melodysparks: (Default)
[personal profile] melodysparks
Street Photography

One May afternoon a few years ago, I took my little Canon Powershot camera down to the Nottingham Arboretum in hope to capture the antics of the squirrels. I sat down on a bench and attempted to entice the little critters towards me with fruit and nuts. On the other end of the bench sat a tall, skinny man in a baseball cap and battered denim jacket and a backpack at his feet.

We got to talking about the squirrels and then photography. To my surprise and his utter delight he knew me through my photography from the Nottingham Flickr Group as he was a fellow member. That day was the start of my friendship with Stephen Wright one of Nottingham’s most talented Street Photographers.

So this is what a camera looks like

WOW, I had never made an impression instantly like that. We clicked as friends and since then he has taught me a lot about photography. For his birthday in 2008 I took him out for the day to Newark on Trent. He said it was one of the best birthday presents he had. That day I held my first DSLR Nikon camera and fell even more in love with photography.

When my colleagues and boss presented me with my 25 years service gift which was funds to buy a DSLR camera and all the required equipment I needed, the first person that came to mind was Stephen and when I dropped him a line asking him if he was interested in camera shopping.

That day was so much fun as he also began to teach me how to use my D60.
Stephen Wright is so easy going and he has enthusiasm, excitement, exuberance, energy, eagerness, and elation and being around him is exhilarating, exasperating and he certainly exceeds expectations when it comes to his work and his tutoring. He is also cheeky, rascally, mischievous, bold as brass and

To quote Guy, one of my friends “Cheekiest bloody street photographer you will see. Scary to be around while shooting as he snaps up close and personal. Trouble is, he has a cheeky boy smile that allows him to get away with a sneaky shot.” And he isn’t wrong there. This is Stephens website http://stephenwrightstreetphotography.weebly.com/

Stephen Wright at work

Nottingham Light Night 2009 - Street Photographer

So, what is Street Photography? Well, the way Stephen taught me, Street photography is a type of documentary photography that features PEOPLE in candid situations within public places such as streets, parks, beaches, malls, political conventions and other settings.

Street photography uses the techniques of straight photography in that it shows a pure vision of something, like holding up a mirror to society. Street photography often tends to be ironic and can be distanced from its subject matter, and often concentrates on a single human moment, caught at a decisive or poignant moment.

This means that any pictures that DO NOT contain a human element does not conform to the rules, of Street Photography.

Candids of people in situations within public places such as streets, parks, beaches, malls, political conventions and other settings.
Street Portraits of street characters and people but no posing.
Decisive Moments or poignant moments of people in situations within public places such as streets, parks, beaches, malls, political conventions and other settings.
All images MUST contain a HUMAN element!

These are a few of my attempts at Street Photography. I hope Stephen approves.

Fishing

Fishing

Disney

Disney

The Couple

The Couple

Do not sit or climb on the sculpture

Do not sit or climb on the sculpture

Two Visitors

Two Visitors





This is the Street Photography group on Flickr that both Stephen and I administer

http://www.flickr.com/groups/nottinghamstreetphotography/

http://www.flickriver.com/groups/nottinghamstreetphotography/pool/interesting/

Date: 2012-03-23 12:21 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] duffy-60.livejournal.com
Isn't it amazing who we meet when we actually open our mouths to strangers and have a conversation. My mother and friends say that I'll talk to anyone. And my reply is, but you never know who you'll meet if you don't. :-)

His photography is amazing. I just checked out his site. I love the cover photo of the young man with a two-fisted FU. L0L

Thanks for sharing him with us!

Date: 2012-03-23 10:44 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] melodysparks.livejournal.com
Yes Stephen is quite a character. He always greets me with a cheeky smile and a "Chris, Hello Darling"

I am someone who will strike up a conversation with a stranger too, its making a connection and maybe that little connection will make a difference to someones day.

I look at my photography as making a connection also, sharing the view of the world though my eyes and hoping those that i share it with find something in it that connects.

Does that sound as odd to you as it reads to me? I hope you understand what I am trying to say

Date: 2012-03-24 01:29 am (UTC)
From: [identity profile] duffy-60.livejournal.com
makes perfect sense to me. :-))

have a great weekend.

Date: 2012-03-23 12:23 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] duffy-60.livejournal.com
Sorry, me again.

Your street pics, IMHO, are amazing, too. I especially love the last one. She looks like she's ready to bit your head off. :-))

Date: 2012-03-23 10:46 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] melodysparks.livejournal.com
Thank you. I dont get too close and personal with my street photography as Stephen does I generally use a long lens and take the shot from a small distance.

I am please you liked the photographs

Date: 2012-03-23 06:03 pm (UTC)
danceswithgary: (Default)
From: [personal profile] danceswithgary
Wonderful story and pictures. :-D

I have someone else on my flist who posts lovely photos, [livejournal.com profile] odinsvoid. I'm surrounded by beauty!

Date: 2012-03-23 10:51 pm (UTC)
From: [identity profile] melodysparks.livejournal.com
Thank you I am glad you enjoy them.

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