An art of selectionTaking a photograph starts with a scene, rather than an empty canvas. Its a quick process, over in a few seconds with the click of a button. This contrasts it to other forms of art, which require a lot more time to create an image. But there are also elements of photography that can be time consuming, which tend to go on behind the camera. Where to stand, the camera settings, what angle is best to take the photo. All of these conscious decisions come together when taking a photograph
street photographyStreet photography is usually spontaneous and rapid process. Its a fast process, requiring quick thinking and a keen eye for the interesting. it requires high shutter speeds, which help to counter the quick movements being made.
One of the pioneering photographers of this genre is Bruce Gilden, an American photographer, renown for his photographs from the streets of New York. He utilises a flash gun and black and white in his photographs, creating images with a sense of spontaneity. |
There are a few key concepts to remember when taking a "good" photograph. The rule of thirds is the idea of dividing a photograph into a 3x3 grid, and that having an off-centre focus makes for a more appealing image. Leading lines are a technique that use lines to draw a viewer through a photo to the subject of the image, often drawing inwards to the centre of an image.
Its important to remember that these techniques aren't crucial to take a "good" photograph, nor are they set in stone. They can be played with in different ways to take a new photo. typologyA Typology is the study of types, and a photographic typology is a suite of images or related forms, shot in a consistent, repetitive manner. My typology topic was "people standing behind a counter", so I ventured into my local area to find my subjects. When I was taking the photos of them, I gave them the simple explanation of "I just need to take an objective portrait of you, so no smiling, just look into the camera" and took the photo.
For inspiration I looked at the work of Bernd and Hilla Becher, a pair of photographers who are best know for their objective typologies of buildings. Their approach to taking photos was methodical, only using certain angles and shooting on overcast days. They used a grid format to present their photos, citing their usefulness in comparing images. DOcumentary approachesPhotography has been used since its inception as a tool for documentation, especially in terms of journalism. War photography became a major point in swaying public opinion and morale, especially during conflicts such as the Vietnam war. Within documentary photography there are dozens of different approaches, including typologies and street photography.
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