Photographing graffiti

Graffiti is something that's covered bridges and walls in cities for generations and even though the colourful shapes, images and letters divide the crowd's opinion it's not something that's going to go away any time soon. So, whether you think it's art or a bit of an eye-sore it's a subject that's well worth photographing.


Gear
As you'll be walking around pack a zoom lens so you have a variety of focal lengths to play with without the added bulk of several lenses. If you want something a little easier to use take a look at the Samsung NX10 that has interchangeable lenses in a body that's as easy to use as a compact camera. For extra support take a monopod as it's easier to walk with than a tripod and if you want to take a bag, make it a small one as hitting someone in the face with an oversized bag as you turn around won't make you very popular. Pocket a polariser to emphasis colours and take a friend with you if you're planning on visiting areas which aren't considered to be the safest places.

Technique
Your main decision is if you're going to make the graffiti your main focus or if you're going to shoot the graffiti to show where it is. If you're going for the second option you'll need to step back and include a lot of surrounding detail. Taking several shots for a panorama can work well or try shooting through a fence or other industrial objects to give your graffiti photos a different look to those usually shot. If you don't want to include several buildings try framing the graffiti with a broken wall, pipes, gaps in bridges or buildings. Signs or people can add an extra point of interest to your image especially if you use a slow shutter speed so there movement's ghosted through the shot.

If you're filling the frame with the graffiti watch your exposure as close up shots of tags and other drawings have a tendency to over expose. To emphasis the colours used in the graffiti use a polarising filter or switch to black and white and try using some coloured filters. If it's a rainy day graffiti looks great reflected in puddles or head to a canal and see if there's any graffiti along the walls that surround it for reflections on a non-rainy day.


You've read the article, now go take some fantastic images. You can then upload the pictures, plus any advice and suggestions you have into the dedicated Photo Month forum for everyone at ePHOTOzine to enjoy.