal

fad said:

Goethe said:

A7 with Canon FL 55/1.2.

a necessary gentleness

Click to expand...

You may have observed a gentleness, but there is nothing gentle about the gimmick of crushed blacks without contrast and the whiteness of the cigarette that is so lacking in detail that it looks like a blown highlight.

--
Frank
http://sidewalkshadows.com/blog/
Photos look better in Original Size
Shot in downtown Manhattan, mostly

Click to expand...

If it wasnt your kneejerk reaction to speak ill of anything I shoot because of our past encounters you might have realized from the OBVIOUS LACK OF DETAIL in the majority of this photo that this was in fact the EXACT effect I was trying to capture. It was shot in high contrast black and white, and then processed a little more that way. The blacks are SUPPOSED to be without detail. The cigarette is SUPPOSED to look the way it does. Thanks for letting me know you saw exactly what I wanted you to see in it.



There is nothing gimmicky in visualizing an outcome, choosing a technique to make it happen, then nailing exactly what you were tyring to capture and being proud of the effect.



You might want to try this some time...its called art.

--
While I suppose I could be considered a natural light photographer I prefer to think I am a natural shadow photographer...

Somehow, the cop on the left has the build and the posture to intimidate. I'd expect him to be a bully, bash in heads, take your camera away. Is that an NYPD vehicle? If so...puleeeze. Almost as bad as our police cars, which are covered with a painting of our lighthouse and breakwater and so many graphics they look silly.

Sal

It says the video is not available? Someone took it down? Anyway, Bravo Canada!!

images 3, 4 and 5 are the kind of spectator pix I love so much. Good people out cheering other good people. Folks feeling good about each other, the time, the place. Content in their world for the moment. They make my heart smile, and if that's corny, so be it.

Sal

I thought you went to Yale, Frank. No? You say it was a small university.....well, maybe in comparison to the University of Chicago, I guess.....

In any case, that's really interesting. Who knew? I hope McGill does as well by Canada.

Sal

It's certainly street photography - which, anyway, is defined by each individual practicing it. No one should try to define it for you. You're the one behind the camera.

By the way, the girl who walked into your eating-pizza shot did you a favor. I think that's your strongest one. Who cares if she isn't totally in focus? She makes the story.

Sal

em28 said:

don't even know if this is street photography, taken on street, just out of pure boredom... did try to find something interesting in ordinary people on ordinary day

so, what do you think? would this be considered as street photography?

Dog does not like pizza

Just another working day, not enough energy even for a smile

The girl out of focus jumped into the scene just before i took the photo, otherwise it would be a photo of girl eating... btw, only thing people do is eat on street - that's odd

This girl was in hurry, moving twice the speed than others - i don't know how to show that on photo, i wanted to take a portrait of her, but she was way to fast

Click to expand...

These are documentary (only because they document, like a photo does), maybe the last photo qualifies as street because there is an oddness with her arms, like riding a bicycle and a contrast to the other arms and normally we might guess that was the intention of the photographer ...but it isn't and appears to be an accident, which is ok too but it still means you might not be sure what street photography is and I am concerned you might think it means a photograph taken in the street.