Our Eternal Struggle

Quincy T

There isn't going to be an image in this thread, just yet, but I'm posting it here just to discuss something I've thought of this morning.

It's July 4th, Happy Independence Day! But, I wake up this morning and I am conflicted. The reason behind this internal battle? I am a photographer who loves the style, intent, and qualities of good photojournalism, but once again, I am invited to an event where I will find easy to shoot, willing subjects, with happy, candid faces.

It's a dilemma, because I know that if I go to the party venue, I will get good practice, and hopefully some great shots. But, if I was to be adventurous, and skip the festivities, food, and fun, I could find myself in many other places in my area. Clearwater beach in St. Pete has a ridiculously awesome fireworks show...imagine the shots there! Or Ybor City (slightly frightening) after the sun begins to set a bit.

While I'm no pedigreed photojournalist by any measure, I wonder if you can empathize with me, Street & PJ.

I fully intend to go to my friend's party tonight, as I have already made that promise. But, I hope that I find myself driving to some other, unknown location for the evening, to make my best shots of the night.

Juano

You know what you want to do... go for it!!!! Good shooting.

rainbow

Sounds like a great situation, actually, as you get to spend time with friends on the Fourth and perhaps go elsewhere afterwards.

At the party, look at it as an opportunity to experiment with different shooting angles and creative uses of your lenses. Example would be low shooting angles or using a wide angle lens with the subject extremely close on one side (not the middle) of the frame. Then take what you learn into future street shoots.

Bruche

I completely understand what you mean, Quincy. I feel like I'm in the same boat, but more recently I've pushed out of my comfort zone and experimented with locations and subjects. I can't say it wasn't intimidating but I believe I learned many valuable lessons on these shoots. Primarily that most people don't even mind /know/care that you're shooting. The second lesson is light, but that's a separate post.

I say keep it up and dare yourself to try different shoots, pretty soon you'll be amazed at what you've captured...

Just my two cents,

Bruce

Quincy T

rainbow wrote: »

Sounds like a great situation, actually, as you get to spend time with friends on the Fourth and perhaps go elsewhere afterwards.

At the party, look at it as an opportunity to experiment with different shooting angles and creative uses of your lenses. Example would be low shooting angles or using a wide angle lens with the subject extremely close on one side (not the middle) of the frame. Then take what you learn into future street shoots.

It turns out that, for the most part, this is exactly what I ended up doing. I intended to leave a bit earlier and go do something else, but I was getting some shots I felt really great about. I will post my favorites once I've completed my workflow.

Thanks for the inspiration, dgrinners.

bdcolen

Sword and Scales wrote: »

There isn't going to be an image in this thread, just yet, but I'm posting it here just to discuss something I've thought of this morning.

It's July 4th, Happy Independence Day! But, I wake up this morning and I am conflicted. The reason behind this internal battle? I am a photographer who loves the style, intent, and qualities of good photojournalism, but once again, I am invited to an event where I will find easy to shoot, willing subjects, with happy, candid faces.

It's a dilemma, because I know that if I go to the party venue, I will get good practice, and hopefully some great shots. But, if I was to be adventurous, and skip the festivities, food, and fun, I could find myself in many other places in my area. Clearwater beach in St. Pete has a ridiculously awesome fireworks show...imagine the shots there! Or Ybor City (slightly frightening) after the sun begins to set a bit.

While I'm no pedigreed photojournalist by any measure, I wonder if you can empathize with me, Street & PJ.

I fully intend to go to my friend's party tonight, as I have already made that promise. But, I hope that I find myself driving to some other, unknown location for the evening, to make my best shots of the night.

...I realize I'm a tad late on this, but...your dilemma is a common one, but I think that too often we tend to believe we need events and special activities to photograph, when in fact most of life is made up of the kind of simple gathering of friends that you were planning to attend. When all is said and done, will a historian be better off 100 years from now examining collections images of family gatherings, with a few public events thrown in, or just news photos of public events? I'd vote for the former - and I'd photograph the former over the latter.