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Street Photography: Behind the Photo No1. SWEET TOOTH

Somebody looking at, analysing, going behind the scenes and ripping apart their own photos to see how they scrub up under the microscope….if at all?

Garry Winogrand said in an interview that “you have to be your own toughest critic” This series is delving into that in a big way.

Crows Scene Oxford Circus Black and White

Sweet Tooth (Behind the Photo)

First photo of the Street Photography series is this one taken last summer at Oxford Circus in Central London. Personally I think it is a mediocre plus sort of photo being maybe elevated to a 7/10 by the attractive girl with a lollipop,

How was it taken? Aaron Berger style walking down the road taking photos combine harvester style with a stupid grin on my face?

Was the sugar connection intentional? Nope just happened by accident I was totally focused on Lollipop Girl

Camera Used: Nikon S9100. £50 on ebay!

Focal Length: Somewhere in the wide angle end of the zoom spectrum

Weather Conditions: Bright, Hot & Sunny

Positives

Connections: The girl with the lollipop connects nicely with the other girl drinking some McD sugary liquid at the same time. Both dressed in dark colours and brunette.

Composition: Lollipop girl is sort of on the rule of thirds, McD girl the same.

Rule of odds? Sort of a three situation going on with the woman in the foreground?

Layering: The two girls are in the mid ground, the foreground is occupied by the women in white with shades, the background features the building and crowds. We have some sort of layering going on here.

Undisturbed scene: Not essential but everybody in the scene is completely oblivious to me taking the photo which gives it a sort of fly on the wall natural vibe.

Story: Some sort of story here about how reliant we are on sugar in our diet without even realising it. Yes the photo has something to say!

Context: It’s quite clearly taken in London in an urban city type environment.

Technically: It’s sharp as hell!

Negatives:

The photo looks cluttered and a bit dis-organised in composition terms.

Would the photo be better without the woman in the foreground?

No interaction really going on in the scene whatsoever.

In lighting terms it is a bit “program” mode looking nothing much going on in lighting terms?

The photo has no mood and for me personally generates no emotional response other than wow she’s nice

Who or what is the subject?

Would I send this off to Magnum? Er….NO!

Summary

On Instagram on my second account with a handful of followers 66% liked and rated this photo which is quite high. Which just goes to show what you think is good ….others think is not so great and what you think is mediocre others are jumping up and down in excitement at how amazing it is. It’s all subjective but the only way you are going to find out…….. is by putting yourself and your work out there.

Leave your comments below. Utter garbage, just another mediocre also ran street photo like 90% of them out there…….. or wow this is really something else? Me at best 7/10

Frank J Avatar
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