Street Photography as a Last Barrier Against Monotony in Photography?

Hi All,

I must confess that more and more I am immerse in the world of Street Photography (see some of my work on Street Photography in this post http://photomusing311.blogspot.pt/2013/07/exhibition-of-street-photography.html). However, and despite being a fan of this genre of photography, I think that this path I am taking is justified not only for me liking it but also for escaping the monotony that have been present in other types of photography.

Let me try to explain this further. I like very much the city that I am currently living in: Porto, Portugal. This is a very beautiful city, with a lot of history and with several important human-built and natural landmarks. So, there are lots of nice scenarios that can be subjects of photographs. For a look at Porto, I recommend you a post mine about the city (http://photomusing311.blogspot.pt/2013/07/a-look-at-porto-portugal.html).

Having started a photography hobby have increased my relationship with this city, as this hobby has lead to explore more of Porto and discover new places, and to look at known scenarios with other perspective.

Bridge and Boats

Stairs

Small Waves

However, after a while, shooting in Porto started to be a little boring and monotone. Unfortunately the city did not evolve along side with my taste in taking shots, and after some time I have already photographed those beautiful landmarks. I think that this is a natural process. As much interesting a place can be, after a while we have become accustomed with it and have photographed all that matters. Thus, Photography can become boring as our shots become like repetitions of previous ones.

Some photographers escape this feeling because they are able to go to different places with some regularity, and so, refresh their pool of possible photographic subjects. However, there are lot of us that are "grounded" in the regions where we live for a variety of different motives (money, time, etc...). At this point, I think that we either accept this boredom and start to abandon this hobby or resort to Street Photography, conscientiously or not.

The Old and New

Alcohol Fueled Conversation

The fact is, while the city by itself is a more static place, the people that live in it are constantly refreshing our pool of possible photographic subjects. People are wonderful subjects as they are constantly providing exciting and refreshing shots. More important, people can provide amazing shots everywhere, everyday. One has only to look for them.

So, my conclusion is that when we are unable to travel often and so radically change the scenery of our photos, we turn to Street Photography in order to continue to be challenged and stimulated by the art of Photography, thus being drawn away from monotony.

How easy is to do Street Photography by targeting unknown people?

Hi All,

Lately I am been thinking in improving my Street Photography, and so, I have read some articles and blog posts about it. One of the things that call my attention in these readings is the apparent ease one can photograph people in the "Street" generally without cause any bad repercussion. With bad repercussion, I mean confrontations with the subjects of the picture, uncomfortable or menacing attitudes/posture, or simply an escape attempt by the subject of our cameras.

This notion of ease caught my attention because it very far from the experience that I have in doing Street Photography! One perfect example was the attitude of the subject of the following photo:

The Law

Despite being a guard of a public museum, and at the distance I was shooting there was no way he could tell that I was photographing him and not the museum entrance, the man came straight at me with all his Law-Enforcing attitude as if I was committing a crime!

The fact is, I cannot believe that a great deal of people do not mind been photographed by a stranger and do not take action in any way that makes the photographer uncomfortable about what he is doing. Do to this my work generally deals with at distance photos, photos when in ceremonies where people are expecting to be a subject of pictures or when people are very distracted and not notice me:

Sunday Gathering

Portuguese Academic Ritual of Passing

Playing at Sea

So, I want to know your thoughts and your experience on this subject. I think that maybe the responses that we get for our subjects are dependent of the culture of the people/country, the dissemination and the number of practitioners of Street Photography on the area one works, and if this area is a touristic one or not. 

By thinking on my situation, I think that in Portugal people are not very receptive to be subjects of unknown photographers, possible due to the lack of Street Photographers. In my country, Photography is not really considered as an art and/or hobby but only a mean to record important personal events (travels, birthdays, important ceremonies, nights out with friends, etc...). So photograph one unknown subject is like an intrusion in their personal "sphere". In touristic zones, this is more diluted as people are more accustomed to people with cameras in hand. However, they are still expecting that the camera is focusing on some important landmark and not on people.

So, what can you say about this? :)

Sun in the water

Sun in the water, a photo by Photographic Musings (photomusing311.blogspot.pt) on Flickr.

Hi All,

Well, in a foggy day when miss the sun, nothing like looking at pictures of better weather ;)

A stroll at the Botanical Garden

Hi All,

One of my favorite places in Porto for a little walk after work is the Botanical Garden.

It is a very beautiful and quite place, where we can walk in peace in the middle of Nature, and simply relax. Also, there is also a nice variety of "landscapes".

So, if you ever came to visit Porto, this is clearly a place to see.

 Cactus Avenue

Enjoying a Sunny Afternoon

Flower

Here Comes the Sun

Sky II, a photo by Luist311 on Flickr.

Catalan Musician

Catalan Musician, a photo by Luist311 on Flickr.

Hi All,

This is a picture of a very talented Catalan musician, who provided me and my girlfriend a very nice spectacle in Park Guell (Barcelona).

PS: I really love his guitar!

A look at Porto, Portugal

Hi All,

Porto is the second most important city of Portugal, only after the capital Lisbon. Porto is known for its wines, for its bridges, historical center and architecture.

This city has been my home for the last six years, and still today I am amazed by its beauty. In this post I share some of my work regarding this very fine city, Porto, the Capital of the North.

 Ribeira's Square

 The Boats of River Douro

 House of Music

 Monument for the Heroes of the Peninsular War

 The Tram

 Allies Avenue

 The Guardian Angel of the River

 The River is Secure!

Follow the Leader

 View from the "Terreiro da Sé"

Bridge D. Luís I